Promising new Egyptian singer Maram is looking forward to more success after a fine first concert on Friday at the Greek Campus of the American University in Cairo amid the ongoing 8th edition of the Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival (D-CAF).

"I am so happy my first performance was at such an important festival like D-CAF, which really cares to introduce important music. I thank them so much for the great opportunity they gave me," Maram told Ahram Online after her first gig.

Maram during her first concert ever, during 19th D-CAF 8th festival, Friday 5 April 2019 at AUC's Greek Campus, Cairo (Photo: Eslam Omar)

The stylish Nubian singer, who surprisingly received wows and whistles from the excited crowd, was the opening act of four at the women music event at D-CAF; followed by Egyptian singer Shereen Abdo, American folk girl-band T-Sisters and Egyptian-Canadian metal band Massive Scar Era.

"It was a nice day. I was delighted and I hope the crowd was happy too. Big thanks to my band, who really supported me," Maram added.

Maran during her first concert ever, during 8th edition of D-CAF festival, Friday 5 April 2019 at AUC's Greek Campus, Cairo (Photo: Eslam Omar)

With a band of two female backup singers, keyboards, lead and bass guitars and a saxophone, Maram was backed by a groovy sound, thanks to the drumming of American Miguel Merino, frequently featured at Sharkiat band with Grammy-award winner Fathy Salama, and experienced percussionists Mohammed Zatona and Rozza, who perform in many bands including with 'Pop King' Mohamed Mounir and Black Theama band.

With an arrangement sounding like the familiar mainstream adaptation of Sudanese and Nubian rhythms and pentatonic scales, Maram performed eight covers of known folk songs.

She performed Ahmed Mounib's Rah Aghay, Ali Koban's Sokkar, Bahr Abou Greishah's Maloh (composed by Abdel-Rehim Shahin), Sudanese folk song Nawasy, which was adapted by Mounir in 2001, and Mohamed Hamam's Ya Balash (composed by Ibrahim Ragab) in addition to Qalby Daq, Leh ya Hob and 'Habibi Ta'al'.

Maram, who released a video clip covering the Egyptian folk song by Khadra Mohamed Khidr 'La Wel-Naby ya Abdo' last year, focused on Sudanese and Nubian heritage after the success of her second song, which passed the first million views in two months; 'Habibi Ta'al', an old folk song adapted by many in recent years including American-Sudanese Alsarah.

Maran during her first concert ever, during 8th edition of D-CAF festival, Friday 5 April 2019 at AUC's Greek Campus, Cairo (Photo: Eslam Omar)

"In an average of six to eight months, I will be releasing my first album, which will include originals as I am working on building my repertoire," Maram revealed, thanking her producer Mido Mounib of Pause Production.

"I am collaborating with many musicians for my new album. We are in the phase of collecting material at the moment and we will focus on the same style.

Maran during her first concert ever, during 8th edition of D-CAF festival, Friday 5 April 2019 at AUC's Greek Campus, Cairo (Photo: Eslam Omar)

Maram and her group are gearing up for her first concert alone, scheduled for Thursday 18 April at El-Sawy Culture Wheel in Zamalek.

"The whole concert will be for me. I will sing 12 covers. I am so excited," she concluded.

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