Kareem Salama, A Star For This Time

Egyptian American country singer Kareem Salama was sent in a tour to the Arab world in a series of concerts to spread American will to those countries. Is also making a name to himself in American cities where country rules. Kareem Salamah is what you would have if Country singers wrote rock songs. He brings loads of charisma, charm and energy to all his music videos. While not a household name yet, but Kareem seems to be on the right track to build a bigger fan base.

Even if you do not necessary agree with what this gifted singer has to say aside form his music like his interviews, activism and comments on being an Arab in America, you can still enjoy his music because one thing for sure Kareem knows how to make his music universal. Even those who speak little English can relate to his music videos and songs.

BTW, He is Also Libyan

Growing up in the Gulf and driving the car with my family moving from one town to another in our Mazda station wagon car, we do what every sane person does, open the radio.

That was in the mid 80s and the sky was the limits, back then we did not have to worry about cell phone, mp3 players, notebooks or that thing we now know as the internet. There was the radio, cassette tapes and TV. The first song I know I have sang to is this song, Lolaky Lo La Lo La. We did not know anything about cool Arabic music until this song hit the airwaves and all of sudden all the cool boys and girls worry singing along.

This is the fruit of the labor of Hamid El Shari, the father of Arabic pop who introduced a number of pop singers who till this day remain active. This song was one of the early attempt by the musician who introduced this one hit wonder Libyan singer Ali Hamida who was born in tiny border town in Egypt. Ali released half a dozen albums none of them made it big as his Lolaky song that defined the generation.

Ali Hamida had an interesting life, he now has a PhD in music, he served time in jail and during that time he felt abandoned by his friends. At the time he sold 6 million records--a number that has yet to be broken by an Arab singer. He had his troubles with the tax agencies in Egypt, he had to seel his apartment to pay back taxes, and thee worse came when he was accused of indecent acts involving a child.

Ali managed to become the first pop icon of the Arab world, his haircut and perm were the haircut of choice of the generation. Checkout his watch, his sneakers. And boy does he have some dance moves? I think Hamid was influenced the most by the early Hip Hop movement in america and that shows even in his choice of outfits during that period.

Ali Hamaida Lolaky Lola

Egyptain Club Ahly Hears It From the Fans

You know we wrote about the absence of soccer players from the Egyptian protests, they all went away and hid, and those who came out came out in favor of Mubarak and tried to tell the protesters to go home. The actress were present, the soccer players would not defy their pro Mubarak coach of the Egypt national Team Hassan Shahatah.



So when Al Ahly had a game yesterday, the fans where there and let their voice be heard, check out this picture, We followed you wherever you went, and you weren't there for us during the revolution. Yes, Al Ahly earned it and so did Al Zamalk that was a lot more pro Mubarak than any other club.



The other banner reads, "You ask for millions and do not feel the hunger of the Egyptians" this is very true, they make millions...so as far as the players are concerned things are pretty good.



Those players might make nice with the people if they managed to defeat South Africa in their upcoming game sometimes in March. If the team loses this game, then all bets are off and people will lost their jobs. Hassan Shahatta will be the first to go and the older players will have to walk away too.

Since You Asked For Some Original Music

Many things call Lebanon home including many indie music bands that strive to make fresh music, and explore new themes. The combination of the people and the landscape facilitate such scene. Here is where Rabae Beirut enters the picture.

A band that took the name Spring of Beirut first started performing 2004, under the name of “Nadine and the band”, between the UNESCO Palace, Beirut, and the American University of Beirut, and then in many festivals in different Lebanese regions. Reaching Egypt, they performed in Alexandria and Napoli in 2005, and Paris in 2007 in the Arab World Institute.

The band chose to search for a unique music identity, rising from the Arabic tradition but overcoming its classical conventions, seeking new possibilities and expressions worthy of our reality, without breaking the subtle balance of Arabic music. This is delightful attempt to bring some raw concepts using the backdrop of Middle Eastern instruments and Western attitude to bring the best of two world.

If anything we need more bands that experiment, like those thousands of of garage bands that keep surprising mainstream conformist music by surprise. Check out this poem turned to a song by Rabae Beirut.

Ya Abana by Rabea Beirut يا أبانا فرقة ربيع بيروت

Assi Hilani Sings 4 King Abdullah And Qaddafi

Arab singers are hell bent on sucking up to the powers at all costs. check out this once respectable singer releasing a song to celebrate the return of the King of Saudi after medical trip that lasted him three months.



While the majority of Arab singers are busy writing songs for Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, Assi went a different route. He does not care about those poor countries, his eyesight is on the place where the money is. He is celebrating the King of Saudi Arabia and talking about him like of they were buddies.



He is making him, this wise Arab leader who is all about justice. He is the light and the protector of his land and all Muslim land. Had I not known better, I would think Assi wrote this song for the Muslim commander Saladin not King Abdallah.



Assi, do not you have any shame man? When will you stop singing to the Arab leaders and sing to the people? I think they might not ban this song in Saudi Arabia, but they sure do not like music. Keep brown nosing and hope one day you might get a present from the kings and leaders you praise...of course both of you will be living in exile.



But do not worry, he has done it before...only worse for the Qaddafi! This is a joke man, no one sang for Qaddafi, comes this Assi dude and writes a song for the man and his lunatic rants.



عاصي الحلاني كليب أغنية يا ملكنا Assi Hillani King Abdullah Song



عاصي الحلاني يغني لليبيا





Picture from Khabar 3ajil

Did Actor Samer Al Masry Torture His Maid?

Popular Syrian actor is in hot water. Samer Al Masry, the Syrian actor known for epic roles as Al 3akeeb Abu Shihab from the all time popular TV drama Bab Al Hara is amidst news that his poor Indonesian maid has seen hell at his home. The video is graphic and might shock you that an actor who is so popular can be this cruel.



