Nawal Al Zoghbi had an interesting career, her blondish hair makes her the golden girl of Arabic music....just like tens of Arab female voices she came to the scene in the early 90s. She is one of three female voices that came out during that era and still be popular and commercially successful. The other two are Najwa Karam and Diana Hadad. Nawal al Zoghbi still rules pop music and light songs. She never tried to be something she is not....she has been making good albums for years and has been making awesome music videos too.
Her latest album came out more than two years ago and it was a hit, thus production companies started knocking her door because they wanted to be in the Nawal business. Last year she had a sad year she she got divorced from her long time husband and manager. This was a shock to many of us because she was a model wife and had a happy and beautiful family (Diana Hadad also gets divorced). So you know not a good year for Arab female pop singers. On the business side, Nawal is ready with a new alblm and I have never seen so many people ask for it as much as I see now....her fans really want her album and they are bugging her about it.
As we still wait for the album, we revisit one of her best songs in recent memory, a catchy tune with a fun music video where Nawal looks like a million dollar. We do like the storyboard and the concert sitting.
If you are a Palestinian or have been close to the Palestinian cause, then you know these guys. You do not even have to like music, you can be anti-music person, but you still know of these guys and memorize a score of their songs.
Al-Ashqeen, Al 'ashqeenالعاشقينcame to live in 1977 from the heart of Syria Damascus, it came together when a number of talented young Palestinian men came together. They kicked of their career by singing the famous works of notable Palestinian poets of the likes of Mahmoud Darwish and Sameeh Alqassim, but their most famous and timeless song was the work of little known Palestinian poet Noah Ibrahim to commemorate the execution of thee Palestinian leaders in Akko prisons.
Al-Ashqeen group's work came in handy during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon of 1982 and the death of countless Palestinians and Lebanese. They have many records and songs that chronicle the Palestinian journey and struggle and resistance toward self determination
They just reunited by executive order from the Palestinian president and have put a shows in various Palestinian cities in the West Bank, of course politicians flocked to take part of this historical event.
If you are looking for bar hopping towns where scores of beautiful people hangout and enjoy being night owls, no need to leave Arabia. See here is where I and you might disagree. Beirut is an interesting capital, but in this larger than life city, you can find pretty much anything. A posh bar in close proximity to a mosque, western dressed young men and women next to conservative dresses, party in one place, a political rally in another....one thing for sure this city is alive and will always be so.
Maya Nehme, the hottest up and coming Lebanese singer and the graduate of the hit show Star Academy has been making the rounds in her city's clubs and venues, here is a short clip from her performance in one of the bars, I am being told this is appearance at BANK Club BATROUN singing Her new single HABIBI. I am beginning to think that Maya Nehma sounds lot better in live performances. As you will soon discover she is also a good dancer and she has shown a sense of fashion. Congrats Maya as we hear she just got engaged in Cyprus ! Mabrook
See Asalah, Carol Samah, Ghada Abdel Razik, Asma'a L Minawar, Yehia Fakharani and scored of other Arab celebrities form TV, cinema fashion and music. This is self promotion yes, but it doe snot mind to see a load of the biggest players in Arab entertainment to show up in one place one party. See those who got awards, those who looked good and those who just smiled and acted like they are important. BIAF Awards brings a large cast of the brightest and most visible of entertainers in Arabia in one place that sure will be loaded with gossips envy, and politics. .
All rolled up in one joint in an celebration where stars, courtesy of Elaph who managed to interview a dozen of stars attending the gala. I am guessing in few years Arab celebrities and entertainers will be able to pull something like OSCAR and Golden Globe Awards, they are already close to those events, as they fashion designers tend to exhibit their work using the bodies of the stars as live mannequins.
