Sheikh Imam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sheikh Imam
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| Background information | |
| Born | July 2, 1918 |
| Origin | Giza, Egypt |
| Died | June 6, 1995 (aged 76) Egypt |
| Genres | Egyptian music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals, oud |
Sheikh Imam (full name: Imam Mohammad Ahmad Eissa) was a very famous Egyptian singer and composer. He was born on July 2, 1918, and passed away on June 6, 1995. For most of his life, he worked closely with the well-known Egyptian poet Ahmed Fouad Negm. Together, they created many popular political songs. These songs often supported poor people and the working class.
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Sheikh Imam's Life and Music
Early Life and Learning Music
Imam was born into a poor family in a village called Abul Numrus in Giza, Egypt. He lost his eyesight when he was a young child. At the age of five, he started attending a class where he learned to memorize the Quran.
Later, he moved to Cairo to continue his studies. In Cairo, Imam met Sheikh Darwish el-Hareery. Sheikh Darwish was a very important music teacher at that time. He taught Imam the basics of music and a special kind of singing called muwashshah. Imam also worked with another Egyptian composer, Zakariyya Ahmad. He became very interested in Egyptian folk songs, especially those by famous artists like Sayed Darwish. Imam also used to perform at weddings and birthday parties.
A Powerful Duo: Imam and Negm
In 1962, Sheikh Imam met the Egyptian poet Ahmed Fouad Negm. This meeting changed his life. For many years, they worked together as a team. They composed and sang many political songs. These songs often spoke up for the poor and those who faced unfair treatment. They also criticized the people in power.
Even though their songs were not allowed on Egyptian radio or TV, they became very popular. Ordinary people loved their music in the 1960s and 1970s. After the Six-Day War in 1967, they sang revolutionary songs that criticized the government. Because of this, they faced many challenges and were held by the authorities several times.
In the mid-1980s, Sheikh Imam performed many concerts outside Egypt. He sang in countries like France, Britain, Lebanon, Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria. Later, Imam and Negm stopped working together due to some disagreements. Sheikh Imam passed away at the age of 76 after being ill for a long time.
Famous Songs by Sheikh Imam
Sheikh Imam created many memorable songs. Here are some of his most well-known works:
- "Masr Ya Bahia" (meaning "Pretty Egypt")
- "Guevara mat" (meaning "Che Guevara is dead")
- "el-Fellahin" (about "The Fellahin," or farmers)
- "Ye'eesh ahl balady" (meaning "Long live the people of my country")
- "Sharaft ya Nixon baba" (a sarcastic song about Richard Nixon)
- "An mawdou' el-foul w el-lahma" (meaning "On the Subject of fūl and meat")
- "Baqaret Haha" (meaning "Haha's Cow")
- "Valery Giscar d'Estan" (about Valéry Giscard d'Estaing)
- "Sign el-alaa" (meaning "Citadel prison")
- "Sabah el-khaer ya Tehran" (meaning "Good morning Tehran")
- "Gaezat Nobel" (meaning "Nobel Prize")
- "Ghabah kilabha Diabah" (meaning "The Wilderness Whose Dogs are Wolves")
- "Ya Masr Koumy" (meaning "Masr (Egypt), Wake up")
- "Eza el-shams gher'et" (meaning "When the sun drowns")
- "Shayed osourak 'al Mazare'" (meaning "Erect your palaces on the farms")
- "Ana-sh-sha'bi maashi wa 'aarif taree'i" (meaning "We are the people, we are marching and we know our path")
