WATCH: Marwa Ben Sghaier-Je t'aime (studio)مروى بن صغير-

Marwa came from a relatively smaller Arab country, Tunisia and she took part of the Star Academy music reality show. She left with a huge impression as her romantic and dreamy voices truns even the toughest human being into butter. Her Arabic cover of Fayrous and other classics were dazzling to see the least. But her singing in French opened Pandora's box.

 While Marwa has huge following and the name recognition  she is still not a mainstream success  This is not her own fault, but I am award that she is still engaged in the music scene. Marwa is a fragile artist with delicate feelings, she is no business manager.

Check out her latest song in French, as she performs the song in studio. It makes me feel something--even thought I have little idea what her words are saying. I feel she is confessing how much she adores someone, am I right?

Marwa-Je t'aime (studio)مروى بن صغير-

Cheesing Things Up With Saber El Rebai

I do not personally know Saber El Rebai, but I know that he loves a good cry or at least his songs lead you to believe. It's like he goes out in the world, finds the wrong people, falls in love with them. And then he comes to us telling his tale of how he was wronged  Maybe we can help him the first time, but the second times he comes it becomes harder and harder.

The only reason he shot to fame was become to his happy and dance friendly song Sidi Mansour of 2000, but then he started making romantic songs, they were great. But such songs do not have a great feel to them, you won't play them on your car or race to see them in a concert.

Saber visited the Tunisian song again and made a number of good hits, but he is looking for something more durable so he dabbling into composing songs and writing more hard hitting songs that will be among his legacy. Cool is good for ten years, and then you have to look for another job. Whatever it's Saber is still around, and he moonlights as a judge on the Voice.
اتذكرك

One Tunisian Rapper Arrested For Trashing The Police Weld El 15 البوليسية كلاب

Some Tunisian who sang against the police rests in jail right now. His song was titled "The Police Are Dogs"--think Pigs in America. His song takes a creative approach at insulting the police and he was nothing but harsh words for the police force in Tunis,

Many young people in Tunis are pissed of at their government and from the comments they post, they seem to want to break free. Weld El 15 is the artists behind this song. The Tunisian Ministery of Interior has arrested a young man and unidentified woman, they await to see a judge. This has taken place south of the capital and they are investigation the incitement and defamation the song calls for against the government and the police.

I think, people should be free to speak their minds, but even in free societies there are limits...try to mock a police officer, call him a name of give him the middle finger here. You will not be happy. I wish the artist well, and I want him to be free.

Weld El 15 - NEW البوليسية كلاب [Clip Officiel]

WATCH: Divanessa - Aman, The Amazing (and beautiful) Lebanese Violinist

Lebanese violinist Divanessa is busy making Arabic music more universal by adding a touch of class and violin on everything she does. Among her early supporter is Lebanese pop star Ragheb Alama whose brother's label has singed her. The two have performed together in a sold out concert in Tunis. She also has a A Nigeria concert as well.

Cannot deny how hard working she seems as she plays her instrument of choice. It's like she is writing magic straight out of her violin. I love the fantasies her music creates as highlighted by her most recent music video. There's so much tension, conflict and peace in her strokes. Aside from her wonderful look and impressive choice of wardrobe, Divanessa seems to have it all figures out.

Divanessa has an rare and an incredible talent not available to too many men or women in our part of the world. She is a master and it shows as in her short years she has manged to get her name out there and perform around the world. She is Canadian by birth and Lebanese by the events helped shape her life. She picked the violin at age 9 and it seems that was the best decision she has ever taken.

This is the kind of music that comes form the world, and travels the world- but first it stops in Lebanon. Her music goes where words, fail. I am happy to see a star contribute to universally themed music like Divanessa has in her short years. And something tells me, she has a lot more to give.

Divanessa - Aman / ديفينيسا - آمان

The Last Time Saber El Robai Tried To Be Cool

Saber El Robai is part of the Rotana music label and as a talented musician  I think that was the dumb thing to do. They do not have time for him, they re in the businesses that make money plus they do not like to spend money on stars whom the mangers do not especially like. Saber El Robai is a big deal in Tunisia, and Lebanon.

