<div> Harfan Harfan is expanding. What began as a platform built around artist profiles: rappers, bands, singers, and producers, now takes an essential step forward with the introduction of Record Label Profiles. </div><div><br></div><div>We continue this journey with <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3861" target="_blank">Scarab Records</a>, bringing their world onto the platform and further building out the ecosystems behind the music. </div><div><br></div><div>At the center of their roster is <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3669" target="_blank">Zeyne</a>, the label’s signed artist, whose work anchors this collaboration.&nbsp; </div><div><br></div><div>Alongside her, a selection of key collaborators reflect the wider network Scarab Records has built across releases.</div><div><br></div><ul><li><a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3790" target="_blank">Autostrad</a> (Aleem Allah, Bas7ab Kalami)</li><li><a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3884" target="_blank">Shroof</a> (Minnak, Habbeitak)</li><li><a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3883" target="_blank">Roxanne</a> (Ensa)</li><li><a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3882" target="_blank">Ehab</a> (Meeli)</li><li><a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3881" target="_blank">Omar Al-Abdallat</a> (Orange Jordan – Dayman Maak Ya Bladi)</li></ul><div><a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3861" target="_blank">Their label page</a> is now live on Harfan Harfan, showcasing their artist, collaborations, and catalog. </div><div><br></div><div>Scarab Records join a growing network of labels on the platform, as we continue to document and celebrate MENA music in all its layers. </div><div><br></div><div>Harfan Harfan is growing, and we’re excited to grow together. <br></div>

Harfan Harfan x Scarab Records 🪲

<div>We asked&nbsp;<a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3849" target="_blank">Arsee</a> about his music, his creative process, and the words that carry the most weight in his scene.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>1. What almost ended up being your artist name before you landed on ‘Arsee’?</strong></div><div><strong><br></strong></div><div><em>Actually funny story, when I started like 11 years ago I went by Short. There’s probably an empty spotify account with that name somewhere on the internet.</em><br></div><div><em><br></em></div><div><em><br></em></div><div><strong>2.&nbsp;If someone heard just one track from you, which should it be, and why?</strong></div><div><strong><em><br></em></strong></div><div><em>I don’t even know I have a love-hate relationship with my music. I dislike almost all of them because I know I could’ve done better, but they are still all like my children. If i had to pick I’d say “<a href="https://harfanharfan.com/song/906" target="_blank">Wagti</a>”, “<a href="https://harfanharfan.com/song/893" target="_blank">I’m him</a>” or my latest “<a href="https://harfanharfan.com/song/986">Baby</a>”.<br></em></div><div><em><br></em></div><div><em><br></em></div><div><strong>3. Weirdest place you’ve ever written a bar/lyric?</strong></div><div><br></div><div><em>I mean, if my brain starts thinking it has to come out so a lot of places, on a plane, in a club, at work. </em></div><div><em>It’s so many places I could probably write lyrics about the places I wrote lyrics.</em><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>4.&nbsp;What’s your toxic creative habit?</strong></div><div><em><br></em></div><div><em>I can’t stop. </em></div><div><em>As in if I play one key, even if I know it will be trash, I’m finishing the song down to mastering, I could spend 24 hours straight on no sleep working on a song just to delete it and go to sleep.</em><br></div><div><em><br></em></div><div><em><br></em></div><div><strong>5.&nbsp;What’s something you had to unlearn to grow musically?</strong></div><div><strong><br></strong></div><div><em>I used to be very into old school hip-hop back in the day, against auto-tune and any unnatural effects, now my music is more about all these tools making a vibe and I don’t start a session without a stacked effect channel.</em><br></div><div><em><br></em></div><div><em><br></em></div><div><strong>6.&nbsp;What word from your dialect hits hardest in your scene/crowd, and why?</strong></div><div><strong><br></strong></div><div><em>I feel like ‘Wala’ is a good one, it’s super expressive for some reason and depending on the tone everyone around you understands the context. I don’t even know what wala would be in English.</em></div><div><em><br></em></div><div><em><br></em></div><div><strong>7.&nbsp;Who’s an artist from your city that deserves more love?</strong></div><div><strong><em><br></em></strong></div><div><em>All of us, the hip-hop and alternative scene here has some of the most creative people in the region in my biased opinion but for some reason it’s hard for anyone to break out of the “underground” so to say.</em><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>8.&nbsp;Dream collab: who’s on your wishlist &amp; why?</strong></div><div><strong><br></strong></div><div><em>Pre February 6th I would’ve said Lil Wayne and that’s a rapper answer to be honest. </em></div><div><em>But after J. Cole released his album it changed to him, I think he’s really cool.</em><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>9.&nbsp;If your music were a place, where would it be?</strong></div><div><br></div><div><em>Is inside of my head an answer you’d accept? (We accepted!)&nbsp;</em></div><div><em>I know that if it was a place it wouldn’t be anyone's dream destination though.</em></div><div><em><br></em></div><div><em><br></em></div><div><strong>10.&nbsp;How do you get re-inspired when you hit a creative block?</strong></div><div><strong><br></strong></div><div><em>I usually listen to my own music and get mad more than inspired because I know I can do better so it kind of annoys me that I didn’t, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.</em><br></div>

