advertisement
Rb Hip Hop

Egyptian Rapper Wegz Shares His Favourite Hometown Slang

The artist was recently in Toronto for his global tour and met up with Billboard Canada to answer some questions.

Wegz

Wegz

Daniel Victor Louis

Egyptian superstar Wegz kicked off the North American leg of his world tour at History in Toronto on October 25. He followed it up with another show in Montreal, at the Théâtre Beanfield on October 26. The rapper — who was Egypt’s most-streamed artist in 2022 and whose 2022 song "ElBakht" is currently No. 25 on the Billboard Arabic Hot 100 — has been on a mission to expand Egyptian rap outside of his native country.

Although Wegz has yet to release a full studio album, his name is well known throughout the Middle East, and he continues to make waves across borders. He rose to fame after his single “Dorak Gai” was released in 2020, and it now currently sits at 117 million views on YouTube. “ElBakht” remains one of Egypt’s top-streamed songs nearly two years after its release.


advertisement

Wegz’s tour began in Europe last September, cementing him as the first-ever Arab artist to have a Live Nation-backed global tour. He made sure to show some love to Toronto native RamRiddlz – a Canadian-Egyptian rapper -- by having him open both Canadian shows.

Known for his poetic and impactful lyrics, Wegz is well acquainted with the power of language, so Billboard Canada recently met up with Wegz and asked him to share some of his favourite Egyptian slang.

Watch the video below:

Video Editor: Yasseen Ashri

Videography: Ali Elmoudi

Photography: Daniel Victor Louis

Producer: Jackson Turner & Daniel Victor Louis

advertisement
Coco Love Alcorn
Courtesy Photo

Coco Love Alcorn

FYI

Music News Digest: Music Community Rallies to Support Coco Love Alcorn Through Cancer Journey

Also this week: more trouble for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Toronto scene veteran Paul James turns 75 with a free hometown show at The Phoenix and a date is set for the first Canadian Blues Music Awards.

Canadian pop and jazz singer-songwriter and choir leader Coco Love Alcorn has just revealed that she is fighting an aggressive form of cancer. This will involve a long period of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and further surgery. Alcorn explains that "I have had to cancel all my touring, teaching, and performances for 2026 and my local choir is on hiatus till further notice. I also had 3 trips planned to BC this winter/spring to record my new album and that project is also on hold."

A GoFundMe campaign to assist her has been set up. Donate here. The rapid and generous response to her campaign reaffirms the peer respect she enjoys.

keep readingShow less
advertisement