Egyptian singer performs in exile
Ramy Essam believes in the power of music and has used his voice to champion social equality and justice.
During the first days of the Egyptian revolution in 2011, Ramy Essam found his voice. Singing gave him a chance to be heard, not only in his Egyptian birthplace, but eventually all over the world.
“In the beginning I was just like everybody, just an individual with no music. There was no room for music at the beginning whatsoever, especially that I was in my hometown in Mansoura, and when I decided to move to Tahrir square in Cairo to join the big masses, I thought I might bring the guitar with me, and I was lucky that I had some political songs from before,” Essam stated.
Ramy Essam debuted in 2011 during the Egyptian revolution.
Essam, 33, worked in a supermarket until that fateful decision. His song, “bread and freedom,” about social equality and justice, was published right after the 18 days of the revolution. Like others he was stunned but happy about his countrymen’s actions. He is also grateful that they gave him a chance to sing, even though it was a tough time for the country and its people.
“I thank the people who gave me the chance when there was a stage in Tahrir square; to sing and to really realize how much music can be so effective, powerful, encourage people and make change. I believed in that from before because music changed me a lot,” Essam explained.
His outspokenness cost Essam his freedom. In March 2011, he was arrested for starting a demonstration in Tahrir square against the legislature. He was tortured for two months until he was released.
Essam performs in D.C. during his world tour 2019/2020.
“Of course because of my music I have faced some s..t. That happened when I got arrested once and I got tortured. A very dark experience for sure, but am glad I was able to survive all of this. And here I’m still alive and am still singing,” Essam said.
For so many Egyptians who had to leave their country after the revolution, Essam is the only thing that keeps them connected to Egypt. Aya Hijazi, an Egyptian activist said that she understands what Essam has been through because she has been through the same.
“Incredible from Ramy as always, but the fact that he still has the will to keep on singing even after what he has been through is even more incredible. I say that because I myself have been imprisoned for three years in Egypt when I decided to start my foundation called Sons of the Motherland, but for whatever reason the government thought I was doing something fishy,” Hijazi said. She now lives in D.C.
For Essam, who now lives in Sweden, and has performed in Sweden, Canada, and the U.S., including in D.C., the price he has paid is worth it.
“What I just wanna say about my own experience is that what happened to me by being tortured because of my music, it just made me believe more in how music is so powerful and how it can make authorities really scared.”
