In recent years, the Sudanese music scene has flourished, with new musicians and fresh sounds emerging so quickly that it’s almost hard to keep track. Today’s scene embraces a vibrant mix of genres, as many artists modernise traditional sounds to resonate with younger generations both in Sudan and abroad.
In this series, New Sounds of Sudan, we highlight new Sudanese songs from traditional to contemporary, celebrating the evolution of Sudan’s rapidly growing music scene.
October thrived with a strong wave of hip-hop releases from Awab The Rapper, Montiyago, Colo and EZ9. On the traditional music front, iconic Ensaf Madani shone alongside Huda Arabi and Eman El Shareef. While contemporary sounds dominated this month, Sudanese musical excellence remained evident in every release.
“Al Gazzera” – Gadoora
Release date: 30 October 2026
In this blend of contemporary and traditional, rapper Gadoora delivers a performance filled with confidence and energy. The track starts off with soft guitar melodies and launches into a traditional-inspired beat and rich background vocals, creating a satisfying blend of sounds.
“MAWAWEL” – MONTIYAGO
Release date: 30 October 2026
Montiyago returns shortly after releasing his EP with a new single that leans into his softer style. While the production is soft and mellow, the percussion slightly mimics Egyptian percussion styles, giving the song a unique feel. Montiyago’s rapping style is laidback as always, complementing the soft, feminine, sampled vocals on the production.
“BADIYA” – VETO
Release date: 29 October 2026
As part of a second chapter of his EP Sound Storm, Veto has been releasing tracks nonstop over September and October 2026, collaborating with various musicians and producers to bring songs of different sonic feels. On his latest track, Badiya, Veto leans into a more Nubian influence, with its characteristic percussion and melodies of oud. His flow remains unique as with all his songs, giving us a sonic experience that is truly his own.
“Wiladat Al Najah” – Huda Arabi
Release date: 29 October 2026
Almost on a release streak, Huda Arabi returns another month with another track that is sure to become a hit. Showcasing her raspy vocals and staying true to authenticity, she adds another spark to the fire of traditional music, consistently cementing her place in the scene.
“OUTTA SYSTEM” – SANE & ZOGOL
Release date: 24 October 2026
In this latest production by Ninja249, Sane and Zogol collaborate to bring us sharp, cutting lyrics, a performance filled with confident energy, all tied together with a dark, atmospheric production that leans on trap.
“SAMIRRI” – VETO & UMI
Release date: 22 October 2026
Leaning once more into Afrobeats and dancehall, Veto collaborates with Umi to showcase a more melodious performance. The whole track is almost atmospheric with the synths, melodies and soft percussion that takes the listener on a journey.
“TAHANY” – HALFA
Release date: 22 October 2026
In his latest track, rapper Halfa returns with a more aggressive style of rapping, with a more ominous production. His delivery is sharp, with his cutting lyrics complementing the production of the track.
“B7riii” (EP) – Colo, EZ9
Release date: 19 October 2026
In this latest collaborative project, rappers Colo and EZ9 pay tribute to the city of Bahri through a collection of four tracks. The EP is produced by Mshakil, Flac, and Hamobeatz, and all three producers created the tracks while drawing influence from Sudan’s party music and zanig, Sudan’s percussion rich “street” music. Both rappers are clearly showing a fun aspect of their rap personas on this EP, from the upbeat production to their melodic flows.
“LAZER” – ZOGOL
Release date: 18 October 2026
In this latest track, rapper Zogol shows an aggressive side to his rapping, while maintaining a melodic flow. The production of the track complements Zogol’s rap style, leaning on trap influence, with an ominous, yet slightly atmospheric feel to it.
ZOGOL – LAZER (DISSRESPECT) (OFFICIAL VISUALIZER)
“Zinzana” – Mazin Hamid
Release date: 17 October 2026
This latest track by Mazin Hamid is filled with emotion and a longing for a Sudan free from the shackles of corrupt leaders. Hamid’s emotive delivery is highlighted through the stripped down composition of the song. With piano and oud melodies that carry the same emotional weight as the song’s lyrics, the song tugs at the heartstrings of the listener.
“Dagga Saree’a” – RRC Unit
Release date: 16 October 2026
In a style reminiscent of early 2000s Sudanese rap, RRC unit, a duo comprising rappers OuT-G and AmroHavoc, released this latest track. The production is ominous, complementing their aggressive flow and the sharp, cutting lyrics.
“Ro7i” – Veto & Kabier
Release date: 15 October 2026
In a track filled with melodic saxophones and good energy, Veto and Kabier collaborate to bring listeners to the dance floor. His latest track Rohi combines influences of dancehall and Afrobeats to bring us an energetic mix, the influences lean on traditional toward the end of the track, where the sound of bongos, a traditional percussion instrument is added, tying the whole experience together.
“Njly” – Black Gak
Release date: 14 October 2026
Known for his chill productions and laidback, slightly aggressive rapping style, Black Gak returns to the scene with another track. With a style unique to only him, Black Gak cements his place in the music scene, creating songs that sound like no other rapper’s.
