Listen: American Rapper Khaled M (@thisisKhaledM) - Cloud Conversations Pt 2 ft. Peter Frank

Fresh off a 23 city International Tour, Chicago MC Khaled M (@thisisKhaledM) drops the visuals to "Cloud Conversations Pt 2" featuring American Idol 10 finalist Peter Frank. The song is the lead single of Khaled M's debut EP "Above the Clouds".

It seems like it has been a century since I saw Khaled M, when in fact I saw him in 2011 standing in a pro Libya protest in front of the White House. But that was 2011 and a lot has changed.

Khaled M, a rapper from Lexington, Kentucky, who was mainly performing at universities and the occasional charity event draws much of his inspiration for his music from his father, a Libyan poet. Although he started rap-battling in his school lunchroom and ghostwrote for other rappers for years, he, too, only started performing under his own name in the last two years. He calls his songs "reality music," rather than other terms he's heard, like "conscious" or "political."

As of the track, it's a delight to play over and over again. The flow is where it should be and the lyrics more personal than ever before. Lately, it  is seems like we do not hear many of its type as rap goes commercial, there are too many stories that no longer come out due to market calculations. He sounds a lot more experienced and mature without losing his upbeat spirit.

The track is for purchase on this link 

Khaled M - Cloud Conversations Pt 2 ft. Peter Frank

Download: DJ Black Shadow Remix Volume 1 Album

DJs are a dime a dozen, good ones are really hard to find....every DJ thinks heis great at what they do, but only one guy stands out among them all, I have come to know him DJ Black Shadow, he makes mixes of songs that you wouldn't come togehter. He has his way of blending English and Arabic songs in such a fun way.


I appreciate his talent and his touches to songs that may be overlooked had he not used the remixing skills to bring out attention to them.


I do not listen to Western songs often--the ones I mange to escape anyway, but here is a sampling of Arabic and English pop songs from Akon, Niki Minaj and Pitbull. The surprise is his work on Nawal's song. She is a big talent but her songs lack the cool factor this way they are such.

01 - Hamada Helal - Shouf Mn Emta - Ft Niki Minaj - House Style
02 - Elissa - As3ad Wa7da - House Style
03 - Rihanna - Diamonds - Reggetone Style
04 - Nawal al Kuwaitiya - Qissat 7bi - Gulf Style
05 - Pitbull Ft Akon & David Rush - Everybody Fucks - Club Style
06 - Marwa Nasr - Beet Wa7ed - Slow Jam Vs Snap Style
07 - Cheryl Cole Ft Will.I.Am - Lets Get Down - House Style
08 - Table No 21 - O Sajna - Bollywood Rnb Style
09 - Tyga - Bitch Betta Have My Money ft YG & Kurupt Ext Hiphop Style
10 - Esraa Al Aseel - Abu AlBanat - IRaqi Style
11 - Notch - Dale Pa Tra ( Back it Up ) - Reggetone Style
12 - Kat DeLuna ft Elephant Man - Whine Up - Re-Edit Club Style

Hassan Ramzy Delivers The Nile Delta Blues "One of Us"

Something that sounds like that world famous Mississippi River Delta Blues, but he is near another delta, the Nile Delta. He is good with a guitar, and he is not trying his hand on singing. I think he is luck...what you think of his original song "One Of Us"

Hassan Ramzy is a growing Egyptian musician who mainly plays guitar and sings. he prefers almost all types of Acoustic, Rock and Blues. He writes and composes his own music but also likes to cover other artists. Biography I've been playing music since about 2004. I say he's got the blues fever and has managed to bring it to tell an Egyptian story.

Hassan composes and write his own songs, as well as cover many others. I am currently Majoring in Psychology, but hope to pursue a career in music! So he is doing music as a hobby now, but if the math is right, he will be doing more of it. The story he tells her is a cry against President Morsi.

