Inside Beirut and Beyond's First Music Production Residency in Cairo
Inside Beirut and Beyond's First Music Production Residency in Cairo
Back in April 2025, Beirut and Beyond, a Lebanese-bred organization and festival that has quickly grown into a sustainable platform for artist development, hosted a nine-day music production residency for the first time in Egypt.
Led by Tunisian DJ and producer Deena Abdelwahed in partnership with Cairo-based WRST collective, the residency's core mission was to provide six selected participants of emerging Lebanese producers with a space for experimentation, learning and cultural exchange.
This residency came as a second revisited edition of Beirut and Beyond's 'Rap & Beyond' initiative, an artistic residency which was launched in 2023 in collaboration with Sweden's World Culture Museums, inviting hip-hop womxn artists from the SWANA region to Beirut for one week to attend a series of workshops and collaborative music sessions, led by Noise Diva.
Beirut and Beyond initially planned for the residency to take place in Lebanon in late 2024 as part of the MASAR, a two-year program supported by the FSPI grant from the Institut Français. However, due to the ongoing genocide in Palestine and the escalation of the Israeli attacks on Lebanon, the residency was relocated to Cairo instead.
'Cairo quickly was a natural fit for the residency, with its dynamic music scene, regional accessibility, and potential for building new networks and collaborations.' Yara Mrad, Program Manager, Beirut and Beyond, tells SceneNoise. However, the move proved beneficial, as participants were given the opportunity to immerse themselves in Cairo's musical landscape, attending a Zaar performance by the infamous group Mazaher. Egyptian multi-instrumentalist YUNIS joined the participants in WRST studio, where he shared his creative process and the inspirations behind his new record, and later invited them to attend his album launch party at Cairo Jazz Club.
Deena Abdelwahed, a trailblazing producer herself who has been making waves in the electronic music scene across MENA, Europe and beyond –guided participants on everything, from composition and sound design to navigating the industry and building sustainable careers. Her approach wasn't about imposing a set method, but rather encouraging self-discovery. 'Rather than following a rigid curriculum, the program was designed based on an open-ended and discursive approach, allowing artists to define, or redefine, their artistic direction through dialogue, feedback, and creative trials,' Mrad notes.
Collaboration with local music collectives and record labels in Cairo, particularly WRST collective, played a pivotal role in shaping the experience on the ground, providing the logistical support and direct connections needed within Egypt's music community. Participants got to attend a workshop with the lo-fi and electro-shaabi maestro, El Waili, right in his own studio, where he demystified his personal approach to beat-making and storytelling through production, further contributing to the residency's emphasis on practical knowledge sharing. Meanwhile, at Cairo Jazz Club, Egyptian sound engineer Nazli Reda also gave the participants a hands-on technical workshop on live performance, walking them through the D Day checklist and soundcheck technicalities.
'This helped the participants explore new ways of thinking about sound, audience, and community, allowing them to step outside of their usual context while remaining connected to the regional fabric that binds us.' Yara explains.
But, beyond the technical skills, the residency encouraged participants to engage with deeper artistic questions 'Altogether, we wanted to emphasize process over product, supporting the participants in asking the difficult but essential questions around what makes their sound distinct, and how to keep evolving it with clarity and intention.' Yara shares with SceneNoise.
This focus is crucial, especially for artists in the region who often don't have the privilege of dedicating uninterrupted time to their practice, as they struggle with financial instability and the need for stable side jobs, which frequently get in the way of creative exploration. As Yara puts it, 'Residencies like this one offer a much-needed space and time for artists to step away from their daily realities and focus solely on developing their music and sound.'
