MC Abdul On Rolling Loud Performance, Making A Statement With Music, And Debut Album

A rap legend in the making!

If you didn’t know, MC Abdul is spearheading the next generation of the rap industry and we are here for it. With his newest hit “Shway Shway” and his upcoming album, the world is ready for a music revolution and he’s going to give it to it.

We had the absolute pleasure of speaking with MC Abdul and talking all things music, working with major artists and more!

You’ve said rap legends helped you learn English. What was it about hip hop specifically that pulled you in and made you want to make it your own? 

MC: “I was always obsessed with music since I was young. Even though I never understood what the songs were about, the feeling they gave me made me curious to understand what these artists were saying. Hip hop just had this energy and realness that spoke to me even before I knew the words. So, I started studying these songs, and with time, I learned English. I wanted to try it out and express myself too, just like how so many artists do.”

This debut album feels like a major moment, not just musically but as a statement. What do you want people to understand about your story and your generation after they hear it? 

MC: “I want people to understand my journey, not just as an artist, but as a child who grew up in Gaza, and everything I’ve experienced along the way. The past two or three years have brought so many changes and challenges to the lives of many, but my story is also the story of many others who have had to leave their homes, face uncertainty, and find a way to keep going.

Beyond my own story, I want this album to be a statement for my generation: that our voices matter, no matter where we come from or what we’ve been through.”

With nine different tracks, do you have a personal favorite song off of the album? 

MC: “All of these songs mean so much to me because I really put my heart and emotions into every one of them. But if I had to choose a favorite, I’d say “Is It Real Pt. 1,” the intro to the album. The lyrics are very minimal, but they carry a lot of meaning for me. In the song, I reflect on some of my favorite memories from Gaza, getting my visa, and finally making it to the United States.

It also sets the mood for the entire album and introduces you to my experience. We wanted it to feel almost like the opening scene of a movie, where you’re immediately brought into my world. A big part of that is the sound design, we built a really immersive, spatial audio experience around the lyrics so you don’t just hear the story, you feel like you’re living the journey with me.

You hear things like the sound of the bus, my Tata (grandmother) standing by the window, her footsteps, and all these little details that bring those memories to life. That’s the direction we took throughout the rest of the album. Every song has its own environment and sounds that help tell the story, so you’re not just listening to my experience, you’re stepping into it with me.”

You made history at Rolling Loud as the youngest artist to ever perform there. What did that incredible moment in music like? 

MC: “It was truly a dream come true to perform at Rolling Loud. Since I was a kid in Gaza, I watched so many of the big shows and studied the artists performing there. It was actually part of how I learned English. I would watch their performances, pick up new words, study their lyrics, learn their moves, and imagine myself one day standing on that stage.

So when I finally got to perform at Rolling Loud, it felt surreal. I was standing on the same stage I had watched so many artists perform on as a kid, and I was there as the youngest artist ever to perform at Rolling Loud. Coming from Gaza and everything I’ve been through, that moment meant so much to me. It was almost like seeing a dream I had as a kid come to life in front of me. I think that’s what made the moment so special, not just performing there, but realizing that the kid who was watching those shows from Gaza was now the one on that stage.”

You’ve toured and worked with artists like Macklemore, Elyanna, and Saint Levant. What have you learned from being around artists like that at such a young age? 

MC: “Working with so many incredible artists, I’ve learned something different from every single one of them. Everyone has their own way of creating, performing, and connecting with people, so being around them has taught me a lot, not just about music, but about what it takes to build a career.

But the biggest thing I’ve learned is the importance of consistency. No matter what happens, you have to keep showing up, keep pushing yourself, and keep working on your craft every single day. Talent can open a door, but staying committed and continuing to grow is what keeps you moving forward.”

With over 30 Million streams on Spotify alone, what has been your reaction to your fame and what advice can you give to young rappers who are inspired by you? 

MC: “It’s a blessing to be in my position and to have support from so many people all around the world. My advice is just to be authentic. Express yourself in your music, or really in anything you want to do in life, keep working hard, and that’s it.”

Make sure to stream “Shway Shway”, available now on all music platforms!

Photo Credit: Daniel Aziz

Je’Kayla Crawford– Founder and Director– Je’Kayla has been a journalist for years and decided to start a publication of her own, New Scene Magazine, back in October 2020. When not helping her team and working on their print issues, you can find her watching a movie on Netflix or baking using a viral TikTok recipe.