Hawas is an independent Egyptian band, formed in Cairo in 2014. Hawas presents alternative music that aims at exploring new musical dimensions through mixing different music genres. Hawas’ distinguished sound comes from progressive music mixed with the drama of melody and lyrics as a special mean of human expression. Hawas’ lyrics revolve around tales of humans; be it suffering, happiness, memories or journeys of self discovery.

Hawas self produced two EPs in 2015, “Hawas” and “Like Winter”. Hawas performed multiple live shows in and outside of Cairo, and also took part in important events such as the opening of Goethe Film Week, 2016.

Hawas was formed by five former members of “Maghna Khan” band and currently consists of eight musicians: @Mahmoud_Khateeb (Lead Vocal), Marwan Fawzi (Accordion), Amir Rasmy (Keyboards), @HishamAnas (Oud), Al-Moataz Bellah Moussa (Lead Guitar), Mahmoud Waly (Bass Guitar), Ahmed Tito (Drums) and Bouda Abu El Yazeed (Percussions).

Lyrics
Noor El Deen
Haitham Dabbour
Fahd Ibrahim
Mohamed Dawod
Ahmad Abd Elkhaliq

Resident Sound Engineer, Acoustic Logistics
Ahmad Kamar

Live Sound Engineer
Mahmoud Akram

Official Photographer
Mohamed Mosaad - Octopus Studio

Visual Identity
Fady Galal

Cairokee first started by the name “The Black Star “performing their favorite covers in both English & Arabic at various gigs around the country. It wasn’t until later till they decided on the name “Cairokee”; inspired by both the words Cairo and karaoke, and mixing up the two words, meaning the band is singing along with Cairo. The band was later officially formed in 2003, and is currently consisting of Amir Eid (vocals & rhythm guitar), Tamer Hashem (drums), Sherif Hawary (Lead guitar), Adam El-Alfy (bass guitar) and Sherif Mostafa (Keyboard). Cairokee’s sound evolved tremendously from one album to the next, reflecting their goals and continuous ambition to sing along with Cairo, which is a fast paced and ever evolving City. 

The idea of writing their lyrics, playing music and performing live for local and global audiences (all before the age of 30) was a dream come true for all the band members who have always been childhood friends. Their first major hit was “Sout El Horeya” which has over millions of views on YouTube and was ranked a world record as one of the most watched videos in the shortest period of time. Soon after their success, came “Matloob Zaeem, “Ethbat Makanak” and more hits followed.In a digitally ruled world, Cairokee have always managed to come on top with massive smash hits such as “Yal Midan” featuring Aida ElAyoubi, pushing the song to the number one most video in the history of Facebook and eventually lead the album “Matloob Zaeem” to top the Egyptian charts for months. Their second album “Wana Maa Nafsy Aaed” followed in the big steps on “Matloob Zaeem” back in 2012, in addition to single mega hits such as “Ehna El Shaab” written by the legendary Abd El Rahman El Abnoudy. In 2014, Cairokee released “ El Sekka Shemal”, carving a new benchmark in their long road of success featuring collaborations with Souad Massi and the legendary Ahmed Fouad Negm.

menna magady is following