Behind the Sound: Meet Arsee

<div>In a 2023 panel at XP Music Futures, Malikah - also known as the queen of Arabic hip hop - talks about when early followers of the culture were called the “yo yo people”. That title may sound ridiculous today, but it made sense to most back then. Hip hop was still under the radar in the MENA region and years away from becoming a space artists could claim, but rejection and cynicism weren’t new to us.&nbsp; </div><div><br></div><div>When Ziad Al Rahbani graced us with Lebanese jazz, his genius took listeners by storm because he made Western music speak our language. Kind of like when Rachid Taha fused Raï with rock, making waves among the North African diaspora. Just as these musical innovations were welcomed with awe, the disruption they created also invited criticism. So when hip hop landed in the hands of MENA visionaries, its dismissal as “yo yo” culture revealed how little it was understood. </div><div><br></div><div>Yet here we are now, with hip hop thriving as something undeniably ours. How did a genre born in the Bronx become part of our own musical lineage? </div><div><br></div><div>The answer partly lies in how contemporary artists reshape the soundscape, layering 808s with darbuka, maqamat, and regional rhythms until the genre sounds more rooted than imported. </div><div><br></div><ul><li>Syrian artist Shams' Ahwak is an intentional tribute to Abdel Halim Hafez that is reminiscent of the tenderness and feminine sway of icons like Warda and Najat Al Saghira, but with contemporary production.&nbsp;</li><li>Egyptian rapper <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3843" target="_blank">Wegz</a> makes the darbuka prominent in <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/song/850" target="_blank">كلام فرسان</a>, evoking traditional Shaabi while the track pulses with modern energy.&nbsp;</li><li>Moroccan artist Khtek's Kiya draws on traditional Moroccan influences, weaving them into a hip hop framework.&nbsp;</li><li>And 3li3bboud doesn't simply layer an 808 beat over traditional instrumentation – he creates a mélange of traditional sounds that fits the complexity of our microtonal maqamat.</li></ul><div><br></div><div>This fusion makes sense because hip hop has always been a sonic space for expressing struggle – oppression, economic disparity, injustice – while still making room for love, nostalgia, pride, and hope. This duality makes the genre feel almost native to a region whose history is marked by colonial legacies and ongoing political turbulence.&nbsp; </div><div><br></div><div>Besides, the rhythmic nature of rap was bound to resonate in countries where lyricism is inherently poetic and metered. To our generationally-trained ears, MENA rap and hip hop ring the way Zajal, Shaabi, and Raï rang to the generations that came before us.&nbsp;<br></div>

From the Bronx to the Balad: How Hip Hop Speaks Our Language

Super cool interview! would love to see a collab with Elissa come to life 🙀 <3 

5. What’s something you had to unlearn to grow musically?

Really raw and humble answer. We always think artists have to carry the belief that they're the absolute best, but I think removing comparisons is what really elevates an artist to true uniqueness.

<div>We asked <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3640" target="_blank">Emsallam</a> about his music, his creative process, and the words that carry the most weight in his scene.<br><br></div><p><strong>1. What almost ended up being your artist name before you landed on ‘EMSALLAM’?</strong></p><div><br></div><div><em>My name was going to be Msallamvdie, and the “V” was from the movie V for Vendetta.</em></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><p><strong>2. If someone heard just one track from you, which should it be, and why? </strong></p><div><br></div><p><em>This is one of the hardest questions, and it’s really hard to answer because since I started making music, I’ve tried as much as possible not to repeat myself. So I don’t have one song I can say represents me, but if I had to choose right now, it would be “Rah Tetla3 AlShams,” because it reminds me of a very difficult phase, and at the same time carries a strange kind of pride.</em></p><div><br></div><div><br></div><p><strong>3. Weirdest place you’ve ever written a bar/lyric?</strong></p><div><br></div><p><em>Maybe a shawarma restaurant.</em></p><div><br></div><div><br></div><p><strong>4. What’s your toxic creative habit?</strong></p><div><br></div><p><em>I don’t have toxic or healthy habits, I just write whenever the words come out of my head.</em></p><div><br></div><div><br></div><p><strong>5. What’s something you had to unlearn to grow musically?</strong></p><div><br></div><div><em>I taught myself to accept that I’m not the best at making music, and that every day I might hear someone or a project better than mine. That helped me love music more.</em></div><div><em><br></em></div><div><em><br></em></div><div><strong>6. What word from your dialect hits hardest in your scene/crowd, and why?</strong></div><div><strong><br></strong></div><div><em>اجرمن عنهن – A Palestinian rural word meaning “(That’s why!)” with emphasis. I love it because it’s not used much, and I was lucky enough to help spread it through a <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/song/724" target="_blank">song</a> of the same name. </em></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>7. Who’s an artist from your city that deserves more love?</strong></div><div><br></div><div><em>I’ve stopped liking to answer these questions.</em></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>8. Dream collab: who’s on your wishlist &amp; why?</strong></div><div><br></div><div><em>I feel it could be amazing if I did a project with Elissa.</em></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>9. If your music were a place, where would it be?</strong></div><div><strong><br></strong></div><div><em>I feel like my music would be stored in the same warehouse where Van Gogh kept his paintings.</em></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>10. How do you get re-inspired when you hit a ‘creative’ block?</strong></div><div><br></div><div><em>There’s no such thing as a creative block. Art is like a muscle, the more you train it, the easier it gets.<br></em></div>

Behind the Sound: Meet Emsallam

<div>A live rap night with Bu Nasser, with Aladin on the decks (DJ set &amp; live musical support).<br><br>Old tracks ✔️ </div><div>New tracks ✔️ </div><div>Everything in between.<br>High energy, heavy lyrics, and fire burning through the cold.<br><br>🎟️ Tickets are very limited — advance booking only<br>📍 In-person booking at Riwaq Beirut.<br>📞 Or via phone: 81953643<br><br>🎟️ Ticket: $15<br>🎟️+📕Ticket + Al-Qashnood book: $20<br><br>🕗 Doors open at 8:00 PM<br>🕘 Concert starts at 9:00 PM sharp<br></div>

