Egyptian 90s pop stars Hamid El-Shaeri, Hisham Abbas, Moustafa Amar and Ehab Tawfik trend during the first weekend of June 2021 with latest released collaboration between late lyricist Sameh El-Agamy and composer Ashraf Salem 'Zahmet El Ayam'
Four of the most successful Egyptian pop stars -- Hamid El-Shaeri, Hisham Abbas, Moustafa Amar and Ehab Tawfik -- have joined together for a nostalgic new single titled Zahmet El-Ayam ("Crowd of Days") paying tribute to the late lyricist Sameh El-Agamy and composer Ashraf Salem.
"Age was stolen from us. Where are those who used to be here? They are gone and there is nothing. We pretend of satisfaction and say our destiny is like this, with life that doesn't give," the four voices sing together in the chorus of Nadim El-Shaeri's tight arrangement.
Video-produced by CAMP Production, the tune is distinguished by Mahmoud Galileo's hooky cello solos and fill-ins, alongside the colourful strings section of Ahmed El-Mougy with Eslam Elabaty's oud accompaniments in the background.
The song is the latest collaboration between Sameh El-Agamy and Ashraf Salem, who both passed away in recent months leaving a huge collection of pop songs widely enjoyed by a generation.
Less active in recent decades, Hamid El-Shaeri, Hisham Abbas, Moustafa Amar and Ehab Tawfik dominated the sales of 80s and 90s commercial pop during the cassette era, gaining huge popularity among the youth, while facing bitter criticism from older generations.
"Suddenly with no reason, we become wooden marionettes on the theatre of the days. Days of wonders, we live with no tiredness. Oh! How painful are these days!" merged the four voices during the song's conclusion.
Released on Thursday, Zahmet El-Ayam found its way to the top of trending music across Egypt and a few Arab countries during the first weekend of June. Other pop releases during the same period included Samira Said's Etneen Belleil; Ruby returned with another sarcastic single Alby Plastic; Lebanon's Nancy Ajram kept attention with late-May's slang-Egyptian release Hobbak Bi Ye'wa.
Zahmet El-Ayam is also competing with many rap singles from Wigz, Marwan Moussa, Abyusif, Afroto and other friends, alongside multiple Mahagaran releases from Mohamed Ramadan and Hoda Bondok, as well as other active names such as Magdy Shatta who returned with a diss track against the rap scene, and Hassan Shakosh's Habibty, which featured acclaimed movie star Yasmin Raeis.
For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture
Short link: