At 18, Palestinian rapper MC Abdul has plenty to say about the past few years of his life. From unexpected opportunities in America to worrying about loved ones back home, he's experienced more than most teenagers. Now, those moments have found their way into his first album, where he shares what happened through nine personal rap music tracks. Some are upbeat and encouraging, while others reveal memories that remain difficult to revisit.

Out Now: Day by Day, Shway Shway

Released on October 16, Day by Day, Shway Shway brings together hip hop music and sounds inspired by African music. The album arrived through San Francisco-based record label EMPIRE, introducing listeners to different sides of the young rapper's life.

Its title song, Shway Shway, takes its name from an Arabic expression meaning "step by step." Abdul uses the phrase to encourage people who feel overwhelmed by their circumstances, reminding them that they don't need to figure everything out immediately.

You'll also hear Mish Moshkila, meaning "not a problem," throughout the song. Together, these expressions give the new rap single a reassuring tone without pretending that life's difficulties are easy to overcome.

“Is It Real? (Part 1)”: A Call Home Kept on Record

One particularly personal moment comes in Real? (Part 1), which features an actual phone conversation between Abdul and his mother shortly after he arrived in the United States in September 2023. During the call, she simply wanted to make sure he had reached his destination safely.

What seemed like an ordinary family conversation became especially meaningful in the weeks that followed. By including the original recording, Abdul gives listeners a glimpse of his life before everything changed.

That connection continues in Missing Home, where he reflects on Gaza and the people he left behind. Wein Abdul takes a livelier turn, exploring his travels and the sacrifices that came with pursuing a rap music career abroad.

“Zanana”: The Sound of Drones Over Gaza

Growing up in Gaza meant hearing sounds that most children would find frightening. Abdul revisits one of them in Zanana, named after the buzzing noise of drones flying overhead.

The song uses traditional string sounds and a darker mood to reflect memories that have stayed with him. Through its lyrics, he describes how those experiences continue to affect him long after leaving his hometown.

A different side of his life appears in Real? (Part 2), where he reflects on opportunities that once seemed unimaginable. References to meeting famous musicians offer a glimpse of how dramatically his circumstances have changed.

The experiences behind his debut

Abdul first gained attention at 11 when a hip hop music video of him rapping at school went viral, leading to a record deal with EMPIRE in 2020. Three years later, he travelled to California with his father, only to be separated from his mother and four siblings for five months when war broke out in Gaza.

Those experiences shaped the album, which he created with Suhel Nafar and producer Illmind, drawing on his background and hip hop culture. Students from Oakland School for the Arts sang on Shway Shway and Missing Home. Illmind praised the emerging hip hop artist for his emotional approach and expressed confidence in his future.