Gharam Electric launches new label, YA BOY Records, drops debut single

Beirut's own Gharam Electric, helmed by the visionary Wassim Bou Malham, has launched a new label, YA BOY Records, and released the label’s namesake debut single.

Wassim Bou Malham, professionally known as Gharam Electric, is famed for his pioneering role with Who Killed Bruce Lee, his first band in the Lebanese indie dance scene, and as a co-founder of Factory People, the company behind some of the most iconic clubs such as AHM, Grand Factory, Isolé and Reunion in the Middle Eastern scene for the past 12 years. This new venture is heralded as the vanguard of the new wave of Arab dance music, a genre-bending fusion that veers from traditional tones towards a revolutionary, contemporary resonance.

‘Ya Boy’ encapsulates Wassim Bou Malham's decade-long artistic journey, blending the intricate beauty of Arabic music with the pulsating beats of modern club anthems. The track’s resonance is felt as it finds its way into the sets of the likes of Âme, Dixon and Mano Le Tough. With its rich amalgam of funk, jazz, electronic, hip-hop and R&B, all interwoven with emotive Arabic lyricism, Gharam Electric stands at the forefront of an audacious shift in the musical zeitgeist.

Supporting the track is the official music video, directed by Ingrid Bawab, known for her imaginative flair. The video also showcases Yousra Mohsen, a dancer whose forward-thinking approach places her among the region's leading performers.

The debut single is set to be followed by a selection of avant-garde remixes from the likes of El Waili, Vinyl Mode and Yet More, resulting in a 4-track EP soon.

Buy ‘Ya Boy’ here, watch the official music video below.