Egyptian hip hop is a form of hip hop music originating from the North African country incorporating issues of the region and abroad.

[edit] American influence

Since hip hop made its first debut in America, it quickly spread throughout the world. It even influenced areas where hip hop was never heard of. Hip-hop in Egypt was unheard of in the 1990s; however, in the 2000s, it emerged as a young and soon-to-be popular scene throughout Egypt. One piece of technology that helped spread hip-hop throughout Egypt were cable connections. They were used in almost every Egyptian home, which allowed Egyptians to gain access to a large number of music-oriented channels that helped spread hip hop more quickly. Music channels such as Melody Hits and Mazzika soon emerged. They mainly incorporated Egyptian songs and American hip-hop music. The message of hip hop and it's trends quickly spread around the world and influenced many. Some Egyptians were also influenced to adapt to the style. Once those styles appeared, an underground hip hop scene emerged in Egypt and groups such as Y-crew and A.C's MCz became popular. Many Egyptian solo rappers emerged as well. Soon, groups such as MTM and Arabian Knights surfaced in the media, also making their debuts.

[edit] Islamic influence

Egyptian hip hop is fairly different from other hip-hop geners around the world. The justice they fight for is a unique Arabian beat which taps into the unique soul of Egypt. Traditional instruments such as the oud and the Egyptian flute add an Arabian beat to the Egyptian hip-hop scene. One particular impact on hip-hop is the Islamic religion. The Qu'ran is a book consisting of laws and rules Muslims must follow. Since Egypt is a predominantly Islamic society and the government follows certain Islamic laws, the society expects a limit on certain things such as showing off one's wealth, objectification of women, causing evil to one another, displays of hatred, etc. Due to this, Islam plays a significant role in the hip-hop scene in Egypt. An Islamic verse states, “God advocates justice, charity, and regarding the relatives. And He forbids evil, vice, and transgression. He enlightens you, that you may take heed.” (Surah 16 Verse 90). This verse tells Muslims that good and evil are not equals and to always perform good actions towards others. Muslims can interpret this "evil" as the objectification of women, showing off the "bling," doing inappropriate things, or anything else involved with consumerism and capitalism.^[1] As a result, Egyptian hip-hop artists have transcended American hip-hop in that they have maintained their moral integrity as musicians. The Islamic fundamentals infused in Egyptian rap have revolutionized a young hip-hop scene in Egypt. As a result, rappers express their beliefs without unnecessary American capitalism or objectification. In the end, they focus purely on rap to express their feelings and to resist the capitalism and consumerism of the West.

[edit] Hip Hop Artists

Hip-hop artists in Egypt tried to gain national recognition in the late 1990s, but failed to do so because rap was refused as a field of music. As a new music anywhere, people did not readily accept it. They wouldn’t accept anything but the music they were already listening to which, in Egypt, were romance and dance music from prominent singers such as Amr Diab and Hakim. However, some rappers still tried and fought for the music they loved and formed the Egyptian underground hip-hop scene which grew over time. The most famous groups were Y-Crew and A.C’s MCz. The popular solo artists were rappers such as Seen and Mohamed Malek. A group called MTM submerged with a music video called “Omy Mesafra” which had touch of hip-hop to it but was still accepted by people as an Egyptian song. It blew up and became a hit. It also opened people's minds to hip-hop. Listeners started increasing and hip-hop became a noticed field of music in Egypt which many rappers jumped into and greatly influenced the youth.

MTM, the initials of the first name of singers Miki, Taki, and Mado, is a group of Egytpian rappers that made it to TV.

Y-Crew, an underground hip-hop group, consisted of Omar Boflot, Yassin, Mc Uzi, Shahin, Skelly Double G, MonkeY, Raa', and Moomo. EgyRAP school , from Alexandria, Ismailia Soldeirz , from ismailia city, Ugb , from Cairo, and Mody rap , From Mansoura city, and many other young rappers influenced Egyptian hip-hop.

A.C’s MCz, an underground Hip-Hop group, consisted of Shaba, Abdo-T, and 2ays. They are a little different because they mostly rap in English instead of Arabic in order to send their message worldwide.

In 2008, Actor Ahmed Mekky emerged as a capable rap artist who released successful songs along with his movies in 2008 and 2009.

[edit] Future of hip hop

This section may require copy-editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling. You can assist by editing it. (October 2008)

New hip-hop artists are emerging to stress the political, social, financial, and economic issues that lurk over Egypt. Like it's American counterpart, Egyptian hip-hop allows artists to express their political and social views. In the past, it was so strange to hear this type of music in Egypt. Hip-hop, however, is now growing and has a bright future awaiting it as many new Egytpian rappers emerge and it's number of listeners rapidly increases.

[edit] References

• Loza, Pierre. "Hip hop on the Nile". Al-Ahram Weekly
• [1]