Reports that the wife of this charismatic actor has been abusing and mistreating their house maid, see the video of the brutal abuse and you cannot help by feel sorry for the young woman. I hope someone puts Samer and his wife in jail if they have been found guilty. Let's not kid out selves, who else would benefit from torturing this young woman?



Samer is circulating that this is a conspiracy against his fame by those who are jealous of his success. I do not really buy that Samer, I think you and your wife have issues. Why would you do this to another human being. The maid said that she has not been paid in more than three years. The actor is claiming that this maid actually worked for them and they have treated her like on their family. He also claims that the actress have run away from their home. He is also accusing her of stealing stuff from his home. This is so bullshit, this is Syria no one steals anything. What is she going to do with the stolen stuff? It's not like she can hide away or even sell it.



The youth on Facebook circulated this video from a local hospital in Syria for the maid who has an assortment of cuts, bruises and you name it. Look even here in the States celebrities have issues, but unlike Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan, in this case we have a real victim.

Syrian Actor Tortures Maid خادمة سامر المصري

How Not to Promote a Talk Show

Watch this short promo clip for some talk show hosted by Egyptian actress turned TV host, you will never guess in a million year that this is a promo for some talk show. Instead the camera follow some pretty face around and ask her to do cute things.



So she has not spoken in the promo, I am guessing they are going for her look, so the look gets you a talk show gig. This is a lame promo idea, really this might as well be an advertising for some interior decorating company, furniture store and perhaps a new line of makeup products.



titled Ana We Elle Ba'hbo, Me and The one I love, creative title for a talk show. It's intimate and give guest a cozy feeling. I do not know if the show made it big or anything, but I know this promo sucks and I do not really expect a lot from Ghada Adel who has made her career by playing one role and one role only. The cute girl who falls in love and then has to be saved by some charming dude. OK, maybe those are the only roles she gets offered.

Ghada Abel Razik Favors For Mubarak

We wrote many times on Egyptian actress Ghada Abdel Razik, but now she graces our Black list of Egyptian celebrities for Mubarak. not only was this actress vocal and opinionated on the matter, she talked about the now former dictator as if he was her lover or better yet sugar daddy.



No one knew why this once popular actress decided to take an approach a minority of the people fine wise. No one asked her for her opinion, she just shared it more than once. I love Mubarak she said. She even broke up with a number of her friends who protested the dictator. when the time was tough, she led a protest to support the dictator, she was carried on the people's shoulders and chanted for her sugar daddy Mubarak.



News are now circulating that she is in a bad mode and has gong into hiding and shame for her role in defending a regime that has been corrupt for years. But things got a bit more interesting. Per a number of websites including this one Ghada Abdel Razik never loved the old man, but she wanted a favor from his regime.



Ahmad Shafiq, the current Egyptian Prime Minister who used to be the director of the Aviation Authority in Egypt, got Ghada's daughter hired as a captain pilot for the Egyptian airlines in exchange for Ghada's role as a mouthpiece for the regime. Even though Egypt Air was not hiring at the time. In all fairness some deny the story and calim that the artists daughter has not been hired and Ghada said an did what she did becasue of her personal beliefs.

Ramy Sabry: The First Sober Egyptian Song

Now that most of the parties have settled down and as more people to go back to work and life starts to get back to normal. Ramy Sabry, the charismatic young musician and singer has kept a distance from the revolution and the protesters. He was very cautious and no one picked a fight with him.

Ramy released a sober song about where things are going to in Egypt, what's now sort of question is imposed by the singer. He is proud to be an Egyptian, but he seems to be too worried about unfolding thing in Egypt. While I commend the singer for this mature and sober tone he uses. I think he is over stating his fears.

This is not the 60s and the 70s, the Arab people are much smarter. Just look at the youth and their commitment to non violence. they are very clear on respecting the right of others to their opinion, religion and property. This is a mature people who refuse to be intimidated and refuse of by the old line, that stability is more important than justice and freedom. So Ramy I love your music and your style, and you can relax, Egypt and its people will be fine.

انا المصرى - رامى صبرى Ramy Sabry Ana Al masry

Majid Al Qassim Last Crusade

Syrian musician and singer hoping to soon become an actor Majid Al Qassim is dying for a comeback and working really hard to return to his stardom of the 99 when he was the next big thing. Majid started with a very clear mission, sing in Syrian dialect and earn new fans. That he did.

Until someone told him to start doing Egyptian songs, and since then the Syrian star has been going downhill and has not managed to release one great song in decade--even though he released few albums.

So now he is doing the next big thing, jump on the wagon of the revolution. Majid tried that before a month prior to the Egyptian revolution of January 25th, there was the bombs in the Alexandria Egypt Church, he releases what has been called the Opera for Egypt. No one tuned in and nobody particularity cared for it.

But Majid is a good person and his hart is in the right place, he just released a song about the cool Egyptians and why we like them. It counts the virtues of the people of Egypt, some of them we have memorized, so this song does not include any earth breaking revelations. Here is another reason why this song does not stick: It was written by a lyricist, the music put by another and the musical arrangement by another. so Majid does not really feel it.

الله عالمصرى (مجد القاسم Majid Al Qassim Allah 3al Masry

Najwa Karam, The Accused

Before Lady Gaga was making the news, Najwa Karam was doing her part of wearing fashionable outfits that rock the boat. The Lebanese diva has always been making great Arabic music, not a year goes by without Najwa releasing a hit song. For the past 15 years, she has managed to do so and dominate the Arabic music charts.

Checkout this dazzling futuristic outfit from the Lebanese lady of good music and fashion. As a guy I keep an eye on the singers look, but it takes a female to point my attention to a good dress. I just do not pay attention. Females in Arabia follow the diva to learn what's cool. In that way she is one of the few trend sitters in fashion, style and most important of all.

