The Very Strong Case For Fadwa Almalki

Fadwa Almalki is a strong voice from Morocco who is hungry for your attention. I think she deserves your full attention. For a strong female voice to do a pop song in Egyptian is so much not fair, she can do more complex songs, but Egypt is always a lovely place to sing to.

She won a singing title across the Kingdom and has been dazzling the audience for a decade now. In 1999 Egypt called her and gave her an ward for her performance of those Oum Kaltoum oldies. Her debut album came in 2002 and she filmed one music video in Istanbul  She followed it with a 2006 album. Since then she has been working on singles that keep her in the loop.

She is a fixture of Moroccan music festivals and she in demand. She has also sang for Palestine in Doha. She is one of the very few ladies to perform in Saudi Arabia's biggest music festival Al Jandarya. She has recorded many Moroccan songs, she has recorded in Amman Jordan as well as other Arab capitals.

She is a strong voice that the Khalij has called her to do songs for their TV dramas. She does a great job singing in the local dialects since she grew up listening to old songs for that region. She is an award-wiing songstress with all the makings of a diva. She has already performed alongside Mohamed Abdu's Arabia's biggest living Saudi legend  She is well known among other artists who appreciate her voice and her style. Fadwa is well traveled and so is her songs.

 فدوى المالكي - فكرة غلط / فيديو كليب 2013

Download: Adel Mokhtar New Album البوم عادل المختار - الافندى

The Arabic word Mokhtar is means the chosen one, and Adel has that as his last name. When it comes to Iraqi pop he is OK, but when it comes to be part of the biggest Arabic music production companies he is the one. Rotana signed Adel and pushed him toward the Gulf market.

Iraqi pop has been making a big splash in the past five years--thanks to friendly audience and big music studios based in Dubai. So, they keep bring out their stars and the Khalij enjoys the similar yet exotic musical taste Iraqis have developed.

Iraqi blues is what I like, Iraqi dance songs is what most seem to appreciate. Adel Mokhtar is bringing it all together on his 9 tracks album whish has just been released.

01 - La Tr7am
02 - El Afandy
03 - Ya Raby Ya Satar
04 - Oreidh El Youm
05 - 3la Kefey
06 - Hamoud
07 - El Boneh
08 - Toley Ya Lelah
09 - El Moshkla

عادل المختار الافندي

The Khalij's Finest Chick Pop Import

Nihad aba Rudy is a young talent from the Gulf whose effort to make good music has not gone unnoticed, but she needs to do more. If you Google the artists, you should be ab;e to find their picture and their bio without having to work too hard.

I cannot even find a correct way to spell her in even in Arabic. She made a dazzling song for those who like to dance. She has the voice many young Lebanese songstress would like to copy. She can also boast about the exotic look she has.

As far as the lyrics are concerned, they are not that original. The music arrangement did its job keeping the song loud.

نهاد ابارودي - الشوق جاني / فيديو كليب 2012

Fayez Al Saeed, Great Composer, Weak Singer

The UAE's most serious music talent Fayez Al Said tries to be too many things at the time time. He may be good at wearing too many hate, but the reality is far too complex. He is a busy composer--his melodies are the best thing to come out of the UAE's music scene. 6 out of 10 songs made in the Gulf, he has put his golden touches on.

With his new album out, he is pushing a new music video for that album. A lackluster pop song that falls flat and feels bland. It may be popular with some of his fans in the Gulf region, but a good song should not be limited to one region and not the other--there are many good Khaliji songs that make it out West. In the local scene  they have to come across as the conservative and traditional homeboy, but for the ones viewing them for the outside  they want to be hip and relevant.This kind of bipolar attitude complicate the marketing.

Fayez is a cool guy and he tries too hard to come across as one, but he does not really need to try that hard. We get it, he likes the club, scene he likes to dance and look good. Something about males in that part of the world, they would rather be goofy than be good. He has had better songs, but this song might be made for merely his fans.  

