Mohammad Assaf: The Gaza Rocket

His performance of Arabic classics is truly captivating, but the show’s producers know he is capable of so much more. In later episodes he gave them party songs in the Lebanese style and he literally brought down the house and sparked parties in Arab homes and Palestinian streets. He has a loud  multi-octave voice when he needs, and the soft and touching voice when he is doing a romantic songs.He seems to have perfect combination that makes a star stand out in a crowded music industry and sluggish music market. Then he was asked to do a fun dance Palestinian song. As He sported the traditional Palestinian scarf and sang, the audience in the studio went bonkers--dancing and clapping as he charmed his way into their hearts. The judges would even dance and sing during his performances. Each time he delivers a song, he unleashed a love fest from the audience and the judges who shower him with praises. One particular judge feels like a father to him and has taken key interest in Assaf. I am referring to Lebanese super star Ragheb Alamah who was his earliest and remains his biggest fan. 

Each time Assaf performs, a judge tells him he should be the Arab Idol. In his last performance he did a cover of one Saudi song beloved in the Gulf region and he had that region head over heels. He got into the song and made it his. This was great because it opened the floodgates from the affluent voters from the part of the world.  In this way he has locked in three important corners of the Arab world:  he sang songs from Beirut, did covers from one Egyptian legend and now did the same thing with a Saudi classic.   

Arab Idol - الأداء - محمد عساف - ياريت فيي خبيها

Mohammed Assaf Libyan And Algerian Song On Arab Idol محمد عساف - نخي يام قصاص طويلة + وهران رحتي خسارة

He sang in Egyptian, Lebanese, Palestinian, Gulf dialects but not until this week has the Arab Idol contender has sang in A Libyan or Algerian dialect. The ever-charming, Palestinian wonder boy is sealing the title each time he performs. He is the golden boy and the judges and viewers seem to know he is the next title winner.

This way he has sang for pretty much every Arabic major dialect, and this is great news for him, I think more votes will be coming in from him from that part of Arabia, he was ready with a cover of a beloved and well known Algerian song, and he topped it with a little known Libyan song--it must be a big deal in Libya.

He came a long way from being a Gaza boy to showering the Arab World with songs that captures their attention. I do not think there is any one who follows the show that hate him. He has no haters it seems, and even people from places with Arab Idol participants can see him as the next big thing. Again, they may want their home singer to win, but they know that Assaf is their second choice, if not the first.

See him answer a fan question and smile his way as he performs some new songs to him that will advance his career.

محمد عساف - نخي يام قصاص طويلة + وهران رحتي خسارة

Poor Fateh Song As They Celebrate Their Anniversery

Fateh once stood for something, but now it's hard to tell what this once larger than life Palestinain faction stands for. If you ask their leaders, they may not be able to come with an answer. Sadly  most of their leaders now, or the ones with leadership roles get the OK from Israel to move around  Those people used to hide and do things that mattered.

Now, they only sell and buy things, they have turned into business people instead of revolutionaries and thinkers. It feels like the want the Palestinians to become consumers and not citizens. I know many people who have died believing in Fateh and its mission, too bad those people are no longer with us. This party is at war with itself, they send mixed messages confusing not only their members  but also the world.

As Fateh figure out what drives them, here's a some that makes you feel sorry for them. Ahmed Dari, is the voice behind this song--he sounds like he was a son of the movement--the same one he decries now. They are in a deep well says the song, it's a party to feel sorry for.

The song was removed!

غلبانة يا فتح - احمد داري

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

The Intriging Rap Of Mc Gaza

Rappers get little respect and appreciation in Palestine, yet the never stop rapping about Palestine and the issues of concern to them. Mc Gaza is one of those young men living in Gaza and rappi9ng about his frustration. He loves a place that has never shown him a good day. A place that did little for him other than toughing him up.

I think Mc Gaza is really talented with the flow and the rage. He is fast dropping those dazzling lines of his songs. I am a fan of how he comes us with those poetic and clever raps he crafts. He has little resources and virtually no support yet he is quietly building his fan base using the social media as a primary outlet.

See him rap about coming back to Gaza, with all its imperfection and misery, home is calling.
Mc Gaza - I'm Back To You (video)

Mohammad Assaf Tonight On Arab Idol Brings The Sizzle محمد عساف يا طير الطاير

I am in Gaza right now and happy to report that the Palestinians in there are talking so much about the Arab Idol participant Mohamed Assaf, the folks love this young Palestinian artist who has a rare talent for performing real music live--the guy is a blast, his voice is a riot and even though he is young he has a unique way if making people happy. Tonight is the night he is supposed to make everyone fall in love with him. He has already secured the love of people watching the show...there are other talented people on the show. But Assaf is the whole package.

He is the old school and cool all at once.He is young, but he knows the stories and the songs of those people who came before us. He is smart, sharp, and energizing.  I would have said  he is ok. But to be frank he is a rock star whether or not he wins the title. He brings so much joy in the room. The young love his charm, and the older love his grace and his energy.

He has already had to defend his patriotism (wearing the scarf from Palestine and talking about the prisoners , his faith (reading the Koran and talking about prayer) and his art. He has survived it all. He is classy and we know it.

محمد عساف يا طير الطاير - Arab Idol

Listen: مكس تيب - أسلوب مقدسي | Osloob Maqdsi - Mixtape

Palestine won't be liberated because you made a rap song for it, but the rap song will liberate you. Free people can bring about change. This is why I try to promore good rappers, not the attitude and the swag, but the art itself helps some people tell their stories.

The group is called Osloob Maqdsi or Jerusalem Style. A rapper tells his story of growing up in the city of Jerusalem. It's very telling the rapper is for resistance and he speaks volumes about both the Israeli and the Palestinian politicians.