For the past six years or so Saber has failed to have a big hit, and the fault for that is much bigger than the singer himself. His 2012 album has no memorable song, and none of its songs lived up to the singers past beloved songs. At least Roa thinks a great deal of this song, it agrees with her. Saber is a talented musician who seems to pick losers

Then came his music video few months ago, where he is playing love games with his lady, there is a beach and your dream vacation stuff. Filmed in Lebanon in partnership with Sony whose products are placed in this music video. It's worth mentioning that the best part of this song is the music, and it has been composed by the singer himself.  

saber roba3i ya 3asal 2012 - YouTube.FLV


Saber Rebaï - Ya Assal | Carthage 2012 صابر الرباعي - يا عسل

Listen: Latifa New Single اغنية لطيفة - أسمر | جديد 2013

Rookies are not the only ones making songs in Khaliji songs, but other more seasoned entertainers are joining the ranks. Tunisian songstress and icon is out with a radio version of her new single. A song where she is singing to the tanned colored boy toy.

Latifa's heart is in the right place. I know for sure Palestine, Iraq, Syria and Egypt are on her mind. She has always been a proud Tunisian, but it seems she has no plans to go home anytime soon. I know she continues to make media appearances and interviews. She is an icon who has many hits throughout her career. Trouble is, the last good song she recorded was about five years ago.

Latifa has her fans, I was once, I am waiting for her to dazzle me once again. Her new single did not have people like me on her mind when she recorded this random mediocre song.    

اغنية لطيفة - اسمر | نسخة راديو


اغنية لطيفة - أسمر | جديد 2013

Watch: Mourad Bouriki Wins The Title At The Voice الحلقة الاخيرة - فوز مراد بوريقي باللقب

The proud kingdom of Morocco took home the title for the Voice, his mentor Assi Hallani is so proud. The winner of the first season of the Arabic version of The Voice is Mrad Boreqy. This was a stunning surprise for many observers who have not taken special interest in Mourad Bouriki and his dazzling performances.  The Moroccan flag flew a little higher in Beirut where the episode aired on Friday the 14th. The judges now can take a break after an informal finale--where Sherine brought her little girl who ran on stage.

This is the closing ceremony and each coach gave a closing speech and so has the four contestants. A class act speech by Katehm Al Saher who has recognized the suffering of the children and those who are living under attacks and bombing in the world. The final four came from Tunis, Iraq and two from Morocco. Mourad was the most professional and most loyal to his signings  He won because he was good, not because he was the most charismatic.

As for Mourad has dominated with his covers of the Syrian oldies--a t ouch singing form where high low pitches are needed to dazzle. I congratulate the young singer and wish him well, he has the voice and has now won The Voice over. His next move is important. I hope this is the begging of a Moroccan music revival.

MBC made a lot of money from this big in rating show--I was suspicious at first. Moroccans almost always do poorly in those shows whereas Egyptians tend to win more often. Some refer to RedOne, the world class Moroccan music producer interfering in favor to the Mourad. Mourad won the night with a cover of Oum Kalthoum song--always a crowd pleaser.

Mourad won few things, a big truck from a famous America company model 2013. A contract with Univrsal Music where the popular Moroccan native RedOne would oversee the production of the album.  

MBC The Voice - Ep14 / الحلقة الاخيرة - فوز مراد بوريقي باللقب


The Voice MBC - Ep13 / مراد بوريقي - يا مال الشام

Qatar Jails A Poet And Screens Movies At Tribeca

A poet will face life in prison in Qatar after penning verses that state officials deemed insulting to the nation's emir and an incitement to topple the government, his attorney told news agencies Thursday.

Rights activists say Mohammed Ajami was arrested over his “Jasmine Poem,” which skewered governments across the region, at one point declaring, “We are all Tunisia in the face of the repressive elite.” He had previously recited a poem criticizing the emir, according to free speech groups.

But who cares about one poet? The government clearly does not, and that's not stopping them from promoting films and freedom of speech at their own version of Tribeca film festival that's being held at the moment with the presence of many Arab and few international stars. Whatever you do just do not insult the leader of the land....this is a farce people.

Mohammed Ajami did nothing wrong, he spoke his mind in a place that has seriously promote free speech for all those who have something nice to say about the Emir. Do not get me wrong, I love many things Qatar did and how they are trying to do more, but they have also done a number of mistakes as well. Jailing Mr. Ajami should not be one of them.