So it seems that the Egyptian union of musicians in Egypt is a bit busy banning artists from appearing in concert in that country. As you can see in the letter Rolla was banned from without giving in reasons. But it seems that disagreement between Rolla Saad and her country woman Haifa Wahby over this song "Eih Da Eih Da" as Hafia seems to have wanted this song and Rolla beat her to it and here the song to watch. Now they union is saying to have ruled in favor of Haifa as the owner of this song which Rolla Saad continues to sing. That might be true, but I happen to believe that Haifa is a very powerful player in Egypt as she is a popular figure, has lots of resources and in top of that she is married to an Egyptian business man. Both Rolla and Haifa has been caught in public feuds for years now.
This ban caused Rolla troubles as she was headed to Egypt to take part of a benefit concert to help children with cancer in Alexandria Egypt, but she was unable to participate. But before that the union raised Rolla's dues three folds for no obvious reasons.....
The song is in the light Egyptian style, the one you play in parties....it says say forget the trouble and enjoy the minute. The case of the music video was a good choice as they look real, Rolla shows off some of her dance and cute moves that will be liked by Egyptian listeners.
Rolla saad issued a statement from her office stating, "I have donated all my fees and even my travel expenses to take part of this charity concert, only to find out that the musicians union send a team of ten people "police, lawyers, and agents" to stop my appearance.
When the melody is soft, the music is relaxed, and the singer is not running around, you are able to tell the quality of the voice singer, as the raw material form which their music is made is exhibited without distraction and without a cover. That's why Soul and R&B have their fans, because it lets listeners have have a peek at the singers' soul.
In Mawhoum, Egyptian super star Khaled Selim goes back to the basics and show us a rare side of him, his softer side where the music is the background, and his voice takes the lead. As a singer he performed in the Egyptian opera, making him one of the few singers to do so and serving as a testimony to the quality of his voice.
Khaled's previous music videos was upbeat and energizing, this one is a lot more mellow, and Khaled gets to show some of his acting chops (he also acts) I like the vintage feel the music video has, the words and lyrics are writing in some shots. You feel that Khaled is staring at you and addressing you in this song in a magical way. The dark affects serve the song well as this is a person still haunting be the shadows in his past.
I have seen many fireworks exhibits around the country, I have seen them in the Middle East, in Florida Disney World, Washington DC 4th of July, And Stadium of Fire in Utah as well as few other places. I have always enjoyed those fireworks like millions of people do.
But I have never thought there will be a day that I see fireworks in a different light, an Egyptian talented young man Ahmed Essam is shaking the world of fireworks with his fascinating fireworks arrangement. Mr. Essam makes fireworks do what he likes them to do....and yes he make them dance. Spectators are in for a treat as it seems that there is a war going on, not just simple fireworks. You get the impression that you are in the show. His work with the restaurant complex in Egypt has recently entered him it into the Guinness World Record.
Ahmed Essam was not always a huge act, he got his early start by adding fireworks affects to Egyptian concert which helped take concerts to the next level as before his work, concerts were just a mic, a star and a band...nothing else. Ahmed comes in he adds the lights and engineers the fireworks shows adding them to the stage. Mohammad Mounir has been one of his biggest fans, in a way helping him launch his fired up career.
I am sure many have done similar things like this in the show business say in China and Las Vegas, but the scale at which Ahmed operates is tremendous. See for yourself and enjoy the show.
I like spoof, I enjoy satire and I love a good farce....I am big on music and when you get me music and mix it with a good spoof I am in cloud 9.
Ghada Abdel Razik, the most popular TV actresses turned mega star is out promoting her new movie (Bon Swareeh) out in mid Dec of 2010....she sings and the song plays like a joke. Like most viewers I enjoy a good joke and the joke even funnier if told by a pretty lady. That's what Bon Swareeh does, it gives you jokes told by a pack of funny female leading ladies of Egyptian cinema.
If you are familiar with Egyptian folklore, you will enjoy the beat, if you a re hip dude and like to drop English words in your conversations, you will also find this song funny. If this movie succeeds commercially, this will be one of the few leading male-free film to become a box office. We do not know if this movie will be well received by movie goers. But if the film does make a good return on investment, 2011 will be a promising year for female leading roles.
