1. Tell us about Shady Sheha
Shady Sheha was born in 1977 in Cairo where he grew up before moving to Vienna. Back in Cairo, he graduated from the German School and studied to become a certified interpreter in German, English and Arabic. He also speaks fluent French and Italian.
In 2003, he participated in the music show “German Idol”and advanced to the final 90 out of 19500 contestants after several TV appearances. In the same year, he wrote and recorded the song “On the Ride” for the album of the World Music / Fusion project “East Enders”. It was published the year after and was nominated Top 30 World Music album of the year 2004. He sang the modern Rai – song in his native tongue in such a passionate way that it has already been licensed for several compilations in the USA and the UK. Shady is currently competing in the music show “The Voice of Germany”, where he has reached the TOP round of 16.
2. Can you tell us more about your work and academic background? And how it relates to reaching THE VOICE?
I am the sales director of a music – and film distribution company, which actually has nothing to do with my field of study. I graduated from “Alsun” then got certified in Germany to become an official interpreter for the German government bodies such as the police, court and the Federal Bureau of Criminal Investigations. I do that on the side, whenever they need me. I sing when I’m booked for an event in my spare time.
3. In 2003, you participated in Germany’s Idol and reached the final 90 out of 19,500 contestants. In what way did this experience help you reach THE VOICE?
I remember everything about my participation at the show back in 2003. I was very nervous and inexperienced, but still very successful. Singing in front of so many cameras and millions of people gave me courage; the acceptance of the audience also gave me a big push. Eleven years later, I decided to try again in The Voice, and it is a bit different because it mostly features the talents for their musical ability and their performance and not because of their origin, their life stories or colour. Having been on a similar show before helped me be a lot more relaxed and focused on my performance. I realized that besides performing the best way I could, I should just be myself.
4.We know that your father earned a PhD in theatrical drama, tell us if being raised in an artistic family helped you reach your dream.
Being raised in an artistic family was very helpful. It was not only my father, but also my mother who was a theatre critic. It was actually a lot of fun watching a movie together, because they would quickly figure out who will get married to whom, who the killer was, or who had robbed the bank and would die at the end.
We used to listen to a lot of music. My dad bought me my first Walkman when I was 9 when we moved to Austria. I guess the strongest support I got was from my uncle Daoud Rafique who has been singing professionally since the early 80’s. He heard me sing when I was 6 and told my parents that I would grow to be a professional singer someday. He used to buy the latest music from the States and lend me the tapes, so I could listen and learn.When I turned 18, he got me my first singing job in a resort in Hurghada.
5. What type of challenges have you faced early on while pursing your passion in singing? And how did you face them?
My first challenge wasmy first job as a singer. I went to Hurghada with only 10 songs in my pocket and I knew that wouldn’t be enough to fill a whole night, I needed at least 3 times as much. The fact that I was a little boy, compared to the big Red Sea stars back then – Daoud, Ashraf Sobhy, Hazem Ossmanmade everyone wonder what am I doing here. They quickly discovered that I could sing any song just like the original and that it didn’t matter if it was in German, English, French or Italian. That earned me the respect I deserved despite my young age. When you are successful at what you do, you are surrounded by two kinds of people: the ones who hate you and envy you because you’re good at what you do and the ones who love you and are proud of you for the same reason. In time you learn to deal with both,it’s the school of life! My only weak point was not being able to sing in Arabic! It’s not because I don’t want to, I just can’t. Oriental singing has a different scale and it’s just not one of my strengths.Unfortunately that is how I knew that I would never make it as a singer in Egypt, because you’d have to sing in Arabic if you wanted to be a star.
6. Are you willing to go back to Egypt one day, or not? And if yes, what for? (the country, doing a concert, etc.)
Of course I’m willing to go back to Egypt; it’s my home country! In fact I’m flying to Egypt on Dec. 26th to sing at “Divino” in Port Ghalib and for a concert at “White Beach Club” in Hurghada on Dec 29th, before I host the New Year celebration at the Kempinski in Soma Bay.
It’s my dream to have a big concert in Cairo with a crowd of at least 1000 people. I think this is one of the things missing in Cairo. I know there are nice places to go enjoy some live music like the Cairo Jazz Club, The Riverside in Zamalek or Villa 55 in Maadi.
But there are no concerts, where people can buy tickets in advance, where there are international artists, promoters and sponsors. I’m sure there are good event organizers in Cairo who could pull off a concert like that.
7. If you have given two options, would you stay in Germany, or go back to Egypt? And why?
At the moment I have a good life in Germany. My work, my family – it’s all going well. So, leaving is not an option for me right now. I try to visit Egypt as many times as possible. I know that one day I will be back for good.
8. What do you miss about Egypt?
I miss spending time with my parents. My mother is an amazing cook and many times when I’m sitting here for dinner I just wish I could be there to eat her Mahshi and Bamya and all the other good stuff! What I miss all the time is the warmth of the Egyptians; it’s different in Europe. I miss watching old Adel Imam and Younis Shalaby plays and giggling breathlessly with my friends.
9. If you want to inspire the Egyptian youth to follow their dreams, what would you tell them?
I would tell them to follow and keep following their dreams no matter whom or what stands in the way. I would tell them that every little thing in life happens for a reason and that they should always stay true to themselves. It’s not only luck that takes you further; it’s YOUR hard work!!
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