Bahjat is not just releasing music. He is defining a lane. His new six-track EP, A-POP, feels like a clear declaration of who he is and where he is headed. At its heart, the project fuses global pop craftsmanship with an unmistakable Arabic soul. It reflects his lived experience of moving between cultures, navigating identity, and learning how to stay visible without losing himself in the process.
This EP did not appear out of nowhere. It arrived after a steady run of singles that have expanded his reach far beyond one region. “Loco” kicked open major doors, landing support from Montecarlo Radio, TVM, WTV, and Vibe FM, while also breaking into the Top 10 on Malta’s 89.7 Bay Radio. Then came “Maybe I’m The Villain,” a deeply introspective track that questioned self-image and public perception, premiering on Rolling Stone MENA.
On “Ma Maa Salama,” Bahjat softened the mood, leaning into acceptance and emotional release. It offered a moment to breathe within the larger narrative. Most recently, “Mama, I’m on TV” confronted the complicated reality of fame head-on. Written after his sudden viral rise in 2024, the song reflects the backlash he faced for being labeled too feminine and too vulnerable as a male Arab artist. As his visibility grew, so did the pressure to shrink himself. Instead of retreating, he turned the experience into art.
“Mama, I’m on TV” blends polished pop production with Arabic melodic phrasing, reframing fame not as a dream but as an emotional reckoning. The accompanying video takes that idea further, unfolding on a literal theater stage. It traces the journey from wide-eyed excitement to public rejection, showing the bruises that come with scrutiny, and ending not in defeat but in quiet strength. He stands there changed, not naïve anymore, but still present.
Together, these songs shape A-POP into more than a collection of tracks. It becomes a timeline of growth. The inclusion of an acoustic version of “Hometown Smile,” released as a Valentine’s Day thank you to fans, adds a softer, grounded layer to the project. It reminds listeners that gratitude and reflection sit alongside ambition and visibility.
Bahjat’s numbers tell one story. Over 150 million streams, more than 500 million social media views, and a global community of over one million supporters, all achieved independently. His journey has been spotlighted by major outlets including BBC, Rolling Stone MENA, The National UAE, Al Arabiya, Aftonbladet, and Times of Malta. But A-POP proves that scale means little without substance.
What makes this EP compelling is its clarity of intent. Bahjat channels cultural duality into a sound designed for a global audience, yet it never feels diluted. Instead of chasing trends, he is shaping his own artistic language. A-POP feels like the moment he stops introducing himself and starts planting a flag.
“A-POP” is pop with perspective and growth in real time.
