Artist Spotlight: Soulja, Sudan's Suave Rap Superstar

When we speak about rap across the region, one scene doesn’t get nearly enough credit or attention: Sudan. Arguably as eclectic and diverse as any scene, there seems to be a consistent production line of talent emerging, a whole host of voices reflecting the modern Sudanese experience, whether that’s at home or in the diaspora.

One personality, however, has consistently stood out: the man they call Soulja. 

From the moment his official debut saw light in 2020, the rapper established himself as one of the most unique artists to come out of the country. That debut, ‘Marrakesh’, saw him teaming up with compatriot artists O’D and RoTation, who together served up a hearty taste of what was to come. Fast-forward two years, Soulja has become a household name within the MENA region, with releases such as ‘Charleston’ and, most recently, ‘Bringi’, racking up millions of views and listens.

Before his long-awaited debut performance in Cairo, presented by SceneNoise in collaboration with CairoJazzClub610, our own Ahmed Khalaf sat down with the Sudanese star to discuss his simple beginnings, how the name‘Soulja’ came to be, his connection with MENA-based collective  SVNBIRDS, and more.