From the electric maze of Cairo to the sleek halls of ADE and the wild sands of Jordan, Saify is making waves as one of the region’s most dynamic DJs. His energy flows through three veins: his own hypnotic sets of Melodic House and Afro House, the playful madness of @zabadi.khalat, and the collective rhythm of @the_disc_jockeys. A true storyteller, groove alchemist, and cultural connector, we sat down with him to dive into his sound, his vision, and where this journey is taking him next.
You’re part of both @zabadi.khalat and @the_disc_jockeys — how do you balance your identity between two very different projects?
“Each project feeds a different part of me. Zabadi Khalat is cultural fusion and storytelling—playful, unpredictable, and rooted in the region’s flavor. The Disc Jockeys is all about groove and energy. As Saify, I bring the Afro House, Melodic House, and deeper side of my sound. Each alias lets me express a unique vision, and the balance comes from staying true to the vibe of each without losing my core.”
Your sets are known for their groove and energy. What’s your approach to building a dancefloor journey?
“I start with rhythm—always. Afro & Melodic House gives me a wide palette of percussive textures and emotional builds. I like to start deep and gradually push the energy up, keeping it hypnotic and tribal. I imagine myself on the dancefloor — I want to feel surprised, seen, and fully locked into the moment.”
Tell us about the moment music became more than just a hobby.
“It was a Halloween night at Cairo Jazz over ten years ago. Mohasseb played a set that just transformed the whole room. The control, the emotion, the connection—it hit me. I went home that night, downloaded my first DJ software, and that was it. No turning back.”
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How has the Cairo scene shaped you — and how do you hope to shape it in return?
“Cairo is chaos and soul. It teaches you to read unpredictable crowds and stay resilient. It made me dig deeper and embrace my own voice. I hope to give back by pushing Afro and Melodic House into new spaces, inspiring younger DJs to trust their identity—not just copy trends—and create platforms that bring different sounds together.”
One track that never leaves your USB?
“‘Clap Your Hands’ (Solomun Remix). It’s a weapon. Timeless energy, an unforgettable hook, and total crowd control every single time.”
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You’re known as a “button pusher” — what’s your current favorite gear?
“Pioneer CDJ-3000s and the DJM-V10 mixer. The CDJs give me full creative control, but the V10 is where the real magic happens. With six channels, isolator EQ, and powerful FX, it feels like live remixing. I’m always tweaking something to keep things fluid and unpredictable.”
What inspires your creative direction—beyond music?
“Visuals. Photography, surreal art, and Egyptian design all shape my world. Even Cairo street scenes—chaotic yet somehow balanced. Conversations and emotions also leave a mark; a memory can turn into a full track.”
You’ve played across many cities—what crowd surprised you the most?
“ADE was next-level. The crowd was super musically educated, so I had to earn every moment. But once I did, the energy exploded. Jordan’s open-air vibe brought something spiritual. Dubai and Abu Dhabi were more polished but hungry for fresh sounds. Each city pushed me to adapt and evolve.”
What does success mean to you—local respect or international recognition?
“Both—but in that order. Local respect is your foundation. Your city sees your roots, your hustle. But international reach puts your scene on the map. I want to carry Cairo’s sound to the world, while staying deeply rooted here.”
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What’s next for Saify in 2025?
“2025 is the year I fully step into production. I’m working on my first EP—Afro-driven with melodic soul—and some exciting collaborations. Stay close.”
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