Hakim (Egyptian singer)

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Hakim (Arabic: حكيم) is an Egyptian singer born in Maghagha, a small town in Al Minya, Egypt, in 1962. Hakim grew up with the sound of working-class tradition of Sha'bi; the root of southern Egyptian. He became influenced by the great Sha'bi singer Ahmed Adaweyah, Hakim began practicing Mawals, the vocal improvisations which begin a traditional Sha'bi song.

At fourteen he formed a band and started performing at local parties and school functions with the accompaniment of a tabla, duff, and an accordion, playing covers of classic Sha'bi hits by Ahmed Adaweya, Mohamed El Ezabi, and Abdel Ghani Al Sayed. Soon the band was a hit and expanded by adding keyboards and drums and performing all over the Minya province.

His father, the mayor of Maghagha wished that he would get a higher degree, and although Hakim loved singing, and wanted it to be his career, he bowed to his father’s wishes and attended the Al-Azhar University in Cairo, graduating in 1983 with a degree in communications. But while in the capital, he kept up his musical interests, meeting new people at the cafes on Mohammed Ali Street, including the accordionist Ibrahim El Fayoumi, who became like a god father to him.

Hakim then returned to Maghagha, this time to pursue his dream and formed a new modern band that blended Western, Middle Eastern, and oriental instruments for a fresh sound, and they quickly became Minya's most popular group. He returned to Cairo with a goal of making his living as a professional singer.

His break came when he met producer Hamid El-Shaeri, and signed a deal with Sonar Ltd./Slam Records. With El-Shaeri at the board, Hakim entered the studio to make his first album, “Nazra” (1991).

The album was among the top of the charts, and the first pressing of the disc sold out within the first two months. Hakim took the unprecedented step of personally going to DJs and giving them copies of his tape, and his voice boomed from radios and shops all over Cairo.

After the release of his second album “Nar” (1994), Hakim was picked to represent Egypt at the Festival des Allumees in Nantes, France. Two years later a nomination for the Kora Award in the category of Best North African Singer confirmed his regal status (he won the award in 2000).

Later he released “Efred”, the first of many collaborative efforts between himself, lyricist Amal El Taer, and composer Essam Tawfik.

With 1998's “Hakim Remix”, he turned eight of his previously released hits over to British world/dance fusionists Trans-Global Underground (TGU), who then put their own spin on things. Although it proved to be the lowest-selling of his records in Egypt, it made a significant impact in Europe. It was a daring move, as Hakim had to maintain the right balance between tradition and innovation to keep his local audience happy, while moving towards global audience.

The follow-up, 1999's “Hayel”, was a definite return to roots (and Egyptian popularity), while “Yaho”, released in 2000 went over the million mark at homeland. Its original version was a huge success in the Middle East, having sold over 1 million copies, and brought him to the attention of Ark 21/Mondo Melodia founder Miles Copeland who first heard Hakim on a late night radio show on the BBC in London then spent the next day tracking him down and scouring record stores to get his hands on Hakim’s CDs. The result was signing with both Hakim and TGU.

The U.S. version of “Yaho” was somewhat different from the Egyptian. In addition to four Trans-Global remixes, it included two brand-new songs, "Yemin We Shemal" by French producer Sodi and "Al Bi Hebeni Al".

“Yaho” brought two smash hit singles in the Middle East, the title cut and "Esma Yalli", but it also brought Hakim to the attention of American audience. Hakim toured the U.S. in spring 2000 and Mondo Melodia announced plans to release the “Live in Brooklyn” album in the fall. Hakim's performance in Brooklyn was recorded for the double CD “The Lion Roars- Live in America”. The enhanced second CD also features a ten-minute video of Hakim and crew performing live in Egypt, so you can watch, as well as hear.

Following the release of the live disc, Hakim went back into the studio and in May of 2002, “Talakik” was released. Hakim partnered with Grammy winning producer Narada Michael Walden on 5 of the albums' 12 tracks and found himself working with TGU once more, who produced 2 tracks. Wanting to record something different for this new disc, Hakim hooked up with the Grammy Award winning, Merengue sensation, Olga Tanon on the breakout hit "Ah Ya Albi".

In 2004 he released his album “El Yomen Dol” including a duet track with the famous American Soul/Funk singer James Brown.

Hakim sold more than six million records locally and the first of the young Egyptian singers to make any kind of breakthrough internationally.