So next time you go to a Najwa Karam concert in Lebanon of else where, keep your eyes on her outfits. She has one of those body figures that are meant for dresses and the glamor. She is second to none in that. She is the Alpha female entertainer of Arabia and no one crosses her.

نجوى كرم-اتهموني

Faisal El Rashed 2011 Album Hits the Stores

01.Lak Shou, not quite a pop song, using Egyptian dialect on the beat of Gulf music is not the best use of resources. But at least there is that traditional Gulf dance melody.
02.Kas Maya, it plays like a Chinese version of a really good Gulf song. It really sounds like a Chinese pop once you remove the drum. Anytime you think the Chorus can save you, you are in trouble.
03.Khalas Khalony, one of the better songs on the album. The artist quality of voice is revealed here. He delivers one good line after another and the music does not distract or cover the beauty of the lyrics.
04.Allah Balani, anytime you star a song with Allah, I pause. The music is old and tired. Not the best choice of songs. I feel I have heard this song 100 times before and every time it gets worse.

We could not get the rest of the tracks in time...

other tracks on this album

05.Wesh Teboun
06.Oulolah
07.Fedeha
08.Ah Ya Waili
09.Al Khayrazana

فيصل الراشد 2011 - حاليا في الأسواق | Faisal Al Rashed

Kadim Al Sahir Transcends In Qatar

When you are the biggest name in original Arabic music and when you have just released a golden album with dozens of gems, what do you do? You take the show on the road and tour your concert. This time The Iraqi composer/ singer made a stop to Qatar, this gas rich Arab country and party it up.

It's the classy guy to a classy audience, he is a true diplomat that always know what to say. Watch this reportage from Elaph. Kadem gave a song to the people of Qatar to celebrate their country with them. Kadem performed some of his most favorite songs that span on 30 years of creativity and fresh music. My first favorite song of his was Salamy and he delivered it at the Qatar concert like he did for the first time 15 years ago. 5 thousands people were in attendance.

The impressive thing about Kadem is that there is no world class venue that this energizer bunny of a composer has not performed in. He performed in Paris, London, scores of European cities, in many American cities, virtually all Arab capitals. His work has been nominated for an Oscar. And he has appeared on just about every magazine, newspaper, and TV program. His music videos has millions of views. Hundreds of Facebook groups are dedicated to his tasteful songs.

"RESISTANCE THROUGH RHYMES" Concert

Thursday, March 3: "RESISTANCE THROUGH RHYMES" Free concert & presentation featuring Lowkey, Shadia Mansour, Logic, and Jody McIntyre

When: 700 pm

Where: Multicultural Community Center, MLK Student Union (MLK Building @ Telegraph & Bancroft)

*Inspirational and revolutionary hip hop artists Lowkey, Shadia Mansour, and Logic and revolutionary journalist/activistJody Mcintyre team up for a joint musical and educational tour. You don't want to miss this!

*Suggested Donation: $5-$10 fb event: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=192062367481495&id=714713822&ref=notif&notif_t=like#!/event.php?eid=113072048771273

The First Funky Pop Arab Song

No one has ever accused Egyptian singer Hossan Hosny of being a serious singer, he had a good hit and it last him ages. He is the one hit wonder man. He released this song in the early 90s and so many Arab men and women have since missed this song. It was meant for the masses...it says

All the girls love and and all girls are beautiful.

The first line sits well with the boys and the second impressed the ladies, all of them. Hossam was kind of his day, his song was played by pretty much every concert and wedding party. It became the song of choice for bachelor parties. Bach then if you were cool you were listening to this song of his. No question about it.

While Hossan had other songs in his career, no other song of his has ever managed to out shadow his most popular song Kol El Banay Bit7ibik. It's a curse that many singers around the world have felt..nothing they can do to escape the fame of just one of the hit songs. Look at the comments and see how loved this song is, it means to much to people, people lived their early manhood years listening to this song and thinking it's about them. One thing for sure, this is one heck of funky song that has entered the lexicon of Arab vocabulary and pop culture without being sappy.


Hossam Hosny Kol El Banat Bit7bak حسام حسني - كل البنات بتحبك

Soundtrack Treasures From Arabic Cinema

One of the best ideas Arabic cinemas had is marketing a movie though a song. This is not similar to marketing a song in the movie on TV in order to get people to go see a film. This has been done in the past since cinemas were first made available. I am speaking here about commissioning an artist to do a soundtrack song for a movie to help market the movie.

This is a first time song, they do this in America, some movies ask musicians to write music for a movie. But what I am talking about here is using a fresh song a first time release and putting those words into some footage from the movie and passing this as a stand alone music video where toward the end they say, this is form so and so movie.

I am impressed by this idea and it often helped me get a feel form what the movie is about. I chose two songs here form too different movies that I thought were special. One is from a 2008 movie and another form a 2007 movie. They are both wonderful songs that speak of different topics. The first is about best friends who grow up together and the second about a man who is bi-polar. Both come from movies I have seen and enjoyed a lot.

Te first song is by new comer Egyptian Soma who performed the performance of her life and the second by the mighty Egyptian Sherine. Let me know if there are any other recent songs from soundtrack that you think are special. Enjoy

سومة - اجدع صحاب / Soma - Agda3 Sohab

شيرين - المراية / Shirine - Elmeraya

And All The Boys Love Somaia El Khashab

Here is a slideshow of some footage of Egyptian actress turned singer Somaia El Khashab, she actually one star that has defined female roles on Arabic TV dramas and later on film. Somaia is clearly an Arabic look, the kind of Egyptian beauty the singers boast about. While her looks helped her launch her career, her talent helped her career thrive and last.

While she has some bold moments some might call them sexy roles, as the starlet never shies away form a role if it has some skin revealing moments. She has also danced enough times on screen to cement her stardom. But unlike many other TV stars, she has a plan. She has a dozen of movies to her name.

