Bayou’s “Haifa Wehbe” and the Vigor of Gen-Z Arabs

Adham Bayoumi, known best by his stage name “Bayou”, is an emerging Egyptian singer in the genres of Egyptian pop and Contemporary R&B. Born in Saudi Arabia, Bayoumi grew up in Dubai and returned to Egypt in his childhood summers, fostering a great sense of pride in his Egyptian identity. With approximately 246,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, Bayou has repeatedly highlighted both his musical prowess and passion for the Arab community. His song “Haifa Wehbe”, released in June 2024, has taken the Arab diaspora by storm. In the three-minute song Bayou released as a single, listeners are transported to a world of classic Arab melodies with Egyptian pop and R&B influences. In an interview with GQ Middle East, Bayou revealed that he wanted his music to “mirror the duality of our identities as multicultural Arabs and North Africans.” Combining English with an Arabic chorus, Bayou has solidified his commitment to blending the complex cultures of the Arab diaspora and has done so with Gen-Z flair. 

Bayou’s “Haifa Wehbe” is a microcosm of the widespread pride and vitality of the Gen-Z Arab community. Committed to curbing stereotypes and negative perceptions on the world stage, Bayou uses his songs “Haifa Wehbe”, “Persian Girl”, and “Egyptian Wifey” to uplift Middle Eastern women. Bayou told the Arab America Foundation that he wants to “appreciate” Middle Eastern women through the vessel of music, noting a lack of recognition of Middle Eastern and North African beauty from other world regions. Using music as an agent for change is one of the many ways Gen-Z Arabs have made their mark on the world. Advocacy for Arab representation, inclusion, and justice has been ongoing, yet results have only just started taking shape. With decennial census representation for Arab Americans slated to take effect in six years, the sentiment of Arab American erasure has become a reality. In post-9/11 society, stigmas regarding Arab culture and expression have been exacerbated, forcing many Gen-Z Arabs in particular to diminish their cultural pride. Fully assimilating into a society where Arab culture is seldom appreciated has led to a perpetual decrease in collective Gen-Z Arab unity. 

In my own experience as an Arab American teenager growing up in a state with few Arabs, it has been increasingly difficult to cultivate Arab pride due to its absence. Given this, I founded Bring Arab Youth Together, an organization that amplifies cultural media to unify Arab youth. My organization couples photographs with music to bring Arab culture to the screens of Gen-Z Arabs globally. In doing this, I have been able to incorporate Gen-Z artists like Bayou with historical media. Many Gen-Z Arabs including myself have listened to Bayou’s music and regard it as a testament to our own experiences. Bayou’s impact has consequently become notorious: earlier this year, Bayou made history as the first Egyptian singer to perform at Coachella. His career as a Gen-Z Arab artist has allowed many fellow Gen-Z Arabs to blossom and deeply embrace the culture that has been erased in years past.

Bayou’s musical productions nod to the vigor of Gen-Z Arabs, vocalizing our experiences, aspirations, and realities to Arabs and non-Arabs alike.