Rayess Bek’s Musical Evolution and Inspirations
Over his career, Wael Kodeih has gone by many names: from Aks’ser and Good Bye Schlöndorff to Rayess Bek, with his music evolving with it.
When we had Rayess Bek on the Quartertones Podcast, we journeyed through his various projects, exploring each era they were created in, and some of his main musical inspirations. Here are some of the tracks that were highlighted in the episode, and a special live session he recorded at the afikra studio in Beirut.
Wael Edeh, better known as Rayess Bek, is a pioneer in Arabic hip-hop, blending political consciousness with a deep connection to his personal and cultural identity. In a conversation reflecting on his childhood, he recalls his early influences, from American hip-hop legends like Public Enemy to the French rap group IAM, whose politically charged lyrics sparked his realization that music could be a vehicle for social commentary. Raised between France and Lebanon, his bilingual background shaped his artistry, initially leading him to rap in French before realizing the power of Arabic in truly connecting with his audience. His early group, Aks’ser, emerged as one of Lebanon’s first Arabic rap groups, navigating a post-war landscape where young musicians had to create opportunities from scratch.
Photo by Célia Bonnin
As his career evolved, Rayess Bek moved beyond hip-hop, exploring new artistic forms that blend music, archival sounds, and multimedia experiences. His project Goodbye Schlöndorff uses old cassette recordings from Lebanon’s civil war, transforming forgotten personal messages into a haunting reflection on history. Love and Revenge revives classic Arabic music, reimagining songs from the golden era of Arab cinema with electronic and visual elements. His latest solo album, Bahar, continues this exploration, incorporating rare archival recordings into contemporary soundscapes. These projects reflect his belief that history and heritage must be preserved, not only through documentation but by breathing new life into the past.
Throughout his journey, Rayess Bek has grappled with questions of identity, colonial influence, and artistic legacy. His work bridges generations, merging nostalgia with modern experimentation. While deeply connected to Lebanon, his relationship with the country remains complex, shaped by cycles of departure and return. Whether through hip-hop, sound installations, or electronic music, his art remains a powerful commentary on history, displacement, and the evolving nature of cultural expression.
Below is the Live Studio Session performed and recorded at the afikra studio in Beirut.
Je Danse La Mia, IAM
Safeit bi 3akss el Seir, Aks’ser
Good Bye Schlöndorff
Watch a live version here.
