Youssef Muhammad Abdul-Qader Altay Reda, also known as Abyusif, is an Egyptian rapper and actor. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Arab rappers of all time, Abyusif began his career in 2008. Initially, he was a metal drummer in a university band. Later, he met a friend, Omar Bam-Bam, who introduced him to rapping in Arabic and taught him how to rap, write, and produce rap songs. Abyusif then started a band with his close friend and producer, Ahmed Al-Ghazuli, also known as Swag Lee. The band was called 372, standing for "3andak 7aga 2olha" (meaning "If you have something, say it").
His first track, Salby ("Negative"), was released in 2011. Together, they created rap and hip-hop songs, sharing them on SoundCloud. Abyusif has since released over 19 rap albums, solidifying his status as one of the pioneers of the hip-hop culture in Egypt. If any rapper in Egypt has achieved legendary status, it is Abyusif. With over 15 years of dominance in the scene, he has hundreds of tracks, some still available online, while others have been removed, living only on the hard drives and phones of his dedicated hardcore fan base.
Abyusif began his professional career before venturing into rap as a copywriter, working with several renowned Egyptian advertising agencies, including the well-known "KingTutsPlayground." He excelled in writing and advertising marketing, gaining significant experience in the industry.
In the rap scene, Abyusif became famous for creating and embodying a range of mysterious characters, such as Hany, Mazen, Ra3d, Bnokyo, Hysm El-System, and Ameer. Each character represented distinct personalities and traits, which he skillfully infused into his lyrics, adding layers of depth and intrigue to his music. This creative approach helped set him apart in the world of Egyptian rap.
After all these years of captivating his fans across the region, the talented yet enigmatic rapper continues to evolve, taking on new challenges and developing fresh skills within Egypt's music scene. Recently, he ventured into acting, appearing in a few short commercials and a mini-series with the famous Egyptian actress Zeina, titled "The Night and What Happened In 2022".
