Wust El Balad
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A pioneer of the Egyptian independent scene, Wust El Balad — "the city centre" — has been singing Cairo since 1999, between oud, electric guitars and choruses that a whole country knows by heart.
Wust El Balad, literally "the city centre" (from Arabic وس的 البلد), was born in Cairo in 1999 from the idea of two friends: Ahmed Omran (oud and flute) and Hany Adel (guitar and singing). The band quickly became the voice of a Cairotian generation in search of songs similar to it.
Its formula is a joyful blend: the melodies and maqams of traditional Arabic music meet Western rock, pop and jazz. Around the founders, Adham El-Said (sing), Mizo and Ehab "Bob" Abdel-Hameed (percussions), Ahmed Omar (bass) and Asaad Nessim (guitar) form a welded collective.
Four albums mark the course: Wust El-Balad (2007), Rubabebya (2011), Karakib (2014) and Bantalony El Jeans (2018). In 2011, his songs became popular anthems of the Egyptian revolution, sung in the streets of Cairo.
Still active on stage, from Cairo Jazz Club to the major scenes of the Cairo Jazz Festival, Wust El Balad remains one of the most beloved Egyptian bands, symbol of modern, free and festive Arabic music.