After the revolution of January 2011, new forms of art appeared in Egypt in the realms of music and street art graffiti. Both were used by protestors, who no longer feared the Mubarak regime, to express their political opinions. Street art, or graffiti, has been around since Pharaonic times, but the birth of "revolutionary art" in Egypt happened during the early days of the 2011 revolution as protesters began to convey uncensored political messages against the Mubarak regime on the walls and streets. Since the toppling of Mubarak graffiti has become an alternative media. Street drawings and paintings document political events as they happen in the country and pay homage to the activists who died. Some streets in Egypt's cities have turned into graffiti hubs, such as Cairo's Mohamed Mahmoud Street or Al Gomhuria Street in Assiut.
Egyptian ‘Rock' music is another form of art that appeared during the revolution. Young, unknown singers, usually attached to underground bands, would put political messages into song. Today, bands like CairoKee, Eskenderella, Sharmoofers, Salalem and many more have become famous. They used to rock Tahrir square with political lyrics and stirring music to keep the protesters' spirits high throughout the 18 days of the revolution.
"Audience and artists were overwhelmed by the political situation of the country, hence, inspiration came to artists to express their feelings through motivational lyrics accompanied by martial like music," says Akram Al-Sherif, one of the owners of the Cairo Jazz Club and a member of Soopar Lux band.
Politics was not the only reason for the fame some of the bands began to enjoy. "The free time we all had during the revolution gave us the chance to meet, play music and maybe form bands," Al Sherif says. Some bands became very famous largely due to the social media. A great many people began to follow their example.
"Another thing that helped this music to come out was the lack of creativity and the same old style of music that accompanies so many big singers. This let the audience go for a new style of music," Al Sherif notes.
Alongside rock music, a new genre of music was also born of the revolution. "Electro Sha'bi" or "Mahraganat" as it is called, is a fusion of older, traditional lyrics with bass-bumping electronic beats.
It is basically electronically created music with a unique Sha'bi rhythm - a constant beat accompanied by voices distorted by synthesized auto tuning. The voices are either rapping or chanting. Some of the new artists who have become famous in this genre are Oka and Ortiga, Amr Haha, and Figo.
"Mahraganat music is booming," Al Sharif says, "Artists like Oka and Ortiga go to international music festivals attended by thousands of people. It's a unique new beat in music in general – not just Egyptian music. We have not accepted it yet, but it is very attractive to some Egyptians and some foreigners as well."
Political music was introduced into Egyptian life after the World War II by El Tanbura and Sheikh Imam (1918-1995), the pioneers of the Arab political songs. In the seventies, they were followed by many other popular Egyptian singers such as Um Kalthoum, Abdel Halim Hafez, and Abdel Wahab.
Eventually, controversial new forms of art emerged. Some Egyptians admire it and its liberal usage of speech and melody. Others liken it to a deformed sort of music with no sense of melody or lyrics.
In contrast, the graffiti that has sprung up on Egyptian streets is appreciated by many, though it raises complaints when painted on private property or a public institute.
