Summary

An Egyptian electronic dance music. Its is the combination of Shaabi music with Electronic music and hip hop.

Influences
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HistoryMahraganat, or electro-shaabi, is an energetic blend of working-class Egyptian shaabi music, EDM, and hip-hop, characterized by heavy use of autotune. The word "mahraganat" means "festivals" in Arabic and became popular after the 2011 Egyptian revolution that overthrew President Hosni Mubarak. The genre is a do-it-yourself musical movement that started in El Salam, northeastern Cairo, with DJ Figo’s track "Set Dyaba" gaining attention during the revolution. Though this was the first mainstream hit, Mahraganat began earlier, around 2004, with early pioneering artists like DJ Ahmed Figo, El Sadat, Feelo, and Alaa Fifty laying its foundation. Other contemporary artists include Oka and Ortega, Wegz, El Sawareekh Team, Dokdok, Felo, and El Dakhlaweya.
Between 2006 and 2007, wedding DJs began merging shaabi music with electronic beats and influences from reggaetón, grime, and rap. With the revolution in 2011, the lyrics reflected political unrest and police brutality. Initially, the genre was absent from radio or TV but spread through online platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud. Mahraganat street performances inspire wild, acrobatic dancing, mixing hip-hop moves with Egyptian folk dance, Baladi.
As the genre grew, youth in ashwaiyyat (informally developed, underserved neighborhoods) embraced it. Internet cafés became creative spots, where the youth experimented with software like FruityLoops, Acid Pro, and Mixcraft. They borrowed production gear, and props from neighbors to create videos. The neighborhood social networks were essential for music production, distribution, and promotion. Local amateur poets, designers, and dancers contributed to the process, with early audiences consisting of fellow community members with songs circulating through USBs, street weddings, and tuk-tuks, creating a grassroots network for the genre.
By 2014, Mahraganat had gained popularity nationwide. However, some conservative Egyptians criticized the genre for its lyrics, controversial topics, and performers' backgrounds. Nagham FM banned it from their radio station, claiming it didn’t reflect Egyptian values. Further controversy arose when the Egyptian Musicians' Union banned Mahraganat after a 2020 incident where Hassan Shakoush and Omar Kamal performed their song "Bent El-Giran," which referenced drug and alcohol use. Despite releasing a "clean" version, they sang the original lyrics in live shows, prompting the union to place a ban on them.
The union further tried to control the genre by requiring aspiring singers to pass tryouts for official singing licenses, judged by industry experts and art professors. Despite these challenges, Mahraganat has grown into a thriving cultural movement, complete with its fashion, dance styles, and an industry with studios, producers, and managers.
Elements 
Form and Style

Mahraganat, also known as Egyptian street music or shaabi-electro, is a beloved spinoff of Egyptian folk music characterized by its energetic and vibrant performance style. Combining elements of hip-hop, EDM, and traditional Egyptian music.

Singing Style

Mahraganat is often heard at weddings and celebrations, featuring autotuned vocals and lively beats that resonate with the working class.

Theme

The most common theme in Mahraganat music from Egypt revolves around everyday life experiences, including love, struggle, celebration, and social issues.

Culture

This unique sound is influenced by various cultural elements, including Egyptian folk music, hip-hop, and electronic dance music (EDM). Additionally, Mahraganat lyrics often reflect the urban experiences of the working class, addressing social issues, street life, and celebrations, further shaping the cultural identity of this vibrant music genre.

Timbre

Mahraganat music from Egypt is characterized by its distinct timbre, featuring heavy use of autotune, synthesized beats, and energetic rhythms.

Arrangement

Mahraganat music is marked by energetic beats with syncopated rhythms, often arranged in a repetitive loop-based structure. The rhythm structure is dynamic, blending elements of hip-hop, EDM, and traditional Egyptian music. Melodies are often simple and repetitive, with autotuned vocals. Common time signatures include 4/4 and 6/8, contributing to the genre's lively and danceable vibe.