Concert

Bu Nasser Touffar | بو ناصر الطفار

Aladin | علاء الدين

Bu Nasser Live @ RIWAQ

<div>Harfan Harfan is expanding. What began as a platform built around artist profiles: rappers, bands, singers, and producers, now takes an essential step forward with the introduction of <strong>Record Label Profiles.</strong> </div><div><br></div><div>Record Label Profiles create a dedicated space for labels to showcase the artists they represent, highlight discographies, and present the catalogs they’ve built. By giving labels a home on the platform, Harfan Harfan becomes a fuller archive of the culture, capturing not only the voices, but the ecosystems behind them.</div><div><br></div><div> Today, we’re proud to announce that this feature is launching in partnership with <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3787" target="_blank">RAAD RECORDS</a>, an Egyptian artist and employee-owned label who are bringing  new artists (and more to come) to the platform. Their label page is now live on Harfan Harfan, featuring their artists, projects, and releases. </div><div><br></div><div>For listeners, it means deeper context and easier discovery.</div><div>For artists, more visibility and organized credit.</div><div>For the region’s music scene, a stronger digital footprint. </div><div><br></div><div>Each label will now have a full page showcasing its artists, catalog, and latest releases, connected seamlessly to the discovery tools our community already knows. </div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3787" target="_blank">Raad Records</a> is the first, but not the last. We invite labels from the MENA underground and beyond to join us and build a space that honors the craft, the histories, and the people behind the music. </div><div><br></div><div>This feature isn’t just an addition, it’s a natural step in Harfan Harfan’s mission to document and celebrate MENA music in all its layers. </div><div><br></div><div>Harfan Harfan is growing, and we’re excited to grow together.<br></div>

HH Launches Record Label Profiles with Raad Records

Loved the analysis! i would have loved if covered more how the lyrics reached North Africa aswell (Mediterranean) 

<div>Music doesn’t require fluency. Even when lyrics are foreign, listeners connect before they feel the need for translation. Heads bop before they search for literal meaning. If this is true across continents, then <strong>how does music travel between neighboring countries that share a language, but speak it differently?</strong> </div><div><br></div><div>In the Levant, the distance felt between us and our neighbors is not imagined. It’s enforced by borders drawn to keep us estranged. Still, music crosses them easily and quickly, carried by streaming platforms and social media. <strong>In Arabic hip hop, dialects may shift and vocabularies may differ, </strong>but the experiences being rapped about<strong> remain familiar.</strong> Struggles, frustrations and humor are shared. Our nostalgia draws from a collective memory, our stories reveal how closely we’re related, and our slang distinguishes us from each other without disrupting our sense of what we share.&nbsp; </div><div><br></div><div>This is especially clear in how slang travels between scenes. In “<a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3756" target="_blank">القمر والمحيط</a>,” <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3756" target="_blank">The Synaptik</a> repeatedly uses the word هسّا, a term used in Palestine, Iraq, and Jordan meaning “now” or “still.” For Lebanese listeners, the word lands easily against its near-identical counterpart,إسّا, carrying the same meaning with only a slight change in sound.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Hip hop may be a universal language, but it never comes from a neutral place. <strong>Rap is rooted in intention</strong>. Lyrics are written from a specific position, but they are always received <strong>personally</strong>. We rarely hear a bar without folding it into our own social, cultural, or political context. <strong>Nostalgia</strong> particularly accelerates this process. When <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3645" target="_blank">El Far3i</a> raps in “<a href="https://harfanharfan.com/song/796" target="_blank">Rayga Rayga</a>”: “عالويب عشبكة الكبار زي عنكبوت النونو,” the distance-breaking hook is عنكبوت النونو, a song that many of us grew up with. The reference doesn’t belong to one country, but rather to a <strong>shared childhood memory.&nbsp;</strong> </div><div><br></div><div>This is where the <strong>question of meaning shifts</strong>. As <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3643" target="_blank">El Rass</a> has reflected in conversation on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLmAHt34Pfg" target="_blank">Heidak El Podcast</a>, what is often labeled “flow” in rap is not just technical skill, but <strong>a state</strong> that moves the rapper out of self-consciousness and into a state of heightened spiritual awareness of their surroundings. That awareness shapes how lyrics travel, allowing them to move more freely.&nbsp; </div><div><br></div><div>Satire signifies this movement clearly. In “2areek,” a track by <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3643" target="_blank">El Rass</a>, <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3772" target="_blank">Al Nather</a>, and <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3763" target="_blank">Shabjdeed</a>, El Rass asks “وش تبي؟” using the Gulf dialect in a moment of sarcastic submission. He follows it with “OPECنبي أرامكو و,” a phrase instantly <strong>understood across the region</strong> as a rejection of oil-led interests and false prophets.&nbsp; </div><div><br></div><div>Finally, collaboration becomes a statement in itself. In “فستق” by <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3643" target="_blank">El Rass</a> and Haykal, Haykal raps about Lebanon’s currency collapse. A Palestinian artist <strong>giving voice</strong> to a Lebanese crisis reflects a regional care that goes beyond geography. It’s a reminder that while our borders <strong>insist on separation</strong>, our music continues to speak across them, intentionally, attentively, and with meaning that shifts, but is never compromised.<br></div>

How Arabic Lyrics Travel Across Borders

<div> Song lyrics are often open to interpretation, but what happens when the explanation comes directly from the artist? </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Lyrics Explained"</strong> is a series by <strong>Harfan Harfan</strong>, dedicated to documenting and exploring Arabic song lyrics <strong>through the artists themselves</strong>, moving away from fixed meanings or purely literal readings.</div><div><br></div><div><hr> </div><div><strong><br></strong></div><div><strong>Episode One: <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3645" target="_blank">El Far3i</a></strong> </div><div><br></div><div>We launch the series with <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3645" target="_blank">El Far3i</a>, as he breaks down selected lyrics from three of his songs (<a href="https://harfanharfan.com/song/796" target="_blank">Rayga Rayga</a>, <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/song/797" target="_blank">Mistareeh</a>, <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/song/798" target="_blank">Ontoqha</a>), discussing their meaning, emotional context, and creative background.</div><div><br></div><div><hr> </div><div><strong><br></strong></div><div><strong>Your Role </strong></div><div><br></div><div>At Harfan Harfan, we don’t believe in a single, final interpretation. After the artist shares their perspective, the conversation continues with you. </div><div><br></div><div>Add your own interpretations and personal reflections, every contribution earns you points on the platform.</div><div><br></div><div><hr> </div><div><strong><br></strong></div><div><strong>What are points for?</strong> </div><div><br></div><div>Points are our way of recognizing meaningful participation and unlocking future features and experiences within Harfan Harfan. </div><div>👉 <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/gamification" target="_blank">How it works</a></div><div><br></div><div><hr> </div><div><strong><br></strong></div><div><strong>What’s next?</strong> </div><div><br></div><div>The <strong>Lyrics Explained"</strong> series will continue with more Arab artists, each episode offering a deeper look into lyrics, music, and the human experience behind them. </div><div><br></div><div>If you care about words, and believe every song holds more than one meaning, <strong>this is for you.</strong> </div><div><br></div><div>📩 Sign up and join the conversation. <br></div>