Here's how I see this ending, the Emir of the land will parson the poet, and the poet will come out and apologize about his poem. Not fair by any means, but the Emir doe snot need the bad press as the story has been picked by the global press now.

As for the film festival in Qatar, it looked like the Algerian and Tunisian cinema were big winners, as they have collected the top awards. An Egyptian women won an award for the documentary she made about men and their role in society. A young Saudi women director also won for a movie she filmed about women of Saudi Arabia.

"التائب" يحصد جائزة مهرجان ترايبيكا السِّينمائي

Hedi Jouini, The Protector of The Tunisian Song

Hedi Jouini has been rightfully dubbed the Frank Sinatra of the Arab World. From the theme song of a popular Tunisian soap opera to pop singers’ cover songs, including international superstar Ishtar, Jouini’s music still resonates twenty five years after his death.

Behind the usual story of siblings fighting over their inheritance lies the powerful dynamic of men’s and women’s roles in 1930’s Tunis and the sad but often funny story of Papa Hedi’s, a man and his legacy. Performing live accompanied buy his "oud" lute and an orchestra of people who are set on making beautiful music. The star Hedi Jouini seems to enjoy his live performances and inviting his audience to participate

Hedia became a star away from the center of the Arab star making system in Cairo. Like countless of his peers he started his career by reading and reciting the holy Koran. He moved into memorizing songs of singers that came before him. Then he studied under an Italian music professor, then in a French institution. He would go on to dominate the 50s, 60s, and 70s in the Tunisian song. Most of his songs have been inspiring young and old Tunisian artists to recreate them.

His early songs were light and had a lot of humor. Then he moved into romance and duets. And from there to the social issues. He was a leader in conserving the Tunisian song and had joined a group to promote and protect the local song--he would compose songs for a number of vocalists in that group "Jama'at Ta'aht Al Sor"
Hedi Jouini - 7obi Yitbadel Yitjadid


hedi jouini - lamouni live

Carole, Elissa, Wael To Join The X Factor

While the contracts have not been signed yet, but that would not stop the press from talking about the latest celebrity panel to join a singing competition. It seems, at least three Lebanese pop stars will be sitting on the judge chair on the popular singing competition, Elissa, Wael Kfoury and Carole Samaha are rumored to have accepted the roles.

Meanwhile, it seems the need for an Egyptian judge is key, so Tamer Hosny has been locked in talks with the producers in the hope he would join the panel. Tamer Hosny has not giving his OK yet, the others have.

The X Factor airs on CBC, the casting and talent scouting will start in Jordan on November third, then the UAE on the sixth, Morocco on the twelve, Tunisia on the fifteen and then Egypt, the last stop on November 21.

Now, we have big Arab names on the panels of Arabs Got Talent, The Voice, Arab Idol and now The X Factor triples the dose of A listers.

Mohamed ft Shamia - Youm Wara Youm

The Tunisian Farah Bin Rajab, A Media Darling

Farah Bin Rajab, the Arab TV personality darling is a hit in TV, she has worked on a half dozen of Network. Not only does she present, but she also works on themes for the network. Her opinions are often heard. Farah is well known for being a favorite among men, that's why she speaks she does not intend to give men a hard time.

I never knew she is Tunisian, I grew up watching her shows. She speaks Arabic, but a mix of Lebanese and Tunisian. It's cute. DMTV network is one of her homes, as this network is dedicated for men viewers. Really? Men should go find jobs, not watch TV and drink tea all day.

Can anyone tell my why is she a huge deal? Not hating, just trying to get an education.

فرح بن رجب لا أتعمد مشاكسة الرجل في برنامجي الجديد

The Old Saber El Robae'i Had It Going On, What Now?

Remind me of one great song that Saber El Robae'i has made in the last three year? Chances are, you won;t be able to. This Tunisian singer who had a great 2000 is working his way back into the music business. He does not hold as many concerts--or maybe we do not read about them. He has been in Beirut for years now where his work is based. His latest album tanked.

He remains with Saudi production company Rotana--where non Gulf native singers go to die and be ignored.    His career is far form over, but I do not see him making any music or talking about his latest. Saber has a warm voice and a romantic style that makes many people believe. He has a good name in the industry. But such good will does not last long if he does not give us anything new to celebrate.

