Abdelhamid Ali Ahmed al-Shaeri (; born 29 November 1961), better known as Hamid al-Shaeri (also al-Sha'eri and al-Sha'iri; ), is a Libyan-Egyptian singer, songwriter, and producer. He is considered one of the most influential figures in Arabic pop and has been credited for incorporating Western music styles of synth-pop, western dance, and rock and roll influences alongside traditional Arabic musical features, which came to be known as El Geel.
Born in Benghazi to an Libyan father and Egyptian mother, al-Shaeri first achieved fame in Libya as a founding member of the Sons of Africa during the 1970s, before he was forced to move to his maternal country Egypt, where he released his first album, Ayonha, in 1983. Initially unsuccessful, al-Shaeri received widespread critical and commercial acclaim with his second album, Raheel (1984). In addition to his solo work, al-Shaeri has also been noted for his work as producer, including the songs "Law Leki" (1988) performed by Ali Hemeida, and "Ainy" (1997), performed by Hisham Abbas.
Early life Al-Shaeri was born in 1961 in Benghazi to a Libyan father and an Egyptian mother. One of sixteen children, al-Shaeri was raised in a polygamous household; his mother died when he was 13. He briefly studied aviation in the United Kingdom, where he was first exposed to synth-pop, though his father originally forbade him from pursuing a career as a musician.
Career After returning to Libya, al-Shaeri briefly served as an organist in the Libyan Radio Band, before becoming a founding member of the Sons of Africa group, composed of Arab and African musicians, which found particular success within Libya. Al-Shaeri subsequently moved to Alexandria, Egypt, reportedly after witnessing the public burning of Western music instruments.
After moving from Alexandria to Cairo, al-Shaeri released his first album, Ayonha, in 1983. Composed of songs recorded during his time in Libya, the United Kingdom, and Egypt, the album found limited commercial and critical success during its initial release. Al-Shaeri's second album, Raheel (1984), received much more acclaim, in addition to it being a commercial success in Egypt.
In addition to his solo career, al-Shaeri also worked as a producer from the 1980s. His song "Law Leki" (1988), performed by Ali Hemeida, featured cymbals and drum machines alongside traditional Libyan clapping and cymbals; the song has since been called emblematic of the al-Jeel genre, which al-Shaeri spearheaded; the song's production techniques were described as "dominating" the next decade of Arabic pop music.
Outside of the Arab world, al-Shaeri received renewed attention in 2017 when his song "Ayonha" was featured on Habibi Funk's seventh compilation. American music website Pitchfork described the song as the "most exciting track" on the album. As a result of renewed interest in al-Shaeri's work, a 2022 compilation of his early songs, entitled The SLAM! Years (1983-1988), was released, also by Habibi Funk.
Politics Al-Shaeri was critical of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and following the outbreak of the First Libyan Civil War, he wrote several songs that were used by the Libyan opposition movement. He described Gaddafi as a "disgrace to Libyans", and called on Egyptians to support Libyan citizens.
Criticism Al-Shaeri faced criticism for "infringing" on Arabic culture and heritage. Egyptian composer Helmy Bakr accused al-Shaeri and other up and coming musicians at the time of tarnishing traditional Arabic music due to their lack of musical education. Al-Shaeri refuted this, stating his musical instinct was more important than his musical knowledge. Al-Shaeri and Bakr appeared to reconcile in 1998 when they both contributed to the so-called operetta "The Arab Dream".
