shaabi | World Music Central

The album cover for Born in the City of Tanta presents a vintage photograph of a traditional Egyptian musical gathering. Musicians in red fezzes and embroidered garments play instruments like the oud, kanun, and tambourine, flanked by seated women in ornate dresses. The setting is framed by intricate decor and green drapery, while a hookah rests in the foreground.

Album reviews

Tantalizing Sounds: Unearthing Egypt’s Lost Urban Folklore

Various Artists – Born in the City of Tanta: Lower Egyptian Urban Folklore and Bedouin Shaabi from Libya’s Bourini Records 1968-75 (Sublime Frequencies, 2025) Throughout…

Charts

Koum Tara Claims Top Position on Transglobal World Music Chart for December 2023

World Music Central News Room December 1, 2023 No Comments Algerian music Arabic music chaabi shaabi world fusion world music

The album Baraaim El-Louz by Koum Tara has landed at #1 on the Transglobal World Music Chart for the month of December 2023. Baraaim El-Louz…

Articles

An introduction to North African Shaabi and Chaabi Music

Angel Romero April 1, 2023 No Comments Algerian music chaabi Egyptian music Moroccan music shaabi world fusion world music

Shaabi is an Egyptian musical genre. It is a form of popular working-class music which evolved from Egyptian Baladi in the second half of the…

Artist Profiles

Artist Profiles: Hakim

Angel Romero July 21, 2016 No Comments chaabi Egypt Egyptian music Hakim shaabi

Recognized worldwide as a leader of the movement to popularize jeel, Hakim is an innovator who has revolutionized the genre of sha’bi. His music adds…