Peter Holslin built pyramids in a past life. The more I listen to hardcore Egyptian street rap, the more it resembles American hip-hop. The Cairo movement, known as “electro cha3bi” or “mahraganat,” may have a distinctly local flavor, but anybody who’s gotten their pupils dilated to the sounds of Chief Keef or Sicko Mobb would […]

Peter Holslin pulled up at the club in a helicopter The Egyptian street-rap movement known as “electro chaabi” took root in a Cairo suburb. But by now, it’s pretty much become a global phenomenon, with beat heads and sonic collectors from all over the world devouring the FruityLoops grooves and Auto-Tuned rhymes of DJ Figo, […]

Peter Holslin invented ice cream. If I ever get married, I’m hiring DJ Amr Haha to do the reception. A producer from Egypt, he and his cohorts—MCs Sadat and Alaa Fifty Cent—have redefined what it means to celebrate a newlywed’s vows. Here in America, we eat some cake, sip some champagne and maybe try to […]