Cairo-based producer and DJ Shiha has become one of the leading voices in Egypt’s electronic music movement, known for blending Arabic heritage with modern electronic soundscapes. His official remix of Hamid El Shaeri’s “Ayonha”, a timeless Egyptian pop anthem of the ’80s, channels nostalgia into an Afro-house journey that has resonated across dancefloors worldwide. With a background that spans trance, deep house, and Afro-house, Shiha thrives on pushing boundaries while staying rooted in emotional storytelling. Beyond his productions, he’s helping shape Cairo’s growing electronic scene and is set to expand his international footprint in 2025 with new releases and immersive live performances.

Thanks for taking the time to chat with us today. Where are we finding you right now, and  what’s the vibe like where you are? 

I’m in Cairo at the moment, surrounded by that mix of chaos and creativity that keeps me inspired.  Between wrapping up promo for the release, rehearsing sets, and working on visuals for upcoming  shows, the vibe is electric. It’s one of those weeks where everything feels like it’s moving at high  speed — and I thrive on that energy.

How did the opportunity to remix Hamid El Shaeri’s track come about? “Ayonha” is one of  the most iconic Egyptian pop tracks of the 80s, what does the original song mean to you  personally? 

It started with a bootleg remix I did for Ahmad Fakroun’s Gelty. My friend in Jordan — who runs  House of Afandi, played it to Hamid El Shaeri, and Hamid loved it. That opened the door to  remix one of his own songs officially. I chose Ayonha because it’s always been a personal favorite  — timeless, instantly recognizable, and full of emotion. It has this special groove that speaks to  both nostalgia and modern energy, which made it perfect for reimagining.

Can you walk us through your creative process for transforming “Ayonha” into an  incredible Afro-house track? 

I began by isolating those unforgettable vocals — they were always going to be the centerpiece.  From there, I built an Afro-house foundation with deep, and tribal percussion. I wanted the  arrangement to feel like a journey, gradually pulling the listener deeper into the groove, while  keeping that emotional connection to the original intact by reimagining the melodies. Every layer  was chosen to complement the vocal, not compete with it.

The track blends nostalgic Arabic vocals with modern grooves, how did you strike that  balance without losing the spirit of the original? 

For me, it was about respect. The original vocal delivery is iconic, so I avoided altering its feel or  phrasing. Instead, I worked on building a sonic environment around it that enhanced its emotion and  energy for a dance floor setting. The aim was for long-time fans of Ayonha to feel that instant  familiarity, while club audiences hear it as something fresh and exciting.

Were there any specific production challenges or breakthrough moments while making the  remix? 

One of the biggest challenges was that the original stems simply weren’t available. That meant I had  to reverse-engineer the vocals, using AI to extract them from the original mix. It was a delicate  process — cleaning them up, removing artifacts, and making them sound as if I’d been handed  pristine studio recordings. Once the vocals were in great shape, everything else started to fall into  place.

How has Cairo’s electronic music scene evolved since you started, and where do you see it  heading next? 

When I first started, the scene was small and very underground. Over the years, it’s expanded  massively — more venues, bigger productions, and a wave of talented producers experimenting  with sound. I see it continuing to grow internationally, with Egyptian music becoming a bigger part  of the global conversation in electronic music.

What influences have shaped your sound? 

My sound is shaped by a mix of styles rather than specific artists. I’ve been influenced by  everything from classical music, trance and progressive house to electro, deep house, and Afro house. I like to freestyle between genres and let ideas flow without boundaries. That eclectic  approach is how I interpret music — blending different energies into something that feels both  personal and universal.

What can fans expect from you in the coming months, on the release front or live  performances? 

I’ll be dropping more music over the next few months and putting a strong focus on developing my  visual brand. For me, the visual side is just as important as the music — it’s about creating an  immersive experience that connects with people on multiple levels.

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SHIHA | MOSHIE | HOUSE OF AFANDI