
Biography
written by Luca Bertaiola
on 7th july 2015
Born in Kuwait on 7th September 1986, Tony Attalla is a Lebanese-Egyptian Rapper, Songwriter, Music Producer, DJ and founder of “cigAwet Productions”.
Better known by his stage name ‘Attalla’is one of the pioneers of Kuwait’s Hip Hop revolution, pioneers of Kuwait’s Hip Hop revolution, where he began to record and distribute his tracks and mix tapes back in 2000.
‘Attalla’ gained local popularity when he released his 2nd mixtape ‘That’s Me’ in 2002 and gradually evolved his musical talent to DJing and sequencing musical talent to DJing and sequencing samples and loops to create beats for himself as well as for other rappers.
Seeking a more strategic destination and a bigger opportunity, ‘Attalla’ chose Bahrain as his home back in 2004 to develop and carry on with his vision and develop and carry on with his vision and mission.
Growing up writing poetry, playing the drums and inspired by classic rap music like (DMC, 2pac, NWA, Biggie, Snoop, Eminem), it was a matter of time before all the talent shifted to Hip Hop. Attalla began his career and made his first local break with a Mixtape called ‘That’s Me’ which he recorded in his bedroom which set a mark and pioneered in spreading a Hip Hop movement in Kuwait when he started back in 2000.
Inspired, curious and determined Attalla explored other musical fields and learned to DJ, make beats and play the piano which sparked the idea and vision of cigAwet Productions.
Seeking a more strategic destination and a bigger opportunity, Attalla moved to Bahrain back in 2004 to develop and carry on with his vision. Involving with the local scene, Attalla began performing in events and shows where he quickly began building a strong foundation and name.
Since then, ‘Attalla’ has been involved with many local and international artists,DJs and organizers, and has taken part in many events and shows both regionally and around the kingdom of Bahrain where he quickly built a strong foundation and name. He has performed/Emceed in various live shows for clients like Beirut Marathon Association, Porsche, Tiger Beer, Zain, BIC, Red Bull, Ramee Group, Elite Group, BMMI and including venues such Red Bull, Ramee Group, Elite Group, BMMI and including venues such as Skybar, Ibrida. XS. Wranglers, Coral Bay, Mezzaluna, Tabu, Cocoon, Marina Club and many more.
‘Attalla’ has been featured in and interviewed by many tv/radio stations nationally and regionally like Al’Aan TV, Rotana TV, Bahrain TV, Sawa FM, Bahrain FM, Kuwait FM, Lebanon FM and many more. As well as local and national press coverages from the likes of Al Ayam newspaper, Gulf Daily News, Gulf Weekly, Bahrain Tribune and Bahrain This Month, just to name a few.
During 2005-2007, ‘Attalla’ focused on composing music “from scratch” as he calls it, where he started playing the piano in addition to his lifetime passion – the drums. He claims to have a stronge relationship with the music that he composes as a song writer as he is in full control of all aspects of a track.
Attalla’s regional recognition came with the release of Attalla’s regional recognition came with the release of ‘Attalla 2008’ album/mixtape, which consisted of 14 songs of his own music and lyrics. Songs like ‘Pressure on me’ and ‘Sux 4 U’ were instant hits that boosted Attalla’s popularity, radio plays and performances.
Later that year, Attalla released 2 singles, ‘Middle Later that year, Attalla released 2 singles, ‘Middle East’ and ‘Call For Peace’, which left a big international impact on media and public audience and inspired Mr. Art Jones (TV Director, U.S.A) to start a TV Special talent show ‘Stand Up Step Up’ where ‘Attalla’ was featured as a host, judge and presenter.
In 2009, ‘Attalla’ started ‘cigAwet Productions’ – his own music recording and composing studio, which gave him a massive leap towards composition and production. ‘cigAwet Productions’ music echoed to the masses and produced different genres of music for artists as well as music/audio services for companies, hotels, TV shows & radio stations.