غادة عبد الرازق الهانس فى الدانس
ادة عبد الرازق الهانص فى الدانص
كليب غادة عبد الرازق الهانس فى الدانس من فيلم بونسوارية بطولة مروى اللبنانية و مى كساب و حسن حسنى .. انتاج محمد السبكى , اخراج احمد عواض , يعرض 22
May Hariri might as well be the most naturally beautiful female singer to come from Lebanon in ages. She is also a mother which makes her a hot mommy. Her career has been a journey of successes and setbacks. Her most famous story was her ill fated marriage to the popular Lebanese legend Milhim Zain.
In her latest music video that came out last week she takes on the female mechanic, yes that's high heels wearing mechanics. May comes in a different looks including dancing next to a giant telephone. The music video is what you would expect from May as I do not think it serves her career well. As someone who thought her Jaani music video as creative and close to the heart as it gets. I mean the music and the clip itself offered a new experience. The music is not that original so that leaves the lyrics....they are just fine. I think females can relate to this song as they hate to play the phone games and hate the wait. Overall if you are a fan of May, you might enjoy this music video, as for me I feel I am left wanting a bit more or perhaps something different.
I do want to salute May for her efforts in signing up to join the all female aid ship leaving Lebanon and headed to Gaza...very few female stars would care to do that. Good publicity won't hurt either.
Everyone who has heard of Arabic music knows this legend and knows her style. All Arabs respect her and value her timeless hits. No other Arab icon has enriched Arabic music as she did...no other Arab musician has this religious following as much as she did. The woman that ruled over all men, kings, presidents, generals and sultans....the one and the only Arabic voice for the ages is Oum Kaalthoum.
Yet not everyone knows her religious themed music where she coved a number of poems and Muslims hymns celebrating Islam, its history and it's figures. Of course the time she came in was a bit more religious than now, but she chose to cover Islamic subjects in few of her songs. In fact she started as a little girl singing at weddings and covering Islamic hymns.
Here is one of her cover of the timeless nasheed that was sang to welcome prophet Mohammad (PBH) as he came to Madina. There are thousands of people who have covered this song, from Cat Stevens, to Sami Yusuf, it remains the one Muslim song that everyone memorizes by heart. This one by Al Sit or Oum Kalthoum is special.
Toni Qattan is a source among many Jordanians as he seems to be the first mainstream good looking male to make it big in the music scene in Arabia. He is a charming young voice that seems to be well liked by the youngsters and the ladies for his looks and the type of songs he chooses. When he is not singing for his loved one, Toni is celebrating his country Jordan, writing a song for Palestine or headlining a concert. He has one asole album that he's released in 2008 to a resepctable reviews.
Toni has been somehow missing from the scenes for about a year and his fans started to ask the inevitable question about his whereabouts. Well, Khabar 3ajil reports that Toni is actually sick and has been staying home or in the hospital to get treatment. The revelation states that Toni has some liver dysfunction that might be due to his family history. The news were made public on the popular talk show of Mazin Diab whose friendship with Toni allowed him to break the news. Fans and Jordanian stars were shocked and wished him well and a speedy recovery. few even donated blood units (O+) to Toni.
Asalah Nasri might not have the best personality among Arab singers, but she does have the best voice, a gift of almighty and the special attention paid to it by her father. I have liked all of her songs and so did my older cousins and my sisters. My parents also enjoyed her cover of the oldies.
Asalah was the number selling female singer in the 90s with a number of hits and songs that vary in style between pop, classical and tarab style. She was also huge in 2000 and she shined when she took on the Gulf dialect, but then she went all Gulf dialect on her fans, her first Gulf album was a hit and everyone appreciated, her second was a mixed bag (Qanon Kifak). Yet in 2008 came a really good album by Asalah where this song Nos Hala came and it brought back all the reason Asalah was Asalah to us, see her exhibit her voice chops in a perfect marriage with the lounge music she used in this song.
