In the latest instalment of WaraElMazzika’s ongoing ‘5 Fav’ series, Egyptian producer, singer, and mastering engineer HatemBas, whose mastering work includes some of the country’s biggest hits, shares five albums that have shaped his approach to music production, from learning to embrace imperfections and leave space in an arrangement to taking risks and reworking local sounds in ways that feel fresh.
1. Actual Life – Fred again..
This album changed how I think about what music can be made from, turning voice notes, random recordings, and real-life moments into songs. It taught me that the most powerful sound in a track can be something personal and imperfect, and that emotion matters more than polish.
2. Yeezus – Kanye West
The boldest album I’ve ever heard, Yeezus is raw, aggressive, and stripped down, showing me how much impact you can create by taking things away rather than adding more. It gave me the courage to make choices that feel risky.
3. Toktok El Waili – El Waili
This one made me proud of where I come from, proving that Egyptian sounds can be presented in a fresh, modern way while holding their own alongside anything happening globally. It pushed me to bring more of that identity into my own work.
4. Blonde – Frank Ocean
An album I keep coming back to for its space, minimal arrangements, and the way the vocals carry everything, Blonde taught me to trust silence and focus on serving the feeling of a song instead of filling every gap.
5. Shababeek – Mohamed Mounir
A classic that still sounds ahead of its time, Shababeek brings Egyptian and Nubian roots together with a modern band sound, a blend I’m always chasing in my own music. The title track is my favourite for how simple, warm, and honest it feels, reminding me that a great song doesn’t need to be complicated to stay with you forever.
