Abo El Anwar Offers More of the Same on 'Sa7eb El Sa3ada’

It has been a busy year for Egyptian rapper Abo El Anwar, marked by the release of a feature-heavy album earlier this year that, while ambitious, often felt bloated and inconsistent, with only a handful of standout tracks. In addition, he has dropped numerous singles and collaborations throughout the year, largely with his longtime partners-in-crime—Ahmed Santa, Lil Baba, and Abyusif, aka El Mexic.

From the outset of his career, Abo El Anwar has demonstrated an impressive ability to produce music at a relentless pace, however it is a a quality that occasionally leaves little room for deeper refinement. His latest short album, ‘Sa7eb El Sa3ada’, continues this trend, delivering a body of work that feels caught between familiarity and fatigue. While the EP showcases Abo El Anwar's signature style, it also underscores his increasing reliance on repetition, suggesting he may be running low on fresh ideas.

The six-track EP features two collaborations: ‘Esaad Younes’ with Santa and Abyusif, and ‘Ma3 Haly’ with Mohamed Saeed. Throughout the project, Abo El Anwar revisits familiar themes—braggadocio and reflections on relationships—that struggle to captivate in a fresh or compelling way. While ‘Ayza Nenzel’ aims for emotional vulnerability, its delivery leans toward performative rather than deeply resonant, making its impact more subdued.

The album's collaborations struggle to fully meet their potential. ‘Ma3 Haly’ explores pop territory but is hindered by a melody and arrangement that feel too straightforward, ultimately resulting in a forgettable track that even Mohamed Saeed's involvement fails to redeem. Meanwhile, ‘Esaad Younes’ offers nothing beyond what listeners have already heard in previous collaborations between Abo El Anwar, Abyusif, and Santa. Their flows and lyrical content feel recycled, with diss lines that appear aimless and lack the bite to land with impact. The result is a track that feels more like an exercise in convenience than creativity.

Despite these shortcomings, the production remains the album's most redeeming quality. The closer ‘El Sob7 Badry’ produced by Nadda, stands out as a highlight, bringing a level of polish and atmosphere that the rest of the album struggles to maintain. The opener, ‘Khalsana 2’, also benefits from a stronger instrumental backdrop and showcases Abo El Anwar at his sharpest, both in terms of lyricism and flow.

‘Sa7eb El Sa3ada’ ultimately feels like a project in stasis—polished enough to sustain his momentum but lacking the innovation or depth to push his artistry forward. While Abo El Anwar’s prolific output remains admirable, this EP highlights the growing need for him to evolve beyond his established formula and deliver something that truly surprises.