Marwan Ahmed Motawea (Arabic: مروان أحمد مطاوع) (born: 22 November 1995), professionally known as Marwan Pablo, is an Egyptian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer from Alexandria. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of trap music in Egypt and a central figure in the country’s modern hip hop movement.

Marwan Ahmed Motawea was born in Alexandria, Egypt. He began writing lyrics in his teenage years before transitioning into music production. His early exposure to global hip hop culture played a major role in shaping his artistic identity.

Pablo began releasing music in 2015 under the stage name “Dama.” In 2017, he adopted the name Marwan Pablo, referencing both Pablo Escobar and Pablo Picasso.

In 2018, his track 3ayz Fin gained significant traction, especially after being remixed by mahraganat artist Sadat. His collaborations with producer Molotof in 2019, including tracks such as El Gemeza and Free, marked a turning point in his career and contributed to the expansion of trap music in Egypt and the wider Middle East.

On 14 February 2020, Pablo announced his retirement from music, citing personal and religious reasons. He deleted content from his social media platforms and later clarified that the decision was influenced by psychological pressure and public expectations.

Despite his hiatus, his music continued to chart, and his track Denamet remained commercially successful.

In February 2021, Pablo returned with the single Ghaba, which quickly topped trending charts on YouTube in Egypt. He subsequently released the (EP) CTRL, featuring five tracks.

The project marked his official comeback and solidified his position in the regional rap scene.

Pablo released multiple projects under Quality Clique(Label), including:

• The Last Piece of Art (2023)
• PRJKTBLUBEAM (2024)
• 7OB&KASHAT (2024)
• EN7RAF (2025)

These releases expanded his sonic direction while maintaining his trap foundation.

In February 2026, Pablo announced his first feature film project, EgyBest. The film is inspired by real events related to the founders of the Egyptian streaming platform EgyBest and explores themes of digital culture, youth ambition, and legal controversy in the Arab media landscape.

The film stars Ahmed Malek and Salma Abu Deif and is scheduled for theatrical release in 2026.

Pablo’s music blends trap, hip hop, and contemporary pop elements. He is known for minimalist production, atmospheric beats, and lyrical themes centered around ambition, isolation, and social pressure. His influence has been widely recognized in shaping Egypt’s modern rap identity.

Marwan Pablo is a practicing Muslim. He grew up in Alexandria, Egypt, as the oldest child in a middle‑class family. He has described his childhood as a time of solitude, exploration, and responsibility, because he often felt he had to figure things out on his own and help look after his younger sisters. He said that this helped him develop self‑reliance and curiosity from a young age, even as he struggled to fit in at school.

He has spoken openly about experiences that shaped him emotionally, including moments from his early life that left a lasting impact. Reflecting on one incident at school, he said, “There was a teacher who told me to get out because I was late paying school fees, and that affected me mentally.”

Marwan is known to be very private about his family and romantic life. In June 2025, he married in a private ceremony, but the identity of his spouse has not been publicly disclosed.

Marwan has spoken candidly about his struggles with mental health, pressure, and public expectations. He has said that at times he felt overwhelmed by fame and stress, and that stepping away from music helped him focus on his emotional wellbeing. During his AB Talks interview with Anas Bukhash, he explained that his decision to take a break from music was not simple:

• “When I decided to retire, it wasn’t gray — it was black and white… I knew the feeling of loss, and life is built on that.”
• “I faced a big test: either choose myself or sell myself. I chose myself, and it was the right decision.”
• He also said that he made this choice “for my mental health.”

He has reflected on how fame affected his relationship with his faith, saying that during his rise he neglected religious practices, but rediscovered the importance of faith during his break.

In the same interview, Marwan talked about how his perception of happiness, success, and money changed over time as he grew older and experienced more of life. He shared that the break he took was important not only for his career but for his personal growth and mental health.

Marwan has also described himself as calm outwardly but with a lot of complex thought and internal pressure that he learned to manage over time.

Overall, he is regarded as introspective, private, and emotionally honest, and many of his songs and interviews reflect his journey through self‑reflection, struggle, ambition, and a desire to stay true to himself.

• Berlin Music Video Awards 2025: "DÉJÀ VU" included in the Silver Screening.

• Regional Brand Ambassador for Diesel
• Joy Awards 2026: Nominated for Best Artist.
• Spotify Accolades: Ranked among the most-streamed Arab artists on Spotify in 2021 and 2022.
• Cultural Impact: Known as the "Godfather of Trap" in Egypt.
• Production: Active songwriter, producer, and performer since 2017.
• Discography: Released notable projects including the album CTRL (2021) and EPs The Last Piece of Art (2023), 7OB&KASHAT (2024), and PRJKTBLUBEAM (2024).

• Marwan Pablo's channel on YouTube
• Marwan Pablo on Facebook
• Marwan Pablo on Instagram

edited by joey