 فايز السعيد - دق هيوة / فيديو كليب 2013

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)

WATCH: Arwa - Marhaba (NEW 2012) / اروى - مرحبا

Arwa have had a slow 2012, most stars have but the Yemeni starlet took time off to have a baby girl--Nora. The star of the Gulf--Khalij is ready to reclaim her spot on top of the charts. I feel we kinda of missed her sweet pop songs with a catch dance beat.

Below, you will fine her latest single, she released it prior to her taking time off before her pregnancy started to show. "Hello" is the name of that single. Well, Hello back Arwa.

Arwa - Marhaba (NEW 2012) / اروى - مرحبا

The Brightest Star Among Them All Is Balqees Fathi

Being a Yemeni woman, a gorgeous one too but waiting to sing is not a very conventional path. It's certainly not the path of least resistance. The daughter of a beloved composer did her first singing in her school, then a radio executive asked her to do a radio show Tarab style songs. She did and then things started to come her way when she met contemporary composer Fayez Al Said.

Her voice might be the most colorful among so many stars, she feels authentic, and her emotions seem sincere. You really cannot bluff your way through the songs she chooses to perform  she has the artistic chops to bring complex musical experiences.

She is a refined soul who doe snot fake her personality, if she has something to add, she does it. If not she doesn't try to be something she is really not. Now she she is a beloved star in the Gulf region, she has set sight on Lebanon--where she shoots music videos and has few friends.

Her youth and lean figure do wonders, but her first asset is her voice and her temperament  In few short years, she has organically claimed her spot in the pop scene. I love the poetic songs she gets to perform  And she is engaged and soon to be married Nayef Hazazy to one of the Saudi Arabia' finest soccer stars. She does confess to rotting for the UAE soccer team though.       

Balqees Fathi - Ya Hawa بلقيس احمد فتحي يا هوى

Listen: Hot Single Assala - Ma Tghiar Shi2 / أصاله - ما تغير شيء

She went to Qatar for this song, a live performance of a never heard song by the Syrian diva cum political activist and TV hostess. She fears no-one and she she knows her way around a live orchestra in a multi-million dollar concert hall.

The stars in attendance are many, but I saw Amal Maher sitting next to Angham chatting as they sat in the audience enjoying the music of Assala. Note, those older men who hog the best seat in the house.  This is an epic poem turned into a classy song by the lady with grace.

I love the music, it's so well-composed and actually does something new by reaching back in time when such music was the only way Arabs knew. It's a triumph for the many of us who like live songs with original content. Those are nearly impossible to make today. It makes one happy and wishes he has more time to listen to this track over and over.

It looks like the night was something to remember  you do not get to see songs like this being made, recorded and made live. This would be the closest thing to us at touching the time when Om Kalthoum took the stage. Prince Badr Bin Abel Mohsen wrote those delicate words, and the music is that of Saleh El Harshy. Whoever really did it, she get a big thank you.

Assala - Ma Tghiar Shi2 / أصاله - ما تغير شيء

Listen: The UAE Golden Boy New Single فايز السعيد - انت مين 2013

Fayez Al Said had two kind of songs, the one where he is cool and fun--we like. And the other one where he wants to be all serious, I have mixed feelings about it. What I do not have mixed feelings about is his true talent to make some of the finest and most original melodies.

He makes so many of them, and he does it so well. As a singer who just released an album few months ago, he has kept a busy schedule  he is also talking about a TV drama. But music from the Gulf does not tend to travel well, so we do not read many interviews with celebrities from there. Naturally, because they tend to be very private folk.

Fayez has a mega studio in Dubai where is has been turned into a cultural saloon. He has new single with a catchy title, "Who Might You Be?" He pleads with his loved one to let him in, because as clever as Fayz is, he cannot figure him love interest out. Not sure what the message here is, but I am certain the song will be airing in radios around Dubai and the Gulf for days to come.

