As throngs of visitors invaded El Hussein Square, opposite the shrine of the reputed Imam, one would have expected to run into a piper, a lute player, a munshid (a religious vocalist) or other oriental musicians these Islamic areas are known for – especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
To the visitors’ surprise, four young chaps, three of whom were dressed in identical t-shirt and jeans outfits, started singing cover tunes of one of Egyptian mega pop stars, Amr Diab’s, accompanied by two classic guitars.
Hordes of passersby quickly gathered around the group, named Charisma, clapping and singing along. Their no-frills public performance is the kind you witness by street musicians in a Western metropolis like Paris or New York.
For a couple of years now, Islam, Ali, Mohamed and their leader Tarek have been roaming the city, singing under the name Charisma. The band can be spotted around the city, on crowded streets, in cafeterias and nightclubs, as they strive to attract audiences’ attention in the overcrowded music market, where talent is compromised for trend.
Judging by their skill, it’s difficult to imagine that these young performers are struggling musicians attempting to break into the rather closed, homogenous music scene.
Their flawless rendition of Diab’s “Amarien (Two Moons) was as brisk as the original version. The lack of facilities and instruments didn’t curb their enthusiasm.
Transforming a parked vehicle into a percussion set, the group’s leader started banging on the car to keep rhythm. Their spontaneity and fervor charged the area with a vivacity that is akin to stadium-rock concerts.
The four have day jobs, but come together at night in pursuit of their dream.
“Each of us started his musical career as a hobby, said Tarek, “but we managed to hone our talent through guided performance and by studying at musical institutes in Cairo.
“After all these years, we’re [still] waiting for the right opportunity, or in other words, a wasta (a connection) to break into the world of satellite music stations, video clips and music production, Mahmoud said.
The obstacles Charisma is facing are no different from what other aspiring musicians encounter at the beginning of their careers. Groups of amateur musicians are seen on weekends on Qasr El Nil Bridge, kicking off impromptu jam sessions, exchanging technical advice or combining their many talents to produce a song that may one day become a hit single.
“It is from these corners that prominent composers, musicians and poets originally hail, Islam said.
Their skills need to be nurtured by someone willing to invest in raw talent. “Sometimes it’s your wasta that opens the doors for you. At other times it’s your talent, but if you have a wasta without a talent you’ll never survive. Some never make it at all.
Charisma refuses to be placed neatly into a certain category; and while they don’t have a wasta, they are not throwing in the towel anytime soon.
“We have our own songs that we recorded using our own digital facilities, said Tarek. “[Our music] tackles different subjects, from problems facing the youth to unrequited love.
Like many amateur artists waiting for a breakthrough, Charisma is content with their current status as lively street musicians.