Hassan Ramzy - One of Us (Original Song)

The Odd Ball Track By Grandpa Crunk

I am confused by this track, I do not loath it, but since I am not too big on clubbing, I might be missing something. 'Grandpa Crunk' returns with an original banger with long-time emcee DJ Fulo. Fulo from Spanish speaking Panama delivers a chant style sing-songly delivery of the Arabic/English phrases he heard frequently as he lived and taught English and Spanish in Dubai.

Backed with production and direction from Grandpa Crunk, Fulo rides a solid mixture mish-mash-up of Jazz, Soca, Merengue, Bass Hip-Hop, Dub House, and Urban House with a splash of the Afro-Orient giving the track an interesting Eastern yet Western feel - re-creating Fulo's description of the music in Dubai clubs such as Copacabana, Boudoir, Zinc, Kasbar, Vu's Bar, African Star, Bollywood, and Garage Club. In doing so Grandpa Crunk created a flava' distinct enough for play from taste making Mad Decent "citizen of the world" DJs such as Uproot Andy, DJ Vamanos, and Chief Boima.

Alhamdulillah literally means 'Glory to God' and is used by Arabic speakers of all faiths. Fulo created the chant used in the song after the experience of hearing folks in Dubai state "Alhamdulillah" commonly as well as in religiously. The chant also incorporates other commonly used phrases heard in Dubai.


Alhamdulillah Dubai - Grandpa Crunk featuring DJ Fulo (radio rip)

Listen: "Open Letter", Jay-Z Wrote Cuba A Love Song

I’m in Cuba, I love Cubans. This communist talk is so confusing,” Jay-Z raps on the track, which is produced by Timbaland and Swizz Beatz and goes on to reference Bob Dylan’s song “Idiot Wind.” “[…] ‘Idiot Wind,’ the Bob Dylan of rap music. You’re an idiot, baby, you should’ve become a student. Oh, you gonna learn today.”


“I done turned Havana into Atlanta,” Jay-Z raps in “Open Letter,” which he released Thursday. “[…] Boy from the hood, I got White House clearance… Politicians never did s—- for me except lie to me, distort history… They wanna give me jail time and a fine. Fine, let me commit a real crime.”

“There seems to be some confusion regarding how Beyoncé and Jay-Z acquired visas to travel to Cuba. Just days ago, Jay Carney evaded questions on the celebrities’ trip,”

The U.S. Treasury Department that while it approved for the trip’s organizers to travel to Cuba as part of a cultural learning experience, they were unaware that the couple would be attending, as it is department policy not to require organizers’ to provide a list of travelers.

I am certain that conservatives will go to town on: “I got White House clearance.”

This April 26, One Iraqi Hit-Maker محمد السالم - قلب قلب In A Virginia Concert

He will be accompanied by the Iraqi pop band UTN1 (Unknown To No One) This is the one concert that will bring all the 50 shades of Iraqis and appreciators of the rich Iraqi music scene  living in the Mid-Atlantic region for a fun night of music that the autnicity of the land it draws its inspirations form. This is a popular hit song that took Iraqi by storm "Qalib Qalib" by the lovable Mohammad ElSalem who has toured the world with this song and other Iraqi songs.

He is a hot commodity and this time, the music will be upped as the Iraqi rock band will be to his side warming up the crowd and doing what the love doing best, live music that brings home to those who long for it. The band walks onstage and look like your there to play through your songs and to have a good time as well. They tend to do their rituals and let the audience let you know you're there.

The interesting thing about the band is that they play through each song until you know whats happening each second. They have mastered each song by playing them off by heart and concentrate on what everyone else is playing. Thus, the band members are a good live musician is one that can feel the pulse of the crowd and become fueled by their energy. It takes more than practice practice practice to be a good musician. Some things can't be taught. UTN1 Band-mates were born with the chops for those live gigs.

As for AlSalem, he is the kind of entertainer who talks to the crowd and allows them to be apart of the show. He knows how to just relax and have fun. He is not a a show-off, but he knows that he is the attraction and the audience appreciate that.

