Egyptian rapper Marwan Pablo was fined EGP 50,000 while Afroto was fined EGP 100,000 for publicly resisting the new guidelines implemented by the recently elected head of the Musicians Syndicate, Mostafa Kamel, which regulate the genres’ music, lyrics, and performances.
The new conditions prohibit lyrics that are deemed offensive to ‘Egyptian family values’, and require artists to perform along with a band of twelve syndicate authorised musicians, on top of obtaining a permit from the Ministry of Culture’s Central Authority for the Censorship of Works of Art.
Both artists have violated those guidelines at their latest performances.
In retaliation, the Musicians Syndicate suspended Marwan Pablo and Afroto from performing, effective immediately, and have called all Egyptian rappers in for a voice assessment, following which they will be registered and held accountable to the syndicate's new rules.