Looking ahead, Beirut and Beyond plans to continue supporting the participants of the residency by showcasing their work and offering further opportunities. This Cairo residency is just the initial thread of a larger vision to build a network of residencies that, according to Yara Mrad, 'not only support individual artistic journeys but also contribute to a vibrant, interconnected cultural landscape throughout the MENA region.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
16 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Mohamed Ramadan, Haifa Wehbe to Share Stage for First Time in Lebanon on August 23
Yara Sameh Egyptian actor and rapper Mohamed Ramadan will co-headline a very special show at the Forum De Beyrouth hall, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Saturday, August 23 at 08:00PM. The evening will also feature a performance by Lebanese singer, actress, and pop icon Haifa Wehbe. Wehbe promoted the concert on Instagram, saying: " It's official... Beirut are you ready? 🇱🇧 A concert you don't want to miss at Forum De Beirut on August 23, 2025 with Me Ana Haifa 😘 & the number 1 Mohamed Ramadan @mr1. See you under the lights of Lebanon 🎶🔥." This will mark the first time these two artists have ever performed on a bill together. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Haifa Wehbe (@haifawehbe) Ramadan, born on May 23, 1988, began acting while at school. He launched his career with small roles in TV series like 'The Cinderella' until he had his big break in Yousry Nasrallah's 'Ehky Ya Sharazad' (Tell me, Shahrazad). He then went on to star in blockbusters produced by the famous Egyptian producers Mohamed and Ahmed El Sobky, which made him one of the most bankable actors in the Middle East. Ramadan began exploring the music scene in the past years. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
See - Sada Elbalad
a day ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Webtoon Hit "Teenage Mercenary" to Be Adapted into Anime TV Series
Yara Sameh Webtoon action thriller "Teenage Mercenary" is being developed as an anime series. Webtoon Entertainment's Line Digital Frontier arm, which operates the company's Japan-based Line Manga and ebookjapan services, is working on the adaptation, which is at the development stage. Since launching in 2021, Teenage Mercenary has become one of Webtoon's top action titles with over 1.8 billion global views. It is available in 10 languages and ranked as Line Manga's top title in 2023 and 2024. 'Teenage Mercenary is one of those rare series that hits every note — action, emotion, suspense, and style,' said Sinbae Kim, Chief Growth Officer of Line Digital Frontier. 'It's a global sensation that's dominated across regions, and now it's getting the anime adaptation fans have been asking for. We're excited to bring this incredible story to new fans all over the world.' Created by YC and Rakyeon, "Teenage Mercenary" follows Ijin Yu, a child who survives a deadly plane crash and is forced to become a mercenary to survive. He returns to Korea a decade later and reunites with his family, only to find that life as a teenager presents its battles. Per the synopsis, 'With just one year of high school left, Ijin must trade in his battlefield tactics for hallway diplomacy. Can he survive the emotional minefield of adolescence, or will the school be the one that needs saving?'. 'I still remember when I first started planning Teenage Mercenary, and how nervous I was about how readers would respond when the series launched,' YC said. 'This anime adaptation wouldn't have been possible without the incredible support from our fans. I'm truly grateful and excited to share this moment with them.' 'When we first launched the series, I never imagined it would receive such immense love,' Rakyeon added. 'I'm deeply moved and thankful to meet global fans through this new form of storytelling as an anime.' Webtoon Entertainment has been growing a slate of anime adaptations and currently has 20 in development, including one for Omniscient Reader with Aniplex and Crunchyroll. Recent adaptations include Viral Hit, Tower of God Season 2, True Beauty, and Senpai is an Otokonoko on Crunchyroll. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
Identity
2 days ago
- Identity
Shkoon Drops ‘Greater Than One (Remixes)' EP, Giving ‘Mili,' ‘Souf,' and ‘Jadal' a Second Life
Shkoon just released Greater Than One (Remixes), a three-track EP that hands over their original work to a trio of international producers, each offering a fresh perspective on the group's blend of Arabic soul and electronic depth. Out via MDLBEAST Records, the EP kicks off with Berlin-based AWEN's moody, cinematic take on 'Mili', layering rich synths and deep bass around the track's emotional core. Lebanese-Nigerian producer Imad reimagines 'Souf' through an Afrohouse lens, building a rhythmic pulse that bridges his cultural roots and Shkoon's signature tension. Closing the release is Danish producer Nandu, who transforms 'Jadal' into a hypnotic, progressive house journey, stretching the original into a slow-burning, layered ascent. Each remix stands on its own while expanding the emotional and sonic language of Shkoon's Greater Than One album — a project already rooted in cultural fusion and introspection.