Tickets are here

محمد السالم - قلب قلب وين وين فيديو كليب الاصلي HD 2011


يا رايح وين مسافر - UTN1 حفلة (تراث جزاىري) ya rayeh

Haifa Wore The Same Dress Worn By Britney Spears

It's a slow music news day, but those with too much time on their hands, have pointed out that the Lebanese supernova Haifa Wehbe wore a dress that was seen before on Britney Spears. How do they dig this kind of stuff? Seriously, who has the time?

Nevertheless this is a cool music video, the MJK music video which shot in New York and Haifa sports a number of stylish and froward looking outfits. The two Djs she has used for this song did wonders...Lenz Garcia and Noor Q took the original song and turned it into something any given nightclub would love to play on their busiest night.

Anyhow, Brittney is a global celebrity and Haifa is making her way toward a bigger and global audience.

will.i.am - Scream & Shout ft. Britney Spears


Haifa Wehbe - MJK (Heartbeats Remix) By Lenz Garcia & Noor Q هيفاء وهبي - ملكة جمال الكون

With The Help Of Raef, American Pop Gets A Second Run

Maroon 5 had no idea that one of their popular and hit songs  [Won't Go Home Without You] would find a another life of its own. It wouldn't have gone to a new and more Islamic audience had it not been for Raef. The young American talent with who asks for redemption and forgiveness with his guitar.

Raef came a long way and he still has a long way to go, but as an artists I feel he is ready for prime time. His sense of poetry and strokes on the guitar are a perfect match for an audience looking for something hip. Raef's idea is to take popular songs that everyone relates to, and use those songs or their template to tell a story about being a better person.

I have seen Raef perform in a more intimate setting in George Washington University few days before he had a big gig with the poetic justice group performance. Raef sounds like he has a bit of Country music in him. I beilve this Maroon 5 cover is serving a good purpose and with Raef talent it remains a work of art.

Raef - Your Mercy (Maroon 5 Cover) [Won't Go Home Without You]

Will The Real Lara Scandar Stop Faking It

Lara Scandar likes to think she bridges the gap between Egyptian and Lebanese styles. In between Western and Eastern music. She has done some work to show she she is a well-rounded pop star for the Facebook generation. She has a mentor in Beirut so she visits often.

But she is also part Italian--she sings in Italian too, and she is partial a Californian, so she is all about the party. Lara Scandar is like the star companies want us to fall in love with, she can sell stuff. Her songs are the kind of empty songs about let's sing together, enjoy the sunshine. That's fine if this feels organic, you cannot really force

Now, she is with Herbal Essence selling shampoo, she sat with Elaph to talk about her songs, concerts and the products she endorses. She is also ready to talk about Christmas, the white kind.
لارا اسكندر تجول في شوراع بيروت مع صديقاتها

The Jacksons Hit All The Notes In Their Abu Dhabi Concert

Nobody believes that the Jacobson are mourning the death of their most favorite and legendary brother Michael. But the now troubled family is touring the world sharing the legacy of their beloved brother. The leg of the tour took them to Abu Dhabi, a city where many rich people live and many people who like to be rich dwell.

This meant to be a tribute concert performing Micheal's great songs in sold out venues. Janet has already performed there. Michael is irreplaceable, but the Jackson Five where it all started, so Michael has always done well with his solo act.

This is the first time the Jackson's get seen together performing. Four Jacksons took on the audience by storm. Watch them give an interview talking about his legacy and his spirit. The Gulf a great place to sell any American product, the Jacksons are among this nation's finest export to the world.    

"آل جاكسون" كرَّموا شقيقهم في أبو ظبي

WATCH: President Obama Is Coming Obama Jay أوباما جاي #Palestine

Activist in Palestine are poking fun of president Obama's visit to the West Bank, they are not mean or anything  just sarcastic at the man who comes offering nothing and changing little. They are bored and it's all a fair game to recount some of the pains people of Palestine live through daily.

