طرب
Arabic Music Genres: Tarab, Khaleeji, Shaabi and Pop
Arabic music genres vary in sound, origin, and the occasions they accompany. We explore tarab music, khaleeji music, shaabi, and Arabic pop, with artists to help you find a starting point for listening.
What Does Tarab Mean?
Tarab is an Arabic word meaning "enchantment" or "ecstasy." It describes a state of deep emotion that takes hold of musicians and listeners alike during a performance. In tarab culture, the performer and audience create this shared experience together. The same word also refers to the style of music intended to evoke that emotional state. Tarab is the first of the Arabic music genres we explore here.
Tarab is associated with artists from Egypt and Lebanon. Umm Kulthum (1904 to 1975), an Egyptian singer known as the Star of the East, drew such a devoted following that more than 4 million people gathered at her funeral in Cairo in 1975. Mohammed Abdel Wahab (1902 to 1991) was an Egyptian singer and composer who composed the national anthem of Libya. Abdel Halim Hafez (1929 to 1977) became known as the Dark-Skinned Nightingale.
The Lebanese singer Fairuz began her career in the late 1940s in the Lebanese radio choir. Her first big hit, Itab, came out in 1952. For more on the scales used in Arabic music, see our separate guide explaining the maqamat.
Khaleeji Music: The Sound of the Gulf
Khaleeji music, also spelled khaliji, comes from eastern Arabia and the Persian Gulf states. It grew out of sung Bedouin poetry and is traditionally performed on the rebab, oud, and violin, with mirwas, tabl, and duff drums keeping the rhythm. To learn what these instruments look and sound like, take a look at our overview of Arabic music instruments.
In the 20th century, Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia shaped khaleeji music into its modern form. Kuwaitis were the first in the region to make commercial recordings. Today, the scene includes artists from Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. Among them is Mohammed Abdu (born 1949), a Saudi singer known as the Artist of the Arabs.
Shaabi: Music of the Street and the Wedding
Shaabi, also spelled sha'bi, literally means "of the people." This Egyptian genre of working-class popular music originated in Cairo. It grew out of baladi music in the second half of the 20th century, and you can still hear it on the streets and at weddings today. With its roots in ordinary people's daily lives, shaabi remains closely tied to these everyday settings and celebrations.
One shaabi song known around the world is Shik Shak Shok by Hassan Abou El Seoud. It has been familiar to listeners outside Egypt since the 1970s. If you want to hear what shaabi sounds like, this song is a good place to start.
Arabic Pop: From Cairo to Beirut
Arabic pop is produced mainly in Cairo, with Beirut serving as another important center. The genre grew out of the Egyptian film industry and combines pop melodies with regional styles, including the ughniyah, or Arabic song. Most songs are in a minor key, with lyrics about longing and love.
Arabic pop arrangements bring electric guitars and keyboards together with the oud and darbuka. This blend gives the genre a modern sound while keeping traditional Arabic instruments in the mix.
Music videos and television channels helped popularize Arabic pop beginning in the late 1970s. Since 2000, the Gulf countries have produced their own khaleeji pop. The Egyptian singer Amr Diab (born 1961) made his debut with the album Ya Tareeq in 1983. The Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram (born 1983) had her breakthrough with the album Ya Salam in 2003.
Which Genre Should You Start With?
Each of these four Arabic music genres has different roots. Tarab centers on the shared experience of performer and audience, while khaleeji music comes from sung Bedouin poetry. Shaabi grew out of baladi music and working-class life, while Arabic pop emerged from the Egyptian film industry. These differences help shape what you can expect to hear when you choose a recording.
A good way to get to know Arabic music genres is to compare two contrasting styles, such as the music of Fairuz and Hassan Abou El Seoud. If you prefer pop, try listening to Amr Diab and Nancy Ajram. If you are interested in the music of the Gulf, start with Mohammed Abdu. For more practical tips, explore our guide on how to start listening to Arabic music.
Pick one genre and listen to it for a week.