In October 2000, Egyptian singing star Hakim released the long-awaited Yaho in the United States on Mondo Melodia Records. Already a massive success in the Middle East, the album sold over 1 million copies there, 850,000 in his native country alone.
Yaho!” (An Egyptian slang expression), is a testament to Hakim’s shaa’bi (Egyptian street pop) roots as well as a modern musical journey on an international level. With a dedicated following across North Africa and the Gulf, as well as a constantly growing fan base in Europe and Australia, Hakim takes his music to the world with this record.
Hakim is a recognized leader worldwide in shaa'bi, a man often referred to as the trailblazer, who's sold over six and a half million cassettes throughout his career. His is the music of Everyman, a person the audience can relate to through his infectious melodies and simple, effective lyrics. His songs speak of flirtatious relationships, daily life and play, with the rhythm of street slang to produce vibrant tunes that audiences not only sing along and dance to, but understand inside themselves.
Yaho is a showcase for shaa’bi music, incorporating traditional Middle Eastern instruments with rhythmic beats of the Cairo streets and souk. Exclusively featured on the album are two new tracks not heard elsewhere, “Yimin we Shemal” by French producer Sodi and “El Bi Hebeni El, ” in addition to four remixes (“El Wala Wala”, “Habbena”, “Ansa Azabi” and “Ana Ahebbak”) by legendary British ethno-techno masters Transglobal Underground (TGU), providing cutting edge world music for dance club floors.
But Hakim doesn't just look to the future. Hakim’s use of the mawwal, as on “Esma Yalli,” is in the best tradition of shaa'bi music, offering emotional soaring vocals at the song's introduction, rising over the sultry sounds of Spanish trumpets, before breaking into a fast moving and pulsating tempo.
This album already has two hit singles in the Middle East, the title cut and “Esma Yalli," and the American release has brought in rave reviews across the country. According to GlobalVillageIdiot.net, Yaho is "the album to take shaa'bi worldwide," while sonicnet.com said that "Hakim makes global pop that needs no translation."
As incandesecent as he is on record, Hakim's live shows are even more explosive, a jolt of energy, melody, and rhythm that push everything to the next level. To experience a Hakim concert is to understand why he's the hottest young star in Egypt today - no one else can even come close.
Hakim will bring his remarkable performance to North America, with 10 dates across the U.S. and Canada. Audiences across the continent will be transported by his music and intoxicating rhythms. It doesn't matter if you don't understand the words - the beat's going to get you, and you'll wonder where Hakim, and shaa'bi, have been all your life.
HAKIM TOUR DATES 2001
Date Location
February 23, 2001 Borders in-store – Goleta, Ca. 7 PM
February 24, 2001 Wyndham Hotel- San Jose, Ca.
March 2, 2001 Universal Music Distribution
March 3, 2001 Hollywood Park Casino, Los Angeles, Ca.
March 5, 2001 Knitting Factory recording concert.
March 10, 2001 Prospect Theater, Brooklyn, NY.
March 16, 2001 The Metropolis- Montreal , Canada
March 17, 2001 Hollywood Princess- 2800 Hwy 7 West. Toronto, Canada
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
