Music has always been a mirror of its time, expressing a shared global emotion that transcends borders and cultures. And with the world today feeling chaotic, uncertain, and undeniably strange, that emotion has taken on a new form. In music and pop culture alike, the mood of the moment is defined by a growing sense of weirdness. At this cultural moment, weirdness is being celebrated more than ever, channeling the chaos and uncertainty of the world around us, turning it something that feels more real and more authentic than ever before. It feels as though global culture is spiraling down a hole, pulling everyone into a greater sense of realness, whatever that may mean for each person. This new cultural force reflects the identity of a young generation that is fed up with mediocrity and formalities, and is now chasing cultural expressions that are distinctive, weird, and unapologetically authentic. In North Africa and the Middle East, where between 38 and 50 percent of the population are younger than 34 years old, the region could not be more vibrant, fresh, or distinctive. It is a place where trends, musical genres,…
