Hamza Namira
Hamza Namira | |
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Namira performing at a concert in 2010 | |
Background information | |
Native name | حمزة نمرة |
Birth name | Hamza Namira |
Born |
November 1980 (age 36) |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | |
Instruments | |
Years active | 1999–present |
Labels | Awakening |
Associated acts | Maher Zain, Mesut Kurtis, Raef Humood Alkhudher, Harris J |
Hamza Namira (Arabic: حمزة نمرة; born November 1980) is an Egyptian singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He sings on Arabic modern culture, discussing relevant social and humanitarian issues through his songs and has released three albums; Dream With Me, "Insan", Esmaani and "El - Mesaharaty produced by Awakening Records.
Career
Beginnings
Namira has family origins from Mansoura, Egypt, he was born and grew up in Saudi Arabia until the age of 12 when his parents returned to Egypt. His father worked as a doctor and an amateur artist. He stayed in Alexandria to attend school and college.[1] Namira started to develop an interest in music when he was 17 years old, and he set about learning the guitar, keyboard, and ‘Oud. He also developed interests in several musical styles: Middle Eastern, Egyptian traditional and folk music, light rock, jazz, and Latin music. From 1999 until 2004, Namira played in a band headed by the Alexandrian artist Nabil Bakly and went on to form his own group. He composed his first songs and succeeded in getting a few like-minded friends together and established the band "Nomaira"[2]
Namira studied accounting at the University of Alexandria as he took Bakly's advice; to earn a large enough independent income to pursue his musical career without fear that he would have to one day choose between earning a living and compromising his values.[3]
Breakthrough success
In 2007, Namira signed with Awakening Records; the British-based Record label and released his debut album Ehlam Ma’aya (Dream With Me)in 2008. The album became an instant hit especially with university students, and reached the Top 10 list in Virgin Megastore. In the months following President Mubarak's resignation after 25 January Revolution, Namira emerged as a major public figure.[4]
Namira's second album, Insan [Human] was released in July 2011. It had 16 songs that touch on issues as diverse as ethnic relations, hypocrisy, the poor state of Egyptian education, and immigration. While the album is mainly traditional Egyptian pop music with lyrics in Egyptian colloquial Arabic, there are also a host of musical styles that reflect Namria's eclectic background and interests. Three songs on Insan are inspired by rock, one is inspired by jazz, and another incorporates funk, disco, and dance music.[5]
The Egyptian society has taken note of Namira's fame. His Twitter engagement is one of the highest in Egypt, breaking the top ten most popular accounts in the country. When British Prime Minister David Cameron visited Egypt on February 21, 2011 (only ten days after Mubarak left office), Namira was one of a select group of people invited to meet with him and to participate in a one-hour discussion about the future of Egypt.[6]
Namira held many concerts including at Library of Alexandria and at the American University in Cairo (AUC). He has also performed in many Arab countries.[7]
Namira said his main musical influence is Nabil Al Bakly; a relatively unknown musician, whose group Hamza joined from 2000 to 2001. Hamza Namira is being hailed as the "new Sayed Darwish[8] He is often compared to Mohamed Mounir and Ahmed Mounib.
Discography
Albums
Year | Title | Track list |
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2008 | Ehlam Maaya (Dream With Me) |
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2011 | Insan (A Human) |
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2014 | Esmaani (Listen to Me) |
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Videography
Year | Title |
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2008 |
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2009 |
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2010 |
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2011 |
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2013 |
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2014 |
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Political views
Namira has taken part in 2011 protests at Tahrir Square, being claimed as one of its youth. In his patriotic song on "Insan" album; "El-Midan", Namira repeatedly tells his listeners to "Raise your head because you are Egyptian."[9][10]
In November 2014, his songs were banned from the military-controlled Egyptian state radio for "criticising the authorities" [11]
Philanthropy
- Hamza has contributed to many worthwhile national campaigns and causes including the anti-smoking campaign "Life Without Smoking," and for programs to teach music to disabled children.
- On 14 April 2012, Namira took part in "Send a little hope" charity concert organized by Awakening Records and Save An Orphan organization at London's Hammersmith Apollo with Maher Zain, Mesut Kurtis, Raef and Irfan Makki to raise awareness and collect donations.[12]
- Namira joined a two-day UK tour organized by Human Appeal International to fundraise for medical equipment and provide training for more than 10,000 medical practitioners in Egypt.[13][14]
- In October 2013, Hamza Namira performed in Canada tour organised by Islamic Relief to raise donations for Egyptian families in need[15]
- Hamza Namira performed in Vienna, Austria in October 2014 in an event organized by Humanic Relief.[16]
References
- ↑ "Hamza Namira Al'ashira Masa'an Part1". YouTube. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
- ↑ Foley, Sean. "The Artist of the Revolution: Hamza Namira, the Arab Spring, and the Dream of a Free Egypt". Middle East Institute. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
- ↑ "Hamza Namira Al'ashira Masa'an Part1". YouTube. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
- ↑ https://twitter.com/HamzaNamira/status/225689858901958656
- ↑ "Hamza Namira: Insan". Cairo360. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
- ↑ Watt, Nicholas (21 February 2011). "David Cameron arrives in Egypt to meet military rulers". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
- ↑ "Hamza Namira to perform latest hits at Al-Azhar Park". Ahram Online. 12 October 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
- ↑ "Hamza Namira's "Dream With Me" restores Sayed Darwish". almustaqbal. 4 July 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
- ↑ Foley, Sean. "The Artist of the Revolution: Hamza Namira, the Arab Spring, and the Dream of a Free Egypt". Middle East Institute. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
- ↑ "Hamza Namira interview with Al Arabiya". YouTube. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
- ↑ "Egypt radio bans popular singer Hamza Namira for 'critical' songs". BBC News. 19 November 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
- ↑ "Send A Little Hope Concert - London 14th April 2012". YouTube. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
- ↑ Elkamel, Sara (27 January 2013). "Hamza Namira performs in UK fundraiser for medical equipment for Egypt". Ahram Online. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
- ↑ "Art Alert: Egyptian musician Hamza Namira to perform in two UK concerts". Ahram Online. 10 January 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
- ↑ http://namiraincanada.ca/
- ↑ "Opferfest-Veranstaltung". Retrieved 8 October 2014.
External links
- Hamza Namira on Facebook
- Hamza Namira on Instagram
- Hamza Namira on Twitter
- Hamza Namira's channel on YouTube
- Awakening Store Hamza Namira