Hind Meddeb – Egypt – 2013

While Egypt has traditionally been the beating heart of classical Arabic music, with legendary singers such as Oum Kalthoum and Abdel Halim Hafez, a new craze is taking over the Arab world’s most populous nation: Electro Shaabi. Inspired by the down-and-dirty music played at street parties and weddings, this new populist dance form combines a punk spirit with a hip hop attitude set against a furious cascade of drums, bass and electronic vocals.

Journalist and documentary maker Hind Meddeb takes us along on the road with Mahraganat artists such as

Sadat, Oka & Ortega, Weza, Fig, Chipsy and Amra Haha in the streets of Salam City and Matareya. We get an insight in their lives that are the source of their music. With amazing footage of chaabi weddings and jam sessions on roof tops overlooking Cairo’s chaotic city, Meddeb depicts youth culture at its liveliest. Whether happy or sad, Mahraganat makes the masses dance.

Duration: 77 minutes

Language: Arabic (English subtitles)

Trailer: http://vimeo.com/74044928