moktar is back with his first release of 2023 and a new event concept QARAE, both continue to reinforce the pride in his Egyptian heritage. His love for harder-edged UK club sounds and his expertly precise percussion shines on the next single ‘All Like That’, which sees shimmers of Arabic expressions of praise and love dropped over breakbeat rhythms.

moktar explains – “I wanted to do something different by taking things up a notch in tempo and I’ve always wanted to incorporate words like “Habibi” which means love, and “Alhamdulillah” which translates to “praise to god” that you would usually use when something good happens. Both are keywords in my culture and are a big part of my desire to share them in my new music” 

moktar has been on a journey. Re-learning the value of his Egyptian heritage following racism and stereotyping growing up in Australia has seen him flip the script from shame to glowing pride, on a mission to bring traditional Arabic instrumentation into the club, and it doesn’t stop at his music. 2023 also sees the birth of QÄRÄEan event concept launching at the highly respected Tasmanian festival Dark Mofowhere moktar curates a night of sounds from across the Middle East/North Africa on June 18thincluding Egyptian/Australian rapper Kid Pharaoh and DJ, radio host, and S.W.A.N.A focussed event founder, Nooriyah, with plans to take the concept internationally. 

“This will be such a surreal night and one to remember. Yallah, we are taking over!” – moktar

Although he boasted a credible career in the local Australian scene over the last decade, it was in 2021 when he embarked on his solo journey under his name that things started to align. With two highly praised debut and sophomore EPs, a Boiler Roomdebut, a UK/EU tour which saw him play for revered spaces and event brands and including b2bs with the legendary Mr Scruff, Bradley Zeroand Yung Singh, moktar’s voyage is full of promise.