Erkez Hip Hop is a Tunisian music collective that stands out for its powerful fusion of mezoued, a traditional folk music style, with the rhythms and delivery of modern rap. Rather than simply adopting global hip-hop trends, Erkez Hip Hop draws deeply from Tunisian street culture, using mezoued not just as a sound, but as a spirit,.

Mezoued, typically played with instruments like the zokra (a type of reed flute) and darbouka, has long been considered music of the working class and marginalized communities. It speaks of everyday struggles, heartbreak, joy, and resilience. Erkez Hip Hop channels this energy into their music, creating a new form of urban expression that remains deeply local in tone and content. By layering rap vocals over mezoued-inspired beats, they’ve redefined what it means to make contemporary Tunisian music.

Lyrically, the group often addresses themes rooted in the social and cultural realities of Tunisia: poverty, youth identity, injustice, and resistance. Their use of Tunisian Arabic (Derja) further reinforces their connection to the streets, to the people, and to the oral traditions mezoued has always carried.

In this way, Erkez Hip Hop isn’t just influenced by mezoued—they are reclaiming and reimagining it for a new generation. Their music doesn’t merely sample old sounds; it revives them with urgency, giving mezoued a new life in urban spaces, street corners, and underground venues. They show that mezoued is not a relic of the past, but a living, breathing form of cultural resistance.

Erkez Hip Hop stands as a unique example of how traditional Tunisian music can evolve, not by imitating global styles, but by honoring local heritage and transforming it into something bold and relevant. Their work continues to influence young artists who seek to connect with their roots while expressing their present.