#WaraElMazzika: An Exclusive Chit-Chat With Old School Rap Legend, Shahyn!
In this edition of #WaraElMazzika, we had an exclusive chit chat with one of the biggest names in the Egyptian rap scene! Shahyn is, by all means, an icon in the rap scene and contributed immensely to where it is right now. Shahyn’s recent comeback was the most anticipated thing in the scene, and it totally changed the game and took things to the next level.
We had quick chitchat was the legendary rapper to discuss the challenges he faced; the differences between the scene back then and now, what contributed to the rise of the Egyptian rap scene, and more. Follow our hashtag #WaraElMazzika for more exclusives from the music industry.
What are the biggest challenges that you faced during your long-anticipated comeback?
I felt like a nerd in a school full of bullies, having a hard time trying to blend in.
What’s the biggest difference between the rap scene back then and now?
Two Things: We had very few music producers back then and most of them used free beats, which resulted in tracks that didn’t sound too original. Today we have many more producers who although still don’t have all the resources are very experimental and are bringing their flavor to the genre, allowing for a wider audience and distinguishing our sound in Egypt and across the region. We had no platform back then, in fact, there was hardly a rap ‘scene’.
We would just release our music online and we didn’t care about anything else but to share our music. Today we’re going mainstream, and there’s a clear market penetration – we’re in ads, we’re on the radio, we’re trending on all platforms. The way we present ourselves, the attention to our music videos, our style, our lingo; it’s becoming a cult that everyone is trying to be a part of.
What do you think contributed to the rise of the Egyptian rap scene?
Rappers from the new generation took the old and made it gold.
What are your future plans?
“Never let them know your next move, don’t you know bad boys move in silence and violence, take it from your highness.”
-Biggie Smalls
Are there any collaborations happening soon?
Hell yeah!