فايز السعيد - انت مين 2013


فايز السعيد انت مين

WATCH: This Saudi Music Video By Rakan - Shelmatloub | راكان - شالمطلوب

He might as well be Saudi Arabia's most exciting young pop star, he might be the coolest one too. But inside the Kingdom he is a hero to too many youngsters  While at home, you would never guess this is the cool guy you see in the music video below, but step outside that place and the cool kid is out of the bag.

Rakan everyone and he has a music video for you, I am loving it. He has the Afro and the retro look it looks so natural to him. Enjoy the urban sitting for this fairy tail of a song. Where the hell did he find all these young people for his music video? I love the dangerous elements in the music video, the dancers and the performers do a wonderful job.

This is one heck of a stylish music video...Rakan knows how to look good. Guns and actions he can do that too.


Rakan - Shelmatloub | راكان - شالمطلوب

Listen: Amal Maher & Abdel Majed Abdallah - Lel Zein Ser / امال ماهر و عبد المجيد عبد الله - للزين سر

This is not just your average song, it's an epic track that lasts 13 minutes. A duet between two artists you would never see sing together, yet they came together for this odd pair song between the Saudi romance and pop icon Abdel Majid Abdallah and his peer from Egypt Amal Maher. This new song of theirs is like panting with words, they do get you to see something using nothing but words and your rich imagination.

Amal Maher seems to have locked in the best voices in Saudi Arabia, the legends. Last month she had a song with the elder of Saudi song Mohamed Abdo. This time she has teamed up with another talented Saudi super star. Abdel Majid Abdallah, not sure how they get to work together. Something tells me the song writer or poet gets to chose who sings their songs. 

It's a sweet song that starts very slowly and then picks up 5 minutes into the song. I think the music could have been a little bit more exciting than what I hear. I like both artists, they are classy voices who have a brand and prestige. I do not see as a great song, but it has great elements and Amal Maher seems to be holding back. The title is true as all women will attest, "Beauty Has A Secret"

Stay tuned, the last bit of the song, you know for sure this is a wedding song, in the House of Saudi, there is a big wedding and the song picks the dance in the last two minutes.

Amal Maher & Abdel Majed Abdallah - Lel Zein Ser / امال ماهر و عبد المجيد عبد الله - للزين سر

Rotana, Contracts and Young Artists.

Shatha Hassoun renews her contracts with Saudi Rotana and expresses her love and admiration for the company and what it does. Shatha was pleased with the level of response she had for her debut album with the company. Rotana is pleased to be in the Hassoun business, she has shown herself as one of the most prolific names in pop music.

One of the most exciting voices in the Gulf belongs to Mansour Zayd from the United Arab Emirates. The company has produced her debut album and the young artists was impressed by the level of support his album has gotten. The new contract is singed and statements of mutual understanding and appreciation has been made. Mansour is working on his big album and has already worked with a dozen of artists.

La 7es Wala 5abar Mansour Zayed

Hot: Rashed Al Majid "2013" RBT Promo 1 | راشد الماجد "2013" نغمات الأنتظار

He might be one of the Khalij--Gulf my all time favorite stars. He is a rock star in my book, and he almost never ever speaks to the press. He is the voice most people of Saudi Arabia--even those who do listen to music love him.

Simply put he is Rashed Al Majid, the voice that won us over when he wanted to do pop music a decade ago. But now he gives us something else, romantic songs are his shtick. He is also the richest star, and has a while fleet of the fanciest cars.

Now, let's check out his new promo for the album that I will be listening to for ages, We have 22 sample of the promo. While he does have his own production company, he is happy to let them work with other lables to bring his music to more places.

I have come to appreciate the poetry of his words, his upbeat music and most of all the wise language he uses. He sounds like a gentleman making music for other sophisticated people. He is almost never mad, just either giddy or jaded.

