banoub Ramsis once said in an interview that Cairo's street culture has the biggest impact on him. If you watch his work, you’ll get why he says that. Though it is perhaps most evident in his longstanding partnership with Marwan Pablo, a collaboration that has given rise to hypnotic and otherworldly music videos for songs like ‘Déjà vu’, ‘Bono’, and ‘Lemaza’, you can see a trace of Cairo and all its contradictions across all of Abanoub’s work. Here, he breaks down the city, his muse.

A place that means Cairo to me:

Downtown Cairo. Every street and every building there holds a memory for me somehow. It’s one of the few places where I genuinely feel like every phase of my life still exists at the same time.Complete the following: Cairo is special because…

It never hides itself. It’s chaotic, emotional, loud, beautiful, and exhausting all at once and I think growing up in that energy shaped a huge part of my personality and the way I see the world.What's your favourite neighbourhood in Cairo?

I think my favourite neighbourhoods are still Maadi and Downtown Cairo because they both hold so many memories for me. One feels like home, the other feels like a movie set.Your go-to food spot?

Hawawshi El Refaey with Abdeen Palace right in front of you.Your go-to café?

Early mornings at Café Greco always feel peaceful to me, especially the outdoor tables. What isn’t a Cairo landmark but should be?

Probably Koshary Abou Tarek on Champollion Street. That whole building somehow became part of Downtown’s identity to me. Tell us a song that feels like Cairo. ‎