logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
46m 30s

From NAS to Drake, Arab Culture in Music...

Yalla! Let's Talk.
About this episode

In this episode, we sit down with the multi-talented artist, NARCY, for an in-depth conversation about the music industry today.

He shares his insights on the evolution of Arabic Hip Hop, the impact of cultural decolonization in music, and drops some solid advice for up-and-coming artists.

NARCY is a groundbreaking Arabic Hip Hop artist known for his unique style and thought-provoking lyrics. He’s redefining the genre and inspiring the next generation of musicians with his innovative approach to music.



(00:00) Intro

(01:45) History of Arabic Hip Hop

(9:40) Breaking Cultural Barriers

(11:55) Arab Artists: The Best Advice You’ll Hear Today

(17:10) Artist or Activist? Can You Be Both?

(26:10) From Drake to "Arab Money": The Influence of Arab-ism in Hip-Hop

(32:00) To Be An Arab: Anti-Exploitation, Identity, AI, and the Analog Revolution in NARCY's Music


Special thanks to East Tea Can for the amazing hospitality! Check them out athttps://eastteacan.comYOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT NARCY Instagram: @narcynarce

Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJVyZKc6xDAGWHCyeDv1AeQ

YOU CAN FIND US: INSTAGRAM: @yallaletstalk TIKTOK: @yallaletstalk LISTEN TO YALLA! LET'S TALK.SPOTIFY:https://open.spotify.com/show/3ymbJTX...APPLE PODCASTS:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...ANGHAMI:https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1034...



Up next
Jul 7
Why Arabic Music Is Going Global | Danny Hajjar
This episode is about music — but also about something deeper: identity, belonging, and being seen. I sat down with Danny Hajjar, a brilliant music journalist and the Editor-in-Chief of Rolling Stone MENA, who’s been amplifying the voices of Arab artists across the Middle East, N ... Show More
51m 49s
May 27
EMEL on Freedom, Feminism, and Healing Through Her Music
What does it mean to find your voice — and use it to create change?In today’s episode of Yalla! Let’s Talk., I sit down with Tunisian artist EMEL, a singer, songwriter, and storyteller whose music has inspired people across the world. From her breakout anthem “Kelmti Horra” — onc ... Show More
1h 9m
Mar 2025
How To Get Over Someone You Can't Get Over l Najwa Zebian
Bestselling author Najwa Zebian joins me to share her wisdom on healing and how to get over someone you STILL can't get over.In this episode, we tackle some of the most common yet confusing questions that come up when you’re trying to move on from someone — or even just figure ou ... Show More
1h 15m
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2022
Nadine El Roubi | Sudanese Rap
Nadine performed three of her songs and spoke about her musical career.Nadine El Roubi is a Sudanese artist who grew up in Virginia, she hopes to expand the understanding of what it means, and looks like, to be Arab Muslim woman. She takes inspiration from icons like Lauryn Hill, ... Show More
55m 35s
Dec 2024
How We Consume Arabic Music | Shik Shak Shook Ones
In this episode of Shik Shak Shook Ones, hosts Danny Hajjar and Deana Soni delve into the listening habits of Arabic music fans across the diaspora and the Middle East and North Africa region. Joined by Salam Kmeid, Head of Content Marketing at Anghami, who brings 12 years of ind ... Show More
44m 44s
Aug 2022
The Sounds of Saudi Hip Hop | Big Hass
Big Hass performed four musical pieces: Iraq Cypher, Arab Femcee Cypher, Sudan Cypher & Khadsha followed by a discussion.Hassane Dennaoui, aka “Big Hass" is the host of Saudi Arabia's first and only FM hip-hop radio show Laish Hip-Hop? and is also founder of Re-Volt Blog and Re-V ... Show More
1h 1m
Sep 2024
Breaking Down Rolling Stone's Best Arabic Pop Songs of the 21st Century | ⁠Shik Shak Shook Ones
The Rolling Stone's 50 Best Arabic Pop Songs of the 21st Century was a big and a controversial ranking to put together. Luckily, Shik Shak Shook One's very own Danny Hajjar was up to the task and will break down the logic behind his choices for the ranking. Joined by special gues ... Show More
51m 30s
Apr 2023
Blu Fiefer | Independent Hip Hop from Lebanon to the World
Blu Fiefer plays three of her songs: Sharaf, Nazele Big Champagne, and Sint El Ew. She talks about her contribution to hip-hop in Lebanon and how she uses storytelling in her music.Blu Fiefer is a Lebanese-Mexican artist, music producer and director, approaching her art as a mult ... Show More
1h 2m
Oct 2022
Nadine El Roubi | Sudanese Rap
Nadine performed three of her songs and spoke about her musical career.Nadine El Roubi is a Sudanese artist who grew up in Virginia, she hopes to expand the understanding of what it means, and looks like, to be Arab Muslim woman. She takes inspiration from icons like Lauryn Hill, ... Show More
55m 35s
Sep 2024
The Insight Track with ASHEKMAN: Revolutionizing Arabic Street Art, Culture, and Legacy
💬 Join the conversation! Share your thoughts in the comments below and let us know what you think of Mais's journey.  Join our WhatsApp channel for exclusive behind-the-scenes clips and insights on upcoming shows. Be part of our community and stay updated! https://whatsapp.com/c ... Show More
56m 7s
Aug 2024
Getting Streams at What Cost? | Shik Shak Shook Ones
Are some Arab musicians really self-orientalizing for the sake of getting streams?afikra is excited to introduce a new music series to our podcast network! For a full season, Shik Shak Shook Ones will be your go-to podcast for a constructive take on current Arabic music and music ... Show More
38 m
Aug 2022
Arabic Musicology | Youmna Saba
Youmna Saba performed three pieces: Al Sobh (الصبح), Madd W Jazr (مد وجزر) & Hubut (هبوط), followed by a discussion.Youmna Saba (Beirut, 1984) is a musician and musicologist whose current research focuses on the musical dimension(s) of the Arabic language, as a tool to generate n ... Show More
56m 25s
Mar 2023
From Morocco to the World: the Art of Making Borderless Music | Malika Zarra
Malika Zarra takes us on a musical journey to discover Moroccan music. She tells about her newest album "RWA (The Essence)" and about who inspires her the most, from Moroccan Hajja Hamdaouia to Lebanese Farid Al-Atrash and Algerian Warda.Malika is a singer and composer who was bo ... Show More
1h 1m