This conversation with Wegz unfolded mere hours before his latest album’s release. What began as a routine discussion about studio collaborations, rivalries within Egypt’s rap circuit and genre-crossing production soon blossomed into an exploration of his wider passions: freediving beneath the Mediterranean, the serene cherry blossoms in Japan and the simple joys that fuel his creative vision.
Wegz tackles each question with an eye toward tomorrow—his evolving perspective on self-improvement, the value of quiet adventures and the restless curiosity that underpins his music. From rap and Mahraganat to pop-inflected refrains, he reveals how personal transformation seeps into every verse and beat.
Wegz’s Sonic Journey: From Alexandria’s Roofs to Genre-Bending Horizons
In August 2017, a then-unknown MC named Wegz declared on Facebook, “I’ve been rapping for four months, and I’ll drop a track that will explode in two days.” That brash post marked the start of his ascent—from rooftop cyphers in Alexandria to sold-out shows across Cairo and beyond. By 2018, a new wave of Gen Z artists was reshaping Egypt’s hip-hop landscape, and Wegz stood at its crest, fluidly blending rap, trap and Mahraganat into a singular sound.
Early releases like “Saleny” captured his raw emotion; collaborations with Marwan Pablo on “Dayra Al Maslaha” unveiled his vulnerability; playful tracks such as “Bazeet” showcased his wit. Through each phase, a thread of sincerity and simplicity never wavered, even as his star continued to ascend.
‘El Bakht’: The Anthem That Resonated Across a Generation
When “El Bakht” dropped in 2022, its Afro-pop pulse and unpretentious lyrics turned it into a cultural phenomenon—from bustling clubs to tuk-tuks. The song’s straightforward yearning transcended age and background, becoming the unofficial love anthem of a generation. Its success wasn’t just about chart positions; it was about how millions found their own stories within its melody.
Despite “El Bakht” peaking at No. 14 on the Billboard Arabia Hot 100 and holding steady weeks later, Wegz refuses to rest on its laurels. “I can’t predict how a song lands or how far it travels,” he says. “My focus is always on the next chapter, on expressing what I’m living now.”
Unfettered Success: Wegz’s Commitment to Authenticity
Wegz has been open about living with ADHD, viewing it not as a hindrance but as fuel for his frenetic creativity. “Art and life are inseparable,” he explains. “I dive deep into one thing, finish it, then I’m off to the next adventure.” This restless spirit propelled him into rage-rap on his 2024 project TNKR, and back into trap-Shaabi dominance with “El-Wad,” which climbed to No. 1.
His newest album, Aqareb—a play on the Arabic words for “scorpion” and “minutes”—maps a day in sound, from dawn’s first light to the hush of midnight. It’s a concept record that mirrors his personal journey: ever on edge yet fiercely alive.
Fame may swirl around him, but Wegz finds solace in anonymity—strolling unrecognized streets, breathing fresh air, chasing cherry blossoms in Japan. These quiet moments, he says, become the threads he weaves into his music.
