Egyptian Lover Reflects on “Egypt, Egypt”: A Timeless Electro-Funk Classic

The iconic electro-funk track "Egypt, Egypt" remains a defining anthem of the 80s electro scene, as Egyptian Lover shares stories behind the beat and its lasting impact.

The Rise of Electro in 1980s Los Angeles

Back in 1983, Los Angeles was buzzing with a fresh wave of hip-hop energy. While East Coast legends like Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” and Grandmaster Flash’s “The Message” had already laid the groundwork, the West Coast was carving out its own identity. Enter the electro and party rap scenes, where drum machines and electronic beats became the heart and soul of dance floors.

At the epicenter was Uncle Jamm’s Army, a powerhouse collective founded by local promoter Rodger Clayton. This crew was more than just DJs and performers—it was a launchpad for influential names like Ice-T, DJ Bobcat, DJ Pooh, Arabian Prince, and of course, Egyptian Lover. Their innovative use of drum machines and synths would go on to inspire future G-Funk producers and set clubs ablaze across the city.

Greg Broussard, otherwise known as Egyptian Lover. (Credit: Werner Berger)

Crafting an Electro-Funk Anthem: The Birth of “Egypt, Egypt”

Among the standout tracks of that scene was Egyptian Lover’s breakthrough single “Egypt, Egypt,” featured on his 1984 debut album On the Nile. With his pioneering affection for the Roland TR-808 drum machine, Egyptian Lover had already made waves with earlier independent releases like “Dial-A-Freak” and “Yes, Yes, Yes.” But “Egypt, Egypt” took everything up a notch.

The track’s infectious beats and hypnotic grooves had radio stations flooded with calls from listeners desperate to hear it again and again. Greg Broussard, aka Egyptian Lover, quickly realized he’d struck gold. The single climbed onto the Billboard Pop chart and solidified itself as a cornerstone of electro-funk and B-Boy culture for over four decades.

From South Central Dreams to Global Stages

Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, Broussard often dreamed of breaking free from the neighborhood grind. Now, decades later, he delivers his signature electro-funk sound to clubs around the world and still helms his own label, Egyptian Empire Records. His passion for music remains unshaken, with his latest album 1987 released in 2025 and fresh projects on the horizon.

Talking about the magic behind “Egypt, Egypt,” Egyptian Lover takes us back to those early days and reveals the tales behind the iconic track.

The Beginning: Taking a Chance on the 808

“The first time I brought the 808 to a massive party at the L.A. Sports Arena, I was nervous,” Egyptian Lover recalls. Picture this: 10,000 people packed in, and here he was, about to play a drum machine live. Would the crowd dig it, or would they boo him off?

He was spinning Afrika Bambaataa’s “Planet Rock” when he cleverly faded out the record during the breakdown and let the 808 take over. To his relief, the dance floor stayed on fire. “They liked this 808 sound,” he said.

The Uncle Jamm’s Army owner was stunned. “What record are you playing?” he asked. “I’m playing a drum machine,” came the reply. That moment sparked the creation of “Dial-A-Freak” and “Yes, Yes, Yes,” setting the stage for “Egypt, Egypt” — which Egyptian Lover quickly followed up with, fueled by the studio's limitless possibilities.

Hustlin’ Hustlin’: Studio Adventures and Accidental Genius

Studio time didn’t come cheap, and Broussard had to hustle every penny to get his ideas recorded. He brought in friends like Tracy Kendrick to learn the ropes, and even though the engineer took his sweet time EQ’ing the beats — a move driven by hourly pay — the result was pure magic.

The engineer promised to make the track sound better than “Planet Rock,” and he delivered. An accidental discovery happened while plugging in the 808: the “accent” input boosted the drum machine’s sound, making it punchier and louder. After tweaking the bass and equalizing the track, “Egypt, Egypt” found its unique sonic identity.

With three hours left in the studio session, Broussard churned out more gems like “My Beat Goes Boom,” “What is a DJ If He Can’t Scratch,” and “Ultimate Scratch,” turning his time to pure creative gold.

The Devil is in the Details: The Myth Behind “Beast Beats”

Interestingly, Egyptian Lover shares a spooky tale about the song “Beast Beats.” On his way to record it, he had a vivid hallucination of the devil telling him his future—a prophecy about creating a hit song that would make him famous. This freaked him out, fearing he’d be selling his soul.

He briefly shelved “Beast Beats” and instead reworked parts into “Egypt, Egypt.” The track itself is a clever amalgamation of three different songs fused into one seamless electro journey. Each verse sounds distinct, lacking a traditional chorus or bridge, but it all works as a celebration of his best beats and ideas stitched together.