Asalah still gets news coverage, but most of it now her fighes with either the renowned Egyptian Hilmi Baker, Salim Al Hindi, the executive at Rotana, not a good idea if you are a serious singer. I will always be a fan of Asalah, and so will hundreds of thousands who come from all age and gender groups...we just need to be sure of it and that's why we cannot wait to hear her latest..
In the West nowadays, you can count a number of talentless celebrities that you famous for being famous....they do not necessary have a gift or a talent that made them famous. I am sure you are too familiar with Paris Hilton and the Kardashian clan, the Situation and a dozen of reality stars. So now you know this is not just an American thing, we have it in Arabia....Weather you like those famous celebrities or not, you must admit they are good at building brands....and forming a fan base in the virtual world that is the envy of every other stars.
Nourhanne is the Arab response to this celebrity obsessed world, this curvy and busty woman that some sees as gorgeous is the latest sensation with the youngsters in Arabia. Nourhanne's latest is a music video titled Beirut Never Sleeps and that name is very true, the song is very upbeat and very loud...you will never sleep to the tone of this song, I LOVE the drum incorporated and I like the affects she used.
I also appreciate the background Lebanese rap throughout the song, the outfits are also new...I like the dance suits and bling you can see. The DJ they used seems to be a showman, and this time they actually developed a storyboard to this video so that's also refreshing. Nothing in the music video tells me this is an Arab capital....this might be as well be talking about NY, LA, Brussels or any other European city. The bars, the clubs, the dancers all give a fantasy, away form reality. The dudes will appreciate the gracious booty and boobs shots either on the dance floor or in that white tunnel. Here it is and remember Nourhanne rhythms with Lindsy Lohan....
Yasmin Abd El Aziz is superwoman of Arabia, she is the hope for female lead cinematic roles. For decades the lead role of all the major Arab blockbusters has been a male. Most of those movies the man takes credit for the success of those movies and he gives secondary roles and supporting ones to a number of female case. Never in the modern history of Arabic film has a woman been able to carry a movie and make it into a blockbuster making millions of dollars.
You name is box officer favorites like Ahmad Saqqa, Ahmad Hilmi, Mohamad Hinidiy, Mohammad Saad, Adel Imam and Ahmad Eiz has always played the leading role in their movies, a huge cast of female actresses have propped them up, but never taken full credit for the success of the movie. Gada Adel, Zina, Mina Shalaby, Noor, Mai Eizdeen, Dina Samir Ghanim Ghada Abdel Razik, Hind Sabry, Mona Zaki, Hana Turk and Yasmin Abd El Aziz. Now those are all fine talented actresses by with few exceptions they have all played secondary roles in which they support the hero. Playing mostly the lady the lead actor falls in love with. To be fair few of those names have taken the lead in films (Hind Sabri in Jeneenat Al Asmak and Mona Zaki in E'Hky Ya Shahrazad) and their movies have been well received by critics and viewers alike, but those two movies have never been a huge commercial success.
Not until someone took a chance on Yasmin Abd El Aziz and gave her the lead role in El Dada Dody. A family comedy about a reformed babysitter that gets intermingled in a web of trouble with criminals after her and cute children and their antics. The movie was a huge commercial success in the of 2009, it was the dark horse of the season. It beat many of the films where the established male lead actors' movies came second to Yasmin Abd El Aziz's movie.
Many actors and show business execs were quick to dismiss El Dada Dody as a one hit wonder, that Yasmin will not be able to pull another commercially successful film. Yasmin followed soon with a post Ramadan movie in the Eid season of 2010 with El Talata Yeshtaghalonha, a comedy about a geeky girl that looks like Ugly Betty that manages to ace her high school diploma and get the highest score in the republic. Then she goes to college and falls in love, and there in college she meets all sorts of characters (the party punks, the activist Marxists, the conservative religious) and of course she runs into various troubles and hilarious scenes. Needless to say the movie was a hit and families flocked to see it in theater. Yasmin established that women actresses can carry a movies and make millions with that she refuted what has become a fact that women cannot take the lead. With that now Arab female roles will see a surge. Other seasoned actresses started sending Yasmin some love for opening the gate to them and showing them what it takes.
