Change your tune for the weekend with BURO’s weekly playlist brought to you by the ‘IT’ djs and artists in town.
Today, look no further than this super-duper playlist curated to take you on a sonic adventure by Issam AlNajjar. So, whether you’re looking to jam out with friends or chill this week-end, hit play and let the music take over. Get ready to be transported to a whole new world of sound and enjoy the ride.
Meet the Gen Z Hitmaker Redefining Arabic Pop, One Global Stream at a Time
At just 22, Issam Alnajjar is already reshaping the sound of a generation. The Palestinian-Jordanian singer, songwriter, and guitarist burst onto the global stage with “Hadal Ahbek” in 2020—and the world hit repeat. The viral anthem racked up nearly 95 million streams on Spotify, topped the US and Global Viral 50, and claimed chart real estate in 25 countries from Mexico to Germany.
But Issam didn’t stop there. With the release of his debut album Baree? in 2021, he fused Arabic melodies with modern pop beats, dropped remix gold with Loud Luxury and Danna Paola, and became the first artist ever signed to Universal Arabic Music. He also coined a genre along the way: A-POP, a boundary-breaking blend of Arabic soul and international swagger.
That same year? He sold out Amman’s historic Roman Theatre in four minutes (yes, really). By 2023, he was collaborating with the likes of R3HAB, Mohamed Ramadan, and Gims on his hit EP Waray, expanding his fanbase from Cairo to California.
Now, fresh off a buzz-worthy solo debut in the U.S., Issam is gearing up to drop his sophomore album this July—and if history’s any indicator, it’s going to break more than a few records.
Arabic pop has a new global voice—and it’s singing louder than ever.