Discography
Solo albums YearOriginal TitleTranslationLabelMain Tracks1983AyonhaHer EyesSlam!Ayonha1984RaheelExpatRaheel1986AkeedFor SureSamra1988JannaParadiseJannaSeneenYearsSeneen1990HekayaStoryEl SharqMaganeenShaabiyat Vol. 1Popular Music Vol. 1Sout El HobAna Saber1991SharaBadgeEl SharqJaljelyShaabiyat Vol. 2Popular Music Vol. 2Sout El HobAl BahrInta Al Nass Al Helo - with Shereen WagdiYou're the Beautiful StoryAl JaziraInta Al Nass Al HeloKawahelAnklesEl SharqKawahelHalaweit ZamanSweets From the PastRotanaSawaah1993LewinWhere toHigh QualityLewinHodoa MoakatTemporary calmGayezIshr Al Bondok - Soundtrack from Khairy Beshara's Motion PictureHazlenut PeelMogiphoneAl Koha1995SadeeqFriendMegastarKol HagaWahashtina Ya ShadiaI Miss You ShadiaSono CairoAsmarany Allon1996Halawtak Ya FawziSings Mohamed FawziFattoumaHayartounaYou Confused UsMegastarBoss Shouf1997Shaabiyat Vol. 3Popular Music Vol. 3Sout El HobRaksat Al MagnounaAinyMy EyeAlam El PhanAiny - with Hisham AbbasIshtaknalkomWe Missed YouMegastarWashrah Laha1998Tegannin Ya FaridSings Farid El AtracheAlby Wa Moftaho1999Bahebbik Ya FairuzSings FairuzNew SoundSa'alouni Annass2000GhazalyMy DearAlam El PhanGhazaly - with Moustafa Amar2006Roh El SamaraSpirit of My LoveRoh El Samara
Collaborative work YearOriginal TitleTranslationFeatured SingerLabel1990Betkalem GadI Speak the TruthSimoneAmericanaHalal AlekIt's Your FaultHisham Abbas1997AinyMy EyeAlam El Phan1998Kahil EleainBeautiful EyesFaresHigh Quality2000GhazalyMy DearMoustafa AmarAlam El Phan2006LeishWhyDalindaMazzika2020Zahmet El AyamBusy DaysHisham AbbasMoustafa AmarEhab TawfikCampYa Donia DawaraThe Round WorldYoussefEl Helween BezyadaEnough Beautiful PeopleJoury
Producer credits YearArtistOriginal TitleTranslationLabelMain Track1986Ahmed MounibMeshtakinI Miss YouRondoAl Leila Ya Samra1987LeblebaBint Misr Al GedidaThe New Girl From EgyptAlam El PhanBint Misr Al Gedida1988Ali HamidaLolakyIf It Weren't For YouEl SharqLolaky1989Amr DiabShawa'naWe Missed Each OtherDelta SoundShawa'naRandaMeen AddaWho's Good EnoughAudio ClubDamak T'eelSimoneBetkalem GadI Speak the TruthAmericanaBetkalem Gad1990HananRay'aCalmSlam!MaakAmr DiabMayalLeaningDelta SoundMeen GherikFaresSehrakYour MysteryHigh QualitySehrak1991SimoneAlloDelta SoundRekkaMoustafa AmarWassafDescriberSlam!Makateeby1992EskandaraniBorn in AlexandriaEskandaraniAmr DiabAyamnaOur DaysDelta SoundEl MadiHisham AbbasHalaSituationAmericanaHalal AlekEhab TawfikRasamtekI Drew YouSlam!Amarna1993HananTestahelYou Deserve ItTestahel1994Hisham Abbas & AliaTaalaComeAmericanaWana Aamal EhAmr DiabWe YloumouniAnd They Blame MeDelta SoundWe YloumouniMoustafa AmarSeket El A'shi'nLovers RailwaySlam!Bahebak1995EftekerniThink of MeElle Shabakni1996Hisham AbbasZay Al AwalLike the First TimeAmericanaAdikAmr DiabNour El AinLight of the EyeAlam El PhanNour El Ain1998AwedounyMake Me Get Used to ItAwedounyHisham AbbasYa LeilaOh NightAfricanaYa LeilaWael KfouryShobbak Al HobWindow of LoveMusic BoxKalb Wa Jorh Wa ChawkFaresTaniAgainHigh QualityTani1999Amr DiabAmarainTwo MoonsAlam El PhanBetwaheshnyMoustafa AmarEineik WahshanyI Miss Your EyesFounoonAh Min Khoudoudoh2000Hisham AbbasHabibi DahThat's My LoveDelta SoundMush Hayin Alaya2004Fadl ShakerSaharny Al ShoqLove Kept Me AwakeRotanaYa Habibi
References