Egypt's unemployment rate falls in Q2 '25 – CAPMAS    EGP swings vs. USD in early Sunday trade    EGX launches 1st phone app    Egypt achieves record primary budget surplus of EGP 629bn despite sharp fall in Suez Canal revenues    Escalation in Gaza, West Bank as Israeli strikes continue amid mounting international criticism    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Resumption of production at El Nasr marks strategic step towards localising automotive industry: El-Shimy    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, UNDP discuss outcomes of joint projects, future environmental cooperation    United Bank achieves EGP 1.51bn net profit in H1 2025, up 26.9% year-on-year    After Putin summit, Trump says peace deal is best way to end Ukraine war    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Jordan condemns Israeli PM remarks on 'Greater Israel'    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, bilateral ties in calls with Saudi, South African counterparts    Egypt prepares to tackle seasonal air pollution in Nile Delta    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt, Colombia discuss medical support for Palestinians injured in Gaza    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt's govt. issues licensing controls for used cooking oil activities    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Egypt's Sisi: Egypt is gateway for aid to Gaza, not displacement    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.



The independent beats of Eka3
Published in Daily News Egypt on 26 - 03 - 2013

Independent artists often have a tough time carving their way to the top, or at least ceasing to be anonymous. Between creating a brand for themselves, making an album and being present for the fans (if there are any), artists find themselves spread very thin.
In addition, all the administrative and logistical work means less time focusing on their art. It is no wonder so many artists just throw in the towel. The Egyptian company Eka3 was founded by Tamer Abu Ghazaleh to help independent artists overcome these issues.
“I had the idea for Eka3 when I noticed that, as an artist, I had to do everything myself; from album production to concert booking and organising to everything else.
I also could not promote myself because, simply, I do not like to promote myself, and it should be someone else's job. In parallel I noticed that the existing industry in the Arab world does not take into consideration any kind of music other than the [kind of] music it is used to, which is mainly pop music of a certain style and image; nothing else," Abu Ghazaleh said.
“Given those two points, I began to research how the industry works around the world and came to the conclusion that this region needs an industry dedicated to independent music, and that we need to make it happen ourselves, as independent artists," he said.
The company's name, “Beat" in Arabic, is aptly placed. Abu Ghazaleh explained: “An old friend and genius designer called Ahmed Foula came up with this name. I had told him I was working on this new organisation and he sent me his idea for the name and logo."
Eka3 has plans for the whole music scene in the Arab world: “Our mission is to reshape Arabic music; to grow the independent music scene as wide as possible until it becomes parallel to mainstream music," Abu Ghazaleh said.
So, what type of music does Eka3 look for? “We look for original, fresh Arabic music that has a special sound, a unique artistic statement and the will to develop its music maturity to the highest level possible. Our signed artists vary from one area to another, as we work in very different locations, and across those different areas we have worked with a lot of young and established independent artists. Artists we worked with include Maryam Saleh, Jadal, Adonis, The Choir Project, Like Jelly, Massar Egbari, Aziz Maraka, Joelle Khoury, Darwasha, among many others," Abu Ghazaleh said.
The company also wants to develop the critical sense of the musical community: “We have recently launched the website Ma3azef, which is an online magazine that specialises in hardcore music criticism. We felt that we need a platform for serious critics in our music scene, whether for mainstream or independent music, and this is one of the steps that I feel are very important in further developing the region's music quality, if it fulfils its vision properly," Abu Ghazaleh explained.
And what about Eka3's future plans? “An upcoming new production is Kareem Abo Raida, one of the most unique voices I have ever heard in my life. I am really looking forward to the release of his first single and music video in the coming days," Abu Ghazaleh said.


Clic here to read the story from its source.