Mahraganat Music
The Newest Music Trend in the Egyptian "Soundscape"
Morana Abdel Rahim
A new hybrid music wave sweeps Egypt; it is Mahraganat music (El-Shamy). In the past couple of years, a new genre of music has emerged in Egypt. This music genre is new to the Egyptian culture but it has caught the attention of vast amounts of people. Some people call it Shaabi music, and some call it Mahraganat Songs. But in fact, its most accurate name is Mahraganat, as it is actually different from the Shaabi music.
Background History
The Shaabi music genre was created in Egypt in the 1970s. The word Shaabi, in fact, means The Music of the People. It is a form of accepted working class music which evolved from the Baladi music genre. The word Baladi itself means native or rural, or equivalent in English to folk. The Baladi genre is a musical style or the folk style of Egyptian belly dance. This type of music originated as a type of urban music that expresses, in a humorous way, the difficulties and complexities of the lives of the working class in Egypt.
Shaabi singers are like Ahmed Adaweya, who is known to be the first Shaabi singer in Egypt. In 1971 Adaweya was a café waiter and while working he sang using the language of the people in the streets. Adaweya specializes in Mawwal which is a traditional genre of vocal music that usually appears in the beginning of the song. Mawwal singers must demonstrate very strong vocal capabilities. One of the very well known Mawwal phrases is Ya Leil Ya Ein (Oh night, oh eye). Adaweya is best known for his songs Zahma ya donia zahma (life is very crowded) and Ya bent el Sultan (Oh daughter of the ruler). Adaweya is considered as a leading figure in contemporary Shaabi genre music.
Another Shaabi singer is Shabaan Abdel Rahim, also known as Shaabola. He is one of the most known Shaabi singers in Egypt. His poor background, slang language, and forthright lyrics made him very popular among the Egyptian middle and lower classes. In 2000 Shaaban produced a song called Ana Bakrah Israel (I hate Israel) which increased his popularity amongst the lower and middle classes of the society who are sensitive towards the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Ever since, he continued to produce political songs affiliated with international political events. After the 9/11 incident, he produced a song called Ya Am Arabi (You Arabs). Another song called Bin Bin Bin Laden, which talked poorly of Osama Bin Laden and it was banned shortly after its production. He also sang a song named Kefaya Msh Kaman El Eraq (Don't bomb Iraq). In 2005, a song about the Prophet Muhammad's cartoon named Khalasna al-Sabr Kullu (We're out of Patience) and a number of other songs also affiliated with politics. Shabaan portrays the average Egyptian citizen who cares about politics but is too illiterate to be heard by any other way. He once defended the right to smoke Hash on National Television. He was a guest speaker with Ibrahim Eissa in his talk show Hamra (Red) which was during the holy month of Ramadan in 2010.
Other examples of Shaabi singers are Hakim and Saad El Soghayar, but they sing cheerful Shaabi-pop music, not political or Mawwal. Hakim is the first person from an Arab country to perform at a Noble Peace Prize event. He sings Egyptian folk, and his first album was produced in 1991 with the title of Nazra (a blink of an eye). Hakim also won the Best North African singer award in 2000.
Many opinions say that Saad El Soghayar is following Hakim's footsteps. He sings in a cheerful way; his songs are humorous and danceable. His songs give hope for the future rather than politics or sad love stories. Some of his popular songs are El-Enab (Grapes), Hatgawez (I'm getting married), and El Hantour (The horse carriage). His video clips and performances always include a belly dancer and a huge band.
Background History
The Shaabi music genre was created in Egypt in the 1970s. The word Shaabi, in fact, means The Music of the People. It is a form of accepted working class music which evolved from the Baladi music genre. The word Baladi itself means native or rural, or equivalent in English to folk. The Baladi genre is a musical style or the folk style of Egyptian belly dance. This type of music originated as a type of urban music that expresses, in a humorous way, the difficulties and complexities of the lives of the working class in Egypt.
Shaabi singers are like Ahmed Adaweya, who is known to be the first Shaabi singer in Egypt. In 1971 Adaweya was a café waiter and while working he sang using the language of the people in the streets. Adaweya specializes in Mawwal which is a traditional genre of vocal music that usually appears in the beginning of the song. Mawwal singers must demonstrate very strong vocal capabilities. One of the very well known Mawwal phrases is Ya Leil Ya Ein (Oh night, oh eye). Adaweya is best known for his songs Zahma ya donia zahma (life is very crowded) and Ya bent el Sultan (Oh daughter of the ruler). Adaweya is considered as a leading figure in contemporary Shaabi genre music.
Another Shaabi singer is Shabaan Abdel Rahim, also known as Shaabola. He is one of the most known Shaabi singers in Egypt. His poor background, slang language, and forthright lyrics made him very popular among the Egyptian middle and lower classes. In 2000 Shaaban produced a song called Ana Bakrah Israel (I hate Israel) which increased his popularity amongst the lower and middle classes of the society who are sensitive towards the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Ever since, he continued to produce political songs affiliated with international political events. After the 9/11 incident, he produced a song called Ya Am Arabi (You Arabs). Another song called Bin Bin Bin Laden, which talked poorly of Osama Bin Laden and it was banned shortly after its production. He also sang a song named Kefaya Msh Kaman El Eraq (Don't bomb Iraq). In 2005, a song about the Prophet Muhammad's cartoon named Khalasna al-Sabr Kullu (We're out of Patience) and a number of other songs also affiliated with politics. Shabaan portrays the average Egyptian citizen who cares about politics but is too illiterate to be heard by any other way. He once defended the right to smoke Hash on National Television. He was a guest speaker with Ibrahim Eissa in his talk show Hamra (Red) which was during the holy month of Ramadan in 2010.
Other examples of Shaabi singers are Hakim and Saad El Soghayar, but they sing cheerful Shaabi-pop music, not political or Mawwal. Hakim is the first person from an Arab country to perform at a Noble Peace Prize event. He sings Egyptian folk, and his first album was produced in 1991 with the title of Nazra (a blink of an eye). Hakim also won the Best North African singer award in 2000.
Many opinions say that Saad El Soghayar is following Hakim's footsteps. He sings in a cheerful way; his songs are humorous and danceable. His songs give hope for the future rather than politics or sad love stories. Some of his popular songs are El-Enab (Grapes), Hatgawez (I'm getting married), and El Hantour (The horse carriage). His video clips and performances always include a belly dancer and a huge band.