This is a humorous song with, welcome Obama! The Ramallah activists are smart too, you can hear a voice in English saying, "I have seen enough, I must go, wait for peace" The biggest expense for the music video was the car rental where the actor playing president Obama rides.

The song talks about the crossing or military checkpoint separating Jerusalem from Ramallah or the west Bank. I like the geek guy with glasses, he might have his fans around the world as those geeks have a league of their own. It's sad, but true, this trip came form nowhere in a time where the peace process has not gone anywhere in five years.

Obama Jay أوباما جاي

The Amazing Native Indian Music

Not sure what region this music comes form, but I have known it to be from the South American nation of Peru. It's very common to hear them live in big cities selling their records while putting on a great show for the bystanders. But something tell me, this guy on the video is from North American Indians, not the southern nations.

The dresses and the face paint patterns tell me, they are from around the States or Canada, before it was the States as we know it. Regardless of the place, this kind of music has managed to captivate minds and hearts around the world. These guys do wonders with the flute, a very basic music instrument that makes me think of the mountains, waterfalls and eagles. .
 موسيقى خياليه ( هنود الحمر) Indian Music

First New Jimi Hendrix Album In 43 Years

Some 43 years after his tragic death, rock-n-roll legend Jimi Hendrix will return to relevance on Tuesday with the release of his new album People, Hell & Angels. The greatest guitarist of all time, the man who helped redefined rock and roll will be back in 2013. 

The album consists of 12 previously unreleased tracks Hendrix completed in the studio before his death in 1970, brought about by an overdose of sleeping pills. The album was recorded in between 1969 and 1970 at the highest of his success. There should be some experimental music and fusions of styles. Naturally, the forthcoming album, People, Hell and Angels won't escalate Hendrix's legacy beyond where it already stood; we'll never hear the innovations, hairpin turns and creative dead ends he'd have followed had he lived to celebrate his 70th birthday at the end of this year. But the collection does do a fine job of preserving Hendrix's work in amber, while still polishing it up as good as new.

“These twelve recordings encompass a variety of unique sounds and styles incorporating many of the elements—horns, keyboards, percussion and second guitar—Jimi wanted to incorporate within his new music,” the official Hendrix website explains. “People, Hell and; Angels, presents some of the finest Jimi Hendrix guitar work ever issued and provides a compelling window into his growth as a songwriter, musician and producer.”

“We’re thrilled to be able to release People, Hell & Angels, during the celebration of the 70th anniversary of my brother’s birth,” Janie L. Hendrix said in an advisory. “The brilliance of the album serves to underscore what we've known all along: that there has never been and never will be a musical force equal to his and that we cherish and take inspiration of what he left us both now and for many generations to come…simply eternity.”

Here some of the samples here

Beer With Jesus Song Falls Flat On Fox News

Mainstream country music artist Thomas Rhett on Monday appeared on Fox News to perform his hit “Beer With Jesus.” I do not think this is an honorable way to celebrate the savior. He is not some lonely buddy sitting in a bar waiting for his beer and chatting up random strangers.

such songs make it easy for people to shoot their own religion in the foot, no need to satirize faith anymore, the believers are now doing the work. How about all those Christian groups and sects who do not drink beer. Will they be saved? In his quest for fame Thomas Rhett steps all over his own savior.


“If I could have a beer with Jesus / Heaven knows I’d sip it nice and slow / I’d try to pick a place that ain’t too crowded / Or gladly go wherever he wants to go,” Rhett sings.

“You can bet I’d order up a couple tall ones / Tell the waitress put ‘em on my tab / I’d be sure to let him do the talkin’ / Careful when I got the chance to ask,” the song continues.

“Why not just have some water with Jesus?” Christian News reader Marshall Chandler asked last year. “This is a prime example of how far down the toilet country music has gotten.” Rhett’s song debuted at 49 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in September, and had reached the number 26 spot by last week.