Rashed Al Majid "2013" RBT Promo 1 | راشد الماجد "2013" نغمات الأنتظار

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

Hala Turk Sets Jalast On FIRE

The Gulf people like to have a good time, they spend loads of money on their parties, the good news those parties are so much fun as the people spare no expense to make them special. But the bad news only dudes dance on camera. Women can sing, but cannot dance.

Dudes, do not mind those Jalasat they mix with ladies within reason. But the guys are the only ones who can show off their dance moves--just like they do in Dupont Circle here. I have always wanted to be there for one of those sessions. The clip below from the biggest produced Jalasat assembly. Watch Hala Turk and Mashael sing their song in both Arabic and English.

Something tell me those ladies are not your typical Gulf ladies, they duo have a chemistry where they play mother daughter. You do not get many songs in languages other than Arabic, but it took this very cute and clearly spoiled girl to break the mold

#جلسات_وناسة_2013 - مشاعل وحلا الترك "بنيتى الحبوبة"

Lebanese Pop Breakout Star Natasha Needs To Focus

Yo, Natasha.....you are a rock star. Just find your voice and your proper style and stick to it. I have been a dedicated fan since you released your first album more than four years ago, when you were a little girl that sang like a full-blown diva. Now, you are all over the map, doing Gulf songs for those who pay, and then flaying to Egypt for duets and interviews.

The Khaliji singing never gives artists a legacy, it does offer a big payday, in exchange for selling your soul. Egypt should be the place you launch your career from. Lebanon is too crowded and they might miss a good thing like you--even if it hit them in the face. You have been blessed with an awesome family that understands music, now, it's your turn to sing form the gut.

Your latest single, got picked by those who understand such heavy and senseless lyrics. Go back to catchy melodies , cute girly songs. You are a natural at those. Plus, you have a great voice for longer and more serious songs, you have shown that already. I think doing one good pop song that goes mainstream and hits-it big is much better than doing random songs here and there. you just chase those songs, they won't seek you--the almost never do.  

Do not worry about releasing an album, it's too much work, too much money and so little reward. just find yourself one good hit, live it and then bring it out. If it was genuine people will cheer you on.

 داوني - الفنانه ناتاشا

The Hypocritical People Of Khalij نفاق أهل الخليج

The Khalij or the Gulf is where millions of Arabs live, and those people happen to be the most affluent Arabs around the world. They tend to be generous people, hospitable and loving people. No one will ever take that away form them. But today I want to talk about something different. The perceptions of Khalij men and women of local female entertainers.

But first few observations--and please correct me if I am wrong.

1. Khaliji men would pay top dollars to see an Arab star sing a song of their writing and of their music.
2. Khaliji men entertainers can pretty much do whatever they want, they travel the world, they perform locally and abroad, no one puts restrictions on them.  
3. When Khaliji women sing, a number of things will happen:
1. Critics will say she is not really local--she came from some other country.
2. Haters will attack her family and cal them names.
3. Pigs will insult the female entertainer by calling her things like "ugly", "Tomboy", and such.
4. The people who usually wage those attacks are the same people who take vacation trips in pursuit of bodily pleasures to Thailand and other fun tourism   

So it's OK for the Lebanese/Moroccan/Iraqi to sing a song for those men, but when a home girl does it, it's the end of their world as we know it. What does this say about the Lebanese songstress? While most of the hate comes form men, some women also jump on the wagon and speak ill of female performers.

It's like being a singer has become another name for being a prostitute. When in reality most of those performers take their music seriously. Women can be trusted to make the right call in life, they have been raised well and for starter, God gave them the free will.  

