Hamid Al Shaeri Explained

Hamid al-Shaeri
Native Name:حميد الشاعري
Native Name Lang:ar
Birth Name:Abdelhamid Ali Ahmed al-Shaeri
Birth Date:29 November 1961
Birth Place:Benghazi, United Kingdom of Libya
Genre:Arabic pop
Occupation:Musician, Singer
Years Active:1983-present
Past Member Of:Sons of Africa

Abdelhamid Ali Ahmed al-Shaeri (; born 29 November 1961), better known as Hamid al-Shaeri (also al-Sha'eri and al-Sha'iri; Arabic: حميد الشاعري|Ḥamīd ash-Shāʿirī|links=no), is an Egyptian-Libyan singer, songwriter, and producer, who lives in Egypt. 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 El Geel.

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).[1] 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" (1997), performed by Hisham Abbas.[2]

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.[3] [4]

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.[5] Al-Shaeri subsequently moved to Alexandria, Egypt, reportedly after witnessing the public burning of Western music instruments.

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. 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.

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.

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.

Discography

Solo albums

YearOriginal TitleTranslationLabelMain Tracks
1983AyonhaHer EyesSlamAyonha
1984RaheelExpatRaheel
1986AkeedFor SureSamra
1988JannaParadiseJanna
SeneenYearsSeneen
1990HekayaStoryEl SharqMaganeen
Shaabiyat Vol. 1Popular Music Vol. 1Sout El HobAna Saber
1991SharaBadgeEl SharqJaljely
Shaabiyat Vol. 2Popular Music Vol. 2Sout El HobAl Bahr
Inta Al Nass Al Helo - with Shereen WagdiYou're the Beautiful StoryAl JaziraInta Al Nass Al Helo
KawahelAnklesEl SharqKawahel
Halaweit ZamanSweets From the PastRotanaSawaah
1993LewinWhere toHigh QualityLewin
Hodoa MoakatTemporary calmGayez
Ishr Al Bondok - Soundtrack from Khairy Beshara's Motion PictureHazlenut PeelMogiphoneAl Koha
1995SadeeqFriendMegastarKol Haga
Wahashtina Ya ShadiaI Miss You ShadiaSono CairoAsmarany Allon
1996Halawtak Ya FawziSings Mohamed FawziFattouma
HayartounaYou Confused UsMegastarBoss Shouf
1997Shaabiyat Vol. 3Popular Music Vol. 3Sout El HobRaksat Al Magnouna
AinyMy EyeAlam El PhanAiny - with Hisham Abbas
IshtaknalkomWe Missed YouMegastarWashrah Laha
1998Tegannin Ya FaridSings Farid El AtracheAlby Wa Moftaho
1999Bahebbik Ya FairuzSings FairuzNew SoundSa'alouni Annass
2000GhazalyMy DearAlam El PhanGhazaly - with Moustafa Amar
2006Roh El SamaraSpirit of My LoveRoh El Samara

Collaborative work

YearOriginal TitleTranslationFeatured SingerLabel
1990Betkalem GadI Speak the TruthSimoneAmericana
Halal AlekIt's Your FaultHisham Abbas
1997AinyMy EyeAlam El Phan
1998Kahil EleainBeautiful EyesFaresHigh Quality
2000GhazalyMy DearMoustafa AmarAlam El Phan
2006LeishWhyDalindaMazzika
2020Zahmet El AyamBusy DaysHisham AbbasMoustafa AmarEhab TawfikCamp
Ya Donia DawaraThe Round WorldYoussef
El Helween BezyadaEnough Beautiful PeopleJoury

Producer credits

YearArtistOriginal TitleTranslationLabelMain Track
1986Ahmed MounibMeshtakinI Miss YouRondoAl Leila Ya Samra
1987LeblebaBint Misr Al GedidaThe New Girl From EgyptAlam El PhanBint Misr Al Gedida
1988Ali HamidaLolakyIf It Weren't For YouEl SharqLolaky
1989Amr DiabShawa'naWe Missed Each OtherDelta SoundShawa'na
RandaMeen AddaWho's Good EnoughAudio ClubDamak T'eel
SimoneBetkalem GadI Speak the TruthAmericanaBetkalem Gad
1990HananRay'aCalmSlam!Maak
Amr DiabMayalLeaningDelta SoundMeen Gherik
FaresSehrakYour MysteryHigh QualitySehrak
1991SimoneAlloDelta SoundRekka
Moustafa AmarWassafDescriberSlamMakateeby
1992EskandaraniBorn in AlexandriaEskandarani
Amr DiabAyamnaOur DaysDelta SoundEl Madi
Hisham AbbasHalaSituationAmericanaHalal Alek
Ehab TawfikRasamtekI Drew YouSlamAmarna
1993HananTestahelYou Deserve ItTestahel
1994Hisham Abbas & AliaTaalaComeAmericanaWana Aamal Eh
Amr DiabWe YloumouniAnd They Blame MeDelta SoundWe Yloumouni
Moustafa AmarSeket El A'shi'nLovers RailwaySlamBahebak
1995EftekerniThink of MeElle Shabakni
1996Hisham AbbasZay Al AwalLike the First TimeAmericanaAdik
Amr DiabNour El AinLight of the EyeAlam El PhanNour El Ain
1998AwedounyMake Me Get Used to ItAwedouny
Hisham AbbasYa LeilaOh NightAfricanaYa Leila
Wael KfouryShobbak Al HobWindow of LoveMusic BoxKalb Wa Jorh Wa Chawk
FaresTaniAgainHigh QualityTani
1999Amr DiabAmarainTwo MoonsAlam El PhanBetwaheshny
Moustafa AmarEineik WahshanyI Miss Your EyesFounoonAh Min Khoudoudoh
2000Hisham AbbasHabibi DahThat's My LoveDelta SoundMush Hayin Alaya
2004Fadl ShakerSaharny Al ShoqLove Kept Me AwakeRotanaYa Habibi

Notes and References

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