The 11 biggest Arabic songs of 2024, from Elyanna to Wael Jassar

It was a year of new artists establishing themselves and former chart-toppers returning from the wilderness

Elyanna's songs are inspired by her Palestinian heritage and classic singers from the past. Photo: Universal Arabic Music

Love songs, playful tunes and stirring odes to culture make up some of the most-streamed and viral Arabic songs of the year.

New stars emerged with refreshing voices while veteran artists proved they have a strong appeal decades on.

As a result of the Israel-Gaza war, this was also the year when a growing number of Palestinian artists showcased their rich culture even more prominently in the studio. Here are 11 songs, in no particular order, that have struck a chord this year.

1. Mahboul Ana by Lazaro

This is currently the highest-charting Arabic song on YouTube's Top 100 Music Videos Chart, surpassing entries by Coldplay and Bad Bunny. The breezy track by Moroccan singer Lazaro was arguably the song of the summer in Northern Africa. With nearly 200 million streams on YouTube, the bittersweet number about unrequited love marries anguished lyrics with percolating keyboards and regional percussion. The music video, in which Lazaro and his mates simply enjoy themselves in Marrakesh, only adds to the overall charm of Mahboul.

2. Ganeni by Elyanna

Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna has been going from strength to strength. Ganeni, taken from this year's debut album Woledto, fulfilled that promise with a bold Arabic pop sound enhanced by touches of electronica and RnB.

3. Koul Waad by Wael Jassar

Great ballads are timeless. In an era where popular Arabic hits often reflect fleeting trends, Lebanese crooner Jassar takes a nostalgic approach with this grand pop ballad. It’s not about the heady rush of new relationships but the enduring effort of sustaining love through patience and dedication. Nearly 40 years into his career, Jassar still knows how to strike a powerful chord.

4. Haygely Mawgow3 by Tamer Ashour

Celebrating 20 years since his debut single, Ashour delivers the biggest hit of his career. While the song doesn’t stray far from his signature style, it showcases all his talents in a near-perfect ballad. Translated as He Will Come to Me in Pain, the track explores finding strength and resolve in the face of a disintegrating relationship.

5. 7arrir 3aqlak / Asli Ana by Zeyne

Released in November by the Palestinian artist, the song has rapidly gained popularity, amassing nearly half a million views within the first three days. The track begins with a spoken word piece highlighting the traditional thobe's significance in Palestinian identity, then transitions into a pulsating dabke (folk dance) number. An accompanying music video features scintillating choreography celebrating the enduring resilience of Palestinian identity.

6. Lammah by Ayed

Saudi singer Ayed is on a roll. Not only is he the most-streamed Arab artist in Saudi Arabia on Spotify, but his singles Lammah and Rdy claimed the third and fourth spots among the most-played songs on the platform in the kingdom. Lammah, meaning “glimpse” or “to allude", is a dramatic, string-laden Khaleeji ballad with lyrics exploring the fear of rejection in new love. After years of being seen as a promising talent, 2024 marked the year Ayed truly came into his own.

7. Habibi Leh by Tul8te

Another artist who had a big year, Tul8te announced himself with the distinctive single Habibi Leh. Trap hip-hop beats meet woozy keyboards as the Egyptian singer croons about a love that's gone by. Dreamy and original, the song reached second place on the Billboard Arab charts and landed Tul8te a headlining slot at the recent Sole DXB festival.

8. A'ish Balak by Yara Mustafa

Jordanian singer and actress Yara Mustafa didn’t have to be topping the charts to make an impression. Her track, translated as I Live Without You, soundtracked one of the most-watched programmes in the region this year instead. Viewers of Netflix’s matchmaking series Love is Blind, Habibi would immediately recognise its opening piano notes as they accompanied key moments from each episode. The subject matter is apt, too, as it’s sung from the perspective of someone hoping their affection is reciprocated.

9. Sabra by Al Shami

Another massive release by Al Shami, Sabran has already amassed 160 million streams since its February release. Infusing Levant balladry with modern electronic touches such as washed-out keyboards and burbling percussion, Sabran is a fresh take on a familiar sound.

10. Deira by Saint Levant

The title track of his remarkable album, Deira, rides on an evocative sea of violins in an affectionate ode to Palestinian culture and heritage. The inclusion of teenage rapper MC Abdul – who gained recognition for his poignant songs about Gaza’s plight – adds an extra layer of pathos, as he highlights the resilience of Palestinian youth living under constant bombardment. Affecting and uplifting, Deira solidifies Saint Levant’s status as an important Arab artist to watch, a promise further underscored by his standout performance at this year’s Coachella festival.

11. Kit Kati by Eisa Abdulla

Back with a new look and sound, the Emirati singer will chalk this year up as a successful comeback. In his first single in 13 years, Kit Kati, Abdulla jettisons the slower Khaleeji ballads of the past for a more dynamic and youthful sound. A play on the name of the popular chocolate, the zippy beats and conversational lyrics have made it a regional TikTok favourite, introducing Abdulla to a new generation of fans.