Ramy Essam

Ramy Essam

Ramy Essam is an Egyptian musician born in 1987 in Mansoura, Egypt. He performs mainly hard rock and is known for linking his music to political protest and public dissent. He becomes especially prominent through his appearances in Tahrir Square, Cairo, during the Egyptian Revolution of 2011, where he uses his guitar to support calls for freedom and human dignity during the Arab Spring.

Revolutionary role and “Irhal”

Essam’s song “Irhal” calls on Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak to resign and gains wide popularity among demonstrators. It spreads internationally through YouTube and is often described as an anthem of the revolution. In 2011, Time Out ranks it as the third-most world-changing song of all time. He also publicly mourns the martyrs of the revolution on Facebook. On 9 March 2011, when the Egyptian Army clears Tahrir Square, Essam is arrested and tortured.

Albums and releases

Essam’s debut album, Manshourat, appears in 2011–2012 and grows directly out of the Egyptian Revolution of 2011. It is a set of protest songs that document life, chants, moments, and emotions from the uprising in Tahrir Square, combining political energy with social narratives from that period. Notable tracks include “Irhal”, “Taty Taty”, and “El Gahsh W El Homar”.

In 2015, he releases Mamnou‘ (ممنوع), on which he composes all the music himself and works with poets and lyricists including Mohamed Ibrahim, Amjad El-Qahwagy, Derbala, and Galal El-Beheiry. The title track uses lyrics by the late poet Ahmed Fouad Negm. The album includes “Mamnou‘”, “Foul Caviar”, and “Kameen El Obour”. “Foul Caviar” also appears on Firebrand Records’ compilation A New World in Our Songs.

In 2017, Essam releases Resala Ela Magles El Amn (رسالة إلى مجلس الأمن), translated as A Letter to the UN Security Council. Issued by Universal Music MENA, it is a rock album with 12 tracks and a running time of about 45 minutes. Notable songs include “Segn Bel Alwan”, “El Geel El Fosfaty”, and “Dabora We Short We Cap”.

His 2023 album Metgharabin (متغربين), translated as Outsiders, contains 12 tracks and runs for about 43 minutes. It blends rock with Egyptian folk influences, along with experimental electronic and industrial elements. The album explores exile, separation, belonging, censorship, and inner struggle. Notable tracks include “Lagl Tentesri”, “3al Ahwa”, and “Ana Wi Watani”.

He also releases the single “Ra7 Nelte2i” (راح نلتقي), with lyrics written by the imprisoned poet Galal El-Beheiry.

Other activity

In 2014, Essam appears on the compilation Songs from a Stolen Spring, which pairs Western musicians with artists from the Arab Spring. On the release, his song “Bread, Freedom” is combined with Mighty Sam McClain’s “If I Can Dream”.

Also in 2014, he is offered a two-year safe-city residency by Malmö Municipality in Sweden, becoming the first musician to receive such an offer, though two writers have received it before. He is given accommodation as part of the arrangement and says he wants to study music, continue making music, and act as an ambassador for the Egyptian Revolution.

Essam continues to perform and is associated with the continuing legacy of the Egyptian Revolution in his work.