But Somaia El Khashab does not stop there, after all she is the Arabian Jennifer Lopez, speaking of curves, acting, and singing. She is also a celebrity that people relate to and adore. I can tell you this, when I watch an interview with Somaia, I feel she is real and she is like an open book, she does not try to be something she is not.


Somaia El Khashab سمية الخشاب

Folk music legend Pete Seeger endorses boycott of Israel

Adalah-NY: The New York Campaign for the Boycott of Israel &

The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD)

Media Contact: info@adalahny.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


February 28- Folk music legend Pete Seeger has come out in support of the growing Palestinian movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel as a program for justice for Palestinians and a route to peace in the Middle East.

Seeger, 92, participated in last November’s online virtual rally “With Earth and Each Other,” sponsored by the Arava Institute, an Israeli environmental organization, and by the Friends of the Arava Institute. The Arava Institute counts among its close partners and major funders the Jewish National Fund, responsible since 1901 for securing land in Palestine for the use of Jews only while dispossessing Palestinians. Although groups in the worldwide BDS movement had requested he quit the event, Seeger felt that he could make a strong statement for peace and justice during the event.

During a January meeting at his Beacon, NY home with representatives from the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) and Adalah-NY, Pete Seeger explained, “I appeared on that virtual rally because for many years I’ve felt that people should talk with people they disagree with. But it ended up looking like I supported the Jewish National Fund. I misunderstood the leaders of the Arava Institute because I didn't realize to what degree the Jewish National Fund was supporting Arava. Now that I know more, I support the BDS movement as much as I can.”

Jeff Halper, the Coordinator of ICAHD, added, “Pete did extensive research on this. He read historical and current material and spoke to neighbors, friends, and three rabbis before making his decision to support the boycott movement against Israel.” Seeger has for some time given some of the royalties from his famous Bible-based song from the 1960s, “Turn, Turn, Turn,” to ICAHD for their work in rebuilding demolished homes and exposing Israel’s practice of pushing Palestinians in Israel off their land in favor of development of Jewish villages and cities.

The November virtual rally “With Earth and Each Other” was billed as an apolitical effort to bring Israelis and Palestinians together to work for the environment. Dave Lippman from Adalah-NY noted, “Arava’s online event obfuscated basic facts about Israel’s occupation and systematic seizure of land and water from Palestinians. Arava’s partner and funder, the JNF, is notorious for planting forests to hide Palestinian villages demolished by Israel in order to seize their land. Arava was revealed as a sterling practitioner of Israeli government efforts to 'Rebrand Israel' through greenwashing and the arts.”

Currently, the JNF is supporting an Israeli government effort to demolish the Bedouin village of Al-Araqib in order to plant trees from the JNF that were paid for by the international evangelical group GOD-TV. The Friends of the Arava Institute’s new board chair has recently published an op-ed in the Jerusalem Post that only cautiously questions some activities of the JNF, an organization whose very raison-d'etre is to take over land for Jews at the expense of the Palestinian Arab population.

Pete Seeger’s long-time colleague Theodore Bikel, an Israeli-American known for his life-long involvement with Israeli culture, recently supported the Israeli artists who have refused to perform in a new concert hall in Ariel, a large illegal Israeli settlement in the West Bank.

Seeger joins a growing roster of international performers who have declined to whitewash, greenwash, or in any way enable Israel’s colonial project, including Elvis Costello, Gil Scott-Heron, Roger Waters, Devendra Banhart, and the Pixies.

Thanks Goodness, It's Thursday In Kuwait

Saudi singer Waed, Iraqi Majid Al Mohandis, Lebanese Yara were the life of the party in Kuwait. With the exception of Yara, all those stars were the first time participants. Yara was her third appearance there, Yara came as a stand in for Egyptian singer Sherine who apologized due to the ongoing situation in her country. Yara saved the day and stood once again among her fans in the Gulf who embrace this talented Lebanese singer like one of their own. It was also a change to see Iraqi singer Majid Al Mohandis to be invited to Kuwait. The singer had to work had and prepare new songs to ease his audience with. He almost never disappoints and his ability to muse has never been questioned.

The February concerts in Kuwaiti are one of those events that I would like to attend one day, the are the most organized, best financed music event in Arabia. No Arab entertainer ever turns them down, they get scores of singers who want to appear on their stage. They often bring in the best voices and those singers who can perform live and entertain the people of Kuwait who would rather sit down the entire show and enjoy the music than get up and dance.

For Majid however, an Iraqi singer in Kuwait, this is huge. This big bash of a concert might be sending the wrong message. Arabs are being killed in the Middle East in their quest to bring change, freedom and democracy to their respective countries. And here you go in Kuwait there are concerts after another.

But this is not the fault of the people of Kuwait or the artists who would even singing funerals if the money was right. I blame the organizers who thought Kuwaitis do not really care about other Arab countries. But music can also bring people together and help them heal.

The Great Nancy Ajram Has Spoken

Forget Amr Diab, this is the song the people of Egypt have been waiting....The time Nancy Ajram sings for Egypt, the people listen and not only the Egyptians. She is the number one pop star, and perhaps the most recognizable Arab celebrity globally. She is freaking awesome.

I like Nancy Ajram and I let people know that, she is a smart entertainer who never goes cheap and never feels completed to show skin to advance her career. The boys love her and the girls adore her. The kids and their parents are among her fans. So the always youthful pop starlet knows how to make good music and no one knows that she has the best talent management company in the world.

The song is hardly politically,y it's about the memories of Egypt sipping tea and sitting around with the people chatting them all night long. Simple things sitting on the side cafe, sharing a joke and maybe a bite to eat. All these things make yo miss the Nile, the people and the land. For the Egyptians living abroad, this is the song that they will listen to and perhaps make them buy a ticket to go back to see the family and the new country of theirs.

