Shabjdeed - شب جديد

Shabjdeed, born Odai Zahran and performing under the alias Abu Othaina, is a Palestinian rapper from Kufr Aqab, a neighborhood on the outskirts of Jerusalem cut off by the separation wall. He emerged in the mid-2010s with a raw, nihilistic delivery and provocative lyricism that broke sharply from mainstream Arabic pop and older-generation Palestinian hip-hop, instead channeling frustration, dark humor and street realism rooted in life under occupation and urban decay. His self-titled debut track caught the ear of producer Al Nather, and the two went on to form one of the most influential creative partnerships in contemporary Arabic rap.

Together with Al Nather, Shabjdeed helped define a distinctly dark, minimal trap sound that blends moody, bass-heavy beats with his deadpan, almost monotone flow, a style that became a blueprint for a new wave of Levantine hip-hop. Tracks like «Ko7ol w 3atme», «Sindibad» and «Mtaktak» showcase this signature combination of murky production and confrontational, unapologetic verses. He is closely associated with the BLTNM collective and label alongside artists such as Al Nather, Daboor and Shabmood, which has become a central hub for underground Palestinian rap.

Shabjdeed's music and public persona have made him a divisive but hugely influential figure, credited with helping put Palestinian trap and drill on the map for a wider Arabic-speaking and international audience. His willingness to tackle taboo subjects and reject respectability politics in his lyrics has drawn both devoted fans and controversy, cementing his reputation as one of the scene's most uncompromising voices.