Cairokee (Arabic: كايروكي) is an Egyptian rock band formed in Cairo in 2003. The band is widely known for its close association with the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 and for using music as a platform for political expression, social criticism, and youth identity. Over the years, Cairokee has become one of the most influential alternative bands in the Arab world, blending rock, reggae, electronic, and Arabic musical elements. The band was founded in 2003 by Amir Eid (lead vocalist), Sherif Hawary (lead guitarist), Tamer Hashem (drummer), Sherif Mostafa (keyboardist), and Adam el-Alfy (bass guitarist). The initial band members were friends ever since their school days. The band was called The Black Stars before they changed it to Cairokee. The name Cairokee is a blend of “Cairo” and “karaoke,” reflecting the band’s aim to create music that speaks directly to the people of the city. Cairokee gained massive public attention during the Egyptian Revolution of 2011, when they released the song “Sout El Horeya” (صوت الحرية – Voice of Freedom). The song, filmed and recorded in Tahrir Square, quickly became one of the defining anthems of the uprising. With lyrics centered on freedom, dignity, and resistance, “Sout El Horeya” spread widely online and came to symbolize the voice of Egypt’s youth during the revolution. In 2009, Cairokee released their self-titled debut album, Cairokee, marking the band’s first official full-length studio project, two years before the Egyptian Revolution of 2011. At the time, the band was still operating in the underground Cairo music scene, performing in small venues and building a local following. Their debut album contained songs like “Akhenaton” (أخناتون) and “Lahma” (لحمة). In 2011, Cairokee released their Second album Matloob Zaeem (مطلوب زعيم). The album directly reflected the revolutionary moment, addressing political oppression, corruption, and the search for leadership and identity. Songs like “Sout El Horeya” (صوت الحرية) and “Ya El Medan” (يا الميدان) cemented the band’s reputation as a revolutionary voice. In 2012, Cairokee released their third studio album Wana Ma‘a Nafsy A‘eed (وأنا مع نفسي قاعد), following the massive impact of the 2011 revolution and the band’s rise to national prominence. Unlike their revolutionary anthems, this album marked a clear emotional and thematic shift inward. The album contained songs like “Souty” (صوتي) and “Bokra El Shams Tetlaa” (بكرة الشمس تطلع) In 2014, Cairokee released El Sekka Shemal (السكة شمال ). containing songs like “El Sekka Shemal” (السكة شمال) and “Nefsy Afagar” (نفسي افجر) The album was their most successful to date. The album featured collaborations with different artists, including Algerian singer Souad Massi, Abdel Baset Hammouda and Zap Tharwat. It was also featured in the first episode of the third season of Bassem Youssef's highly popular show El Bernameg. This year also brought Cairokee to the record label Sony Music Middle East. The partnership led to the band obtaining its own Vevo channel on YouTube, the first deal of its kind for any artist in the region This year also brought Cairokee to the record label Sony Music Middle East. The partnership led to the band obtaining its own Vevo channel on YouTube, the first deal of its kind for any artist in the region. On July 20, 2017, Cairokee's new album Noaata Beida (نقطة بيضا), was a significant project, The album's central theme was finding a glimmer of hope in a chaotic world. Its biggest event was the collaboration with Egyptian folk singer Tarek El Sheikh on the hit song "El Keif." (الكيف) This fusion of rock and traditional music was a massive success. The album also contained songs like “El Sekka Shemal Fe Shemal” (السكة شمال في شمال) and “Dinosaur ” (ديناصور). On March 21, 2019, Cairokee's album The Ugly Ducklings (أبناء البطة السوداء) was a deeply personal and raw project. The album's central theme, as its title suggests, revolves around a sense of social alienation and the struggle to find one's identity. With a more stripped-down and melancholic sound, the album was celebrated for its poetic lyrics and emotional honesty. It resonated with a generation feeling a similar sense of being different or not fitting in. The Ugly Ducklings was another critical success for the band, reinforcing their reputation for tackling existential and social themes with authenticity. The album contained tracks like “Yalla Neghany” (يلا نغني) and “Ya Abyad Ya Eswed” (يا أبيض يا أسود). On September 23, 2022, The release of Cairokee's new album "Roma" was a major event for the Egyptian rock band. The album marked a significant shift from their earlier political themes to a more personal and introspective sound which introduced new musical styles. "Roma" was a meticulously planned release that showcased the band's artistic evolution and solidified their position as a leading force in Arab music. The album Roma contained songs like “Ana Negm” (أنا نجم) and “Basrah W Atoh” (بسرح واتوه). <a href="https://www.last.fm/music/Cairokee">Read more on Last.fm</a>. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.