Hakim - Topic

“The SULTAN of Modern Egyptian Shaa’bi”

Recognized worldwide as a leader of the movement to popularize Jeel (music of the

Younger generation), Hakim is an innovator who has revolutionized the genre of

Shaa’bi (indigenous Egyptian music). His music adds modern rhythms to a foundation

of traditional shaa’bi melodies, resulting in entirely new sounds. It is the music of the

Masses, evident by his ever-growing fan base throughout Europe, Australia, and the

Middle East. Lauded as a musical “trail blazer,” Hakim has sold an estimated twenty million units throughout his career. Just as shaa’bi is defined as the music of

the people, Hakim is someone his audience can relate to, through songs that fuse

traditional melodies with urban dance beats, and lyrics that chronicle daily life

through the rhythm of street slang.

A major figure in the international music scene, Hakim has played to sell-out crowds

in Europe, the Middle East, Australia, North America, and Africa. These concerts

include major international festivals like the Sfinks Festival (Belgium), Les Orientales

(St. Florent, France), Ghazala Beach (Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt), Palais Des Congres

(Paris), the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, and Extra Fiesta (Rome). He has received

numerous accolades including the award for Best North African Singer 2000 at

Africa’s prestigious Kora Awards, and he was chosen to represent Egypt at the

Festival des Allumees in 1994 in Nantes, France.