But despite all that hate and attacks, some female voices mange to survive and make a career. There are many very gifted home grown singers who do wonders for the Gulf music scene  I shall name few from the new generation, 

1. Aseel Omran (Saudi Arabia), she acts and sings pop songs. Her voice offers planet of warmth. 
2. Shams (Kuwait), makes fresh music videos, and tells people I am form Mars--leave me alone.
3. Hala Al Turk, (Bahrain), a little girl that has sold millions of records doing kid songs.  
4. Shamma Hamdan (UAE) surfed the most attacks when she appeared on Arabs Got Talent, for change a real musician. 
5. There are always Ahlam (UAE), Hind (Bahrain), Nawal (Kuwait) Rowaida Mahrouqi (UAE) and Waad (Saudi Arabia)

I do realize that there are enlighten people everywhere, but this should not be an issue, here's another fact for you. When you allow the fans to listen to music made by the ladies of the Gulf, they have loved them every time--just see the video below. So that might scare off some dudes. 

#ArabsGotTalent - S2 - Ep6 - شما حمدان

See Shams Open Fire On Retried Fadel Shaker

She was a fan, she thinks he is a gifted musicians  Then she says once this sense is gone, the man is gone. She takes issue with his beard, and his lessons he has preaching in public. She thinks artists are meant ot unite people and not promote a certain ideology.

She is a Muslim just like he is, her trouble with him is his public feud on all other singers, he was not gone away quietly. I like Shams, and she has never shied away from controversy herself. She is no fan of the retired Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker who has been busy promoting the Salafi way. According to Fadel Shaker, he wants his fans to grow beards like he did.

I think Shams has some good points, but she should be careful not to mix the personal with the business. The Kuwaiti songstress seems really disgusted with Fadel and his choices. I think Shams really hates those religious conservatives who often attack her and her choices, so for her Fadel is their loudmouth spokesperson   

شمس تهاجم فضل شاكر لانة اعتزال الفن وصار متدين وملتزم


شمس - تهاجم و تنتقد و تشرشح فضل شاكر.

Not A Sausage Fest--The First Ever Saudi Art Festival

Citizens of the world do not equate Saudi Arabia for being the patron of art, to the contrary, they have a reputation for limiting freedom of expression in that land. But know this, the biggest Arabic music producer, promoter and marketer is Saudi Rotana. the biggest Arab TV networks are based in Saudi Arabia or funded by the Saudis.

In fairness, Saudis do these things away form home, in an effort not to offend the most religious and conservative elements in that country.--Lebanon and Egypt is where most of their work ends up being filmed and recorded.

for for the first time in their recent history, Saudi Arabia had an event where they have honored a dozen of Arab entertainers from TV and from the music scene. The organizers  said in their remarks  "We have a routine in Saudi Arabia, and we want to overcome that". The organizers boasted about producing 18 dramas last year. The city of Jaddah was the home of this event--at some hotel. Natacha the young and bubbly pop singer was the face of the festival.

I first thought the people would be in attendance are just men. But then pictures do not lie, see for yourself, the new Saudi Arabia? The event was organized under the foresight of prince Mohamed Bin Naser Al Sud, and the panel of judges was all Saudis.

مهرجان الإعلام العربي بجدة يكرم الفنانيين

Listen: Egyptian Diva Changes Her Dialect جديد - اغنية شرين - الليلة رمادى | 2013

Pop diva Sherine agreed to take part of one of the biggest intimate parties in the Gulf--Jalasat style. In the Khalij, folks like to sit down when they listen to their music, and so is the artists. Everyone is sitting surrounded by musicians and spectators. They sing in local dialects, and it seems like one of those formal/informal sittings.

Most artists who do these kind of concert formats are often well-paid and tend to be local artists. More and more Morocco artists are getting into the business. But the surprise was Egyptian performer Sherine who has never sang in any other dialect other than her own. So, she appeared to be having fun on the set of Jalasat, and I tell you, she has gotten the right words and pronunciation down. And the new song we heard is about the grey night--not to be confused with 50 shades of grey.

While, I do not love her new look and her hairstyle, she made quite the impression on viewers as she dazzled them with her very strong voice. The folks in the Gulf think the world of big Arab names who sing to them in their own dialect. This appearance will open Pandora's box on Sherine who will certainly be called for concerts and weddings in the affluent region.

 جديد - اغنية شرين - الليلة رمادى | 2013