Belly dance music. Classic and recommended popular tracks of sensual dance music
When you think of belly dance music, what kind of songs come to mind?
Many people probably imagine Arabian-style tracks.
It’s true that Turkey and Egypt are the heartlands of belly dance, so there are indeed many songs from those traditions.
However, in modern belly dance, which has become widely known around the world, dance music that blends in avant-garde genres is also used.
This time, we’ve selected staple belly dance songs, both classic and contemporary!
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Belly dance music: Classic masterpieces of sensual dance music and recommended popular tracks (11–20)
I Wanna DanceArtem Uzunov
There are several traditional instruments in Arabic music.
Among them, one of the most popular is the darbuka, a percussion instrument.
Aretim Uzunov, who performs this piece “I Wanna Dance,” is known as a famous darbuka player and has produced many classics.
This song, in particular, pairs especially well with belly dance and is used in both Turkish and Egyptian styles.
Although it centers on percussion, it is a masterpiece crafted with a powerful, compelling melody.
BaladiAsena
Athena is a musician from Germany.
She has released many works specializing in belly dance, but I don’t think many people associate Germany with belly dancing.
In fact, Germany has one of the largest Turkish immigrant populations in the world, and with that background, belly dance has developed there.
Her track “Baladi” may have originated in Germany, but it’s a wonderful piece that stands shoulder to shoulder with works from Turkey, the genre’s homeland.
Whenever, WhereverShakira
Shakira, a singer-songwriter from Colombia who can rightly be called an icon of Latin music, has produced numerous hit songs, some of which feature her performing belly dance while singing.
Among her works, a great recommendation for belly dancing is “Whenever, Wherever.” It’s a catchy Latin pop track, so I think it’s easy to dance to even for beginners in belly dance.
Darbuka Solo, Pt. 2Bünyamin Olguncan
Bünyamin Organcan is known as a performer of the darbuka, a traditional Turkish percussion instrument.
He is also a top-tier instructor who mentored the famous female drummer Raqi Danziger, and he’s considered a legend in the darbuka scene.
One of his masterpieces is “Darbuka Solo, Pt.
2.” While the composition is simple and centered on the darbuka, the technique is astonishing, giving it a powerful impact with percussion alone.
Highly recommended for those who want to perform belly dance to a sophisticated BGM.
Wana Wana Amel EhHassan Al Sayed, Ibrahim Fahmi
One of the mainstream styles of belly dance, the Egyptian style, still preserves its traditional culture today, yet it also embraces contemporary music, and in recent years a wide variety of tracks have emerged.
Among them, a work I particularly recommend is “Wana Wana Amel Eh” by Hassan Al Sayed—an Egyptian rapper and singer—and the musician Ibrahim Fahmy.
While it retains strong elements of traditional Arab music, its overall structure is arranged in a modern way.
Enta Omri IHossam Ramzy
An Egyptian artist, Hossam Ramzy, who has gained popularity for performances using indispensable percussion instruments in Arab music such as the tabla and darbuka.
It’s no exaggeration to say he is the most successful Arab music percussionist, and he has even performed with Jay-Z in the past.
Among his works, a track that’s perfect for belly dance is “Enta Omri I.” In this piece, the percussion plays a supporting role, while the focus is on string instruments such as the oud, giving the entire track a luxurious feel.
Bella CiaoArtem Uzunov
If you want to explore contemporary Arab music, I recommend this track, “Bella Ciao.” In Turkey and Egypt—the homelands of belly dance—there are artists and dancers who blend traditional Arab music with other genres to create new values and perspectives.
Artem Uzunov, who plays the darbuka, a traditional Turkish percussion instrument, on this track, is especially strong in this approach; in all his works, as in this song, he masterfully mixes traditional and modern elements.
El Boaad La 1Hakeem
Hakim, a folk singer who is popular in Egypt.
When it comes to Egyptian folk music, many people may have trouble forming a clear image.
Unlike American or Japanese folk music, Egyptian folk draws heavily on elements of Arab music.
Among Hakim’s songs, one that pairs especially well with belly dance is “El Boaad La 1.” It has a light, lively rhythm, yet also carries a calm, gentle atmosphere—truly a classic.
Yaşar AkpençeYaşar Akpençe
Belly dance can be broadly divided into two styles: the Egyptian style and the Turkish style.
The Turkish style is still used today for occasions such as weddings, and because it covers a wide range of musical forms, it allows for diverse modes of expression.
The track “Desert Wind” is a perfect fit for this Turkish style of belly dance.
Centered around the darbuka, a traditional Turkish percussion instrument, the piece features highly advanced techniques in the darbuka parts, adding a well-balanced accent to the dance.
Banat IskandariahYa Salam Orchestra
Unlike flamenco, belly dance is quite open to performing dances with contemporary songs as background music.
This is especially true for the American-born style that dominates globally, which has strongly embraced this approach and has been danced to a wide variety of tracks over the years.
“Banat Iskandariah” is a particularly unusual piece: it features synthesizers crafted to resemble an operatic soprano and shifts into ominous rhythms, packing multiple charms into a single composition and earning its place as a classic.