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.
June was a standout month for Sudanese music, with a wave of hit releases led by Esaam Satti, Ali Naseraldeen, Elaf Abdalazeez, and Eman Al Shareef. From traditional melodies to contemporary beats, the month’s releases showcased the richness and diversity of Sudan’s evolving music scene, offering something for every listener.
“Shogi Ana” – Sulaf
Release date: 28 June 2026
In this newest track from her upcoming album ABA, Sulaf portrays a harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary sounds, with her rich vocals, modern melodies and traditional percussion. If this track is an indication of what is to come, this may mean Sulaf will lead the Sudanese soundscape into a new direction of modernity and globalisation.
“Hat-trick” – Kordofani
Release date: 25 June 2026
Leaning back into hip hop with this latest release, Kordofani displays his rapid-fire flow and sharp, cutting lyrics. Despite taking influence from different styles in his latest music, Kordofani continues to release rap tracks to solidify his name in the Sudanese hip hop scene.
“Fasel” – Esaam Satti and Hleem Taj Alser
Release date: 22 June 2026
In this first-ever collaboration between the two rappers, globally recognised rapper Hleem Taj Alser and Esaam Satti, the innovative force in Sudan’s rap scene, collaborate on this energetic track. With a Khaleeji-influenced production and smooth flows from both rappers, the song is sure to become a hit.
“Mackintosh” – Santo
Release date: 20 June 2026
Bringing back the heat and energy with this track, young rapper Santo delivers a smooth, rapid flow over a beat that makes the listener move. While the track is upbeat, Santo does not hesitate to land every bar with a coolness unique to his flow.
“Bint Alnbi” – Esaam Satti and Ali Naseraldeen
Release date: 19 June 2026
Rapper Esaam Satti and singer Ali Naseraldeen come together for the third time on this latest release, Bint Alnbi (Daughter of the Prophet). The song is almost transportive, with string melodies, a soft percussion and a piano track that blends seamlessly with Satti’s effortless flow and Naseraldeen’s melodic voice.
“Kalnar” (Duet) – Jafar Amin and Zeina
Release date: 19 June 2026
Remixing his romantic hit “Kalnar” (Like Fire) by rising Sudanese singer Jafar Amin with Canadian singer Zeina Aridi, who is known mononymously as Zeina. Their voices blending together seamlessly, adding layers to the romantic feel of the song. The mash-up marks one of the first recorded collaborations between a Sudanese artist and an international artist on a commercially released track.
“Istarkhaso Al Ghaali” – Elaf Abdalazeez
Release date: 18 June 2026
Leaning away from traditional influences and into contemporary Khaleeji influences, particularly in the lyrics, Elaf Abdalazeez releases this upbeat song. While the song is about heartbreak, Elaf’s lyrics revolve around pushing through heartbreak, with a hint of resentfulness.
“SECRET” – DAFENCII
Release date: 18 June 2026
Rapper Dafencii returns to the scene with his cool, laidback flow on his latest track Secret. The production of the song features an ominous bass line, strong percussions and a piano melody that complements the track and Dafencii’s low and deep vocals.
“Galibna Ma’ Al Mayarim” – Elaf Abdalazeez
Release date: 14 June 2026
In this heartfelt track, Elaf Abdalazeez sings with an emotive delivery for the women of Al Fashir, the capital city of North Darfur state. The city was under an 18-month siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) until they gained total control over the region in late 2025. Galibna Ma’ Al Mayarim (Our Hearts Are With The Women) serves as a message of hope and resilience for the women of Al Fashir, who were the biggest targets of RSF violence during this siege.
“Tuba” – Eman Al Shareef and Ali Naseraldeen
Release date: 13 June 2026
Two of the most innovative icons in traditional music collaborate on this latest track to display the fusion of traditional music with more contemporary sounds. The production is intricate, featuring a rich percussion and melodies that weave in and out of each other smoothly. Ali Naseraldeen and Eman Al Shareef sing back and forth, conversing with each other and the melodies.
“ALNAS” – Mova and Lele Cri
Release date: 11 June 2026
In a collaboration with Saudi-based rapper and musician Lele Cri with Sudanese rapper Mustafa Mohammed, better known as Mova, released a track that draws influence from chill Afrobeats. The production is almost atmospheric, with a pulsing beat and echoing vocals that blend with the two musicians’ vocals, adding layers and texture to the song.
“Kedi Kedi” – Musab Gargori
Release date: 11 June 2026
In this upbeat track, Musab Gargori uses a traditional percussion style, saira, to sing romantically about a pretty woman. The lyrics are filled with playful praises, matching the energetic feel of the song.
“Al Aroos Gamar Dorain” – Haram El Nour
Release date: 10 June 2026
On her latest release, iconic singer Haram El Nour sings for brides to be, with traditional percussion and words of praise. The style of the song and the festive lyrics make it perfect for wedding parties.
“Jedayet El Rela” – Kordofani
Release date: 10 June 2026
Kordofani has been exploring different styles and experimenting with different genres and the fusion of sounds. This latest track is no different, where Kordofani explores a more melodic sound and leans into reggae influences. The electronic production adds unique elements to the track, including profound bass sounds and a distinctive percussion style.
“Ana Bit Abooy” – Elaf Abdalazeez
Release date: 7 June 2026
From the oud melodies to the percussion, Elaf Abdalazees releases a song that highlights the music culture of Sudan. The song is very traditional, even in its folk-like lyrics, that very much resemble the culture of ja’ali music, a tribe based predominantly in the north of Sudan that pride themselves on their strength and power.
“Ya Ballal” – Eman Al Shareef
Release date: 7 June 2026
Eman Al Shareef leans into a traditional feel with this track, filled with praise, love and respect for a loved one, the song moves the heart and the feet. In a new approach for recorded traditional tracks, the song has a beat shift in the middle, picking up tempo and energy.
“AW3A” – Colo
Release date: 6 June 2026
In all of his latest hits, rapper Colo leans more into party and zanig sounds, which are characterised by their rich percussion and a style that brings listeners to their feet. This track follows a similar style, with energetic percussion and playful lyrics to compliment the production.
“3omlat” – Hyper ft TooDope and Cymona
Release date: 2 June 2026
In a production by Cymona, Hyper collaborates with one of the earliest icons in the Sudanese rap scene, Altayeb Hajo “Too Dope”, to release Omlat (Currencies). The track is filled with energy, a rich beat, melodic saxophones and rapid fire flows from both rappers.
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.
