There are at least two artists named Hakim.

The first, and by far th… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two artists named Hakim.

The first, and by far the more famous, Hakim was born in Maghagha, a small town in Al Minya, Egypt, in 1962. Hakim grew up with the sound of working-class tradition of Sha'bi; the root of southern Egyptian. He became influenced by the great Sha'bi singer Ahmed Adaweyah, Hakim began practicing Mawals, the vocal improvisations which begin a traditional Sha'bi song.

His break came when he met producer Hamid El-Shaeri, and signed a deal with Sonar Ltd./Slam Records. With El-Shaeri at the board, Hakim entered the studio to make his first album, “Nazra” (1991).

The album was among the top of the charts, and the first pressing of the disc sold out within the first two months. Hakim took the unprecedented step of personally going to DJs and giving them copies of his tape, and his voice boomed from radios and shops all over Cairo.

After the release of his second album “Nar” (1994), Hakim was picked to represent Egypt at the Festival des Allumees in Nantes, France. Two years later a nomination for the Kora Award in the category of Best North African Singer confirmed his regal status (he won the award in 2000).

Hakim sold more than six million records locally and the first of the young Egyptian singers to make any kind of breakthrough internationally.

The second is a rapper hailing from New Orleans, best known as the young brother of former Cash Money rapper B.G., Hakim appeared prominently on his brother's Livin' Legend LP in 2003. Following this, he prepared to release his own LP, but ultimately vanished from the scene. Nonetheless, his EP, Street Poetry, did see release exclusively as a promo.

Despite this limited release, the record has gained some notoriety in underground rap circles, becoming a prized collector's item, and Hakim's unique voice is not to be ignored. His sudden appearance and equally swift disappearance have remained somewhat of a mystery, with conflicting stories of jail sentences and a lack of interest in rap surfacing. It only adds to the mystique of his sole, hard to find record.

Sidi Mansour
Hakim Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

yeah yeah yeah...

allah allah ya baba
we salam 3alek ya baba
allah allah ya baba
we salam 3alek ya baba
sidi mansour ya baba
wenjek enzour ya baba 2x

ash-had bellah ya baba
ma3shegt sewaah ya baba
jar7 el 7abeeb ya baba
3alaj es3eeb ya baba
wesh 7aly feeh ya baba
malhouf 3aleeh ya baba
wash-had bellah ya baba
ma3shegt sewaah ya baba

wenjeek ya sidi
wenjeek ya sidi
beshmou3 fi eedy
beshmou3 fi eedy
wennar fi galby
wennar fi galby
ta7reg wareedy
ta7reg wareedy

allah allah ya baba
we salam 3aleek ya baba
allah allah ya baba
we salam 3aleek ya baba
sidi mansour ya baba
wenjeek enzour ya baba

we ka7eel el 3een ya baba
7elw el khadeen ya baba
7elw wi mabghour ya baba
wi 3aiounu b7oor ya baba
wi kharegt ma3aah ya baba
3asebni jfah ya baba
wi ka7eel el 3ain
khada galbi le feen

sidi waseeny
sidi waseeny
a7ki wi 7akeeny
sabarli 7aal7
3alli naseeny
3alli naseeny

allah allah ya baba
we salam 3aleek ya baba
allah allah ya baba
we salam 3aleek ya baba
sidi mansour ya baba
wenjeek enzour ya baba

hey hey hey

ash-had bellah ya baba
ma3shegt sewaah ya baba
ash-had bellah
ma3shegt sewaah ya baba
seedi mansoour ya baba
wenjeek enzour ya baba

allah allah ya baba
we salam 3aleek ya baba
allah allah ya baba
we salam 3aleek ya baba
sidi mansour ya baba
wenjeek enzour ya baba

hey hey hey

we ka7eel el 3een ya baba
7elw el khadeen ya baba...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Hakim's "Sidi Mansour" pay tribute to the title figure as the "master of the neighbourhood". The song's structure is built around repeating chants of "Allah Allah ya baba, we salam 3alek ya baba" as an opening and closing frame, which translates as "God, God, oh father, and peace be with you". Throughout, the singer sings of the qualities of Sidi Mansour, including his blessed presence, his beautiful eyes, and his effect on those around him, as the surrounding neighborhood and people are charmed by him. The lyrics also speak of Sidi Mansour's ability to inspire music and dance in his honor, hence the repeated call to celebrate his name and dance to the beat of the song. Overall, the song is a beautiful homage to the impact and charisma of the neighborhood legend.

Line by Line Meaning

allah allah ya baba
Oh Allah, oh father

we salam 3alek ya baba
Peace be upon you, oh father

sidi mansour ya baba
My master Mansour, oh father

wenjek enzour ya baba
Your visit brings happiness, oh father

ash-had bellah ya baba
I bear witness to Allah, oh father

ma3shegt sewaah ya baba
I walked on flames, oh father

jar7 el 7abeeb ya baba
The lover's wound, oh father

3alaj es3eeb ya baba
Cure the pain, oh father

wesh 7aly feeh ya baba
What's wrong with him, oh father

malhouf 3aleeh ya baba
Depressed over him, oh father

wenjeek ya sidi
Your arrival, my master