Recorded in the United States two months before his father’s death, released two weeks after it.
Egyptian star Mohamed Ramadan returns in a collaboration with Moroccan-American artist ILYAH in an emotional pop single, “I Don’t Know.”
The track arrives two weeks after the passing of Ramadan’s father, though it was recorded two months earlier during his stay in the United States, where he met ILYAH. The mix of Egyptian, Moroccan, and English lyrics centers on themes of uncertainty and questioning the ways life unfolds. Despite the somber writing, the production moves in a contrasting direction, built on Arabic percussion, darbuka patterns, electronic synths, and light electric-guitar textures. Musically, the song opens with a calm, reflective intro before shifting into a faster, dance-oriented section, giving it a hybrid structure.
The music video, also shot during Ramadan’s time in the United States, mirrors the themes of the song as it opens with Ramadan waking up in his bedroom, reflecting on the ways life has taken unexpected turns and expressing a sense of resilience. Later scenes show each artist standing before a mirror in moments of self-reflection, questioning their direction while acknowledging uncertainty. Other scenes place them in a mechanic shop, working with their hands and grounding the narrative in the idea of continuing forward despite unclear outcomes.
