The legal dispute between singer Sherine Abdel Wahab and producer Mohamed El Shaer, owner of The Basement Records, has reignited, amidst conflicting press releases from both parties regarding the nature of recent court rulings and the fate of their financial and contractual obligations.
The Company Announces Judicial “Decisiveness”
The Basement Records announced yesterday, Wednesday, that the judiciary has ruled in its favor, confirming a ruling from the Cairo Economic Court rejecting Sherine’s lawsuit due to the existence of an arbitration clause. The company also pointed to an appeals ruling that nullified the artist’s right to challenge the arbitration proceedings and invalidated the contract. According to the company’s statement, these rulings reinforce the arbitration award issued in February 2026, which obligated Sherine to pay compensation of nearly half a million dollars, while the company retained the right to manage her YouTube channel until June 2027.
Sherine’s Defense: Rulings Not Final
In response, the office of legal advisor Yasser Qantoush, Sherine’s lawyer, issued a statement describing the circulating information as “inaccurate.” The office clarified that the court ruling did not resolve the core of the dispute, but merely dismissed the case due to the existence of an “arbitration clause,” a procedural matter that does not constitute a loss. The defense expressed surprise at the attempt to portray the ruling as a final victory, emphasizing that the dispute continues within its proper legal framework.
The Crisis of Delayed Payments
Shereen’s defense stressed that the artist has not received her payments for nearly eight months, despite the arbitration proceedings having been ongoing since last June. The office revealed its intention to send an official warning to the company demanding payment of the outstanding dues and disputed amounts, paving the way for escalating legal action if the company fails to comply.
The Future of the Official Channel
While the company affirms its commitment to all professional standards and its previous payment of all dues, Shereen’s team believes the legal battle is far from over. The fate of the artist’s official YouTube channel remains uncertain, hanging between an arbitration ruling granting the company management rights and legal action by the artist to regain control over her artistic productions.
