Ali Khalifa, aka The StALIion, is the 21st-century multihyphenate: content creator, stand-up comedian, dancer, and DJ. On his Koshary Shop Date series, he’s hosted characters as diverse as his own, from Amir El Masry and Ali El Sabaa to Om Gasser and Amy Roko. As one third of the Cairo-based DJ collective IASC (IYKYK), his mandate is simple–to make you dance.

Here, it was our turn to ask Khalifa the questions. What we learned is that 6th of October is dystopian, Khalifa should be (but isn’t yet) a Cairo landmark, and that he’s got beef with an American named Sandra.

A place that means Cairo to me:

Anywhere in Maadi. I know that the usual go-to answer for this question is Downtown, but I like Maadi because it encapsulates Cairo for me, or at least how I like to see Cairo.

You have the antique buildings, the newer developments, and greenery everywhere. Although I live in October now, anything significant that has happened in my life happened in Maadi. I started my show from here, my party collective from here, and I work, exercise and do everything out of here.Complete the following: Cairo is…

Alive. I love Cairo’s tendency to oust people towards community. Individualism isn't really a thing here. Apart from your one-off American Sandra, who thinks you asking her to pick you up from your house 11 minutes away is a boundary you shouldn't cross, people here are very much a unit.

What's your neighbourhood like?

I live in 6th of October, which feels like a dystopia. I hate gated communities because they remove the essence of Cairo life. They're ugly standardised buildings that are so far away from the bustle. A glorified prison if you ask me.

I love places like Maadi and Heliopolis because they’re walkable and not so far removed. That's not to say that they’re not also bubbles, but at least they’ve got a few breathable holes in them.

Your go-to food spot?

Used to be Gaya in Maadi, but now it’s the hot pot place next to it. Diabolical. The cucumber salad bites back. Mo Bistro is up there as well.Your go-to café or bar?

Greek Club. Ratios.Your go-to date spot?

Koshary shops. In all seriousness, though, 8 in the Four Seasons is what it should be but it's a 100 dollars per person for pea-sized dishes, so not really.What isn’t a Cairo landmark but should be?