Music

Modern Day Egyptian Music:

Modern Arabic music now fills all genres. There are musicians who perform traditional melodies and there are those that are closer to the Western conventions of pop and "Top 40." 

Music fills Egypt; you hear it wherever you go. You can hear it riding in a taxi cab, eating in a restaurant, getting tea in a cafe, or even just walking down the street.

Egypt is seen as a major focus for music in the Arab world. Lebanese-born conductor and composer Salim Sahab, now a citizen of Egypt, once said, "No matter how brilliantly an Arab singer or artist shines in his own country, he or she will never fulfill dreams before setting foot in Egypt."

Egypt's importance in Arabic music is shown by the fact that many of the great masters of Arabic music come from this country. One of the most popular is Umm Kulthum. She was an internationally famous Egyptian singer, songwriter and actress from the 1920's to the 1970's. 

Umm Kulthum had a controlto vocal range. Controlto is a type of classical female singing voice that is the lowest in the female vocal range.  It is mostly referenced in classical and operatic singing.

This is a video clip of Umm Kalthum perfoming in Paris in 1967.

It is said that her funeral, in 1975, was larger than that of President Nasser after his assassination. Even today, many believe Umm Kulthum is the greatest Arabic singer in history. She still lives on in Egypt through tv and radio. If you visit Egypt, you will hear her voice.  

Today there are numerous Arabic musicicians that are popular, but Amr Diab is the king of pop here.  Amr Diab is one of the most popular and famous singers in the Arab world and internationally.  He has won numerous awards including a  World Music Award for his song "Nour El Ain," making him only the second Arabian singer ever to win the award. He has toured around the world and is an artist with broad appeal because his songs show a variety of musical styles, from traditional Arabic rhythms to European dance to the soulful ballads of the Americas.

Listen to the sounds of Amr Diab, the King of Pop in Egypt and the Arab World.

There are two types of new music that are popular in Egypt today.  The first is called Shaaby, which is a bit like rap.  It is also called mahrganat.

The second is Arabic Rock that came about since the Egyptian Revolutions. They sing political songs and romantic ones as well. 

Not everyone in Egypt is a fan of this new type of music, but it is growing in popularity.

Here is a sample of some of the newer music coming out of Egypt:

Okka and Ortega

This is Yousra El Hawary

Aida El-Ayoubi

I grew to absolutely love the sound of Arabic Music, but Amr Diab is still my favorite. What do you think about Arabic music? What did you like or not like about the music you listened to?  Does Arabic music remind you of anything you have heard before? If so, what?

A special thank you to Nour and Ahmed, who helped give me information on the most current music in Egypt today!