Mahraganat: The Music Culture Egypt's Elites Called 'More Dangerous Than Coronavirus'

Mahraganat directly translates to 'festivals'. The genre first emerged in Egypt's shaabi neighbourhoods in the mid-2000s, pioneered by artists and producers such as DJ Ahmed Figo, Al Sadat and Fifty. Unlike mainstream music, mahraganat didn't spread through record labels or radio stations. Instead, it travelled through USB sticks, MP3 file sharing, weddings, tuk-tuks and mobile phones. But it was in the aftermath of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution that mahraganat exploded into the national consciousness.

Born from Egypt's working-class neighbourhoods, mahraganat fused shaabi music with rap, R&B, reggaeton and electronic production. Yet it quickly became more than just a genre. It evolved into a culture and a staple of Egypt's party scene. Mahraganat soundtracked street parties, weddings, birthdays and neighbourhood celebrations. The culture became synonymous with inflatable gorillas, acrobatics, LED-lit dance floors, motorbike convoys, rooftop fireworks and DJs perched on makeshift stages.

While mahraganat was embraced by millions of Egyptians, it also became a source of controversy amongst cultural elites. The genre reached a flashpoint on Valentine's Day 2020 when Hassan Shakosh and Omar Kamal performed their hit song Bent El Geran. One lyric referencing alcohol and hashish sparked public outrage and renewed criticism of the genre. Soon after, Egypt's Musicians' Syndicate moved to restrict many mahraganat performers from obtaining licences and performing at official venues.

The backlash transformed mahraganat's image. What had once been viewed as party music increasingly became a symbol of cultural rebellion. Critics dismissed it as vulgar and distasteful, while supporters argued it represented the realities of working-class Egyptian life. Rather than diminishing the genre's influence, the controversy amplified it. Bent El Geran became one of the most successful songs in the Arab world, and mahraganat's influence continues to reverberate across contemporary music.

Words by @smizzowrites