Egyptian folkloric singer Shabaan Abdul Rahim has realized that his success in the music world depends mainly on him creating political songs, especially those that criticize the United States of America and Israel. His songs have found popularity mostly due to there simple language that is easily understood by everyone, and because they express the hatred common people have towards the US and Israel.
According to the London based daily, Al Hayat, Shabaan’s latest creation is a song about the “Road Map”, and the words in it are the same that were said by Bush himself when he released it. The song goes on to describe how the US and Israel are spit images of one another and they work for each other’s benefit.
Shabaan daringly states in the song that the US is behind the September 11th attacks and that they purposely brought it down to create a scenario about how Arabs and Muslims are terrorists. The singer goes to say that the US just wants any reason to put the blame on a Muslim country in order to give them an excuse to act in any way they want. The song is part of the new album released by Shabaan and is expected to find enormous success in the Arab world.
Shabaan was able through his simplicity in style and manner to reach the hearts of many people throughout the Arab world. Shabaan has risen from a poor ironer to well-known singer with his songs reiterated throughout the streets and people anxiously waiting for the opportunity to see him perform.
Shabaan has stressed that he is not ashamed of the fact that he is an illiterate and comes from such a poverty stricken background, but he is rather proud of his success and popularity and is mostly proud of how his simple songs that are filled with strong feelings have reached the hearts of people. Shabaan revealed that he is not afraid to express himself through his music and is always willing to say what is on his mind.
With regards to filming music videos with female dancers in the background, Shabaan stressed that he is totally against the idea and finds it a shameful manner. He feels that it is degrading for women to be used as background ornaments and dance in extremely revealing outfits. He added that he has never used women dancers in any of his clips and does not intend on ever doing so.
Previously, Shabaan along with his business manager and the writer of his songs are undergoing extensive negotiations with the Egyptian Opera House in order to organize a number of performances. The singer is hoping to reach some form of agreement that will allow him to sing at the opera house alongside other Arab singers like Hani Shaker, Ali Hajjar, and Asalah, in an attempt to prove his stardom. Shabaan has stressed his dream of taking part in different international music festivals in order to represent Egypt, in addition to winning awards like Egyptian singer Amr Diab.
The folk singer expressed his joy at being considered the number one political singer in Egypt and around the Arab world. Shabaan’s new title came after the success of his latest hit single “Hanza’ Al Silah” (I’m Going to Take out My Weapon). Shabaan called on all Arabs to unite and support Iraq against Western tyranny. The singer also revealed that he is currently the number one singer and actor in Egypt. Shabaan said that he is in competition with Egyptian singer Amr Diab for the number one spot in the music industry and his second rival is Egyptian singer Hisham Abbas.
Shabaan’s popularity came after his hit single "Ana Bakrah Israel" (I hate Israel) two years ago recording a major success in the market of Cairo and beyond, replacing the typical love songs that people used to listen to.
An illiterate from a small village, and an unknown singer for over twenty years, Shaaban's singing career has catapulted with live performances at weddings, private parties, and social occasions. – Albawaba.com
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
