Music’s influential role on Egypt’s presidential campaign

Music’s influential role on Egypt’s presidential campaign

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When the revolution began in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, music played a big role in galvanizing young people and giving them a voice. So it’s not surprising that music continues to play an important role in Egyptian politics as the presidential candidates began their campaigns. 

For the most part these songs and music videos haven’t been produced by well-known pop artists. Instead, these are songs written by independent artists who were part of the underground movement that fueled the uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak.

The songs range in style from rap to hip-hop to traditional Egyptian folk music. The lyrics and the sounds reflect the diversity of candidates who’ve peppered the race, which has now been narrowed down to two candidates: Ahmed Shafik, a former air force general and the last prime minister under Hosni Mubarak, and Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood.

On today’s Global Notes segment, Ahmed Rehab, director of the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Eight-Forty-Eight’s Tony Sarabia and Jerome McDonnell dissect the lyrics and the political message behind the music.

Track List:

1. We’re Coming for Abol Fotouh

2. Abol Fotouh is the Most Suitable.

3.  I Love Amro Moussa

4. Ahmed Shafik (campaign song)

5. Mohamed Morsi (campaign song)