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MUSIC<\/p>\n
From Egypt\u2019s Hany Shenouda to Libya\u2019s El Shab Arrab, this month\u2019s music list honors North Africa\u2019s musical foundations for dance and Arab pop.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Summer is in full swing across North Africa, and the region is brimming with new music releases. From long-awaited debut albums to surprising collaborations, this music list reflects the diversity of music coming out of North Africa right now, whether you want to add songs to your road trip or beach playlist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The common aspect for most of the songs in this list is a creative and successful balance between contemporary sounds and musical heritage. Many of these tracks lean heavily into nostalgia through sampling 20th-century pop and instrumentation, and build momentum by using the region\u2019s rich rhythmic patterns.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Independent Sudanese musician Hiba Elgizouli<\/span> made a name for herself in 2018 when her sisters Sally<\/span> and Mai<\/span> helped her create stunning visuals to her beautiful songs. In a recent interview with OkayAfrica<\/span><\/a>, Hiba shared that she wrote the songs on her new EP Moya W Nar<\/span> in 2019, even though they were only released this July. The song\u2019s opening track, \u201cHungry,\u201d begins with familiar Sudanese string arrangements that evoke the nostalgia of Sudan\u2019s golden era<\/a>. Over complex percussion, Hiba sings an introspective vocal line in Arabic and English, creating a rich soundscape that still doesn\u2019t overwhelm.<\/p>\n \n Alewya – \u201cCairo FM\u201d (Egypt, Ethiopia, UK)\u00a0<\/h3>\n