Hamid Al Shaeri

Abdelhamid Ali Ahmed al-Shaeri (Arabic: عبد الحميد علي أحمد الشاعري, romanized: ʿAbd al-Ḥamīd ʿAlī Aḥmad ash-Shāʿirī; born 29 November 1961), better known as Hamid al-Shaeri (also al-Sha'eri and al-Sha'iri; Arabic: حميد الشاعري, romanized: Ḥamīd ash-Shāʿirī), is an Libyan-Egyptian singer, songwriter, and producer, who lives in Egypt.[1] He is considered one of the most influential figures in Arabic pop and has been credited for incorporating Western music styles of synth-pop, western dance, and rock and roll influences alongside traditional Arabic musical features, which came to be known as al-Jeel.

Hamid al-Shaeri
حميد الشاعري
Background information
Birth nameAbdelhamid Ali Ahmed al-Shaeri
Born (1961-11-29) November 29, 1961
Benghazi, United Kingdom of Libya
GenresArabic pop
Occupation(s)Musician, Singer
Years active1983-present
Formerly ofSons of Africa

Born in Benghazi to an Egyptian mother and Libyan father, al-Shaeri first achieved notice in Libya as a founding member of the Sons of Africa during the 1970s, before choosing to move to his maternal country Egypt, where he released his first album, Ayonha, in 1983. Initially unsuccessful, al-Shaeri received widespread critical and commercial acclaim with his second album, Raheel (1984).[2] In addition to his solo work, al-Shaeri has also been noted for his work as producer, including the songs "Law Leki" (1988) performed by Ali Hemeida, and "Ainy" (1977), performed by Hisham Abbas.[3]

Early life

Al-Shaeri was born in 1961 in Benghazi to a Libyan father and an Egyptian mother. One of sixteen children, al-Shaeri was raised in a polygamous household; his mother died when he was 13. He briefly studied aviation in the United Kingdom, where he was first exposed to synth-pop, though his father originally forbade him from pursuing a career as a musician.[4][5]

Career

After returning to Libya, al-Shaeri briefly served as an organist in the Libyan Radio Band, before becoming a founding member of the Sons of Africa group, composed of Arab and African musicians, which found particular success within Libya.[1] Al-Shaeri subsequently moved to Alexandria, Egypt, reportedly after witnessing the public burning of Western music instruments.[3]

After moving from Alexandria to Cairo, al-Shaeri released his first album, Ayonha, in 1983. Composed of songs recorded during his time in Libya, the United Kingdom, and Egypt, the album found limited commercial and critical success during its initial release.[4] Al-Shaeri's second album, Raheel (1984), received much more acclaim, in addition to it being a commercial success in Egypt.

In addition to his solo career, al-Shaeri also worked as a producer from the 1980s. His song "Law Leki" (1988), performed by Ali Hemeida, featured cymbals and drum machines alongside traditional Libyan clapping and cymbals; the song has since been called emblematic of the al-Jeel genre, which al-Shaeri spearheaded; the song's production techniques were described as "dominating" the next decade of Arabic pop music.[4]

Outside of the Arab world, al-Shaeri received renewed attention in 2017 when his song "Ayonha" was featured on Habibi Funk's seventh compilation. American music website Pitchfork described the song as the "most exciting track" on the album.[6] As a result of renewed interest in al-Shaeri's work, a 2022 compilation of his early songs, entitled The SLAM! Years (1983-1988), was released, also by Habibi Funk.[1]

Politics

Al-Shaeri was critical of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and following the outbreak of the First Libyan Civil War, he wrote several songs that were used by the Libyan opposition movement. He described Gaddafi as a "disgrace to Libyans", and called on Egyptians to support Libyan citizens.[7]

Criticism

Al-Shaeri faced criticism for "infringing" on Arabic culture and heritage. Egyptian composer Helmy Bakr accused al-Shaeri and other up and coming musicians at the time of tarnishing traditional Arabic music due to their lack of musical education. Al-Shaeri refuted this, stating his musical instinct was more important than his musical knowledge. Al-Shaeri and Bakr appeared to reconcile in 1998 when they both contributed to the operetta The Arab Dream.[3]