Lyrics Explained” When Artists Explain Their Own Words 📝

<div>After two years away from the stage, El Rass returns to KED Beirut on Saturday, November 15. Doors open at 9 PM. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Terms and conditions:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; </strong></div><ul><li>This event is strictly 18+ </li><li>Physical ID required. </li><li>Management reserves the right of admission. </li><li>Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. &nbsp; </li></ul>

El Rass | الراس

El Rass Live @ KED

<div>47soul Live at Metro! </div><div><br></div><div>The Palestinian musical collective formed in Jordan in 2013 with Tareq Abu Kwaik, Ramzy Suleiman, Walaa Sbait and Hamza Arnaout taking influence from hip-hop, electronica, and R&amp;B and melding it with the sounds of Dabke, a traditional folk dance, and other Shaa’bi roots music from the Levantine region. 47SOUL single-handedly sowed the seeds of the Shamstep genre.</div><div><br></div><div> Shamstep, their groundbreaking debut EP released in 2015, not only helped coin the genre’s name but also brought a new audience to the traditional music of Bilad Al Sham. </div><div><br></div><div>They continue to march the Shamstep movement forward with their unmistakable sound, infectious energy and thought-provoking Arabic and English lyrics exploring all themes from the political and philosophical to direct calls to the recognition of the common humanity of all people. </div><div><br></div><ul><li>Standing event </li><li>Tickets are non refundable and non exchangeable </li><li>Drinks available</li></ul>

47SOUL | السبعة وأربعين

47SOUL Live @ Metro

<div>Today, El Far3i officially drops his fourth rap album, <strong>“<a href="https://music.empi.re/rapsharqelnahir?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacivQZNF-moj6laFDcTNOIfiEC0ffTWfjXReEcG_0GQpBrxfn7" target="_blank">Rap Sharq El Nahir</a>” (راب شرق النهر)</strong>: a name that lands like a marker on a map. It nods to Amman, the city east of the river, but also to a layered identity that flows like the water it references: fluid, rooted, and relentless. This project arrives after a decade away from his hometown, Amman.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>A New Chapter, Not a Repeat </strong></div><div>Affirming his dual identity as a singer and rapper, El Far3i steps back into rap with a sharp, collaborative spirit. Joining him on this record are some of the region’s sharpest lyricists: The Synaptik, Emsallam, BA, Satti, Almukhtar, Kazz Torabyeh, and ElSheefra. The beats are crafted by El Far3i himself under Arab Drumz, alongside the Syrian producer Wardenclyph; a pairing that gives the album its tight, grounded pulse ⚡️.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Every Track, A Situation</strong> </div><div>Each track in “Rap Sharq El Nahir” speaks to personal, political, and artistic realities. Think of them like snapshots from different corners of the same city: each with its own light, noise, and energy. </div><div><br></div><ul><li><strong>“Haki” (حكي)</strong> with ElSheefra hits like a punch you saw coming but still felt. It’s one of the album’s loudest confrontations, referencing the conflicts of the past 3 years, and stripping away the “just talk” layer.<br> “طلع هذا العالم كله بس حكي… غير الطوفان ما في هون حكي.”</li><li><strong>“Rayga Rayga” (رايقة رايقة)</strong> with Emsallam shifts the mood, but not the message. It’s a crisp salute to independent artists in the region, a nod to those building the scene on their own terms. WOW.</li><li><strong>“Dnm Dnm” (دونم دونم)</strong> with The Synaptik feels like a return drive through memory. It traces Amman’s roads and personal history, holding love, faith, and identity together in one steady breath.</li></ul><div><br></div><div><strong>East of the River, Beyond the Border</strong></div><div> “Rap Sharq El Nahir” pushes forward with familiar faces and sharper edges. The album’s sound rides on clean yet heavy production, a balance of Far3i’s classic delivery with layers of new flows, fresh hooks, and shared breath with the next wave of rappers.</div><div><br></div><div>🔥 “Rap Sharq El Nahir” is out now, <a href="https://music.empi.re/rapsharqelnahir?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacivQZNF-moj6laFDcTNOIfiEC0ffTWfjXReEcG_0GQpBrxfn7" target="_blank">everywhere</a>!</div><div><br></div>

“Rap Sharq El Nahir”, El Far3i Sets the Tone (Again) 🗺️

<p>Loved the new album! And the Tarab Podcasts are sooo good! can't wait for a Tarab x Harfan Harfan collab 😌💯</p>

<div>Yasmine Hamdan, one of the most influential voices in contemporary Arabic music, sat down with the Tarab Podcast for a deep conversation about her journey. Known for co-founding Soapkills and pioneering an alternative Arabic sound that blends heritage with electronic and indie influences, Yasmine has long been a bridge between past and future in the region’s music.</div><div><br></div><div>
Yasmine Hamdan’s new album, I Remember I Forget (« بنسى وبتذكر »), was released on September 19, 2025 via Crammed Discs. The 10-track album, co-produced with Marc Collin, explores themes of memory, identity, and the turmoil of Lebanon through a blend of traditional Arabic sounds and electronic textures. </div><div><br></div><div>
In the episode, she also discusses “Iza”, a track that was inspired by a taxi driver in Beirut, and how everyday stories echo into her music.
</div><div><br></div><div>The Tarab Podcast itself is dedicated to exploring the intersections of Arabic music, culture, and global sound. It provides a space for Yasmine to reflect on her creative path, the legacy of Soapkills, and her evolution as an artist balancing roots and innovation.
What stands out is her reflection on how Arab artists constantly traverse the line between tradition and experimentation. </div><div><br></div><div>She hints at the challenge of being heard, not just locally but across borders, and the role that supporting platforms and global audiences play in making that possible.</div>