I know he did a good song for Tunisia more than a year ago, celebrating the new change at his home. I think, he needs to comeback with a funky Tunisian song that reminds us all of all his great moments like in Sidi Mansour , romance has too many singer at the moment, but not enough cool singers with a good voice are doing Tunisian flavored song.

Saber El Robae'i - At7ada El Aalam - صابر الرباعي - أتحدي العالم

Tunisian Songstress Bahaa AlKafy 2012 Single

Thanks to pop singer Baha Alkafy, yellow is not officially back in Arabic pop. the bright color of the spring and summer is making her new promotional poster for new single. Bahaa just released a sweet pop song that has heart and soul. It has a sweet melody and a good beat, and then Bahaa voices kicks in, the songs glows happiness.

She comes form Tunisia, but you would not be able to tell had you not been watching the Star Academy 5 years ago. She is a young songstress from the country of Jasmine, and she is back to show is. K Music singed her up and has worked with her on the new single.

Bahaa is not a new comer, she has a number of songs under her name and at least one music video. She has soft vocals that can channel her vibrant emotions. This is a romantic song about the fears of young people that others might butt in and ruin their young romance.
 بهاء كافي هو احنا ليه

Marwa Bin Sageer, Hear The Real Rainbow

Marwa is a hit Lebanes singer whose career has not really taken off, it might be that this shy sweet girl is not up to talking to the press and working to promote herself. She wants to sing and she is very good at her style. She does those sweet, dreamy songs that can bring you to tears.

As of right now, she seems to have gone local and choosing to do local concerts at her home Tunisia. Seriously, if this was the time of radio, Marwa would be a legend by now, but it's all about confidence, getting connected and sucking up to people. Clearly, Marwa does not do that and instead she focuses on making her music and her songs a delight.

Her live concerts are magical, as her vocals deliver an intoxicating experience where you will not ever need to look at your watch.
لون حياه ٢

Amany El Seweissy Still Working on Herself

Look up in the dictionary a honey voiced young diva, and you will see a picture of Tunisian singer Amani Swisi. She looks a bit like American actress Amanda Peet too. So, there you have it, she is working on some new music video in Lebanon with a crew.

I like about Amani that she keeps moving forward and she has incrementally being getting more attention and fans. She has a sweet voice that comes with hint of sadness, making her perfect for bittersweet songs. She does have her cool side that she has explored in some music videos in the past
أماني السويسي تعود بـ"تبيني ليش

Saber Robaei Wants To Reclaim His Career

Tunisia's boy wonder of romance music had a terrible year last year, but their number one star Saber Robaei is making a run for 2012. He released an album ealry this year, it had somethings good.

His next music video will be a romance in Lebanon, but he will go back to doing Gulf music, this time working with Iraqi composer Hatem El Iraqi. Not sure if Saber can weather this storm, but he is not the only one.

His music video is titled "Honey!" It;s filming in Lebanon with Fady Haddad, see the behind the scenes footage as Saber calls it beauty shot. See Saber rocking the blazer look.
"يا عسل" تجمع صابر الرباعي وفادي حدَّاد

A Dead Song For The Not So Dead, Fallen

Here's a tip, if you want to make a big song, you would have to do more than call it a big song. It has to actually live up to the promise by delving a good experience.

Getting young guns to perform might work, if these names have chemistry or if their names match up well together. Three voices from three Arab countries lined up to do this song. the first from Tunisia, the second from Egypt and the third form Libya. The female voice goes to The Tunisian performance.

I think this is largely a dead song, the music turned it into a ghost town, the walking dead. The slow speed and the crying voices, do not help....see how many hits this song got--not many 320!

Weak, this song was made as a favor for some young guns who thought they would make it big. They sure mean well, but this is not the song to do it with.
أوبريت هدية شهيد

Bizarre Comments By Tunisia's Minister of Culture

I love Tunisia and I love the people from that country who have made all Arabs proud of them and their work. Now, let's put this aside and watch this video interview with the Minister of Culture in Tunisia who has ties of Islamic groups. Mehdi Mabrouk sounds like a man of reason, until I saw his recent comments on this video.

