Mashrouʼ Leila is not a bandʼs name. It is not a proper noun per se; Mashrouʼ Leila is Arabic for ʻan overnight projectʼ lusting out a microphone, a violin, a bass, two guitars, drums and keyboards. It started out as a music workshop at the American University of Beirut in 2008, an open platform for students of architecture and design, somewhere to experiment with sounds and make things audible. Haig Papazian, Carl Gerges, Hamed Sinno, Omaya Malaeb, Andre Chedid, Firas Abou Fakher and Ibrahim Badr have enjoyed this sound fetish savoring its façade of nonchalance and feeding on its lack of genre – sustaining their collective as Mashrouʼ Leila, an experiment. 

You can hear Leila, cascading melts of masculine vocals only suspended with thrusts of violin, beats and bass – attacked by neurotic melody that means no harm – sometimes tender, even sometimes on pause. Through the music, you can smell where Leila has been, in bed sheets, on sidewalks, jasmines in riﬂes and spilled coffee on dresses as she made you play with aubergines, dancing her dance. Music has constantly been their place to play with things, to match and mis-match, a project. 

In the various performances, Mashrouʼ Leila is a constant attempt to taste and produce, more than happy to harvest anyone from the audience as a guest in their encores. They have performed around Lebanon since 2008, playing in various venues in Beirut, taking over supposed public piazzas as well as clubs, pubs, hybrids and the such – they also played in Zahle, Sour, Jounieh, Saida and Deir el Qamar, each of which pushed forward their thinking about how to go about their music, lyrics and performance. It is only when Mashrouʼ Leila goes live, that you can actually catch a glimpse of Leila. As it talks to you of Beirut, the city that tastes of the absurd, the product of its day-to-day experiences, its stubborn security and lack of the latter, its musical bombshells, incoherent sexuality and thrusting pleasure…narcotic pain – as it brings forward hints of Arabic Tarab, rock, to folk pop, electro, you can see Leila in every man and woman in the silent- come-raving audience. In this trajectory, they participated in music workshops and concerts in Amman and Cairo to maneuver their way into a pan-Arab music scene, to know and to announce, more importantly to grow, musically. 

In March 2009, Mashrouʼ Leila won the Lebanese Modern Music Contest jury prize and public vote organized by Radio Liban in partnership with CCF, Incognito and the Basement. They recorded their debut album with B-root Productions, released in December 2009. The music in the album is a reclamation of the aftertaste; sequel-ing a dose of Beirut.

written by Raafat Majzoub

Tahawy is a DJ whose journey into music began in 2013. Before learning to DJ, he had a deep passion for collecting and discovering new music, a hobby that eventually laid the foundation for his career. 
His breakthrough came with the creation of the “BeacHouse” series on SoundCloud, which quickly gained attention after its viral success. This led to their first live performance at Cairo jazz Club, where he overcame initial nerves and began live DJing journey.
Known for captivating storytelling approach to DJing, Tahawy’s sets are a journey, not just a mix. Specializing in Afro House, House, and Melodic genres, he focus on controlling the flow of the music, weaving in groovy beats, rich vocals, and melodic elements that keep the energy flowing. his sets are more than just music – they are experiences, designed to transport listeners through a sonic landscape that tells a story.
From the first track to the last, Tahawy’s continues to create memorable moments, blending passion for music with a deep understanding of how to connect with the crowd.

Berlin-based award-winning producer, label owner, and one of Europe’s most sought-after house DJs – has left an indelible mark on the global electronic music scene.

With over 100 releases and remixes on acclaimed labels such as MoBlack, Dessous, Poker Flat, Crosstown Rebels, Stil vor Talent, Systematic, Bunny Tiger, Katermukke, Bar 25 Music, and Ritter Butzke, his prolific output cements his status as a house music innovator.

Phonique's career catapulted to fame in 2004 with the iconic club anthems “The Red Dress” and “For the Time Being.” However, it was his timeless hit “Feel What You Want” from his 2010 album – amassing over 50 million views on YouTube – that solidified his global reputation. His four critically acclaimed albums showcase his evolving sound, diverse influences, and profound intuition for igniting dance floors worldwide.

In July 2022, Phonique launched his label Zatar Music, debuting with a Korolova remix of “Feel What You Want.” The label highlights his melodic and Afro-Arabic house inspirations, drawing from his travels to countries like Jordan, Ukraine, and Armenia. With releases from artists such as Fairplay, Roo, Nilu, and Gui Boratto, Zatar Music embodies Phonique’s adventurous sonic vision. Remixes by Hyenah, Korolova, Gorje Hewek, and others have earned Zatar tracks spots in Black Coffee’s Spotify playlist and Adriatique’s iconic Cercle set.

2022 also marked Phonique’s residency at Berlin’s renowned club Ritter Butzke, following his debut release on their label. Playing alongside international stars like Korolova and Franky Wah, Phonique continues to inspire with his electrifying performances.

As Identification, his debut album, approached its 20th anniversary, Phonique is planning a special release featuring acoustic reinterpretations and fresh remixes of classics like “For the Time Being feat. Erlend Oye” and “Café Monte Carlo feat. Dixon.” This milestone reaffirms his ability to revisit and reinvent his own legacy.

An unexpected highlight in 2024 was the resurgence of “Feel What You Want” in its slowed version, trending on Shazam charts in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan, and peaking at #15 on the global Shazam charts. This momentum inspired an upcoming “All Mixes” release on Zatar Music, featuring remixes from Korolova, Vintage Culture, Bruno Be, Tom Novy, Aka Aka, and a highly anticipated new version by Ukrainian duo Artbat.

From his trailblazing productions to his residencies and label endeavors, Phonique remains a driving force in house music, pushing boundaries while staying true to the genre’s essence.

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