Yasmine Hamdan on Tarab Podcast: New Album & New Horizons

<div><strong>🎸 About Cairokee
</strong></div><div>Cairokee is an Egyptian rock band that came to prominence after the 2011 Egyptian Revolution with their politically charged, protest-oriented music. </div><div>Their upcoming Europe Tour 2025 includes both classic hits and material from their latest works, making this a must-see for fans across the continent.</div><div><strong><br></strong></div><div><strong>📅 Cairokee Europe Tour</strong></div><div>Nov 19, 2025 - Milan, Italy</div><div>


Nov 22, 2025 - Utrecht, Netherlands</div><div>Nov 24, 2025 - Barcelona, Spain</div><div>Nov 26, 2025 - Paris, France</div><div>

Nov 29, 2025 - Berlin, Germany&nbsp; </div><div>

Dec 1, 2025 - Vienna, Austria&nbsp; </div><div>


Dec 4, 2025 - Geneva, Switzerland </div><div>Dec 7, 2025 - London, UK</div><div><br></div><div><em>Note: Show times and ticket prices may vary depending on the country.</em></div>

Cairokee | كايروكي

Cairokee Euro Tour

<p>The song is on repeat!!! I can't stop listening to it 🔥🔥🎵</p>

<div>This is “<strong>Danger - خطر</strong>”: Felukah and Zina Louhaichy capturing the spirit of a generation that’s Arab, African, diasporic, and moving on its own terms. The video shines a spotlight on Arab women laughing, letting out zalghouta, and moving freely in heels or djellabas. Unapologetic, joyful, and powerful in the way they claim space.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Lyrics That Land</strong> </div><div>Felukah opens with an intimate confession:<br> “<strong>الدنيا بين يديك / And I let you in my life / Thought you'd be a danger (خطر، خطر) / So I made you mine.</strong>” It’s a play between trust and risk, danger and desire. </div><div><br></div><div>Then comes the flex that bridges worlds:<br> “<strong>Before the Luks, Lauryn Hill... فيها أم كلثوم</strong>”: placing Lauryn Hill’s soulful legacy side by side with Umm Kulthum, the eternal voice of the Arab world. This isn’t name-dropping, it’s lineage-claiming. Felukah insists Arabic women belong in the global canon of artistry.</div><div><br></div><div> Her verses also speak to diaspora weight: hustling between degrees, shifts, and stages, she carries multiple worlds “<strong>all up in my Nike 8s / Or in my Amina Muaddis.</strong>” It’s style, struggle, and swagger: the reality of migration in a verse.</div><div><strong><br></strong></div><div><strong>Symbols in Motion</strong>&nbsp; </div><div>The video is packed with layered cultural cues: old-school cassettes, keffiyeh, henna tattoos, bold necklaces, Moroccan and Egyptian flags, and flowing silhouettes that remix tradition with streetwear edge. Friends gather around her, rooting her voice in community rather than isolation. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>A Visual Manifesto</strong> </div><div>“خطر” is more than a track; it’s a statement. Felukah raps:<br> “<strong>I am your favorite artist's favorite rapper / بنت من البلاد / I represent diaspora too / I am the one who started up a movement.</strong>” She isn’t just performing; she’s documenting a moment where Arabic rap claims its place on the world stage. </div><div><br></div><div>With danger / خطر, the movement feels undeniable.<br></div>

Danger Never Sounded This Good: Felukah’s “خطر” 🎬⛵️

<div>Cyphers, raw bars, and the unfiltered energy of Arab rap, that’s what Rap Shar3 captures. It’s where voices from the corners and tunnels spit truth, no permission asked.</div><div><br><strong>Blvck B</strong>, born in Khartoum and now moving between Sudan and Egypt, started out dropping raw freestyles that spread fast online. From those street bars he built <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3660" target="_blank">Rap Shar3</a>, turning it into a space where underground voices could connect.</div><div><br>Diving in with “كانت أيام يا وطني”: a track that’s been echoing since its drop, carrying both power and pain. <strong>HYPER249</strong>, a fast-rising rapper born in Khartoum and currently making moves from Egypt, flows with a bare delivery that lands heavy without flaunting it.</div><div><br>It’s more than a song, it’s a statement, and at Harfan Harfan, we break it down, line by line, through annotations, playlists, and the community that keeps this culture alive.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>So what makes this performance stand out</strong></div><ul><li>HYPER249’s delivery is stripped-down, no filter, no gloss.</li><li>The hook “وطني” (my country) feels like a heartbeat, fragile but relentless.</li><li>It’s a cipher that travels beyond its corner, turning a street performance into an anthem for displacement.</li></ul><div><strong>What it’s about </strong></div><div>“Kanet Ayam Ya Watani - كانت أيام يا وطني” is an anthem of loss and longing, echoing the wounds of a fractured homeland.</div><div><br></div><div>يا حليل زمن نميري… الزمن الواحد كان ما ف زاتو"<br> النص اتشرد النص التاني ماتوا… ساب البلد "ذكرياتو وحاجاتو </div><div><br></div><div>👉 Explore the <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/song/723?annotation=667-29-113" target="_blank">annotation</a> on Harfan Harfan! and yes, you can add your own. Drop facts, bios, media, and earn points for every contribution.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Tap into the sound 🎧</strong></div><div>You’ll also find “Kanet Ayam Ya Watani - كانت أيام يا وطني” on Harfan Harfan’s playlist <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/playlist/5" target="_blank">هيب • هوب</a>&nbsp;- curated to highlight rap that moves, shakes, and documents a region’s voice.</div>

