Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar reportedly faces Middle East ban over ‘anti-Pakistan messaging’
Indian publications are reporting that the movie has been blocked in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Dhurandhar may be wildly problematic, but Flipperachi’s ‘FA9LA’, a song featured in the film, is too catchy to hate.
The Bahraini rapper has perfected the formula of high-octane Khaleeji hip-hop — pounding percussion, swagger-heavy delivery and that addictive chant-along quality that makes you feel like you’ve suddenly joined a street crew.
The song has exploded online, with listeners across South Asia and the Middle East looping it nonstop.
If you’ve been streaming ‘FA9LA’ on repeat and need other songs with the same energy that aren’t featured in a propaganda film, here are six Arabic hiphop tracks that will keep the vibe going.
Belgian-Moroccan artist Iliass Mansouri, known by his stage name Dystinct, has become one of the biggest cross-regional stars in the Arab pop and global Afrobeats-fusion scene. He sings in French, English, and Moroccan Arabic (Darija), aiming to bring Arabic music to a global audience like Latin music.
‘Yama’ is one of his most addictive tracks — sultry, percussive and built on the melodic swagger that made him a TikTok phenomenon. His blend of Maghrebi influences with contemporary European production mirrors what makes ‘FA9LA’ so fun: it feels local and global at the same time. If you want groove plus attitude, this one’s a guaranteed fix.
Naturally, Flipperachi has more where ‘FA9LA’ came from. ‘Hayalla Min Yana’ carries his signature flow, that rapid-fire Khaleeji rap that manages to be both aggressive and playful.
The production is thick with Gulf influences, hype-ready beats and the type of hooks that lodge themselves in your brain for days. It’s ideal for listeners who want more of the artist’s own sonic world without any dilution.
A gorgeous blend of traditional Gulf folk with modern percussive arrangements, ‘Tob Tob, Ya Bahar’ balances nostalgia with rhythm, making it feel both cultural and danceable. Abu Dhabi–based producer Khalifa Santo has built a reputation as an underground remix savant, blending the old-school Arabic music with hip-hop beats.
His reworking of ‘Tob Tob, Ya Bahar’, originally sung by Ouda Al-Muhanna, the late Kuwaiti folk artist, taps into that exact sweet spot.
Palestinian rap group DAM are pioneers of Arabic hip-hop, with politically sharp, musically inventive and consistently boundary-pushing. Their song ‘Emta Njawzak Yamma’, built around a question many young Arabs and desis know all too well — “When will I marry you off?” — uses humour and satire to critique societal pressure around marriage, gender roles and adulthood.
DAM flip a familiar cultural refrain into a sharp, conversational rap, pairing traditional melodic cues with crisp hip-hop production that keeps the track buoyant rather than preachy. The call-and-response hook, layered vocals and playful rhythm make the song instantly catchy.
Palestinian singer Lina Makoul’s ‘Fish Masari’ is cheeky, rhythmic and bursting with personality. Its percussive beat and playful vocals make it the perfect companion track for listeners craving something lively, catchy and rooted in Arabic pop culture.
This Honda remix takes a beloved Arabic classic and reimagines it into a dance-heavy, beat-driven banger. The producer’s signature style — retro vocals over fast, modern EDM-leaning percussion — makes this an instant party starter. Like ‘FA9LA’, it thrives on repetition, hook strength and that irresistible energy.
If ‘FA9LA’ is currently your whole personality, these tracks will help you build a playlist that keeps the vibe going — problematic film origin not included.