Nancy Ajram - Wahshani Ya Masr / نانسى عجرم - واحشانى يامصر

The "Dude" Assi Hilani Parties in Qatar

Assi has a great voice, and he has the chops and the persona to outlive all of his peers. He does engage in brown nosing every now and then. He is in Qatar doing some of that and singing to its rulers as he took part of a music festival. Why not, he is the voice of Lebanon who keeps it real by sticking to the traditions and the manly voice, known in Lebanese musical style.

I know we always talk about Arab female entertainers getting some plastic surgeries, I am beginning to think Assi gets some work done. Look at those checks and face. He is not getting younger, no one knows. I think he is just trying to keep up with the droves of young voices that covers the same music Assi does. Speaking of which he did introduce a new talent at the music festival Nadir, a new voice form Lebanon Assi is supporting.

Back to brown nosing, Assi loves to sing to the wealthy gulf sheiks. He did it in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and now he does it again in Qatar. I think this is dangerous as I see Arab rulers falling down one following another, Assi is not protected by singing to rulers and not people. One thing for sure, Assi loves Lebanon and it seems to be always on his mind.

Qaddafi Goes Viral W Zenga Zanga

So he is a made man, but many mad men have gone viral and this colorful lunatic Libyan dictator has been a master of one line zingers and funny quotes that Arabs and African shave come to expect form him.



Some creative people out there, took parts of his rant of speech given last week and auto tuned it to a very funny funky rap song that is actually entertaining. There are many versions of this song, this is the one i think has the most views.



Why would you want this funky dude to go away from the spot light? He is a national treasure and a aspiring comedian. It was some Israeli person who assembled this rap song to the beat of Pitbull "Hey Baby" proofing once again that Israel is the funniest country in the world.



القذافي : شبر شبر بيت بيت Qaddafi Zenga Zenga Song

Macy Gray, Go or Don't, We Love You

Ever since I came to America, and I have felt some sort of affinity with African Americans and felt that their music comes from the heart which I could always relate to. I related to the search of justice, and I certainly related to their feeling of being overlooked or at times dismissed. I am sure others around the world feel the same way, part of a global tribe that seems to be always on a quest for justice.

Throughout my time here, I have never had to tell my story to an African American, they sort of understand all the stereotypes and the false perceptions people have of a group of people. And this is an imagined sense of community, it has always been real to me. And as I lived in a conservative State and came to hear the often false and inaccurate portrayal of a people. While no one is perfect, this is why I would never engage in stereotyping people, cultures and religions.

So it came to a big surprise for me to find out that one of my favorite musicians was considering a concert in Israel. I mean this is Macy Gray one of the smartest and most sophisticated voices in American music, the Grammy winner know how to make educated choices that fit her style and voice. Some people were unhappy with Macy. Both people in the BDS movement and the ones on the right. Everyone wants here to do something opposite to the other. But those two parties miss that Macy is an entertainer not some politicians. If a Palestinian wanted to go to her concert in Tel Aviv, they will certainly be denied the opportunity.

I think the BDS is right to call for boycott and I think the message has been delivered. BDS showed some class, they did not call the artist names, they did not get personal like those who want her to go did. We first wrote and asked Macy not to go we did that in the nicest way possible in "Macy Gray, to Tell Aviv Don't Go" Even thought she said she will go, the racist who do not see Arabs as people, did the same thing to Macy and insulted her.

While Macy spoke out against Israel's policies of apartheid, discriminatory policies...etc. She decided that she will go to Israel and not boycott them. She made sure that Israelis knew where she stands on their politics, and yet by going there, she tells them you can enjoy my music too. I mean this takes a big person to do. It's not too hard to say I boycott, but if you say, I think you are doing wrong, but I won't deny you. After all they say music brings people together. Ray Charles did that earlier, but he also knew when to back down. You cannot lock people in and treat them as one group who believes the same thing and agrees on everything.

Look at one of the leading voices who claim to have Israel's interest in heart, commenting on Macy's opinion she had no problem calling Macy a bitch! I won't link to those clowns, but I must say this.....music is about love and with that kind of language, I doubt you have ever been loved. I chose to be a fan of Macy Gray... I would rather enjoy her album titled "sellout" than calling her one.

Haifa Wahbe Loves Her Mubarak

and the January 25th Revolution

The notorious Lebanese diva Haifa Wahbe has comments on the Egyptian revolution and since she is married to an Egyptian business man, she thinks she has it all figured out. At first she is asking the good Lord to protect Egypt because according to the diva, Egypt is the heart of the Arab people. She said that she was worried about the change and was deeply concerned for Egypt--her second home as she calls it.

So far so good, until the diva said the following, I am against insulting the former president and using harsh language to criticize him because he represents all the people of Egypt. Here is where I think Haifa is wrong, Hosny Mubarak did not represent the people, he represent the business people like the diva's husband. He abused his powers for over 30 years, so it's enough for him to have stayed in office for this long. There are some who surely like the guy--those who benefited from him and those who believe his tale of being the guy who defeated the Israelis in 1973.

I think Haifa know her place, but she is way over her head with those recent remarks....she clearly has not spoke to a young person or a poor unemployed person who went out to bring the regime down. Because God knows, the people in the music business did well under this former arrogant dictator.



Here is old song of how much she loves Egypt, she released it more than a year ago when Egypt and Algeria had their soccer match and rivalry that got some coverage.

Haifaa Wahby - 80 Million Ehsas / هيفاء وهبى - 80 مليون احساس

Iwan When Are You Making a Comeback?

Iwan is one of those rare Lebanese singer that have a complete sense of what it takes to make an Arabic song a hit. For starter he started in the business as songwriter by composing music for Lebanese singers such as Bassima, Fares Karam, Marai and Carole Samaha. When he decided to get into the singing business he released “Oul Inshallah” a very catch song that took the Middle East by surprise--inspired by a Greek song. Then in 2004 he made his debut album “Albi Sahran” which established his career as a singer.

