It's my first name. In Arabic, it means "he who smiles".

Occassionally, but I see myself more of a recording artist.

It gives power back to the people. Music is not about idols, fan worship and millions of dollars in sales. It's about feeling, vibe, moments and magic.

Sure.

Seventis pop, when I was a child. My parents had a record store. I used to sit at the back and do my homework while people came in to buy records.

Then I was greatly influenced by classsical music in my teen years. While traditional Egyptian folklore - probably the oldest surviving tunes in the world - started influencing me as I stepped into the twenties.

Cairo, right by the river bank.