Tamer Hosny

Tamer Hosny

Tamer Hosny is an Egyptian singer-songwriter and actor known for Arabic pop. He is widely associated with mainstream commercial success in Egypt and the wider Arab world, and is referred to as the King of Generation.

Early life and background

Hosny is born in Egypt to an Egyptian father, Sherif Wael Hosny, and a Syrian mother who lives in Egypt. He grows up with his older brother Hossam after his parents separate, and he is raised by his mother in the absence of his father, Hosny Abbas. He develops an early interest in football and says that he plays professionally for nine years. Before becoming known as an artist, he works in several jobs, including at a petrol station and a supermarket, selling perfumes in the street, and construction work. He is introduced to opera by Salma El Shamaa.

He studies Media Studies at October Six University and earns a bachelor's degree.

Music career

Hosny first appears on Free Mix mixtapes released by FreeMusic, an Egyptian music production company. He is later recognised by Nasr Mahrous, the manager and owner of FreeMusic, and signs a contract with the company in 2002.

His first solo studio album is Hob in 2004. It includes the single “Arrab Habibi”, which becomes especially popular and receives heavy rotation on satellite music channels. He follows it with Enayyah Bethebbak in 2006, which is a major success in Egypt. In 2007 he releases Ya Bent El-Eih, a 13-track album that is heavily leaked online before its commercial release; it is described in Egyptian media as an important early step in his musical career. Later that year he releases Il Ganna Fe Biotna, a collection of Islamic and Ramadan-themed songs. He continues with Arrab Kaman in 2008, Haeesh Hyati in 2009, which includes the English-language song “Come Back To Me”, his first English song, and Ekhtart Sah in 2010.

During his conscription period, Nasr Mahrous releases Enayyah Bethebbak and a music video for one of its singles.

Film work

Hosny also works in film. His screen debut is in Halet Hob (released in 2004), a film in which he also provides music. He appears in Sayed El Atefy in 2005, which features two songs performed in the film: “Koll Marra” and “Nour Einy”. These songs are later issued as full versions with music videos made from scenes from the film.

In 2007 he appears in Omar & Salma alongside Mai Ezzeddine. He follows this with Captin Hima in 2008, a social comedy centred on a young man obsessed with football. In 2009 he appears in Omar & Salma 2, a sequel to the earlier romance-comedy.

Legal case and military service

In 2006, Hosny is involved in a widely reported court case in which he is charged with forging a passport and avoiding conscription. He is convicted alongside fellow Egyptian artist Haytham Shaker on the same charges. He receives a sentence of one year in prison, but serves only one month before the judgment is revised, after which he spends a year in the army for conscription.