Cairo According to: Nour

Roxy Cinema, Chinese food, and Sherine Abdelwahab, this is Cairo According to: Nour.

When Nour sat down for an interview with SceneNoise three years ago, she told us she was trying to create the kind of sound that didn’t then exist in Arabic. By all means, she’s accomplished that goal. With a voice instantly recognizable by its cool yet emotive detachment, Nour has now become synonymous with a unique strain of homegrown indie pop, and when she appeared on COLORS Studio last March performing a rendition of her single ‘Nesety Nafsek’, it was a win for the entire alternative scene in Egypt.

Here, Nour tells us how she would take us on a date, where you are most likely to run into her, and why her funny neighbourhood is funny.

A place that means Cairo to me:

Cairo is Masr El Gedida to me. It’s where I grew up. And it’s loud and busy but you find your hidden places and beautiful scenery along the way. Complete the following:

Cairo is… Chaotic!!!! Tell us about your neighbourhood? What's your favourite Cairo neighbourhood?

My current neighbourhood is Mokattam so it’s funny. There’s always kids playing and men fighting, music playing. I find it funny.

My favourite neighbourhood is Maadi all the way. I eat there, I work there, I hang out there, I study there, most importantly I can WALK there.

Your go-to food spot?

Don Pollo but its only delivery 😪 but I love, love, love, love Ju Feng Yuan in Maadi. Find me there 5/7 days a week. (Please don’t go there.)

Your go-to café or bar?

Tipsy Camel! I love watching tennis there and their food is great. Your go-to date spot?

Don’t have one. I really like to take my dates out by my usual day with a sprinkle of cute activities, so depends on what cuisine they like (I’d take them to the Chinese place no negotiations). What isn’t a Cairo landmark but should be?

Lemme think.  

Tell us a song that feels like Cairo. ‎

Anything by Aida el Ayoubi or Sherine. I would go ‘Ana Fel Gharam’ by Sherine. I would listen to it a lot, plus ‘Sabry Aalil’ when I’m away. What's a place in Cairo you wish you could revisit for the first time?

I would go for my Roxy, Masr el Gedida neighbourhood. Would love to visit it again for the first time and experience Roxy Cinema again and every store for the first time. Shoutout to لبان الساكت، احلي عاشورة في مصر, and going to Chantilly for the first time was magical!!!! Their fresh orange juice slaps. Still get it to this day.Oh but I also love anything by the Nile!! I don’t know where I can add that (the landmark question?).