The First Rap Music Video on YouTube: Did Morocco Beat America?
When YouTube launched in February 2005, it revolutionized global content creation, forever transforming how music—especially rap—was discovered, shared, and experienced. With its user-focused motto, “Broadcast Yourself,” YouTube quickly evolved from a digital novelty to a cultural powerhouse, empowering creators worldwide to share their voices.
Amid this digital revolution, an intriguing question has emerged: Did Morocco, not the United States, upload one of the world’s earliest rap music videos to YouTube?
“Me at the zoo” by Jawad | YouTube’s first video, uploaded on April 24, 2005
YouTube’s Early Days: A User-Driven Digital Frontier
The Platform’s Meteoric Growth
YouTube’s early years were marked by rapid growth. Its first video, “Me at the Zoo,” was uploaded by co-founder Jawed Karim on April 23, 2005. By late 2005, the platform was attracting over 30,000 daily viewers—a number that skyrocketed to more than 2 million by the end of the year. By March 2006, YouTube was hosting over 25 million videos, with 20,000 new uploads daily.
Early Content: Raw, Amateur, and Unpolished
The platform’s initial success was fueled by user-generated, unpolished content. Viral moments like the Nike Ronaldinho ad and the comedy sketch “Lazy Muncie” illustrated YouTube’s potential for both entertainment and music. However, these early uploads also exposed challenges, such as copyright violations and the absence of official music industry involvement.
Music Videos: Sparse and Fan-Driven
During YouTube’s early phase, most music videos were unofficial uploads by fans, often sourced from TV broadcasts with visible MTV or VH1 watermarks. These videos were typically low in quality and prone to copyright takedowns. It wasn’t until September 2006 that Warner Music Group signed the first major licensing deal with YouTube. The launch of Vevo in 2009 further complicated the historical record by leading to the removal of many early, unofficial uploads.
H-Kayne – Issawa Style (Music Video) | World’s earliest available rap music video on YouTube, uploaded on 27 Feb, 2006
Morocco’s H-Kayne: The First Rap Music Video on YouTube?
The Claim: H-Kayne’s “Issawa Style” Predates All Others
The Moroccan rap group H-Kayne’s “Issawa Style,” uploaded by the channel “blueice2” on February 27, 2006, is—based on current, publicly accessible evidence—the oldest rap music video available on YouTube from any artist worldwide. What sets this claim apart is that the video is still live and viewable today, making it easily verifiable or refutable by anyone. If an older publicly accessible rap music video upload is discovered, it would rightfully take the title. Until then, the distinction belongs to Morocco and to H-Kayne.
This claim is significant because it challenges the common assumption that the United States, the birthplace of both hip-hop and YouTube, would naturally be first in this digital race. Instead, the evidence suggests that a Moroccan act may have reached global audiences on YouTube before any American rap artist.
H-Kayne: Moroccan Hip-Hop Pioneers
H-Kayne was formed in Meknes in 1996 and gained national recognition by winning the 2003 L’Boulevard des Jeunes Musiciens festival in Casablanca. Their success extended internationally when they signed with Universal Music’s Platinum label. In 2005, they released their groundbreaking album “HK-1426,” the first Moroccan rap album to be sold internationally.
One of their most iconic tracks, “Issawa Style,” fused traditional Moroccan music with modern hip-hop (Morap), earning them national icon status. The group even received Morocco’s prestigious Order of Ouissam Alaouite from King Mohammed VI. The early YouTube upload of their video further demonstrates their forward-thinking approach and underscores YouTube’s potential as a platform for global cultural exchange.
Defining “First”: Fan Uploads vs. Official Releases
The chaotic, user-driven nature of early YouTube makes it difficult to verify definitive “firsts.” Should the title of “first rap music video” go to the earliest available upload, even if posted by a fan? Or should only official artist uploads qualify?
This article adopts the broader, historically accurate definition: the first available upload of a professionally produced rap music video, regardless of uploader, deserves recognition. By this measure, H-Kayne’s “Issawa Style” stands as a significant milestone in both Moroccan and global hip-hop history.
Why This Matters: YouTube as a Global Equalizer
YouTube’s founding principle—“Broadcast Yourself”—allowed creators from diverse backgrounds to bypass traditional gatekeepers. The fact that a Moroccan rap group, rather than a major American act, may have been the first to upload a rap music video highlights YouTube’s role as a global equalizer. It gave artists from underrepresented regions the same opportunity to reach audiences worldwide.
Soulja Boy’s 1st EVER YouTube Video! | the oldest, publicly available video uploaded by a rapper on their official YouTube channel, March 16, 2006
UPDATE: Commitment to Credibility and Setting the Record Straight
In the spirit of transparency and our ongoing commitment to accuracy, we are updating this article following valuable feedback from our community. After publishing our piece and sharing it on social media, a follower brought to our attention a new contender for the title: Lil Keke – Southside, uploaded on December 2, 2005, which is now the oldest publicly accessible rap music video on YouTube that we know of worldwide.
This discovery demonstrates the importance of community-driven research and the shared pursuit of truth. As it stands, Issawa Style by H-Kayne remains the oldest known Moroccan rap music video available on YouTube, but the international crown rightfully belongs to Lil Keke – Southside unless an even earlier example emerges. We welcome and encourage further discoveries—our aim is not to claim titles, but to document and celebrate hip-hop’s digital history as accurately as possible.
Lil Keke – Southside (Music Video) | the oldest publicly accessible rap music video on YouTube worldwide,
uploaded on December 2, 2005
Conclusion: Rethinking Rap’s Digital Origins and the Power of Belief
The story of H-Kayne’s “Issawa Style” challenges assumptions about digital adoption and redefines the narrative of who can lead on global platforms. Despite YouTube being an American creation, the evidence suggests that a Moroccan rap group may have uploaded the world’s earliest accessible rap music video, predating the first American upload by several weeks. This milestone reminds us that innovation and leadership can come from anywhere—and anyone.
Key Takeaway
H-Kayne’s success is a powerful lesson for artists, creators, and individuals worldwide: you don’t need to come from the nation or culture that built the platform to make your mark on it. Just as Cristiano Ronaldo dominates Instagram and Khaby Lame became a TikTok sensation, H-Kayne proved that Moroccan hip-hop could pioneer on a global stage.
Belief in yourself, your craft, and your nation is essential. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok are global tools—they don’t belong to any one country or culture. And while you may not control the technology, you can still be among the first to innovate, lead, and inspire. H-Kayne’s achievement is not just a Moroccan moment; it’s a reminder that the digital world rewards creativity and courage, regardless of where you’re from.
