middle eastern
what it is
The music of the Middle East and North Africa spans across a vast region, from Morocco to Afghanistan, and its influences can be felt even further afield. Middle Eastern music influenced (and has been influenced by) the music of Greece and India, as well as Central Asia, Spain, the Caucasus and the Balkans, as in chalga. The various nations of the region include the Arabic-speaking countries of the Middle East and North Africa, the Persian tradition of Iran, the Greek traditions of Cypriot music, the music of Turkey, various Jewish traditions from Israel, the Kurdish music, Berbers of North Africa, and the Coptic Christians in Egypt all maintain their own traditions.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make middle eastern a playlist
turn these 19 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is middle eastern?
The music of the Middle East and North Africa spans across a vast region, from Morocco to Afghanistan, and its influences can be felt even further afield. Middle Eastern music influenced (and has been influenced by) the music of Greece and India, as well as Central Asia, Spain, the Caucasus and the Balkans, as in chalga. The various nations of the region include the Arabic-speaking countries of the Middle East and North Africa, the Persian tradition of Iran, the Greek traditions of Cypriot music, the music of Turkey, various Jewish traditions from Israel, the Kurdish music, Berbers of North Africa, and the Coptic Christians in Egypt all maintain their own traditions.
What are good middle eastern albums to start with?
Try The Narrative by The Narrative, Middle Eastern Piano by Isolde Faelight, Desert Fox by Control Freak, and Haeesh Hayati by Tamer Hosny.
Who are some women making middle eastern?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/middle-eastern/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making middle eastern, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20