In Sudan, love is expressed through many words. Al Hob, Al Ishq, and Al Rayda are just a few of the terms used to convey love and affection, each carrying its own nuance and depth of emotion. Like most music around the world, love and romance have always dominated Sudanese music, with love songs dedicated not only to romantic partners but even to the motherland itself. Throughout Sudan’s long and rich musical history, love songs have been deeply poetic, intellectual, and emotionally resonant.
Although this tradition appears to be slowly fading today, there are still love songs, old and new, that are heard, dedicated, and even sung to loved ones. On the occasion of the month of love, The Sudanist presents a three-part series highlighting some of the most notable Sudanese love songs, celebrating romance, devotion, and the rich legacy of Sudanese music.
In this list, we have brought together recent songs you may or may not know from Sudan’s new age of contemporary music, which consist of rap, Afrobeat, reggae and other new forms of mainstream genres. These new age songs mark a shift from the “golden age” and modern age of Sudanese music, often shorter, and sung in colloquial Sudanese Arabic or slang, featuring upbeat rhythms and a more contemporary musical style.
Here are some of the most popular Sudanese “new age” love songs:
“Milena” – Eman Elshareef ft Essam Satti
Release date: 19 July 2025
Amassing more than 5 million views on YouTube, the song and its accompanying music video mark a bold new direction for Eman El Shareef. Featuring rapper Essam Satti, the track introduces a fresh sonic layer to her sound, blending her signature style with rap elements. The pirate-themed storyline of the video also offers a visually striking and unconventional concept for Sudanese audiences. Beneath its innovative production and adventurous visuals, however, the song remains romantic at its core. It tells the story of loving someone from afar, holding onto hope, longing for their return, and patiently awaiting the moment when distance finally gives way to reunion.
“El3eed 3yonek” – Hyper featuring MaMan and Cymona
Release date: 23 September 2025
Soft and tender, “El3eed 3yonek” (“The Eid Is Your Eyes”) unfolds like a lullaby — gentle, soothing, and deeply intimate. With its slow melody and heartfelt delivery, the song captures the essence of everlasting love. It speaks of loving someone unconditionally and eternally, remaining devoted despite time, distance, or hardship. Framing the beloved’s eyes as a celebration in themselves, the song suggests that true joy is not found in occasions or seasons, but in the presence of the one you love.
“BAHARY” – MaMan featuring Mazmars
Release date: 26 October 2025
Another slow and soft tune by MaMan, “Bahary” is about love and longing. He sings about a loving a girl back home, thus the song name “Bahary” (North Khartoum), whom he is far away from yet is awaiting his return. As she struggles with the long distance, he assures her with loving words.
“Ana Ma3ak” – Ahmed Amin
Release date: 2023
“Ana Ma3ak” (I Am With You) by Ahmed Amin is a beautiful and heartfelt love song about unwavering devotion. With tender lyrics and a romantic tone, it speaks of standing beside a loved one through every season of life, through time, change, and uncertainty, promising to remain together until the very end.
“HANT” – Ahmed Amin ft. Zanib
Release date: 2020
“HANT” (Easing) by Ahmed Amin and Zanib is a cute, fun, and upbeat track that captures the sweetness of young love. Framed around a couple on a video call, the song portrays the challenges of a long-distance relationship, the longing, the teasing, and the emotional ups and downs. Despite the distance, they reassure one another to hold on just a little longer, promising, “I’m coming,” and turning separation into a hopeful, heartfelt wait rather than a goodbye.
“ِEve” – Awabtherapper
Release date: 2024
The popular AwabTheRapper delivers a smooth, flirtatious love song filled with confident charm. Through playful yet heartfelt lyrics, he openly expresses his affection for his beloved, admiring both her beauty and her presence. Blending swagger with sincerity, the track balances admiration and romance, showcasing his softer, more devoted side while still maintaining his signature style.
“3yny ya Lyl” – Wishe featuring Raghad
Release date: 28 January 2026
Love is in the air in this new single, “3yny ya Lyl” (“My Eye, My Night”), which brings together Sudanese singers Wishe Qusia Jamal Alamin and Raghad for an emotive, soft, and romantic tune. The two sing loving and caring words to each other.
“KALNAR” – Jafar Amin
Release date: 22 January 2026
Singer Jafar Amin has released his debut album, featuring the opening track “Kalnar” (“Like Fire”), a soft romantic tune sung in both Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and colloquial Sudanese. Jafar is the younger brother of singer Ahmed Amin, who also contributes to his brother’s new music journey by handling mixing and mastering.
“Bajry” – MarSimba x Flashkiiddo
Release date: 2020
“Bajry” (“Running”) is a vibrant love song by the powerhouse duo SeidoSimba and MazMars, collectively known as MarSimba. True to their signature style, the track blends upbeat Afrobeat rhythms with infectious energy, creating a dance-ready anthem. Lyrically, it tells the story of a love that began in childhood and has only grown stronger over time, with the singer declaring he is ready to run to her, no matter where she is.
“Dayman” – Soulja
Release date: 24 December 2025
“Dayman” (“Always”), the new hit by popular rapper Soulja, is a flirty and playful track with charm and confidence. With its catchy beat, the song sees Soulja openly expressing his admiration, making it clear that he wants her and intends to make her his. Yet there’s a twist: she remains “half-half,” hesitant and unsure, never fully giving in. This push and pull adds a teasing tension to the song, turning it into a lighthearted back-and-forth of desire, pursuit, and uncertainty.
Criteria: The songs included in this list were selected based on their popularity, meaning, and cultural impact. They focus on themes of love and romance, rather than heartbreak. Songs that primarily describe beauty or physical appearance have also been excluded.
If you feel we have missed any important songs or singers, please leave a comment and let us know.
