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Egypt’s Musicians Syndicate Bans Popular Mahraganat Music

February 17, 2020
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Egypt’s Musicians Syndicate head Hany Shaker issued a decree on Sunday banning all Mahraganat singers (electronic folk) from performing in any festivals, clubs, cafes or other concerts, according to an interview on Amr Adeeb’s program. In the interview, Shaker noted that, “Mahragant musicians will no longer be working in Egypt,” and that they will “not be able to obtain license” to perform anywhere. “This type of music is based on promiscuous and immoral lyrics, which is completely prohibited, and as such, the door is closed on it,” Shaker added, “we want real art.” Shaker stated in the interview that it applies “to all Mahraganat singers”, including the popular duo ‘Oka Wi Ortega’, as this type of genre does “not represent Egypt.” In an another interview with Ahmed Moussa, Hany Shaker noted that Mohamed Ramadan did not obtain license from the syndicate to perform his last concert, and that he will look into further measures to restrict these artists from performing anywhere. The decision comes after an incident during a Valentine’s Day concert held in Cairo Stadium, where Hassan Shakoush sang the lyrics “I drink alcohol and smoke hashish”, which was…


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