Yasmin's Stardom did not come from thin air, she has been making movies for years and in 2007 she has even co started in Alraheena "The Hostage", along the handsome Egyptian actor Ahmad Eiz. This movie was a huge commercial success and in away helped launch the career of Ahmad Eiz as a leading male.
The formula for a movie where a female actress leaders should be like the one Yasmin Abd El Aziz used, she is cute and guys like that so they will love to see her movies. She is childish and funny so you know gets lover to see her. She is wonderful in physical comedies, the one thing that makes a movie fun for the entire family is the clean physical comedy. Unlike many lead male roles, Yasmin does not do dirty jokes or sleazy lines either so that makes viewers comfortable. So in order for a movie to be a box office success the Disney formula woks magic. Securing the children, families and adult demographics guarantees you a blockbuster. Yasmin Abd El Aziz has recorded a song for each of her films and those songs helped promote the movie. She plays up her childish spirit and natural cuteness running around with cute children in dazzling colors. Those are essential to give families an idea about the film and its plot. As someone who appreciates good music and comedy, I enjoy the way Yasmin delivers her comical lines and her confidence by not being self aware.
So Thank You Yasmin.
Yasmin Abd El Aziz - El Dada Dody / ياسمين عبد العزيز - الداده دودي
El Talata Yeshtghalonha / ياسمين عبد العزيز - الثلاثة يشتغلونها
Egyptian Beauty Sandy is releasing her second song in less than 10 days period. "El Helm" or "the Dream" came as a surprise to many of us as Sandy still gaining success from the song she released earlier last week. But I am not complaining, for a pop song, the song does not disappoint and Sandy the starlet has finally found her comfort zone.
The music is a house mix with some Techno beat, sure it makes a good running song that gets you moving and wanting to PARTY.....still the lyrics belong to the romantic subjects that Sandy has covered before. There are original parts of the music, but the beat is not that new...but it works for Sandy's style. the last thing you need form a young pop starlet something to put you to sleep. Many Arab singers fall in this trap, they want a serious song when their fans liked them for their energizing songs....Sandy seems to have walked the middle of the road...giving you some romantic doses but keeping it exciting.
Rami Ayach is a handsome man and the he knows that as the ladies love his look, his charm and his style. Rami's latest song plays like a prayer he sens to his loved one....he prays that he ends up with that one girl.....he wants to give her his life, his name and he wants to enjoy growing old with her....This is the radio version and I looked hard to find the best quality version of the song as it will sure be released in his upcoming album.
I love the lyrics...and the music....Rami also keep the song upbeat and exciting....you will dance to this song and some women might even tear up, because Rami goes all in to their heart and soul....Rami wrote you a love song, the song that he wants to commit you the one and only....unlike many star singers, Rami is ready to commit...are you?
Enjoy....
رامى عياش - إن شاء الله إتوفق فيكي / افرح فيكي 2010
Hossam Habib is a true entertainer, this Egyptian star is well liked by many in Arabia, he is big on pop and recording soundtracks for a number of Egyptian movies. He is popular with concert goers around Egypt as very few stars can fire up the crowd as Hossam can.
The thing I like the most about Hossam, other than his charm and his good looks is his lyrics. Many Arab pop stars will sing stuff that does not make any sense just becasue it sounds poetic or just because it rhymes. Hossam's song actually make songs and tell stories, not just sound bites...so he doe snot settle for gibberish songs, if you notice that in all his songs he tells a story, a tale often of the mouse and cat games. See the front row ladies, they are so into his song that I think they might be the first possible Arab groupies.
See for yourself this clip for his concert at the Egyptian sea academy, see the mix of fans in age and gender...but they all seem to be fired up to be there. Keeping it cool Hossam, I look forward for your latest album, take your time, I know it will be worth the wait.