Rap Shar3: the streets speak. 🗣️🔊

<div>AMMAN, we are back.&nbsp;🔞 </div><div><br></div><div>On&nbsp;September 18, 2025, we return with a bigger venue, a heavier lineup, an exclusive show, and merchandise. A live performance at Madaboun. Expect an exclusive show. </div><div>Line-up: </div><div>- Shabjdeed </div><div>- Al Nather </div><div>- Daboor </div><div>- Fawzi </div><div>- Smokaholic </div><div>- Touch </div><div><br></div><div>MC: ABU3LI </div><div><br></div><div>Promoted by&nbsp;Al Wahida Presents Powered by&nbsp;The Foundation Venue:&nbsp;Madaboun</div><div><br></div><div>Limited tickets. </div><div>Exclusive Merchandise. </div><div>Exclusive music. </div><div>ALL SALES ARE FINAL. </div><div>NO REFUNDS. </div><div>EVENT ORGANIZERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO DENY THE ENTRY OF ANYONE.</div>

Shabjdeed & Al Nather | شب جديد والناظر

Daboor | ضبور

BLTNM

<p>Both amazing concerts!!! totally agree with what you said 🔥🔥🔥🔥</p>
<p>Can't wait for more.</p>

<div>Beirut isn’t just making noise, it’s booming.</div><div><br>On the weekend of August 1st, the city showed up for two standout hip-hop shows: <strong><a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3637" target="_blank">Bu Nasser Touffar</a></strong> at Metro Al Madina in collaboration with Beirut Records and <strong>Bu Kolthoum</strong> at KED, organized by Madad. What stood out wasn’t just the talent, but the back-to-back momentum. Two nights, two venues, and two very different energies that both point to one thing: the scene is alive, growing, and louder than ever. </div><div><br></div><div>The weekend kicked off with Bu Nasser Touffar dropping his new album Limbo live on stage. Opening the night were rising acts 3yooni, whose live oud twist gave the set a distinct and almost hypnotic edge, and Nuj, an emerging voice worth watching. But once Bu Nasser hit the stage, it became clear: this wasn’t just a show, it was a homecoming. The crowd? Pure superfans. Chanting every lyric, demanding deep cuts like <em><a href="https://harfanharfan.com/song/550" target="_blank">Tatleet</a></em> and <em><a href="https://harfanharfan.com/song/549" target="_blank">Hexaphobia</a></em>, and forever going back to those <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNDVwvmtrAY/?igsh=MTN2OGRrNmlnMmc4Zg==" target="_blank">OG songs that built the bond between artist and audience</a>. </div><div><br></div><div>Then came Bu Kolthoum’s long-awaited first performance in Beirut. The Damascus-born, Amsterdam-based artist finally brought his full energy to a packed KED, and they wanted to bring a live element to the stage, so <a href="https://www.instagram.com/madad.live/?hl=en" target="_blank">Madad</a> delivered. A brass section joined the set, with Ali Jradi on saxophone, Simon Salemeh and Mario El Hajj on trumpet, and it changed everything. The crowd was wall-to-wall, the sound was massive, and the vibe? Unmatched. He even dropped an unreleased track, and when El Rass jumped on stage as a surprise act, the room lit up. Two shows. </div><div><br></div><div>Two legends. A city that’s showing up for hip-hop, consistently, loudly, and together. </div><div><br></div><div>And we’re not stopping here 🎤 🗓️</div><div> August 23rd in Beirut: <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/announcements/event/16" target="_blank">Shabjdeed</a> @ Metro Al Madina📍<br></div>

🔥 Back-to-Back Fire 🔥  Beirut’s Hip-Hop Scene Lights Up

<p>Weeeeeheeeeee can't wait for this concert!! I couldn't see Shabjdeed when he last came to Beirut, so I'm so excited he's back!!&nbsp;</p>

<div>The iconic Jerusalemite rapper has become one of the leading figures in Arabic hip-hop, known for his lyrical mastery, bold style, and ability to build immersive musical worlds. His fearless authenticity and dynamic performances have earned him a global fan base and sold-out shows across the Middle East and Europe. His debut album Sindibad el Ward (2019) with Al Nather was hailed as a milestone for Arabic hip-hop, with the single Mtaktak recognized by the BBC as one of the greatest hip-hop songs ever. Their 2024 follow-up Sultan further cemented his status with its innovative sound and intricate storytelling.</div><div><br></div><div>Saturday 23 August 2025 Starting 8:30 PM </div><div><br></div><div>🎧 Lineup<br>— Opening Set: DJ Wad Na3na3<br>— Opening Act: BILLY TSTRK<br>— Headliner: Shabjdeed<br>— Closing: DJ Wad Na3na3</div><div><br></div><div>Presented by Al Wahida presents and Metro al Madina</div>

Shabjdeed Live

<p>Hi Hala!</p>
<p>Congrats on the platform, it looks SO GOOD &amp; SO EXCITING!</p>
<p>So happy to be part of the community, can't wait to see what's coming next 😈🌞🎵💯</p>

<p>Proud of you Hal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Watching this space</p>

<p>👏👏 finally the exposure our artists deserve!&nbsp;</p>

<p>What a great idea!!! So beautifully written! Thank you for creating this platform ♥️</p>

<p>Great idea beautiful platform !! grateful for such an initiative and eager to learn more and the MENA artists 😍</p>