In 2010, ‘Im Off’ single was released and got more than 8,000 downloads in 2 weeks. the track got featured on ‘The Middle East Invasion II’ mixtape by’DJ OUTLAW’.
Attalla was selected and honored to make an official soundtrack for ‘2010 Beirut Marathon’ with the Saudi Poet ‘May Kutbi’ which they called ‘Running For You’ and performed the track live in Lebannon at Biel Beirut. ‘Running for you’ echoed through the masses and the video was aired on radio ‘Running for you’ echoed through the masses and the video was aired on radio stations globally and the official video was aired on major TV channels like LBC, Future TV, MTV Lebanon, Rotana Khalejia and more.
In 2011, ‘Attalla’ released his official debut solo video ‘Changin’ and was featured on the front cover page of CO-EDS magazine which contained a DVD of the video with every issue of that edition.
In 2012, Attalla teamed up with ‘King Kemit’ and took both, the rap artist and the producer role ‘cigAwet Productions’, which resulted in releasing two Underground Rap mixtapes: ‘The Throne’ and ‘Indigo Child’.
Other local and international artists that Attalla has worked with include Massari, Hinda Hicks, Elena Qarooni, May Kutbi, Jennifer Crestol, Tris Be, MC Blue, Hamad Al Fardan, May Al Qassim, DJ CROW, DJ Outlaw, DJ Chitronix, DJ Swing amongst many other names.
In 2013, ‘Attalla’ once again broke his political silence and dropped his first track in Arabic language ‘Elli Menha Awela Beeha’ which highlighted the Egyptian struggle and its political despair a that time.
Later that year, a single featuring rappers ‘King Kemit’ & ‘Lokation’ called ‘Tripple Platter’ and a single called ‘Keep It Hood’ ft. King Kemit were released and has earned ‘Attalla’ a #1 rank on the Regional/National Hip Hop ‘ReverbNation’ charts.
In 2014, Attalla strikes back with another single ‘Thank You’ and it became an instant success that escalated to earn #8 spot for Rap genre in ‘N1M’ music charts globally! Later that year, a promo video of a track called ‘Gently Weeps’ was released as a contribution to ‘The Beatles’
In 2015, The year was initiated with the release of the single ‘Turn Down For What’ (Middle East rap remake ft. Tris Be) which succeeded in penetrating so many clubs around the world and was performed live at skybar along side a team of dubai’s biggest musicians.
Later that year ‘Attalla’ teams up with Director ‘Mazen Malas’ and Director of Photography Sam Fawaz and releases his 2nd Photography Sam Fawaz and releases his 2nd official music video ‘Allah Yer7am’ which was exclusively airing on the biggest music channel in the Middle East ‘MAZZIKA’ for 2 weeks before it was available online, which then became an internet sensation with over than 120k views within sensation with over than 120k views within weeks and radio plays across the region.
The single ‘Allah Yer7am’ is sold and distributed widely across the biggest digital music stores like itunes, spotify, google and amazon.
‘Allah Yer7am’ once again takes Attalla to ‘Allah Yer7am’ once again takes Attalla to the top of the charts and earn him the #1 musician spot in Bahrain across all genres on Reverbnation charts.
In 2016,
Attalla released a Middle Eastern Remix of the infamous rap hit ‘PANDA’ which was an instant success on social media with constant radio plays and was nominated as constant radio plays and was nominated as the best Arabic remix by Radio Algeria. Panda ‘The Arablish Remix’ is still going hard on Youtube and generating hundreds of views daily.
In July 2016, Attalla released his third official music video ‘CRIMINAL’ premiering in a massive media event and live show highlighting the release and promoting the new Mix Tape. The much anticipated Mix Tape ‘Countless Blessings’by Attalla is set to release during August and will include 11 tracks featuring a number of local and international artists and is expected to tour the region promoting the mix tape.
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Shows & performances