Egypt: TUL8TE shares new album NAREIN

Known for his rock, R&B, indie, and Arabic-infused melodies, the masked artist continues to push boundaries in the contemporary Arabic music scene.

Just hours before the album’s release, a visually striking music video for the lead single ‘Habeeby Da’ premiered. Directed by award-winning Egyptian filmmaker Omar El Zohairy, the cinematic piece provides an immersive introduction to the sonic world of NAREIN.

Named after the Arabic word for “two fires,” NAREIN is TUL8TE’s third studio album. It marks a deeply emotional journey that reflects the duality of vulnerability and strength. Written and composed entirely by TUL8TE, the nine-track album features production support from Moataz Mady on four songs, with the remainder produced by TUL8TE himself.

“NAREIN is probably the most personal thing I’ve ever put out,” TUL8TE said. “These songs came from real moments, some were amazing, some really messed me up, but all of them are honest. I didn’t sit down trying to make a perfect album. I just tried to be real with what I was feeling, and somehow it all came together. Even if someone doesn’t understand the lyrics, I hope they still feel what I was trying to say.”

The record opens with the title track, a fusion of rumba-soul and flamenco that delves into longing and emotional exposure. ‘Habeeby Da’ follows, featuring a nostalgic disco-maqsoum rhythm layered with themes of new love, its music video evoking a poignant coming-of-age story. Other highlights include Heseeny, an Arabic-flamenco blend centred on emotional presence, and Ghareeb Haly, which introduces bossa nova textures to a narrative about emotional distance.

Emerging in 2023 with Maghool, TUL8TE quickly gained recognition for his genre-defying sound. Hits like Habibi Leh and Matigi A’adi Aleyki reached the global Spotify Viral 50, a rare feat for Arabic-language songs. His music also dominated the Billboard Arabia Hot 100, with multiple tracks reaching top 20 status. With his masked persona and boundary-pushing artistry, TUL8TE has become one of the most influential voices in modern Arabic pop.