Balti - بلطي

Balti, born Mohamed Salah Balti, is a Tunisian rapper widely regarded as one of the pioneers and most successful figures of Tunisian and North African hip-hop. He began his career as part of the group Wled Bled, releasing the album Original Wled Bled, before launching a solo career in 2002 with his debut album Alfeyn Leyla wa Leyla. Over more than two decades, he built a reputation as one of the most recognizable rap voices in the Arab world.

Balti's sound blends Arabic rap with pop and R&B melodic sensibilities, often incorporating Tunisian dialect and North African musical textures alongside contemporary trap and pop production. His breakthrough single «Ya Lili», featuring Hamouda, became a massive international hit, amassing hundreds of millions of views and helping introduce Tunisian rap to a global audience. Other well-known tracks include «Mama», «El 7arga», and «Sekrane», which showcase his range from socially conscious storytelling to emotional, melodic rap.

Balti has collaborated widely across the Arab music scene and is frequently credited as a key figure in popularizing Tunisian rap beyond North Africa, paving the way for a new generation of Maghrebi artists. His decades-long career and continued chart presence have cemented his status as an elder statesman of Tunisian hip-hop.