“F9LA” – Colo
Release date: 10 October 2026
In his latest release, Colo comes back with his addictive, chill and slightly melodic flow. Young rapper Colo is known for his traditional, Sudanese-inspired tracks, but this time he returns to the scene with a track that draws influence from Arab production, with a beat that resembles Egyptian percussion and haunting melodies that almost sound ancient Egyptian.
“ABA (Album)” – Sulaf
Release date: 9 October 2026
After releasing Naada, Shogi Ana, and Sameen as singles over the past year, Sulaf finally released her highly anticipated album ABA. The songs on the album are written by her great-grandfather, the namesake of the album itself, and the project is a tribute to him and to Sudan, where she tells the heartbreaking tale of leaving Sudan. The album draws influence from traditional sounds, modernising them in a way that still preserves the feel of Sudan in the record. Sulaf released this album as a way to carry a part of Sudan with us into the future, even after leaving it behind for reasons out of our control. The nostalgia, longing for home, and love for Sudan is translated in every beat and melody, carried by her soft voice.
“Nyus (Freestyle)” – Black Gak
Video unavailable
Release date: 9 October 2026
Black Gak returns to the scene this month with cutting lyrics, while remaining laidback with his flow, his lyrics are filled with double entendres and masked aggression over a steady, almost stripped down beat. Allegedly, the track comes as a response to rapper Sane’s diss track released earlier in the month. With minimal melodies and a looped percussion, the listeners’ attention is drawn to Black Gak’s words, his voice clear at the forefront of the production.
“YAGO (EP)” – Montiyago
Release date: 9 October 2026
Following the release of MSTR in September, Montiyago returns to the scene this month with a five track EP. Throughout the EP, Montiyago’s flow remains soft, albeit with cutting lyrics in some places. The production is cohesive, with the beats gradually increasing in intensity along the EP, displaying his versatility over different production styles. Montiyago has contributed a unique flow and personality to the Sudanese rap scene over time, and his sound shines just as bright on this latest project.
“Satih Aiar” – Eman El Shareef
Release date: 8 October 2026
In her latest track, traditional music icon Eman El Shareef displays her vocal range over a production that leans into contemporary sounds, while still preserving traditional authenticity. The background vocals, with her and male vocalists, tie the song together, making it a transportive listening experience.
“SHARRAMA” – VETO & 249CVRTI
Release date: 8 October 2026
After collaborating with EZ9 on his last track Mattik, Veto returns to the scene soon after with another collaboration, this time with young rapper 249CVRTI, or Carti. Between the rappers’ alternating verses, their slightly melodic flows, and the rich percussion and production of the track, the song’s energy is extremely contagious.
“Elkhaleefa Lite (Diss Track)” – Sane
Video unavailable
Release date: 6 October 2026
Sane comes to the mic with clear aggression on his latest track, a diss track that is allegedly directed towards rapper Black Gak. The production of the song is intricate, with Sane’s flow moving between mellow and aggressive, but the lyrics remain sharp and cutting throughout the track.
“Sami Khalo” – Ensaf Madni
Release date: 6 October 2026
Queen of traditional music returns to the scene with a song that preserves Sudanese authenticity in every melody. Her raspy vocals, together with the call-and-response singing of the background singers ties with the melodies and traditional percussion smoothly to bring us a song that makes one want to dance with their neck and shoulders.
“ANTI HERO” (EP) – AwabTheRapper
Release date: 2 October 2026
Coming at the music scene strong, AwabTheRapper releases his latest five track EP with a hard-hitting poetic intro in the first track FANAN to set the stage for the rest of the tracks. Throughout the EP, Awab’s confidence reflects in his flow, cementing his place in the Sudanese rap scene. The production style in every track is fresh and unique, but cohesive in the EP as a whole, and Awab’s flow remains sharp, his personality reflecting off of every line in every track.
“DEATH / Ma Hageegi” – 7EVEN
Release date: 1 October 2026
In his latest track, young rapper 7even returns with a different flow style, rapping almost nonstop, landing every word on beat without missing. He showcases a more vulnerable side in this latest track, with a less intricate production, drawing focus to his flow and lyrics.
“Haneen” – Eman El Shareef
Release date: 1 October 2026
Traditional music icon Eman El Shareef stays on top of the music scene releasing hits every month, and October is no different. She returns to the scene with a softer, more romantic track, filled with traditional melodies, but a contemporary production, that reflect emotional depth, complementing the loving lyrics of the song and taking the song straight to the listeners’ hearts.
Samar Bengawi is a medical student by day, and a literature and music enthusiast by night. She was born and raised in the UAE and is now based in Georgia. She is never without a cup of coffee in hand, and is always “on the go,” chasing after one hobby or another. Passion in Sudanese politics runs in her blood and she considers herself a patriot who hopes to leave a memorable mark in the world.
