Let the Nile King rock your feet...
I've been digging the late John Singleton's FX crime drama Snowfall of late, which does a fabulous job recreating 1983 Los Angeles -- complete with a terrific soundtrack. This is how I was finally introduced to the electrohip-hop work of Greg J. Broussard, better known as The Egyptian Lover.
If we were to use the terminology of professional wrestling, we might say that Broussard is living the gimmick and keeping kayfabe alive. Because make no mistake, The Egyptian Lover is an actual Egyptian Pharaoh who lives in a temple complex on the Nile and has access to modern technologies like DJ turntables, water beds and stereo speakers, perhaps via time travel. Also robots.
While I haven't explored his entire discography yet, this theme seems to remain recurrent if not completely intact throughout his career as a solo artist.
I want to focus on his 1984 album On the Nile, which tantalizes us with an amazing Earth Wind & Fire-inspired album cover and then backs it up completely with some amazing tracks. First, let's start with the album's standout track and the Nile King's biggest hit, Egypt Egypt.
This is the track featured on Snowfall and it's a fabulous introduction to the Lover's work -- killer beat, Kraftwerk-esque electro styling, sci-fi flourishes and a suave eroticism. The following track, I Cry (Night After Night), is more of a somber affair, complete with an emotional 80s guitar solo that reminds us of the timeless, possibly cybernetic Nile King's humanity and longing for human connection. Cry with me now:
There are other standout tracks, including Computer Love (Sweet Dreams) and Girls, but I'm really fond of My House (On the Nile).
It's a solid track, but it's also so rich with Egyptian Loverness, that one can't help but smile. Consider the following lyrics:
Inside my house reminds me of me.
It's the ultimate pad, you have to see.
With a waterbed 50 feet long.
With solid gold speakers to hear this song.
May the Egyptian Lover reign a thousand years. You can find the Nile King's work everywhere you get your music, but make sure to check out his Bandcamp page. Again, I haven't explored his entire discography yet, but there's a lot of of it and what I've heard so far holds up.