<p>I love this! So well written. always proud ♥️</p>

<div>Hi, I’m Hala.</div><div><br>In 2020, somewhere between lockdown boredom, endless scrolling, and a new group of friends, I came across a track that sparked something in me: “<a href="https://harfanharfan.com/song/553" target="_blank">Tar</a>” by <a href="https://harfanharfan.com/artist-profile/3637" target="_blank">Bu Nasser El Touffar</a>. That was my entry point. From there, I’ve been deep in this world; from El Rass to Synaptik, Palestine to Sudan, to the MENA region entirely. I discovered a scene... but not a space.</div><div><br>Bits and pieces were everywhere: lyrics scattered across websites, interviews on niche blogs, songs that came and went. But there wasn’t one place where it all came together. So we created one... and it’s finally live. 🎉</div><div><br>Welcome to <strong>Harfan Harfan</strong>, a platform by the culture, for the culture. A real home for underground music in the region, and everything around it. <br>Why? Because there are so many artists out here doing incredible work, but their lyrics aren’t archived, their stories aren’t told, and their fans have nowhere to talk about it. We wanted to build something that makes space for all of it: the nuance, the slang, the collaborations, the history, the jokes, and the hyper-specific references only your city would get. <br>And honestly? Another big reason was me (only half joking!). I couldn’t even understand half the references myself. I’d call my friends just to decode bars. To this day, I’m still confused: who is Ali Cheaib? @El Rass, if you’re reading this… help!</div><div><br>On our platform, you’ll find lyrics. Artist pages. Deep dives. Events. Playlists. Forums. Community picks. Scene reports. And bars. Lots of bars.&nbsp; Scroll, search, annotate, comment, contribute, discover artists you’ve never heard of - or just lurk and enjoy the chaos. This space is yours. You can also gain points, level up, and earn rewards as you go. 🎮 <br></div><div><br></div><div>And this is just the beginning. So what’s next?&nbsp; <br>We’ll be adding more artists, more lyrics, more features, and so will you 🫵 And soon: meet &amp; greets, exclusive podcasts, behind-the-scenes drops, fan picks, artist takeovers, and a few surprises 👀 <br>And your feedback? Always welcome. If something feels off, confusing, or could be better - tell us. Let’s shape it together.</div><div><br>Come look around. Say something. Share something. Or just vibe. We’re so happy you’re here. </div><div><br></div><div>– Hala <br></div>

🚀 From One Song to a Whole Scene

<div>Bu Nasser is a Lebanese rapper and writer known for his politically charged lyrics and commitment to giving voice to marginalized communities. Launching his career in 2009 with Touffar, he’s since built a powerful solo path rooted in resistance and revolution, performing across Lebanon, Europe, and Turkey. His 2025 album Limbo captures the tension of the present and past through bold lyricism and regional/global collaborations. Beyond music, he’s also a published novelist with critically acclaimed works featured in international literary circles.
</div><div><br></div><div>LynnMayya is a Syrian DJ, producer, and multimedia artist based in Austria. With roots as a bassist in Syria’s first female rock band, she now crafts dark, groovy techno sets infused with experimental sound design and socio-political themes. Through immersive audiovisual performances, she bridges art, technology, and activism, performing at major venues and festivals across Europe and the Middle East.</div><div><br></div>

LynnMayya | لين ميّا

NUJ | نوج

3YOONI | عيــونــي

Bu Nasser

<div>Bu Kolthoum visits Beirut for the first time with a brand-new live show.<br>He’s diving deep into his rich catalog, reimagining fan favorites with fresh energy and new live elements. And woven into the set are hints of what’s next.</div>

Bu Kolthoum | بو كلثوم

Bu Kolthoum

<div>Get ready for an unforgettable night as&nbsp;Cairokee, Egypt’s biggest rock band, takes over&nbsp;Beirut Hall&nbsp;on&nbsp;August 9! Known for their powerful lyrics, revolutionary spirit, and massive fan base across the Arab world, Cairokee is finally bringing their electrifying energy to BEIRUT.</div><div><br></div><div>🚫&nbsp;No Age Restrictions&nbsp;&nbsp; <br></div>

Cairokee

<div><strong>TootArd</strong> is a genre-fluid duo of brothers Hasan and Rami Nakhleh, known for blending global pop, quarter-tone melodies, and retro funk into a distinctive disco-driven sound rooted in SWANA traditions. Their boundary-pushing music bridges cultures and continues to captivate audiences worldwide.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Diouf</strong> is a collective and concert agency focused on curating powerful live music experiences. Driven by creativity and collaboration, Diouf connects global and local artists—bringing international acts to Lebanon while amplifying Lebanese talent across the region and beyond.</div>

TootArd | توت أرض

TootArd

a lot of music in this region disappears because nobody documents it properly.

a track may stay buried with no context on youtube, an artist is famous in one city and nowhere else, lyrics are remembered for years but never written down, and a whole scene can matter deeply to the people inside it and still leave behind almost no public trace.

after a while music becomes harder to find, and also becomes harder to understand. 

the context thins out, names stop connecting to songs, songs stop connecting to places, moments, and people.

that is part of why Harfan Harfan exists.

to give this music a place where it can stay visible, connected, and easier to return to. a place where artists, songs, lyrics, and small pieces of scene memory do not have to live separately from each other.

you’re here early, and you can help shape that.

add artists, 
add songs, 
write annotations, 
leave behind something that helps the next person find their way in.

9507

what gets lost if nobody keeps track of it

happy easter everyone. here’s a little easter egg for you ;)

“Safeit bi 3akss el Seir” — "Fetna B' Akss el Seir" (Rayess Beik & Eben Foulen) ft. DJ Lethal Skillz (1998)

this is one of the tracks that really matter in the story of lebanese hi-hop because it was the very beginning. it was part of that early wave that helped lay the foundations for lebanese and arabic hip hop more broadly.

what hits is that it still feels relevant now too. almost three decades later, it still lands in a way that feels like those times bled into the present.

a lot from that era was never properly preserved online, which makes tracks like this even more important to revisit and keep in circulation.

if anyone here has more early lebanese hip hop favorites, drop them.

all the love, and stay safe my friends.

The Birth of Lebanese Hip-hop

Bu Nasser: khair al shaghab, Tar, Hexaphobia
El Rass: ma3rakati, fi el jalid, lebnen 2 (with Bu Nasser), beirut khaybetna

El Rass x Shabjdeed & Al Nather: 2areek 
El Rass – كاف نون (with Bu Kolthoum)


https://youtu.be/rcWeIpni_Pc?si=G2W01RoQpkRuEyhk

it was released in 2007, and went vira on TikTok recently for its lyrics, they describe accurately what is happening

Have been thinking about songs from the underground arab scene that deal with war, siege, displacement, bombing, and everything else that war leaves behind.

