Hakim

Years

1962 -

From

Egypt

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Biography: Hakim

Hakim was born in Maghagha, a small town in Minya, Egypt, in 1962, Hakim grew up with the sound of working-class tradition of Sha'bi; the root of Egyptian southern. He became influenced by the great Sha'bi singer Ahmed Adaweya, 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 gets 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 University of El Azhar 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 home. 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"

Hakim sold more than six million records locally and the first of the young Egyptian singers to make any kind of breakthrough internationally.
Contributed by: Mohamed El-Nadi

Releases:

Albums

 Habetoh Naar
 Hakim / Remix
 Hayel
 Nazra1991
 Nar1994
 Shakl Tanee - Hakim Remix1998
 Best of Hakim1999
 Efred2000
 Yaho2000
 Tamini AleakYaho2001
 The Lion Roars - Live in America2001
 Talakik2002
 El Youmein Dool2004
 Hakim Greatest Hits2004
 

Singles

 Ah Ya Albi with Olga Tanon2002
 

Videos

 Ah Ya Albi
 Bene O Benak
 Efred
 Eh Eli Behsal Dah
 Elhak Aleh
 Feha Eh
 Ah Ya Albi with Olga Tanon2002
 Elsalam Alekum2003
 Aboussouh2004
 

Appearances:

Compilation Albums

 Various Artists, Desert Roses 2 / Mondo Melodia
 Various Artists, Love Songs for NYC
 DJ Nader, Elevation2001
 

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