He is certainly entitled to writing this song, his freedom to express and worship is guaranteed  It's his choice and taste I question.

Thomas Rhett - Beer With Jesus

Andrew W.K. Is America's Cultural Ambassador To The Middle East

Because drones, military force and tanks do not make good ambassador of America's wide cultural landscape. One rocker can build bridges and make the Middle East fall in love with America all over again by partying loudly.

In surprising and odd news of the day, the U.S. Department of State of has named Andrew W.K. the Cultural Ambassador to the Middle East. He is  an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, entertainer, motivational speaker, and music producer. He is the host of the television series Destroy Build Destroy. In November 2012, he was named a United States cultural ambassador to Bahrain. As a musician, he is perhaps best known for the 2001 hit single "Party Hard", from the album I Get Wet. Bahrain is an island, so he would have to get wet. Andrew has also lived and grew up in Ann Arabs where many Arab immigrants also live.

"This is a tremendous invitation," W.K. said in a statement on his website. "I'm very thankful to the Department of State for giving me the opportunity to visit a place I've never been before. And I feel very privileged and humbled by the chance to represent the United States of America and show the good people of Bahrain the power of positive partying. I can hardly wait for this adventure!"

The performer's website reports that W.K. will visit the Middle East "to promote partying and positive power." The story also explains that "Andrew will begin his journey the first week of December, 2012 and will visit elementary schools, the University of Bahrain, music venues, and more, all while promoting partying and world peace." Partying does help bring peace, but if the music is too loud the cops will shoe up and things may get hairy.

W.K. once told HuffPost his personal tag line would be, "I'm not here to impress you, I'm here to party with you."

Andrew W.K. - Party Hard

The Secret Marriage Of Janet Jackson And Qatari Businessman

Saudi Online news website Alarabiya is out with a new story about the marriage of Janet Jackson to her Arab boyfriend, Qatari business mogul Wissam Al Mana 37 years old. Jackson, 46, the younger sister of the late singer Michael Jackson, was married to billionaire Wissam Al Mana, 37, last year but kept the news under wraps.

“The rumors regarding an extravagant wedding are simply not true. Last year we were married in a quiet, private, and beautiful ceremony,” Jackson and Al Mana said in a statement to Entertainment Tonight. “Our wedding gifts to one another were contributions to our respective favorite children’s charities.” The American singer is known for keeping her private life from the media, rarely speaking out about her ex-husbands.

This is Janet's third wedding, she was previously married to soul singer James DeBarge in 1984, and the marriage was annulled a year later. Her 1991 marriage to music video director Rene Elizondo (Mexican Americam) ended in divorce in 2000. That wedding was also kept private. Jackson has shared the news with Entertainment Tonight. She denied all the extravaganza that was reported by numerous media outlets.

Wissam Al Mana has been dating Janet for three years, and he is the son of the late business mogul who controls a number of business (watches, cars, fast food, construction jewelry and may more) franchise in that affluent nation. While Wissam is a Qatari citizen he was born in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The couple met in 2010 after a concert for Ms. Jackson in the Middle East and has asked her for marriage in 2011.

It's now reported that Janet Jackson wants to be a mother and Wissam seems like a family oriented man.

Janet Jackson Confirms She's Married

Nadia Ali Makes Time For Desert While In Egypt

The global pop star of American and Pakistani/Libyan origins Nadia Ali visited Egypt, while there she stopped by s fast food joint and ordered some Zalabya (sweet fried dough). This is the third time for Nadia visiting Egypt in the past six years. Her biggest musical inspirations at an early age came form Madonna.

