Playlist #8: Tarab

Click here for the full playlist on YouTube, or play below

The sublime and enchanting melodies of Tarab are a favourite genre among the young and old. Tarab is an emotionally charged musical performance that elicits ecstasy in the ears of listeners and evokes a multitude of emotions in both performer and audience. 

This playlist brings together the most prominent Tarab titans of the past century while displaying the musical innovations and influences that Arabic music acquired with the emergence of the film industry, in addition to the social and historic changes that swept through the region. 

Make yourself comfortable and get ready to experience kayf, bast or the nirvana of music: Tarab. 

What are MARSM Playlists?

Marsm’s weekly playlists take on the musical history, trends and upcoming productions from the Middle East and North African music scene. Each week focuses on a new theme, showcasing both underground and established artists – from the more dance-able to the most experimental – and everything in between.