Hazem is an acclaimed oud player and the leading and founding member of Eskenderella – an Egyptian band renowned for reviving the work of stalwarts of the Egyptian song such as Sayyed Darweesh and Al-Sheikh Imam. The band also perform their original songs composed by Hazem and written by various Egyptian poets. Born in Alexandria, Hazem graduated from the Higher Institute of Arabic Music, then went on to study at the House of Oud, established by the Iraqi oud player Nasseer Shamma. In 2002, Hazem was awarded the Best Oud Player in the Arab World award as part of the International Oud Competition in Beirut.