Iwan was able to establish his fan base in Egypt and was revived as one of their own,
In 2006, Iwan released two single "Wala fil Ahlam" and "Libnani" which was written and composed by Iwan himself, the songs where directed by the always hib jad shwery and made a success especially "Libnani" which was released after the 2006 war in Beirut, the song and it's clip were about the beauty of Lebanon's nature, culture and musical icons. The thing about Iwan is his ability to attract both female and male viewers and listeners.

Now he has also gotten into the movie business as I was him in an Egyptian movie Haflet Zaffaf. He made a good impression on me. In short Iwan is one of the few singers who can truly bring out a hit from A to Z. He can write, compose and sing...so he can capture all those emotions that are often lost if you are not the person who wrote this song. I am unable to see what's holding Iwan back from making a comeback. Sure, it's a crowded scene, but he is a one of a kind star and he can stand his own ground.

Iwan - Wala Fe El Ahlam / إيوان - ولا في الأحلام

Samah Anwar Doesn't Want To Burn the Protesters

The Egyptian actress Samah Anwar called in one of those live TV shows and gave her opinion about the Tahrir Square protesters. Burn them all she said! That's right she said the authorities should burn those protesters @ Tahrir Square. To her credit she said, people do not have to share the same opinion. It's just her opinion to burn the protesters.



Some TV show had her on and now she is walking back. She denies having said that the way people have put words on her mouth. Now she is changing the story and giving a different story. It's a cheap attempt. Why not apologize and move one. This is like saying "I am sorry but you..." So that does not help.



Now she is making up stories and trying to justify her call to burn the protesters. She said she only wanted to burn the tugs not the protesters. This is not cool Samah, I really thought you are one of the smart ones. I think she is one of those people that really went out. She did not say I love Mubarak, she incite violence against peaceful protesters.



I understand you want to change your opinion now, but you cannot change the facts. She blames the state media, blames the protesters and everyone. She should just stop talking. Apologize and move one. You are not helping anyone by calling for violence and death of peaceful protesters. She is defending herself using Facebook and posting videos to explain her idiotic comments.



Ahmad Abdel Warth, an Egyptian actor who was present on the same interview. He gave Samah the run of her life. He said had I known Samah was going to be present, I won't have come to this interview. That was gold. The actress has gone nationalistic on us, like talking smack about Aljazeera, it was a lame attempt once more. She did not want the clip from her call to burn the protesters to be played.



Samah Anwar Interview on Protesters Samah Anwar | اعتذار سماح أنور -

Another Rap Song For Egypt

Egyptian rapper Karim Naguib is one of the boys, he feels like they do and cares about the things they care about. Maybe we need the Egyptian revolution so we can find out about young talents like Karim's

Per his facebook page, Karim is a new talent to smash the Egyptian R&B newly introduced trend. A 23 years old composer/lyricist/singer with a high calibre promising talent. Karim sings to youth like him about their problems and potential, dreams and hopes, and wishes for a better future.

Ear catching tunes with very touchin words that will appeal to many of the young generation. I say this is a good song, I love the flow and the beat. There is something different about Egyptian rap, in a good way that is...as it always feels fresh as the Egyptian vocabulary is flexible.

Karim Naguib - Omrak / كريم نجيب - عمرك

Tunisian Latifa To Egypt, Land of the Plenty

Latifa is from Tunis, she has sort of let the whole Tunisian Revolution get pass her, but she wasn't about to let the Egyptian revolution get by without having a song of hers to commemorate the moment. To be honest some Tunisian voices have criticized Latifah for not doing/ saying enough about Tunisia. She has also been the singer of choice for the Tunisian dictator and his wife. It's not entirely Latifa's fault, she is the biggest star from Tunisia and Egypt is her second home. Latifa delayed the release of her album that was to be released on Valentine day in observance of those events in her home and her second home.

Listen to those really fresh lyrics from Latifa, even though there are more than a hundred songs has been released since the revolution Egypt, this one stand out. The performance, the lyrics, and the music stand as one whole package that beatifies the song. This is the equivalent of a painter working on a masterpiece portrait.

It's not an Egyptian song until you incorporate the instruments the people of Egypt have come to love, the flow and the reference of the pyramids, soccer games, and the common people on the street. Latifa took more than her sweet time to bring this song and it was wroth the wait. I cannot wait to hear her Tunis song. The title is Egypt the land of plenty.


Latifa - Masr Balad Elkhir لطيفة - مصر بلد الخير

This One Goes to You Tunis

Because you lead the way, because you made it possible when all of us dismissed you, you said, "I will show you" and you did...you were right Tunis, we were wrong...you brought it all together you taught the Arab world and the rest of the world what it takes to bring an end to clowns and dictators....

You gave us the revolution, Egypt picked it, now Libya has to make a run for it...then it will go to Yemen and elsewhere. Here is the anthem that goes to you Tunis, your children have rocked the entire world and made us all believe again. Our parents were wrong and along came the young people to correct the mistakes of the past and say in one voice, the people have spoken and we won't be intimidated this time.

نشيد الثورة التونسية 14 جانفي

A Very Egyptain Beat From Mido Mounib

One of the C list singers in Egypt is Mido Mounib, the tanned skinned singer popular for wedding and folksy events. He just released his must hear song commenting on the Egyptian revolution, it seemed that everyone who ever had a song before January 25th, now must have a song for Egypt. The Nubi singer had previously collaborated with Mohamad Mounir on a local dialect song "Nayjeereh Beeh"

Fine, the more the merrier. Haitham Nabil, the charismatic singer wrote the music for this Mido song, which is kind of fresh giving that those stars have different styles and different fan base. This song is about the human connection becasue have when they walk and share a city together. The singer brings attention the volunteerism that swept though Egypt when people stepped up to handle jobs that was handled previously by the police force that went missing.