Beginning in 2001, Nadia’s lush vocal style would take the world by storm, becoming a globally recognized trademark in the dance music industry, and keeping her in nonstop demand by the hottest innovative DJ’s worldwide. Her tracks often rank the # 1 DJ in the world Her dance tracks have been generating a white-hot buzz. Jointly, Nadia and Armin shaped the brand-new dance track: “Feels So Good” and are currently carrying out a rigorous tour schedule on the "Armin Only Mirage" tour. “Armin Only” is an entirely sold-out world tour, filling arenas with tens of thousands of fans nightly.

Nadia Ali - Rapture (Avicii Remix) [Official Music Video]

My Trip To Nashville, Music City USA

I took a trip to Nashville TN, the birthplace of country music and the place where rock star and other musicians go to get inspired. Country music is a lifestyle in this city and most of their bars feature country music live bands every night. Tennessee is an interesting state--a very long state to drive in. But through it all, the trip is worth taking. The music is something you do not see or hear in places like New York. Country music still tried to find better stories to tell about us.

You walk down Broadway in downtown Nashville, and you will feel it right away. People dig this music thing, the Western life and the hat and boots. Stores in that area also can sell you an awesome guitar and cross the street you can pick up a pair of boots. The city has a great feel and tourists from around the world visit.

To be candid, I felt place gets a bad name from the civil war era and various stereotypes about people down there. I was astonishing how graceful the people are and how mixed and diverse the cities are. The North preaches getting along, but in reality they do not practice it--maybe they do not have too. In the American South, I felt people people get along just fine and it looks beautiful. There people out there who believe in America and cherish it. I know, I was always pleased to see sings made in the USA next to a product I want or love.  

The best thing about the trip is the people of the South, they are nice courteous and fun loving. Big portion is the way to go. Big trucks, big parking spaces, big dinner briskets. Elvis is King of that land, people know his history and his must by heart. I did also mange to go to Memphis, I felt Nashville did a better job claiming the music scene. Memphis is where Graceland is and great BBQ. I do not think, we have a city like Nashville in the Middle East. I feel Iraq in its glory days (1920s to 1950s) had that kind of vibe. Beirut may come close.

good music, good people and great food, take me to Nashville place.   

Stream: Fatima Al Qadiri: The Oasis In Desert Strike

The Sengal native Fatima Al Qadiri is no stranger to war, she is one of a kind musician that always seems to be in a contact search for a better way to express war musically. Gunshots, and the whole nine yards. In a way she is so perfect to make music for our world in the virtual world of games where wars are popular. She is a video gamer herself.


Among the wars that have inspired Fatima to put into music is The First Gulf War "is a subject I've wanted to address for years," Al Qadiri writes over email. "I'm not a writer," she says, and couldn't write a memoir about her "experience as a child during the occupation of Kuwait and First Gulf War." But Desert Strike is a memoir nonetheless — "a sort of abstract audio memoir," she says. The music she creates is driven form her childhood memories yet geared toward those who like intercultural background music that stands form something.

The Desert Strike as her very own way of paying "homage to grime," but it's also a response: a masterful piece of work exploring the links between war and violence and representation and growing up. I know many speak about being citizens of the world, Fatima should be the president of that club. She lives and worked in New York City. Berlin, Dubai, Doha, London, Marrakesh, Kuwait City, Seoul, Milan, and other have seen her exhibitions and performances.

Fatima may rub some people the wrong way, she may even provoke some criticism for her work or the issues she chooses to highlight. I am unable to find much resources on her biography. something tells me that side of her life is off limits. All we have is her music which offers a lot of complexity on its own.      

The American Lady Who Moved To Cairo To Beat The Drum

Drummers and drum circles are a thing of hippies in the States, but in Egypt when one young American lady moves into town and beats the drum, people do not label her as such. Her name is Rookie and this is her fifth year coming to Egypt to spend the winter.

She has visited and studied the drum in India and Turkey to learn something about the drum in those parts of the world. Her parents are classical musicians where she grew up playing that type of music. It seems that Egypt has welcomed her into a band where she performs and yes there is a belly dancer.

روكي... فتاة أميركيَّة تعزف على الطَّبلة في مصر