“I’m making the greatest hits of the Egyptian Lover that never came out because I’ve never made a song before.” — Egyptian Lover

Radio Takeover…With a Catch

Despite the undeniable appeal, the initial advice was to hold off releasing “Egypt, Egypt” for six months to avoid overshadowing “Dial-A-Freak.” Egyptian Lover wasn’t thrilled but he followed the plan, fine-tuning a longer version during those months.

When the single finally hit KDAY, the station played it relentlessly. It was fresh, bold, and unlike anything heard before. Listeners couldn’t get enough, and the record became a staple, played “every hour on the hour.” Even the B-sides like “What is a DJ If He Can’t Scratch” got spins, showcasing Egyptian Lover’s range.

Get Down Here…Now!

The buzz around “Egypt, Egypt” got so intense that the station invited Broussard to handle their request line—a surreal moment for a 19-year-old with no car or ID. Fans flooded the phone lines, demanding the track non-stop.

Greg Mack, the DJ who championed the song, went on to announce it as No. 1 on Billboard, sparking interest from radio stations nationwide. Suddenly, Egyptian Lover was everywhere.

Fame on Steroids

With “Egypt, Egypt” blowing up, the bookings poured in. From Las Vegas to Florida, South Carolina to Detroit, and Texas to beyond, Egyptian Lover was on a nonstop tour. Fans started asking for autographs, and the local buzz morphed into national fame.

“It was a whirlwind,” he says. “I realized this wasn’t just a moment. I had to keep making records.”

(Courtesy of Greg Broussard)

What If…

Even if “Egypt, Egypt” hadn’t taken off, Egyptian Lover’s passion would’ve kept him in the game. He was content making records for fun and living off DJ gigs, no matter if his records sold a hundred copies or thousands.

“I didn’t even have an ID to go to the bank,” he laughs. “I was 19 years old, but the record just exploded.”

Cha-ching

The financial side was a learning curve. His first checks were staggering — $40,000, then another $40,000, and then $120,000. At first, he didn’t know how to cash them or manage the orders pouring in from distributors.

A friend from Malaco Records introduced a savvy payment strategy: make distributors pay upfront for orders, allowing Egyptian Lover to cover pressing costs and still profit — a business move that helped sustain his growing empire.

Analog Only

Long before digital convenience, Egyptian Lover had to rely on old-school methods. His team hunted down Yellow Pages from cities across the USA, calling record stores to track sales and push distribution. This grassroots hustle eventually led them to work with distributors, which expanded reach exponentially.

(Courtesy of Greg Broussard)

Pass on the Video?

MTV wanted a video, but Egyptian Lover hesitated. He worried video exposure might hurt record sales, as fans would tape the video instead of buying the 12-inch single. His focus was on record sales, not long-term promotion.

It wasn’t until 40 years later that a video was made for a Stones Throw Records anthology, blending photos and memories to celebrate his enduring influence.

To This Day…

Egyptian Lover’s love for “Egypt, Egypt” hasn’t faded. He compares it to classics like “Planet Rock” and “Electric Kingdom” — timeless records that keep their freshness decades later.

He credits the engineer’s painstaking work for the track’s clean sound, even if it was driven by the hourly rate. “He made it sound great. It was worth it.”

Final Thoughts

“Egypt, Egypt” is more than just a song. It’s a cornerstone of electro-funk history, a bold experiment that defied conventional songwriting, and a cultural touchstone that still gets dance floors moving after 40 years. Egyptian Lover’s story is a testament to creativity, hustle, and the magic that happens when passion meets technology.

FAQ

• What inspired the sound of "Egypt, Egypt"?
  Egyptian Lover’s use of the Roland TR-808 drum machine and influences from the electro scene, especially “Planet Rock,” shaped the song’s signature beat.
• Why was “Egypt, Egypt” considered unconventional?
  The track combined parts of three different songs with no traditional chorus or bridge, creating a unique, DJ-friendly flow.
• How did the song gain such massive radio play?
  Despite initial delays, KDAY radio played the track frequently, fueling listener demand and nationwide attention.
• Did Egyptian Lover make music before “Egypt, Egypt”?
  Yes, he had earlier independent releases like “Dial-A-Freak” and “Yes, Yes, Yes,” which also featured the 808.
• What’s Egyptian Lover doing now?
  He continues to produce music, perform globally, and manage Egyptian Empire Records, keeping the electro-funk legacy alive.

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