Glad to see Mido come back with this song as his fan base appreciates a song that uses their instruments and tell them tomorrow will be better by the grace of God. What these music videos have is pictures of the Tahrir square and other areas and a Christian priest holding hands with a Muslim one.

Mido Mounib - Ana Mashy / ميدو منيب - أنا ماشي

Rowaida El Mahrouki: "I'm Not a Hooker"

Rowaida El Mahrouki, the pop princess from the United Arab Emirates is sure a bold one, but she wants you to know she is not Ruby of the Gulf. Ruby is an Egyptian pop singer known for a number of popular and revealing music videos that got her fame around the Arab world.

In her statement, she denied that she looks like anyone else and that she is not too controversial. Rowaida said that Ruby is a successful artist who has transformed herself into a box office darling. For now Rowaida seems to be at peace with herself. Read the story here Rowida actually thinks there are people who are after her and trying to bring her career to an end.

I actually like becasue she does not let other people boss her around and pretend to be traditional and do all that nice girl stuff only to be revealed that she is actually a hooker. She is bold and nothing wrong with that, she is better than a hunder male stars form the Gulf who get away with tons more in their music videos. So get it stop picking on Rowaida please.

Ay Ay - Rowaida El Mahrouki

One More Egyptian Slideshow 4 The Fallen

تامر عاشور - سألو الشهيد Tamer Ashour Saalo Al Shaheed


This time by Egyptian Tamer Ashour whose latest album was released during the revolution, embarrassing him by showing him as out of touch. Tamer did not shy away, and issued statement condemning the timing of the release of his album and added his voice of supporting the revolution and the fallen. It make sense why he would say that, timing is important in marketing too.

Tamer promised a song about the revolution and he delivered more than a week ago, now his mostly sad song gets a music video rendition, like many other singers before him, they are happy using pictures and videos from the actual events on and after January 25th 2011. The song is good due to Tamer's own style that can deliver sad songs, his voice is perfect for that.

Habneky Ya Balady From Pyramedia

Pyramedia makes records for a number of up and coming Arab voices as well as half a dozen of household names. PYRAMEDIA Group is a media and an entertainment group of companies specializing in music, film, programming, publishing, artist management, events and advertising.

The company began its operation in Egypt nearly six years ago and has been able to develop an excellent market share in the country; it started with its ambitious plans in the music industry and now distributes over 500 titles on its label and over 200 video titles; it also distributes a large range of CDs & DVDs for other international companies and has recently expanded to add a strong range of publications and books imported from Europe.

So I get the sense this is an Arab music company that has a global focus without losing sight of the local market. This company is the brainchild of music producer Richard El Hajj. Just visit their website and you get the feeling this is a professional company that means business.

Watching the revolution in Egypt one of the company's young stars Mohamed ElTookhy voiced a song for Egypt starting the revolutionaries who tend to be all of his age and welcome the change. Two other artists who fall under the Pyramedia, Nader Nour and Mohammad Rahim who had their own song. This is a simple music video, a slide show of significant pictures and the artist recording the song at the studio.

Mohamed ElTOokhy - Habneky Ya Balady

Mostafa Mahfooz Final Battle Song

مصطفى محفوظ "واحد منهم" لثورة 25 يناير Mostafa Mahfooz Wahed Menohom

Mostafa Mahfooz the composer turned singer (seriously, we need more of those) gave some of us melodies to a number of Arab stars and helped them shine. I love his collaboration with Omnya Soliman, the Egyptian singer with Cashmere voice. He had had a half dozen of songs of modest success prior to the revolution, but now after the revolution in Egypt on January 25th and the 18 days following that.

Now the composer turned singer surfaced again sporting a beard and offering his wisdom through his music and words in his latest titled Wahed Menohom, one of their own. About justice and earning their rights back. Mostafa does not fail to mention that he took part of the protest and stood with the protesters. On the music side, this is actually some fine music, it plays like an epic movie soundtrack for some intense fighting scene where the hero goes to face the protagonist in the final hour.

Two thumps up for his tribute to the fallen man and women who did no wonrg other than asking for what was theirs. He is right the dignity and the rights have now come back to the people.

Oh Now Karim Mohsen Shows Up

One young singer I actually wanted to hear him sing for Egypt, by no mean he is not a household name, but he is popular with the teens and early 20 something music fans. He is the Tamer Hosny sidekick who just released his own album late last year. Because Karim Mohsen is musician by training, he feels the music and knows how to bring the best in his voice to pair it with his music. Karim Mohsen composed this song and that explains why he gets part of the video and Tamer doesn't.

Karim took a different approach he did not release his own song, instead he collaborated with Egyptian rapper Hossam L Hossainy, the rapper who released two song about the Egyptian revolution. This is actually a good song until you hear Tamer Hosny voice who insisted on inject himself into a hip song.

The title is a new dawn, Fajir Jadeed, and I like the chemistry between the two singers, they both got swagger. I like the pictures and flags too. The way the song goes it makes Egypt this beautiful girl that people want to preserve and protect from any harm or ill. This is a good song that will mean a lot to the younger crowd and makes them appreciate freedom and the accomplishment of the revolution.


Hossainy,Hosny and Mohsen collaborates on this one, do you see they are all derivative of the Arabic root word Hassan? They need a Hussein and then they would have all words related from the name Hassan. These guys are lending a hand to Tamer Hosny who is in trouble with the youth...he did helped therm out earlier so now it's pay back time.

Hossam L Hossainy Ft Karim Mohsen \ حسام الحسيني وكريم محسن - فجر جديد

A Poem, A Lute And A Blind Musician

The Palestinian raising star poet Tamim Barghouti wrote this song in January, and a young Egyptian musician Mostafa Said composed the music and performed in Tahrir Square during the days of the protest. This is a very real poem written by Tamim who is also Egyptian and has grown up there.


