The StALion on the Rise of DIY Dance Floors in Cairo

A content creator, stand-up comic, dancer and now a DJ, Aly Khalifa, aka The StAlion, doesn’t fit into one land. With his infectious charisma, killer punchlines, and most importantly, purely unadulterated way of self-expression, He’s quickly become a recognisable force across Egypt’s entertainment and nightlife circuits. He is also a member of IASC, one of the most talked about electronic party series and collectives in Cairo, which has garnered a huge cult following in and outside of Egypt with their heart-pumping mixes of afrobeats, amapiano, balie funk, and jersey club, all stitched together with 2000s Arabic pop and mahraganat cuts.

As part of ‘Tafra Sessions’ - a collaborative series by SceneNoise, Power Horse and Maz Market designed to spotlight the disruptors of Egyptian dance culture - The StAlion speaks candidly about the birth story of the IASC collective, and how it aims to normalise free self-expression on the dancefloor and fill a gap in Egypt’s nightlife by giving afrobeats and amapiano the space it deserves. He also reflects on a new generation of DJs who are more expressive, more hands-on, less dependent on big venues, choosing instead to create their own spaces. 

Watch the full interview below: