Revealed to Ivorian music lovers for his Arabic verse in the hit song “Coup du Marteau” by Tam Sir with Team Paiya, Momo Hayek, the younger brother of Hassan Hayek, has paid a heartfelt tribute to Zagba le Requin.
Momo Hayek won the hearts of thousands of Ivorians with his Arabic phrase “Charafto ala balad l paiya” which means “Welcome to the Land of Paiya” in the hit song “Coup du Marteau” by Tam Sir with Team Paiya. Momo, Hassan Hayek’s younger brother, is a member of the Paiya group led by Zagba the Shark. The entire team was decorated by the Ivorian state for their contribution to the success of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN).
Proud and happy about this award, Momo Hayek did not fail to thank Zagba the Shark, whom he affectionately calls “my brother from another mother”. “I remember it as if it was yesterday. I didn’t know Zagba the shark personally; we met at the Abidjan Mall, and we instantly connected. He is straightforward, genuine, and humble. We started hanging out all the time, like big brother and little brother; he opened doors for me, he is also a mentor. Honestly, I thank Heaven every day for meeting him; he is a good and authentic person,” he said.
He continued by adding: “Often when we least expect it, God puts valuable people in our path. As he likes to say: ‘no one is anybody without somebody.’ He integrated me into his group, he puts me on TV, always there for others and especially his zest for life. If we were to go on, I would write a will because words are not enough to describe him. Just know that I can go to the front lines for you, my brother, sleep peacefully.“
It should be noted that Momo Hayek was not at all known by the Ivorian public; he remained in the shadow of his brother. While he often accompanied him to ceremonies and was involved in managing the space of his older brother’s café “HH Café” in Riviera-Palmeraie, his emergence in “Coup du Marteau” brought him into the limelight.