Karim Enzo Makes a Comeback With 'Hal Mn Mazeed'

Cairene rapper and producer Karim Enzo makes his return with a new album, ‘Hal Mn Mazeed’, following a long hiatus since the release of his debut EP, ‘El Mata7en’, in 2023. Enzo had a promising start with ‘El Mata7en’ when he joined the collective and label Ra2s Mal alongside fellow rappers Marwan Moussa, El Dab3, Yonyo and Afroto. The album sees him taking a notably darker approach in sound and style across the five-track record.

‘Hal Mn Mazeed’ finds Karim Enzo navigating complex, multi-layered soundscapes, with beats that lean heavily on trap production while incorporating shaabi and psychedelic influences. At certain moments, such as on ‘Khawagat (Freestyle)’, the EP ventures into more experimental territory. From the very first track, ‘Msh 3aref Aseeb’, Enzo attempts to reassert himself, a theme that persists throughout the project. However, the EP resists a cohesive sonic narrative, jumping between production styles. This sacrifices the overall flow of the record but delivers surprising moments, resulting in an unpredictable listening experience.

Tracks like ‘Khawagat (Freestyle)’ stand out for their interesting production choices, featuring odd drum patterns and creeping bass lines over which Enzo delivers his bars with a somewhat interrupted flow. Lyrically, the EP doesn’t break new ground, as Enzo revisits familiar themes of personal struggles, reflections on his life and relationships - a consistency that runs throughout the project.

The production on ‘Hal Mn Mazeed’ makes frequent use of heavy spoken-word samples intended to set the tone and add cohesion to the narrative. However, these samples are misused at points, detracting from the record's impact. While the album marks Enzo’s attempt to reestablish himself in the music scene and offers highlight moments, the overall feel suggests that he remains somewhat tethered to the past.