WOMAD

Mohamed Mounir

From Egypt

"I have a dream of a better human being, of better living standards, I hate corruption, I hate fear and I love dreams that are based on logic." (Mounir)

From the beginning, he was something different. His music drew rhythms and folk melodies from the culture of Nubia, the region where the Mediterranean and Sub-saharan Africa meet, in contrast to much Egyptian pop music, which was dominated by traditional Egyptian sounds.
At first, Mounir's casual outfits and performance style drew scorn at a time when singers often wore suits and appeared with orchestras. He would sway, jump and dance in a way unfamiliar to Egyptian audiences. But they saw him as genuine, and he soon became a respected star, paving the way for other Nubian musicians.
Over the years, he became known for finding lyrics that reflected his politics and philosophy; his music has become synonymous for many Egyptians with liberal thought, hope and a desire for reform.
Among his fans, Mounir is known as "The King" in reference to the title of his 1988 album (Al-Malek Howwa al-Malek).
(Biography supplied by artist's agent)

http://mshwarmounir.com/]Mohamed Mounir's official website