Marwan Moussa, born on January 10, 1995, in Cairo, Egypt, is a multifaceted artist known for his work as a rapper, producer, and actor. Originally named Marwan Mohamed Ali Moussa, he studied film in Italy at The American University of Rome before shifting to sound engineering in Los Angeles in 2016. His early exposure to cinema and music laid the foundation for his creative career.

Breakthrough and Style
Marwan began his music career in 2016, blending Egyptian cultural elements like mahraganat (a local electronic folk genre) with hip-hop and trap. His 2019 album Propaganda solidified his status in the Egyptian rap scene, while hits like “El Bosla Da3et” (2019) and “Sheraton” (2021) became viral sensations. His music often reflects social issues and personal struggles, emphasizing authenticity over commercial trends.

Collaborations and Global Recognition
- In 2022, he collaborated on Coke Studio’s African remix of “Pasoori” with Ali Sethi and Reekado Banks.
- His 2023 single “Rajieen”, featuring 24 artists from 11 MENA countries, raised awareness about the Palestinian crisis.
- By 2023, Spotify ranked him as the third most-streamed Arab hip-hop artist in the MENA region.

Acting
Marwan made his acting debut in the short film Smokey Eyes (2023), directed by Ali Ali, who also helmed the music video for his hit “Tesla”.

Awards and Legacy

• 2022 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA): Won Best African Rapper, Breakthrough Artist, and Best Artist in African Hip-Hop.
• Cultural Impact: Advocates for blending Egyptian identity into music, criticizing over-reliance on Western influences.

Controversies and Feuds
A public feud with fellow rapper Abyusif dominated headlines in 2021, marked by diss tracks like “Megatroll” and “Dabdob 7asas”. The rivalry highlighted competitive tensions within Egypt’s hip-hop scene.

Philosophy and Vision
Marwan emphasizes authenticity, stating his lyrics evolved from braggadocio to poetic storytelling. He aims to create music that resonates with Egyptian youth while preserving cultural roots:

“We turned to mahraganat because it’s authentically Egyptian. This new wave feels ours”.