Discography

Solo albums

Year Original Title Translation Label Main Tracks
1983 Ayonha Her Eyes Slam! Ayonha
1984 Raheel Expat Raheel
1986 Akeed For Sure Samra
1988 Janna Paradise Janna
Seneen Years Seneen
1990 Hekaya Story El Sharq Maganeen
Shaabiyat Vol. 1 Popular Music Vol. 1 Sout El Hob Ana Saber
1991 Shara Badge El Sharq Jaljely
Shaabiyat Vol. 2 Popular Music Vol. 2 Sout El Hob Al Bahr
Inta Al Nass Al Helo - with Shereen Wagdi You're the Beautiful Story Al Jazira Inta Al Nass Al Helo
Kawahel Ankles El Sharq Kawahel
Halaweit Zaman Sweets From the Past Rotana Sawaah
1993 Lewin Where to High Quality Lewin
Houdou' Mo'aqat Our Days Gayez
Ishr Al Bondok - Soundtrack from Khairy Beshara's Motion Picture Hazlenut Peel Mogiphone Al Koha
1995 Sadeeq Friend Megastar Kol Haga
Wahashtina Ya Shadia I Miss You Shadia Sono Cairo Asmarany Allon
1996 Halawtak Ya Fawzi Sings Mohamed Fawzi Fattouma
Hayartouna You Confused Us Megastar Boss Shouf
1997 Shaabiyat Vol. 3 Popular Music Vol. 3 Sout El Hob Raksat Al Magnouna
Ainy My Eye Alam El Phan Ainy - with Hisham Abbas
Ishtaknalkom We Missed You Megastar Washrah Laha
1998 Tegannin Ya Farid Sings Farid El Atrache Alby Wa Moftaho
1999 Bahebbik Ya Fairuz Sings Fairuz New Sound Sa'alouni Annass
2000 Ghazaly My Dear Alam El Phan Ghazaly - with Moustafa Amar
2006 Roh El Samara Spirit Of My Love Roh El Samara

Collaborative work

Year Original Title Translation Featured Singer Label
1990 Betkalem Gad I Speak the Truth Simone Americana
Halal Alek It's Your Fault Hisham Abbas
1997 Ainy My Eye Alam El Phan
1998 Kahil Eleain Beautiful Eyes Fares High Quality
2000 Ghazaly My Dear Moustafa Amar Alam El Phan
2006 Leish Why Dalinda Mazzika
2020 Zahmet El Ayam Busy Days Hisham AbbasMoustafa AmarEhab Tawfik Camp
Ya Donia Dawara The Round World Youssef
El Helween Bezyada Enough Beautiful People Joury

Producer credits

Year Artist Original Title Translation Label Main Track
1986 Ahmed Mounib Meshtakin I Miss You Rondo Al Leila Ya Samra
1987 Lebleba Bint Misr Al Gedida The New Girl From Egypt Alam El Phan Bint Misr Al Gedida
1988 Ali Hamida Lolaky If It Weren't For You El Sharq Lolaky
1989 Amr Diab Shawa'na We Missed Each Other Delta Sound Shawa'na
Randa Meen Adda Who's Good Enough Audio Club Damak T'eel
Simone Betkalem Gad I Speak the Truth Americana Betkalem Gad
1990 Hanan Ray'a Calm Slam! Maak
Amr Diab Mayal Leaning Delta Sound Meen Gherik
Fares Sehrak Your Mystery High Quality Sehrak
1991 Simone Allo Delta Sound Rekka
Moustafa Amar Wassaf Describer Slam! Makateeby
1992 Eskandarani Born in Alexandria Eskandarani
Amr Diab Ayamna Our Days Delta Sound El Madi
Hisham Abbas Hala Situation Americana Halal Alek
Ehab Tawfik Rasamtek I Drew You Slam! Amarna
1993 Hanan Testahel You Deserve It Testahel
1994 Hisham Abbas & Alia Taala Come Americana Wana Aamal Eh
Amr Diab We Yloumouni And They Blame Me Delta Sound We Yloumouni
Moustafa Amar Seket El A'shi'n Lovers Railway Slam! Bahebak
1995 Eftekerni Think of Me Elle Shabakni
1996 Hisham Abbas Zay Al Awal Like the First Time Americana Adik
Amr Diab Nour El Ain Light of the Eye Alam El Phan Nour El Ain
1998 Awedouny Make Me Get Used to It Awedouny
Hisham Abbas Ya Leila Oh Night Africana Ya Leila
Wael Kfoury Shobbak Al Hob Window of Love Music Box Kalb Wa Jorh Wa Chawk
Fares Tani Again High Quality Tani
1999 Amr Diab Amarain Two Moons Alam El Phan Betwaheshny
Moustafa Amar Eineik Wahshany I Miss Your Eyes Founoon Ah Min Khoudoudoh
2000 Hisham Abbas Habibi Dah That's My Love Delta Sound Mush Hayin Alaya
2004 Fadl Shaker Saharny Al Shoq Love Kept Me Awake Rotana Ya Habibi

References

  1. Van Nguyen, Dean (14 March 2022). "The Origins of Egyptian Music Legend Hamid Al Shaeri". Bandcamp. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  2. "حميد الشاعري يحتفل بعيد ميلاده وسط نجوم التسعينيات.. صور". Gololy (in Arabic). 30 November 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  3. Hammond, Andrew (2005). Pop Culture Arab World!: Media, Arts and Lifestyle. London: Bloomsbury Academic. p. 170. ISBN 9781851094493.
  4. Ciantar, Philip (2016). The Ma'luf in Contemporary Libya: An Arab Andalusian Musical Tradition. Abingdon-on-Thames: Taylor & Francis. p. 20. ISBN 9781317024583.
  5. Rugoff, Lazlo (18 January 2022). "Hamid Al Shaeri's '80s Egyptian disco pop collected in new Habibi Funk LP". The Vinyl Factory. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  6. Beta, Andy (11 December 2017). "Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection of Music From the Arab World". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  7. "Hameed Al Sha'eri considers Muamar Gaddafi a disgrace". Al Bawaba. 26 February 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
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