Hakim is one of the most popular stars to have surfaced from the Moussiqa El Guil (Music of the New Generation) movement, which began taking the Egyptian music scene by storm in the 1970s, according to the Khaleej Times.
Moussiqa El Guil is less puritanical than traditional Egyptian music, incorporating electric instruments and powerful rhythms. This kind of music has proved immensely successful within Egypt and beyond its national frontiers.
Hakim, who was born in the town of Maghagha, 170 km south of Cairo, began singing at an early age. By the age of 10, he was already imitating his musical heroes Ezzabi and Ahmad Adawiya, two of the most popular Egyptian singers.
Hakim began his career studying for a degree in communications, but following the success of his debut album Nazra (Look), released at the end of 1991, the doors of the music world opened wide to him.
Hakim's lyrics are aimed, he says, “at the ordinary man in the street.” Based on proverbs or inspired by daily life in the poorer end of town, his songs revolve around the themes of love, friendship and betrayal – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