This reminds of me of the collaboration of two other icons, the Palestinians poet Mahmoud Darwish and the iconic Lebanese composer Marcelle Khalifah. The lute gives the poem a voice and makes it a lot more meaningful bringing this poem to new audience who are not too much into reading poetry.

The fact that the musician is blind and his flawless performance combined with his voice ensures that this song will be around for some time. The verses of this poem pretty much talk about the corruption and death that took place, it also goes deeper into history and using simple everyday language and that world famous Egyptian humor to drive the massage of change home.

يا مصر هانت وبانت اجندة مفتوحة بي بي سي BBC Ya Masir Hanit We Banit

حميد الشاعري - ليبيانا - Libyana- Hamid El Shari

Aside from the Qaddafi family, Hamid El Shari is rightfully the most famous Libyan who actually made a name for his country and himself by being the innovator he is in Arabic pop. He has made the career of more Arab stars than, one can count. He gave us more hits than there are numbers.

When trouble in Libya started 10 days ago, Hamid didn't wait and came out against the Qaddafi regime. He stood tall for the people and organized aide caravan to bring in medications and and food to the people of his country. He even made such bold statements, asking the Egyptian army to rescue their brethren in Libya.

But now, what a musician do, if not express his thoughts and sentiments in songs he releases to the masses. Hamid, the artist recorded this song to Libya titled Libyana, our Libya. About their legacies and sacrifices they and their fore-bearers made. The artist takes some time to praises the beauty of Libya--one overlooked aspect. This is a song in the Libyan dialect, something you do not get everyday.

I Forgot: Ayman Al A'tar Is Libyan

With the unfortunate events unraveling in Libya, an awesome country out-shadowed by its colorful dictator, I kept looking for mainstream Libyan singers, we wrote about Hamid Al Shari, the iconic music done it all figure. But it hit me while I was taking a leak, there few years ago there once was a young up and coming singer from Libya.



So I kept remembering, he won Super Star season two, this star is none other than the song of Libya Ayman Alatar in 2004. Released an album in 2005 with a music video...and then sort of disappeared, the star who was dental school in Libya at the time of the Super Star competition.



The star got his frist break of Libya's national TV singing a song for Libya Wa6ana Ya Wa6ana and ever since he has always tried to make it in the business until he took part of then popular talent competition.



The star's career was inspired by the singing of Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder as well as deceased legendary singer Zikrah. Ayman had the voice and some charisma that helped him win the title. We include his sole music video, it has been six years since we heard anything from this star. Ayman are you out there? What is the latest news man?



Ayman Al A'tar - Bahebak / ايمن الأعتر - بحبك

Marcel Khalifah Gives Bahrain the Middle Finger!

Marcel Khalifah just proofed he is the manliest Arab entertainer by turning down an the government of Bahrain invitation to take part of the spring music festival. Not only did he turn them down, he actually told them what he is not coming and gave them a lesson in freedom, justice and human rights.



He sent back a signed statement with some bold langauge, that he is deeply bothered by the oppression and the opening of fire at the peaceful protesters. In a gutsy statement, "I feel every bullet you fire at them, and every time you break a bone in a child's body, I feel it like it in my body." read the statement. I chose to be in the camp asking for freedom and democracy and non-violence. The statement read further, I do not take this stand base on my nationality and believe, I take it becasue I am a human before anything else.





Marcel Khalifah added his voice to the millions of Arab people asking for change and protesting their regimes. I sing to those Marcel Khalifah said, they made me feel like we can accomplish the impossible. The organizers in Bahrain really did a de-service to themselves by one having a concert during this troubling time. Two giving a forum to this fiery artist who says it as it's as he has been doing for decades.



Well done Marcel Khalifah

Al Shahroura Gets Her Own Official Stamp

It's now official Sabah Al Shahroura to get her own stamp in Lebanon to commemorate the most famous Lebanese golden diva who stared in dozens of movies and gave the Arab worlds hundreds of classics. This was the brainchild idea of the Lebanese Minster of Telecommunication and it was a celebrated move. Sabah for her part welcomes the move and thanked the minister.

Sabah commented on the current political situation and wished all the best to her beloved country that needs to make up her mind about what direction the country wants to take. As for the Sabah stamp it will be soon available all cities and towns of Lebanon, so hurry up and get yours now. Yes, no one sends regular mail anymore, just send them an email instead, but make sure to buy those stamps and send us some when you get them.

As for now the diva just survived another medical setback and has pledged with the media to let her die in peace and not circulate rumors about her death. We love Sabah and we are proud of how proud she is of her country Lebanon--even though dozens of rich Arabs and statement ask her to move away from Lebanon. she turns them all down.

Here is an old song for Sabah from one of her popular movies. You would never know this is an Arabic movie if you mute the sound...it looks like a bunch of some golden California styling girls taking a stroll on the beach and the golden sand.

Sabah Dawamah صباح _الدوامة ‎

Nawal Gets A Kuwaiti Homecoming

Kuwaiti native superstar, the lady with the golden voice and high level of sentiments throughout her long career. She might also be the Gulf Top female singer who commended a large and diverse base of fans in the Gulf and Beyond. The singer got married two years ago and moved to live in Turkey where she had her first born baby girl Haneen. But she left with some night to remember watch the video of her last performance right before she went into private life two years ago. (video)

I am a fan of Nawal since 2000 when she had a series of hit songs that became mainstream songs,

Nawal came to my radar in 2009 with Aghla Hoob (Below) a very touching romantic song with some one of kind upbeat music that takes you to that place. Now she is back into the spotlight for Kuwait music festival where she was the favorite daughter and it was quite the homecoming. Nawal did not disappoint and rose to the moment where she played the audience favorite hit songs of hers...the songs that make them proud to call this diva a follow citizen.

She did not quit as some said she have. She has not left Rotana, and she is working on her next album that's almost ready.




NawaL نوال الكويتية - اغلى حب 2009