Wikeez com interviewed one of the friends of the Rami Seamaly and Mohammad Shoukry, the Star Academy alumni who were in a fatal car accident. Mohammad Shoukry survived the accident Ramy and two other passengers died as a result of the accident. Mohamoud Shoukry is not talking to the media about the accident and the death of his friend. (see more here)
This is in interview with a mutual friend of those two young stars who was with them minutes prior to the accident in somehow shocking revelations. Toward the end you hear this man of mystery asks the report not to publish the interview out of fear of Shoukry's father.
Jordanian stars are rare, Jordanian stars working together is a novelty. That's what you get when Jordanian Maryam Fakhri and Mohammad Qudeer release this duet as part of Maryam's latest album released with High Mix, an Arab company getting into the music scene.
To be frank those stars are not household names in Arabia, they do enjoy pleasant voices and the looks. But they are singing in Egyptian to appeal to the masses. This will alienate their home fans. Maryam Fakhri even opted for the blonde look and the shades from the 60s. The male star looks like your average Spanish guitar player. This is a really good songs where you rememberer the early work of stars like Hany Shaker, Shadia and other respected Arab Voices, but the music video lacks originality. I do think that Maryam's voice needs some tweaking and she might be better served to do some drills. Quadeer is already there....he's got it
I am excited fore the new stars and want to see them in concerts outside Jordan, they have a winner here in "Hobak Sa'ab", their voices are a match to each other and it seemed they have took their time in recording this song and unlike many duets, this one was not rushed to meet some deadline, so you know it has to be good.
Egypt's most handsome star, former member of WAMA (they just reunited) and the man that knows how to charm the ladies has few hits under his belt. Here is one of his better songs "The Story is..."
Mohamed has always stood out even among his band members, he has a unique and a pleasant voice that sticks out. He has good lyricists giving him songs, and he gets musicians to contribute to his songs. But he only and seriously release good stuff...while he might never be an A lister, he is really well liked by his fans and those who are not his fans have nothing but kinds words about him and his music.
To film this music video Mohamed Nour chose a European capital, assembled a team of urban dancers, models, a sweet car and they let the camera roll. Mohamed was not shy of showing his moves....
For Nostalgia value, here is one of the earlier songs that made the early success of Rotana music powerhouse. The voice from Qatar Ali Abed Alstar, one of the ealiees TV stars in the Gulf who was able to reach beyond the Gulf region without the help of the internet when Radio was king. Ali is still making music but he has not been able to crossover to other regions ever since.
Ali has an incredible voice, charm and naturally TV persona, unlike many stars from the Gulf he was never shy of appearing in his own music videos. when till now most Arab Gulf singers prefer to hire a model, he was like no, I can do it. That helped him establish a name for himself without losing his early fans.
Ali is not happy with his production company and he now offers to buy his archive from them as he plans to make a comeback on his own. Here is my favorite song of his as I grew up around it and I came to appreciate the man behind the song.
Julia Bourtos, the Lebanese phenomenal singer, the legendary voice that has never been distant from the pulse of the people. Julia posses one of the strongest and by far best female voices in the Arabic scene. She was first known for her nationalistic songs for Lebanon and Palestine, the kind of songs that gets one's heart pumping and blood boiling as the lyrics deliver one knock after another of sad reality of war weakness and disunity. But that was the 80s and for most of the 90s Julia snag for the loved ones, she delivered a number of classics (Ya Osas)
And in 2006 she sang segments of a popular speech of a Lebanese political figure in the wake of Israel war on Lebanon. "Ahabaii", my beloved was that song, the song was about war, victory and people caught in the middle of it all. The song made 3 millions dollars which went to the families of the war victims. What a Sopranos are for!
Another song that is now being used in political campaigns in Egypt this hot election season. "I Fear for my Children" or Khawfi 'Ala Awaldi is a beautiful song about an uncertain future, which what this political party in Egypt wanted to state. Julia's voice is one of those few things that Arabs actually agree on....she is a uniter for sure and she cares.
Yes, we will not have to wait for her much anticipated album that was released mid 2010 where we are promised real music and live orchestra for change. Here is a sample song of it that says one thing, "Julia Boutros ROCKS"