A few tracks came to mind:
• Shabjdeed & Riyadiyat - Fi Harb
(https://youtu.be/VhQyLIOD1IE?si=wwg24lfkDuGlu7Ux)
• Daboor - Sheikh Jarrah 
(https://youtu.be/74H-dZP-4TY?si=Y8JFFsiXcOXgPMap)
• Hello Psychaleppo - Shahba
(https://youtu.be/MJDJ_o7Xlkc?si=ygaAPoNEdf2zaWvW)
• Racha Rizk - Sakru Shababik
(https://youtu.be/HcLMqOD8zyg?si=cfuWZgUOmv3aHMns)
• El Far3i - Tghayarti
(https://youtu.be/1nJOku-FPV8?si=sQFj-hyS5mlUiyjD)

what else belongs on this list? add some more songs in the comments.

War Songs From The Underground

<p>i wish i was in egypt for thattttt</p>
<p></p>
<p>my friends are going too!&nbsp;</p>

<p><br>أخيرا ويجز راجع يوم الجمعة اللي جاي على مسرح الساحل.<br>كل صيف لازم بيكون في أغنية لويجز معلقة معايا، الصيف ده اكتر اغنية هي الوعد.<br>ويجز كالعاده بيولع الدنيا في كل حفلاته، أنا مُتحمس أوي على الحفلة.... مين هيروح وايه أكتر أغنية مستنيين تسمعوها لايڤ؟<br></p>

🎤🔥 ويجز في الساحل يوم الجمعة

<p>Mural by Palestinian–Jordanian artist Mohammad Al-Shafie (Chaf), painted in Amman. His calligraffiti blends flowing Arabic script with street art, weaving local rap lyrics into the design. A reminder that the “sound of the region” isn’t only heard, it’s seen.</p>

735775bcfa6d48708ada4949de139982

Sound on the Walls

<p>Hi Hala! So excited to be part of this community 🌟</p>
<p></p>
<p>I'm Ronny, based in the UAE. Been playing Synaptik's older stuff again, it just hits different lately. Also been loving TooDope from Sudan. Fire energy, distinct flow. 🔥</p>

<p>Hi Hala! Mabrouk 3al platform 2awal chi 🎵</p>
<p>Ana kamen saraha ktir 3am besma3 El Rass hal fatra.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Bi fechelle khel2e 🔥</p>

<p>Hi Hala! Ana mabsouta ektechif new artists. Manne ktir exposed 3a hal scene. harfan harfan will be the platform where i'll deepen my knowledge&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hi Hala, great community. thanks for creating. I think this was a huge gap in the region.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Love this Hala! Thanks for creating this. It looks so cool. Can't wait to dig deep into Arab RNB and Hip Hop!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

Hii Hala! it's Malak, thank you for creating this Platform, it feels like a third place for people who are into MENA artistic movements! a very needed space actually.
I have been listening to a mix of the region's sounds basically, mostly El Rass, Fawzi (BLTNM stuff in general) and some Algerian rappers (may add lyrics later)
Also I really liked BOUMPH or Ram new EP, added to daily sounds

Hello Hala its Makram, thanks for the platform! im based in lebanon and have been getting into the underground arab rap scene recently didnt know we had so much talent

my favorite song of the week is kilmeh by fawzi and im really excited to discover new music and cool artists 

<p>Hi, I'm Hala, founder of Harfan Harfan. 🇱🇧</p>
<p><br>Thought I’d go first: I’m based in Beirut, and I’ve been listening to a mix of:&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li dir = "auto">El Rass’s new album</li>
<li dir = "auto">Emsallam</li>
<li dir = "auto">Some of the newer Sudan stuff lately</li>
</ul>
<p>Now you! tell us where you're from, who you're listening to? <br></p>

october

👋 Introduce Yourself!

<p>The forums are running smoothly, but it would be great to have artist tags in posts, so you can click and see all conversations about them. Also, more playlists please!!!!</p>

<p>What’s working? What’s missing?</p>
<p></p>
<p>This is just the beginning and we’re learning as we go. What features do you love so far? What could be better? Drop any ideas, suggestions, or bugs here.<br></p>

🛠 Feedback + Ideas

check the graffiti now. you have your answer 😈

<p>Ken already fi <strong>Synpatik</strong>, w zedo <strong>Bu Kolthoum</strong> the day he had his first show in Beirut!!&nbsp;</p>
<p>Synaptik + Bu Kolthoum side by side, and there’s space for a third #thethreemusketeers</p>
<p></p>
<p>if u could add one last person… who’d it be? 👀 👀 👇</p>

design

Wall of Fame: Who's Next? 😎

<p>Omg I'm so sad I missed this one 😫 Hoping to catch his next concert!</p>

<p>Bu Kolthoum’s first show in Beirut?!? Wow. Went to it over the weekend and it was the first time I see KED that packed. Every single person in the audience knew the words to every single song.</p>
<p><br>He also sang an unreleased song and brought EL Rasss as a surprise artist. 10000/10 show.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<p>How did you find it and what shows have you been to recently?</p>

Last show you went to?

<p>Honestly, I'd looove to see Bu Kolthoum collab with Nayt (from Italy)!!</p>
<p>They both have that cinematic/poetic thing going on. #chefskiss 🌝</p>

<p>cairo stand up 🖤<br>abyusif &amp; marwan pablo always in rotation. lately i’m also into wegz — his last drop’s been on loop.<br>collab i need? don bigg &amp; shabjdeed 👀</p>

<p>Marwan Moussa x Freek. Pure chaotic neutral energy. NEED.</p>

<p>If you could manifest any collab from the region (or beyond), who would you put together? Two artists, one track...</p>

7.09.24pm

What collab needs to happen?

<div>Explore Harfan Harfan's forums—a space to discuss Arabic hip-hop and rap, share ideas, ask questions, and connect with like-minded fans and contributors.</div>