In one of Cairo’s remarkable historic sites, the citadel concert kicked off with the band’s hit song Bahar (Sailor).

Taking place within the 32nd Citadel Festival for Music and Singing, an event not strange to the band who performed on its stage in the past, Black Theama celebrated its 20th anniversary with the audience.

Amir Salah El-Din, Ahmed Bahr, and Mohamed Abdo: the band's well-known trio performed some of their best hits.

Bahr told Ahram Online that the citadel audiences are unique as they listen to different music genres, where many know Black Theama’s major hits. No wonder many attendees of the concert sang along, clapped, and requested more hits throughout the evening.

“In El-Sakia, most of the crowd are our dedicated fans; they know almost all of our songs," Bahr continued referencing Black Theama's concert on 9 August.

The preference for hits from the Citadel's concert prompted the band to invite the audience to walk down memory lane through its biggest stepping stones. 

Following Bahar, Black Theama invited the rising artist Ahmed Al-Rafeay on stage. The guest artist performed with Akhbar Ahram Gomhoreya, from Black Theama’s album Ghawy Bani Admeen.

The night witnessed Black Theama performing many of the band's most successful tracks, such as Ya Prince El Layaly, Zahma, Eh Yaany, and Ensan. 

Then came Ala Shatt El Nile to music and lyrics by their bandmate Abdo, followed by Ad El Moheet, and eventually Andy Ser, written by Abdo and Salah El-Din.

The night witnessed many of the band's most successful tracks, such as Ya Prince El Layaly, Zahma, Eh Yaany, and Ensan. 

The 20-year celebrations testify to Black Theama's impressive musical history whereas they always manage to navigate through the changing tastes of the audiences.

“Amidst all the evolving music scene, we stand firm in our unique style,” Bahr added. "We nevertheless infuse our music with new elements all the time, a practice ingrained in our musical journey from the start."

Throughout the past decades, Black Theama released two albums, Bahar (2009) and Ghawy Bany Admeen (2015), as well as one EP titled Loon El Kakaw (2019). 

Black Theama was nominated at the 2013 World Music Awards for Best Group, Best Live Act, Best Song, and Best Video Clip for the song Fi Belad Al-Ayy Haga (In the Country of Anything).

The band fuses Nubian beats, reggae, hip-hop, R&B, and various African influences into their distinctive sound.

“We only have two pure Nubian songs,” Bahr, who writes many of Black Theama songs, told Ahram Online. "Undeniably, many songs are inspired by Egypt’s south. Our main inspiration however stems from the whole population."

Although the band managed to create its unique style, Bahr said, "We are also aware and influenced by the Egyptian street’s preferences."

In their latest release Alam Gharib (A Strange World), music and lyrics by Mohamed Abdo, the trap elements come strongly to the fore.

"A strange world is all coming to slaughter you, and there is no loved one ...," read the lyrics of the sombre tune that opened year 2024.

Alam Gharib is the first single from the album of the same name, and we are yet to see more tracks coming from three musicians.

Two decades have allowed the band to forge its presence across the artistic scene.

Amir and Abdo are in the film and TV series industry, whereas Bahr works as a composer with renowned singers such as Latifa, Hisham Abbas, and Dina El-Wedidi.

Bahr revealed that more concerts inside Egypt will be announced soon. At the same time, the band hopes to expand their presence in the international arena.