When asked if he would bring in Nancy Ajram to take part of the Carthage Music Festiva, he said No! Elissa, No over my dead body and he had the same reply when asked if he would bring in Fadel Shaker too. That;'s all fine with me, these are people who perfrom for money and I could care less.

Now, the trouble started when two other names have been brought up. The Minister announced he would discuss the possibly of bringing in Lebanese composer and singer Melhim Barakat And he would even consider Lutfi Bouchnaq too.

I think this is insane, Melhim is a gifted musicians, but he is drinker and has no shame speaking about his habit and entertaining those drunk people was his most poplar gig. As for Lutfi his connection for the ousted dictator of Tunisia is hard to miss. He has asked the dictator to run again and has sang for him many times.

Other stars he is also ruling out, Tamer Hosny and Sherine. But he would consider inviting Fayrouz--one of the few sane thing he has said. This is a decision that belongs to the Tunisian people, we have no bone to pick, we are just point to the inconsistency of politicians. If they want not to have concerts, they can do that too.

مهدي مبروك_ هؤلاء لن يشاركوا في مهرجان قرطاج

Marc Black Crafts An Epic For Bouazizi

Few Arab singers told the story of the young man who set himself on fire protesting poverty and corruption in Tunis. Here's an American song that tells the story of Mohamed Bouazizi, the young Tunisan man who set himself on fire and changed the entire Arab World and with it the world. This track was written and recorded in New York by artists who watched the whole thing unfold and were inspired.

Musicians:
Marc Black on guitar and vocals, Brahim Fribgane on oud and percussion, Steve Gorn on bamboo flute, Don Davis on bass clarinet, Eric Parker on drum kit and Michael Esposito on electric bass.

The song is titled Sometimes A Spark takes you on a journey that chronicles the inception of the Arab Spring in that little Tunisian town to the streets of Cairo ending in the lobbies of Washington DC.

I spoke to Marc Black about his song, here's what he had to say

I read about Mohamed Bouazizi in the New York Times and I was immediately moved. I wanted to express how connected I felt to what was going on in Tunisia and, by that time, in Egypt.

Mohamed's story reminded me of the Rosa Park's incident in America in the 1950's The symbolism of an elderly black woman who refused to go to the back of the bus changed the world. Sometimes that's all it takes. And that's how I came up with the title…Sometime a Spark.

Then I decided to put the verses in a minor key and work with some men who are experienced in music from that part of the world. I hired Brahim Fribgane to play percussion and oud; and Steve Gorn to play wooden flute. I blended them with my regular band (from Woodstock, NY) to express the American musical landscape. This seem like the best way express our solidarity.

This has been a wonderful experience for me. I do hope I get the opportunity to sing this song in person in Tunisia one of these days.

Sometime A Spark

Marc received lots of positive feedback after posting on Facebook. One note came from a Tunisian man, Zied Mhirsi:

I just heard your song and I have to say that we LOVE it. This song is going to have an amazing effect on the Tunisians and the Egyptians who will hear it. This is the first time, we hear an american singing about our revolution and telling the story to his fellows. You are making us feel so proud of what we achieved and of what some have died for. Thank you.

And another one:
T.P.A.O (Tunisian Press Agency Observer) المستقلة Hi Marc .. We have found your song "Sometime a Spark" on an FB wall (Tunisia Live) .. we have eventually shared it .. Thank you for your song, for telling our story, and being clear that this is not an arab thing anymore.. simply a global issue .. Thank you Sir.

Nessim Bouslama also interviewed Marc on RTCI.

The First Mainstream Arabic Film About AIDS

The First Arabic Movie About Full Blown AIDS did not come from an Arab Gulf country where we read, AIDS and HIV are a reality--still hush hush though. It took an Egyptian lady and her story with AIDS to tell the first mainstream picture about people with this disease.

This is a big story especially when Hind Sabry, the Tunisian starlet popular in Egypt took the lead to tell the story. This looks like a solid drama about all the unique stories to Arabs living with it. From what we hear, the filmmakers manged to tell a human story that allowed the audience to see a compelling side--not to blame someone with AIDS.

The movie features a Hijab wearing lady, not your typical image you have on mind for someone living with AIDS, and that's the genius of this movie.

P.S. The lady the movie is telling her story has passed away days before the release of the movie.
هند صبري مصابة بمرض الأيدز