Wissam Hilal Brings Arabic Pop & EDM Into a New Era with ‘Ghaly Alaya’ Single
Wissam Hilal doesn’t just make music. He makes statements. The Syrian-born artist has been doing this for over 10 years, but his new single “Ghaly Alaya” hits different.
It’s this wild mix of Arabic and urban disco, something you don’t hear every day, and that’s the point. “Mixing genres is almost like creating a new genre of its own,” Wissam tells Contrast. “With ‘Ghaly Alaya,’ I hope people can feel the emotions and the story, not just through the lyrics, but through the beat that carries them.”
The Berlin-shot video only takes that vibe deeper. Directed by his longtime friend Mardini, it was filmed in the same underground location as The Hunger Games. “The song carries a sense of sadness and repressed feelings,” Wissam says. “That location mirrored it perfectly.”
And Wissam isn’t slowing down. He’s been filming videos in L.A., Berlin, and Cairo, each with its own energy, each feeding into his story. “Every city has its own vibe that feeds into the storytelling,” he says. “It gives every project a unique energy.”
Still, this moment is more than just music for Wissam. It’s about identity. “My upcoming music this year will fully reflect my culture and heritage, through the dialect, the sound, even the performance,” he shares. “It’s a new chapter where my roots shine through more clearly.”
That pride in heritage comes with a bigger responsibility, too. Wissam doesn’t shy away from using his platform to talk about his home, a place that is often misrepresented. “Our region has been plagued by war and bloodshed for as long as I can remember,” he says. “Syrians and are beautiful, peaceful people, not the way they’re always portrayed in media. If my voice can help show that truth, then it’s my responsibility.
That honesty is what makes Wissam stand out. Contrast defines “strikingly different” as more than just style, it’s about substance. For him, it’s simple: “Being strikingly different means being the most authentic version of myself. Every day, I wake up and try to be that.”
And with “Ghaly Alaya,” Wissam Hilal proves that authenticity isn’t just a buzzword, it’s what turns good music into something unforgettable.
Michael D. Monroe
Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Contrast Magazine. michael@contrastmag.us
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