If you’re a fan of Egyptian rap, then you probably already know that Marwan Pablo and Abyusif are far from ordinary names in the scene. They are two of the most influential figures who, in one way or another, helped shape our current understanding of what rap in Egypt can sound like. And on Hob W Kashat, the new album that brings them together, they deliver a different kind of musical offering, one that merges their distinct identities and refined artistry without ever slipping into pretension or overstatement. Let’s dive into the album’s details.
Pablo: Between introspection and prolific output
Let’s start with Pablo. This year has been packed with activity for him, especially after the usual criticism that he disappears for long stretches and then returns out of nowhere. From his album Akher Ketaa Fania, which carried a deeply personal tone, to the rest of his solo releases, it has been clear that he is in a phase of exploration and experimentation. At times the quality soars, and at others it lands somewhere in the middle, but what remains undeniable is that he is in a constant state of searching for new ways to express himself.
Abyusif: El Dolab and a return to the roots
On the other side, Abyusif revived the spirit of El Dolab with his album Nemshi Men Hena, which felt like a return to the essence that first made audiences connect with him. That particular album was a clear statement: Abyusif is back, and back with force. Producing the entire project himself was a standout move, and it revealed noticeable growth in both his writing and his overall style. This year has also been full of collaborations with other artists, especially his ongoing work with Lella Fadda, whom he has helped guide into a new artistic and commercial space.
Hob W Kashat: beyond the rollout
The new album, Hob W Kashat, arrived without any prior warning. Just five tracks, four of them produced by Hady Moamer, while the fifth, Smack That, is produced by Omar Tayea and had already leaked before. A collaboration between Pablo and Abyusif has long been a dream for many fans of Egyptian rap, but what makes the album interesting is that it does not try to present itself as monumental or excessively grand. It is, quite simply, a real musical experience between two of the strongest rappers on the scene.
“Diva”: a striking opening
The album’s opening track, “Diva,” feels like the perfect introduction. Hady Moamer’s production is distinct and memorable, blending deep Jersey bass rhythms with carefully measured synth additions. Pablo opens the track with the line, “Ehna el-awail, 3amleen mashakel,” a phrase that can be taken as a statement of dominance, or perhaps even as a pointed jab amid the vague Instagram tensions between him and Wegz. Abyusif enters with his signature direct, forceful style, and from the start, the chemistry between the two is impossible to miss.
“Smack That”: a return to technical sharpness
On “Smack That,” we see Pablo back in full technical form. The flows are varied, the rhyme patterns are intricate, and the writing reaches a high standard. With Abyusif on the track, it feels entirely natural that Pablo would bring out his sharpest instincts, and that comes through in every detail. One of Pablo’s lines that stood out to me was:
“B-Drip, بيجوا تحتي ياخدوا إمبو
Labes Charleston akenny fi team El Beatles
Ma3eesh fer2a, ana ma3aya ostool
Beygamelly el-arqam w beyenadouny Eucleides”
The writing feels packed with wit and a light, playful sarcasm that reflects his personality.
“Matmshish”: an intimate pause
Roughly in the middle of the album comes “Matmshish,” which can best be described as a musical pause. The beat here feels ethereal and comforting, with softer melodies and less dense percussion. This is not a boastful track. Instead, it opens up a space for emotional reflection, which feels relatively new territory for the duo.
“Toto”: a show of strength
By the time you reach “Toto,” it feels like stepping fully into display mode. The verses are sharp, and the delivery is intensely focused on projecting force. Its hook, “Toto,” separates Abyusif’s and Pablo’s verses, while also giving the track a playful edge. Among Abyusif’s lines that really stood out to me:
“Bitch, esmy ‘Miss me’
Baheb lamma te2ool esmy
Toxic mesh bakoon healthy
Too risky
Sowar mesh بتغيظني
Dola yekhshou fi 3abby”
Abyusif’s playful, effortless style is here in full effect, and you can also hear his production sensibility shaping the beat.
A return to a golden era
Looking at the album as a whole, it recalls the spirit of early Egyptian rap collaborations, when the music itself was the main focus, untouched by material excess or attention-grabbing distractions. Hob W Kashat breaks through the barrier that has made major collaborations feel increasingly rare, and takes us back to an era when the spotlight was on the art, not the rollout.
Closing thoughts
Hob W Kashat is not an album trying to win a commercial battle or aggressively dominate the market. It is, simply, an expression of love for rap in one of its purest forms. From polished production to the strong chemistry between Marwan Pablo and Abyusif, the album proves that collaborations between giants can still produce genuinely great results. If you’re looking for a dose of unfiltered rap without unnecessary additions, this is the album you need to hear.
