SCZONE, Tokyo Metropolitan Government sign MoU on green hydrogen cooperation    Egypt's PM meets Tokyo governor, witnesses signing of education agreements    Egypt's Sisi, France's Macron discuss Gaza ceasefire efforts in phone call    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt expresses 'deep dissatisfaction' to Netherlands over embassy attack    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    At TICAD, Egypt's education minister signs pacts with Casio, SAPIX    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Indian tourist arrivals to Egypt jump 18.8% in H1-2025: ministry data    Egyptian pound down vs. US dollar at Monday's close – CBE    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Fathy Salama and Sharkiat: The rap project
Published in Daily News Egypt on 14 - 08 - 2012


By Novine Movarekhi
Renowned musician Fathy Salama and his band Sharkiat, which means Easterners, performed last Sunday at the Cairo Opera Open Air Theatre as part of the Ramadan concert series. Salama is known to invite different vocalists to his performances. Six singers were featured during the concert, including three Egyptian and American rappers known collectively as Election, and two female singers, Heba and Sarah.
The combination of the vocalists and the style of their music was a new chapter in the evolving musical stories Salama treats his audiences to. This was the second event that brought Salama, the Sharkiat musicians and these talented singers together, but hopefully not the last time. One of the female singers remarked enthusiastically after the concert that collaborating with the band was a great career opportunity for her.
Rap rhythms and hip hop tunes set the tone during the concert and Salama and his band delivered a smooth acoustic-funky rap infused performance in the Open Air theatre. Instruments varied between keyboards, the tabla, and the accordion and intermingled harmoniously. Salama is known for combining Egyptian traditional rhythms with modern vocals, often leading to unexpected mixes, and the audience on Sunday were treated to yet another innovation of Salama's musical talent. Listening to vocals rapping to the sounds of the accordion and Egyptian drums was a totally new and appealing experience.
Salama not only excels in juggling a thousand rhythms while forging new music styles, he also knows where to find new and original Egyptian musicians. “This is what I have always done," he said with satisfaction and pride.
Salama is famous for being the first Arab musician who was awarded a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album, but he has been involved in music from a young age. His love for music lead him to study and play jazz in New York and Europe. Back in Egypt, Salama soon founded his own seven-member band. With his now extensive knowledge of modern and classical Western and traditional Oriental music Salama found an original manner of musical expression and performed extensively abroad.
Up to this point Salama was labelled as an alternative artist in Egypt but the recognition he gained abroad resulted in a growing following here. Salama not only creates music but is actively involved in promoting young Egyptian artists. Critical about the actual artistic, and in particular music, scene in Egypt today, he hopes to contribute to building a new generation of musicians with a strong knowledge of music and harmonies.
Although his work is tinged with digital jazz, Salama never describes what he does as jazz, which is clear once you attend one of his performances. Salama traces his musical roots to his Egyptian background and underlines the deep influence that this has always had on his musical composition. While the focus of his work is mainly creating a bridge linking traditional and modern music, what distinguishes him from other Egyptian musicians is the importance he gives to his cultural roots which is reflected in his music. And the evening's performance was no exception.
The concert was expected to draw a large audience, but not many people attended. It may have been due to the timing of the event during the last ten days of Ramadan, or because of the recent political turmoil, but fact is that those who failed to attend missed a great show. It is well worth the effort to try and catch a performance of Salama with this line-up.


Clic here to read the story from its source.