07.24.2026
17-Year-Old Palestinian Rapper MC Abdul Heats Up With the New Single “Shway Shway”
Coasting Over a Breezy, Afrobeats-Style Instrumental With Lilting Melody, the Young Gaza Native and Current Refugee Refuses to Let the Pain Control Him, Letting Off Steam With His Summery New Song
Critical Praise:
“Rolling Stone Future 25…In a place where education isn’t a given, the power of music has a way of shining through, especially with a gift like MC Abdul’s.” — Rolling Stone
“MC Abdul re-introduces himself with ‘Wein Abdul?’” — DAZED MENA
“At just 17 years old, MC Abdul has already lived a story that most artists wouldn’t experience in a lifetime.” — L.A. Weekly
“…Even with all the trauma surrounding him, Abdul beat all the thousands of odds and got signed by EMPIRE Records. He has amassed millions of views ever since through his songs, where he shares a glimpse of life in Gaza.” — GRAZIA
“MC Abdul’s lyrical vigor is reminiscent of hip-hop’s glory days, when storytelling and shifty fictions were the precedence. He seems to be following in the footsteps of Tupac, Nas, Lupe Fiasco, and Black Star– rappers that never failed to create multigenerational works of art reflecting trying times.” — MILLE
“At just 15, he has already established himself as a seasoned lyricist of global significance, serving up verses that resonate deeply with their complexity and emotional weight.” — YUNG
The Song:
Resilient and passionate, Palestinian rapper MC Abdul overcame unimaginable circumstances to follow his hip-hop dreams. Stressing the importance of enjoying life, even amidst hardship, the 17-year-old artist shows a new side of himself on “Shway Shway,” his new single. Produced by !llmind, the Afrobeats-influenced song represents a major artistic leap for Abdul, demonstrating how far he has come since his first exposure as a pre-teen rapping atop rubble.
Like many young people from Gaza living through Israel’s ongoing military occupation and genocide, Abdul had few chances to live a normal childhood, the oppressive trauma leaving precious little time for carefree expression. Abdul’s celebration on “Shway Shway” is therefore a radical act. The artist radiates a rebellious positivity as he shows off his skill with melody, sending a message to the Palestinian youth. “Mish Moshkila” (not a problem), he sings, tenderly, but firmly urging his nation to take things day-by-day, and to refuse to live in fear.
“Shway Shway” is the third single to emerge from MC Abdul’s next album, coming this fall. Executive produced by Suhel Nafar, the album is home to “Wein Abdul?,” a bravura rap workout that is one of his purest examples of talent to date. Earlier, Abdul released “Wait For Me,” co-produced by illmind, which used lyrical references to Abdul’s hip-hop heroes like J Cole, Eminem, and Nas to demonstrate how hip-hop inspired him to continue to fight for Gaza and his people. Abdul performed “Wein Abdul?” and “Wait For Me” at the inaugural OC MENA Festival in Costa Mesa, California, electrifying the crowd with his new single and fan favorite songs alike.
“Shway Shway” continues MC Abdul’s remarkable story, which began when videos of his 11-year-old self rapping atop rubble sparked a global viral sensation and has continued through his teenage years as one of music’s foremost advocates for Palestinian liberation. Growing up in Gaza, hip-hop provided a lifeline for the young Abdul, who learned English from rap legends and was inspired by the hip-hop tradition of speaking out against oppression. Videos of Abdul–of this middle school-aged child forcefully and soulfully articulating his struggle–circulated among music fans and activists alike, making him an iconic figure, but also putting a target on his back. It was a complex, hardship-filled journey for Abdul to leave Gaza, eventually reach the United States, where he currently lives, and later reunite with his family.
After reaching the United States, Abdul has pursued his dream of becoming a rap star. He made a historic Rolling Loud debut in 2024 as the youngest artist and first Gaza-born artist to perform on that stage. In addition, Abdul performed powerful showcases for platforms like GRAMMYs Global Spin, On The Radar, and From The Block. His cultural impact was further solidified by starring in Mustafa’s “Gaza Is Calling” music video alongside Bella Hadid. Having toured and collaborated with artists like Macklemore, Anees, Elyanna, and Saint Levant, and after opening for global superstar Atif Aslam, Abdul’s résumé is a testament to his status as a powerful voice for his people. With over 100 million views on his music videos, the champion for peace has already gained media support from Complex, Mashable, GRAZIA, Billboard, DAZED, RapTV, MILLE, Variety, VIBE, and LA Weekly among others, demonstrating the world’s growing desire to hear his side of the story.
Abdul’s forthcoming debut LP represents a leap onto the global stage, not just as a rapper but as an icon for a generation of youth whose stories of resilience are often left untold. Stay tuned for much more from the young artist as he continues his journey.
Stream “Shway Shway”: https://music.empi.re/shwayshway
Stream “Wein Abdul?”: https://music.empi.re/weinabdul
Watch “Wait For Me”: https://youtu.be/ZHD0QPEkCpw
Photo credit: Daniel Aziz
Please contact Michelle or Francesca for more info.
The Background:
17-year-old rapper from Gaza, MC Abdul, follows a rich Rap tradition of speaking up for the oppressed and taking people to the front lines of struggle and injustice. “We wanted to show the world what is going on in Gaza right now. I rapped in front of the rubble to inspire.” Abdul has done just that. His freestyle videos have garnered over 100 million views, highlighting the pain his community has endured for generations. Fat Joe, Chance the Rapper, Bella Hadid, and many others have praised Abdul’s courage, skill, and substance. His first EP, “Can I Live,” arrived via EMPIRE, and he is set to release his debut album in 2026. Using art, MC Abdul stands on the front lines of change. This brave 17-year-old is a champion for peace, fighting for his people’s freedom with his words.
Links:
instagram | tiktok | youtube | spotify
“Shway Shway”: https://music.empi.re/shwayshway
“Wein Abdul?”: https://music.empi.re/weinabdul
“Wait For Me”: https://music.empi.re/waitforme