INTERVIEWER: AHMED SAADALLA
“You don’t have to help only the starving and the sick, all children need guidance. The ones in your family, in your circle, in your city and everywhere you go. Always find time to stop and guide them. That was a lesson about skin color. What they thought and what they’ve learned will probably shape their self-thoughts forever.”
– May Abd El Aziz –
About May Abd El Aziz: An Egyptian humanitarian singer, seeing life in a different perspective and involved in different volunteering experiences spreading new meanings of love. She graduated from the American University in Cairo, studying Mass Communication. She acquired a graduate study in UCLA specializing in child psychology. Her main passion revolves around teaching and music. Today May Abd EL Aziz is talking to us in HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine. She will explore secrets that moved her and made her see life from her different perspective.
THE INTERVIEW
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: How did you get started with singing, playing, composing music? And what is the reason behind your inspiring singing and enthusiasm?
May Abd El Aziz: It all started after graduation. I have always loved music but I totally discovered it when I wanted to express my feelings towards a film that was made to mock prophet Muhammad (PBUH). And I found myself going directly to writing a song and expressing how he truly is through music. And then it became a way of expression.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: When it comes to attaining a goal, one feels proud. For you May, what are the accomplishments that you feel proud of?
May Abd El Aziz: Mostly whenever I teach a child something. They never forget. In fact, the messages I receive from them makes me sometimes cry. Indeed, they are very beautiful. Also, when I affect a person through my music…
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: You have studied psychology in USA, what can you say about your conclusion from this study and how it helped you in your career?
May Abd El Aziz: Oh, it really did help me… I became more understanding to why certain people act in certain ways and I have also become more aware of my own self and that also helped me greatly at writing music.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Why did you choose to volunteer and work for NGOs that care about animals while your qualification can let you work with a decent salary in a multinational?
May Abd El Aziz: I think it’s all about what you love and what you’re passionate about. I believe in the human being and animal mercy. And I’m planning on starting my own NGO that cares about both spheres.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Your love to animals is quite noticed in most of your communication messages. Do you recommend volunteering for a specific institute in Egypt to protect animal rights?
May Abd El Aziz: Yes of course. I recommend SPARE. They are amazing and they will really teach you what it’s like to be truly merciful.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: There is a difference between a humanitarian action and a voluntary service. Going to Africa is considered a bold move made by a bold Egyptian young woman and a talented singer… How did the idea develop in your mind? Was there a family concern? And how did you manage to challenge the circumstances there and really be an ambassador of hope?
May Abd El Aziz: The idea developed in my mind since I was young, from a very young age. I have always been obsessed and greatly interested in Africa. Its culture, people, the tribes and the music! There’s always something new that I discover about myself every time I go there. Of course my family was afraid at first but they understood that I will also keep myself safe.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: What can be learnt from volunteering abroad on the personal level?
May Abd El Aziz: You understand so much about yourself. You really understand the definition of strength being put under stressful situations. You become able to make faster and better choices. You become wiser, more understanding, more accepting and definitely keep your soul light. You start really drifting away from all the material things in this life and you focus more on the richness of the experience.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Do you advise youth to go for a voluntary work abroad or to volunteer in their country?
May Abd El Aziz: Definitely both are very important for them. To work in their own country is important, but it’s also very important for them to explore the world and other cultures and how this world works.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: You inspire many young people and you admire many tastes, can we say that you have a leadership talent that can influence and motivate others?
May Abd El Aziz: Honestly, yes. In fact, I haven’t acquired these skills by my self. I have always been seeing my father as an amazing leader and just being in a stable family makes one’s upbringing very helpful.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: How, from your experience, you think that volunteering can let you acquire skills and experience that can enable you to get a permanent job?
May Abd El Aziz: Definitely you understand the ability of yourself at its best. You understand the definition of real communication especially when you have different cultures, different religions and different backgrounds, and you all learn to communicate with each other.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: This means that it helps you acquire new skills amongst communication skills, team working and ultimately, diversity…
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HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Back to Music, Do you have favorite places or times where you like to write songs or even practice singing by yourself?
May Abd El Aziz: Yes, my absolute favorite time is when I’m on the airplane. I get so inspired by the shape of the clouds and how my train of thoughts just moves when I’m in the air. I always keep my phone next to me so that when I get like a certain melody in my head or certain words inspired by situations that I observe, I immediately write it down.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: In your song “Tamalaktom 3akly” do you think there is a relationship between lyrics and poetry? Will there be more of poetry singing in your future albums?
May Abd El Aziz: Yes, definitely this song was one of the most difficult songs because of the depth of this poetry, but there’s a very strong relationship between both. It’s very artistic and I normally write about my own personal thoughts or experiences and I think transforming them into a melody makes music very personal to me as well.
Link to the song Tamalktom 3akly:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4w8aLjwmFw&list=PLB_x3kJI_BBPvvxXfUFt-YD-hbo-bMxCm
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: In your song “Ashga3 Wa7da”, how did the idea grow whether in composing, or even in the video clip ideas?
May Abd El Aziz: It all started when I was sitting next to Sara, the director, and we were talking about how there is not any song about females that entirely empower them but also remind them of their fragility. So I went home and just found myself thinking very deeply about myself as a woman and the writing just came up I think it’s a very simple song but it also has a very powerful meaning to all the women out there.
Link to the song Ashga3 Wa7da:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLVDfAX3JjA
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: What instruments do you play, and which ones do you compose songs with?
May Abd El Aziz: Unfortunately I do not play any instruments. I did try to play the guitar and I terribly failed but I either just come up with a melody in my head or I just go to YouTube and start hearing random instrumental tracks. It really does help with how the melody totally forms.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Which musicians and songwriters have been the greatest influence? What are your favorite albums?
May Abd El Aziz: My whole life, I was very influenced by the Western music. I was very influenced by Celine Dion, Beyonce, Whitney Houston.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Who are your favorite current songwriters or musicians? Can you turn our readers on to someone they may not have heard of yet?
May Abd El Aziz: I love African music very much especially the modern African music. Now I’m influenced by Jessie J and this beautiful new singer called Tori Kelly. I also love Algeria’s music and a little bit of ed Sheeran.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: What do you think about the internet as a tool for promoting yourself and your music?
May Abd El Aziz: Now it’s the absolute best way to be out there in the world. It’s the best way to show the world who you are and your music taste and what do you want to change. Everyone has access to internet and gadgets. There is no question that you can influence people globally.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: What are your plans and hopes for the future with regard to your music?
May Abd El Aziz: I want to finish my first album which is called “Respect”. It talks about everything respectful in this life and I also want to have my own concert in 2016. Additionally, I’m planning to go to Los Angeles this summer as I have just finished my vocal coaching courses and also to get to meet international musicians and connect with them.
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: If I asked you to write a message to your fans and readers, what would you write?
May Abd El Aziz: Thank you for supporting me, I wish you the joy and peace of self love, devotion to others, mercy and kindness to what surrounds you, I wish you complete self-understanding, I wish you happiness, faith, strength to pass through painful times, and courage in facing tough situations.
Never forget who you are, or your purpose on this land. Never forget the beauty of your face and heart, and never underestimate your human powers and its ability to change minds and souls.
Love and respect,
May Abd El Aziz
HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Thank you so much Ms. May for sharing your beautiful passion with HR Revolution and with the world.
Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/mayabdelazizpage/timeline
Sound Cloud: