American rapper and producer Kanye West has once again become the focus of global music discussion with the release of a new single, All the Love, taken from his long-awaited twelfth studio album Bully. The track, unveiled last Friday, prominently samples the legendary 1963 song Fayek Alaya by Lebanese icon Fairuz, a cornerstone of Arab musical heritage.
The production is helmed by West’s long-time collaborator and talkbox pioneer Andre Troutman. Together, they have transformed Fairuz’s original vocal fragments into a distorted, gospel-influenced sonic landscape. Critics have described the result as both unconventional and emotionally charged, with several suggesting it stands among the most compelling moments of the album. Billboard notably highlighted the track as one of the strongest entries on the record, praising West’s continued ability to push creative boundaries within contemporary hip-hop and experimental production.
The sampled song, Fayek Alaya, was composed by the Rahbani Brothers—Assi and Mansour Rahbani—and originally featured in the musical production El Leil Wal Kandil. The piece reflects themes of childhood memory, friendship, and nostalgia, with its title roughly translating to “You are awake for me”. Over time, Fairuz’s performance has become emblematic of collective memory and cultural identity across the Arab world, cementing her status as one of the most influential voices in regional music history.
The rollout of Bully has been notably turbulent. First announced in September 2024, the album faced repeated delays and underwent multiple revisions, some of which were previewed through experimental releases on social media platform X. West also released a short film featuring his son Saint as part of the project’s broader artistic narrative. The album arrives amid heightened public scrutiny, following his publication of a full-page apology advertisement in The Wall Street Journal addressing previous antisemitic remarks.
Born in Beirut in 1935 as Nouhad Haddad, Fairuz remains one of the most revered cultural figures in the Arab world. Her voice is widely regarded as a symbol of nostalgia, resilience, and shared cultural memory. Her influence extends far beyond the Middle East, with numerous international artists drawing upon her work in recent decades.
Fairuz’s music has been sampled across a range of global genres, particularly in hip-hop and pop, where her emotive delivery continues to resonate with new audiences. Recent examples include artists incorporating her vocals into politically and emotionally charged compositions, reinforcing her enduring relevance in contemporary music production.
Notable Uses of Fairuz Samples in Global Music
| Artist | Song Title | Fairuz Sample Used | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanye West | All the Love | Fayek Alaya | 2026 |
| Macklemore | Hinds Hall | Ana La Habibi | 2024 |
| Drake | Iceman | Wahdon | 2025 |
| Madonna | Erotica | Yom Olikah | 1992 |
Fairuz’s musical legacy continues to function as a bridge between generations and cultures. Kanye West’s latest release represents yet another contemporary reinterpretation of her work, further illustrating how her artistry transcends linguistic and geographical boundaries. The track also underscores an ongoing dialogue between Eastern musical heritage and Western experimental production, highlighting the evolving nature of global music exchange.