In a recent Rolling Stone profile, Moussa recalled how his AUR years reignited his love for hip-hop: “His time at AUR proved pivotal to his musical career. While at school in Rome, he slowly rediscovered his love for hip-hop, crediting his roommates and peers for playing music all the time together — even freestyling over beats with each other.”
That sense of experimentation and collaboration proved formative. After graduating, Moussa returned to Egypt, where he quickly immersed himself in the country’s underground rap scene. Bold and inventive, he forged a sound that combined cinematic storytelling with Arabic lyricism - challenging conventions and carving space for a new generation of artists.
The results have been extraordinary. His 2021 album Flo-Rida broke streaming records, and by 2025 Moussa was ranked among the most-streamed Arab rappers on platforms like Spotify and Anghami, with hundreds of millions of plays across his catalog. International recognition soon followed, with features in Rolling Stone and GQ Middle East, awards, and a reputation as one of Africa’s most original voices.
Most recently, Moussa released The Man Who Lost His Heart, a deeply personal album built around the five stages of grief, written after the passing of his mother. Hailed as his most intimate and mature work, the record blends emotional honesty with sonic innovation, proving that his art is as fearless as it is resonant.
For AUR, Moussa’s journey is a powerful reminder of the impact of a liberal arts education that prizes creativity, community, and global perspective. What began in film classes and late-night jam sessions in Rome has become music that speaks to millions.
Marwan Moussa’s story is a testament to what our students carry forward: from here, you can find your voice — and change the sound of a generation.