Audeze interviews Egyptian artist and record producer Hassan El Shafei

Audeze Artist Profile

Hassan El Shafei

Hassan El Shafei is an Egyptian artist, record producer and media personality with a wide fanbase across the region. Hassan has successfully worked with the biggest names in the Arab music industry as a composer, arranger and record producer. Not just creating chart topping hits, but also winning accolades, recognition and respect. He cemented himself as a multi-award winning producer. El Shafei also established his own label to create, produce, and promote the underground and unconventional music scene with his own distinct flavor, aptly named "The Basement Records." He was a multi-season judge on American Idol spinoff ARAB IDOL, and he has collaborated with some of the biggest global brands including HUGO BOSS, PEPSI, FIFA, VODAFONE and in 2017 was the cover of FORBES MIDDLE EAST MAGAZINE.

In His Own Words

"I never felt comfortable using headphones before because I felt I was losing a lot compared to regular monitors plus they caused quick ear fatigue. That prespective changed completely when I tried the Audeze headphones..."

- Hassan El Shafei

Notable Works by Hassan

Can you pick a few highlights from your work that you're especially proud of?

Hassan El Shafei ft. Abla Fahita - Mayestahlushi

Hassan El Shafei ft. Hany Adel - Qalby Yohadethony

Sherine - Kalam Eineh

Amr Diab - Wayah

Qatar 2015 Official Anthem "Live It"

Hassan El Shafie ft. Pousi & Double Zuksh - Mesh Shayfenhom (Coke Studio Egypt 2023)

How would you define your main role on most of your projects these days?

Some projects are me being the artist and producer featuring other great artists collaborating, trying to create a new concept in the middle east and north Africa. Other projects were produced for some of the biggest artists in the region and producing the main anthem for the handball world cup in Qatar.

What was some favorite music growing up and how has that evolved?

I started my musical journey way back when I was 6 years old or so, showing my interest towards my grandmother's upright piano. I had a great appetite for music, and I listened to different genres from classical to metal at a young age till I found my voice in contemporary electronic music.

Can you name any factors that influenced the course of your musical life?

I believe the core of what I like to create is fusion and mixing sounds and genres together, and that all originated from having a passion towards different genres of music. I had many heroes like Diana Krall in modern jazz, Pantera and Metallica in metal, Fairuz in Arabic oriental music, and groups like Moderate in electronic Music.

Can you describe a moment of frustration from your past work, and how you may have overcome it?

Funny thing about this question is that I am working on my old dream project as an electronic music producer and releasing my first ep under a new alias. I do have a well designed and tuned studio with hi end monitors, yet after all these years I felt that I got stuck into a technical realm and I need to hear my music from a different perspective and focus on the music rather than the technical side of things... that's when a good friend of mine who I trust recommended Audeze, and since I tried an Audeze pair, it completely revamped my current workflow and all of a sudden I was able to focus on the music and not only the technical part.

What is your current favorite instrument, effect, or piece of gear?

For me I always have to have a felt piano library to play on my 88 hammer keyboard. This is usually where all ideas start, by jamming for a while.

Do you have any words of wisdom for people who might aspire toward a similar path?

As cliché as it might sound, always try to find your voice and sound and don't care what people will think about it. Express yourself genuinely and that will naturally resonate with your fans.

How long have you been working with headphones, and how do you use them in your workflow?

I never felt comfortable using headphones before because I felt I was losing a lot compared to regular monitors, plus they caused quick ear fatigue. That perspective changed completely when I tried the Audeze headphones, actually nowadays I tend to go to my Audeze to create new ideas and to also reference what I have been working on in my studio.

How have your Audeze headphones affected your work? Can you tell us what you've been working on with them recently?

I have high end far field monitors and my room is acoustically treated and tuned and I trust what I hear in my room a lot but this is only in my studio, meaning when I am out of my space this privilege isn't present and to have such a balanced monitoring experience in a headphone is priceless, especially when they are comforatble enough that you can use for a longer period of time.

I also use them in my studio to get a different prespective and that is very important in my production and mixing stages.

I am working on my "all time dream project", an electronic ep and live set and I am using the Audeze heavily on this project... may it be my lucky charm!