I really learned new stuff about Jerusalem--like young Palestinian growing up listening to music in Hebrew. The song drums the beat of Arab nationalism and unity. Listen to their mixtape below and tell me you are not moved.

 مكس تيب - أسلوب مقدسي | Osloob Maqdsi - Mixtape

The Slow And Creamy Romance Of muhannad Khalaf

For a pop star starting out, getting good music is tough, so Muhannad Khalaf did not have to work hard, the music for his new single sounds like a demo music with some affects--I like. The guy sounds like he has a pop game, but this is not 2007 anymore. Average voices do not have a fighting chance. Muhannad does have a pop persona and good looks. He just needs to find that one special song that makes him standout

I would like to think that this young singer is a charmer, but the song does not show him as such. He is based in Ramallah Palestine and sounds like he lived somewhere in between Lebanese and Egyptian pop. Muhannad is trying out a career in music, he gets gigs and local concerts often. Many pop stars do not really have much better vocal strength than he does.

He will be seeing ringing in the new year in the West Bank in what's has been promised as a big music event.
اغنية مهند خلف - وانا بين ايديه | النسخة الاصلية

Listen: "We Hacked You Tel-Aviv" Song Released اغنية هكرناكي يا اسرائيل علاء رضا

This is a random song by someone who has little talent yet he sings. His new song is about the anonymous hack operation at Israel. It's a current event song, that mentions even the striking prisoners. Alaa Reda has way too many lyrics for this song and his song is about bragging of the operation.

Do not know where to begin, this singer might be clueless about security systems but that did not stop him from singing about something very complicated. He does drop all kind of social media references and so on. I found this song worthy of being blogged about. President Obama even gets his names repeated in this all over the place song.

Sure the young people would find the track of interest. I do not really know what happened. alaa Reda is not the first to sing about this, but his song seems to have gone the farthest.

اغنية هكرناكي يا اسرائيل جديد علاء رضا 2013 الاغنية كاملة

Why Arab Idol Needs Mohammed Assaf (محمد عساف) To Win

There's a skinny Palestinian guy from Gaza on Arab Idol, and he is making all the news. The judges love this very talented guy. He is a super star and no one can take this from him. His voice is so strong yet so tender. The question is, will he take the title back to Palestine?

He seems to be the best voices on the program, and I have heard and seen a lot of other talents who are very talented, but none of them has the back-story like Assaf does. He is not supposed to be on the show, but he made it and did he dazzle the fans?

Tell you what while he was on the show, he gave many people around the Arab World a reason to smile at those dark times. While far too many Arab states are seeing murder and fear upon them, None has seen it for as long as Gaza has. All suffering is painful, that does not make it easier. But Assaf is a rare talent, he is from a different bread. You give him a song and this guy brings it back to live and puts so much effort to entertain and stay loyal.

He clearly has blown away many Egyptian when he first performed that Abdel Halim song, he was the bomb. He got four yeses from the critical judges. Then he moved on to Lebanon where he did some of their better known songs....and you can see the Lebanese judges were speechless and handed him all the yeses they have.

I will watch him and will speak-up if he had a bad day, but so far out of the three songs he has covered, he won fair and square. There are 27 other talent on the show, I can see him being a finalist and a contender for the title. See him take on the stage and do his bit--it was the toughest part of the song and he did the high and low notes so well--it was a riot.

Arab Idol - مرحلة بيروت - انا يللي عليكي مشتاق


الفنان محمد عساف اليوم مقطع من الاغنية المشتركة انا يلي عليكي مشتاق arab idol


الفنان محمد عساف اليوم arab idol مقاطع أغنية على بابي واقف قمرين

Mohammed Assaf‎, The Palestinian Winner Of Arab Idol?

The young Gazan who appeared on Arab Idol was a welcome guest on Arab Idol, the judges received him warmly, and saluted him. That's even before he opened his mouth and sang, when he did she owned that room and had a freaking YES from each of the judges who had nothing but love for this young top gun.

I do not know how far Mohammed Assaf‎ will go on Arab Idol, I know this if he shows the same level of talent and skill in the audition, he is going home with the trophy  He chose to do a song for Abdel Halim, and he owned it. Assaf has been a local artist in Gaza and it took some miracles for him to be on the show--he had to go to Egypt first for the audition and had to do a convincing job over there.

I have been watching the comments on this young fine Palestinian talent, and I am seeing many fans out there for him--thanks to his skill first and the sophistication of the Palestinian media. Going forward Mohammed Assaf‎ has to give his best and always his best. He may compete and win the title but it won't be easy. He has to figure out the best songs for him and has to make the judges happy.

Assaf has already recorded half a dozen songs, some for Palestine and some romantic songs, the showing he had ar Arab Idol has made a lot of people happy. Hope he won't have an off day next time. Welcome to prime time.

Arab Idol - تجارب الاداء -محمد عساف

Watch: ليان بزلميط - بحبك يا فلسطين / Lian Bazlamit "B7ebik Ya Falastine"

The Ramallah native, the 23 year old up and coming pop star Lian Bazlamit has been thinking of bigger things than herself. Palestine, her love and her home. She has a new song that touches your heart and wamrs your soul. Something about the topic, brought the best we have heard Lian be. This is a personal song with a lot of heartache as one listens.

We still sing to Palestine since 1948, and will continue to do so. Lian is shaping up her career to be the best entertainer to come out of Palestine and continue to claim it as a homeland. Lian lives in Jordan at the moment where she goes to school.

I must show some respect to the lyricist and the composer, they have created a good thing here, something that Lian turned into a special song that will live on and be a credit to this young entertainers' career. She came a long way form her early days on Star Academy two years ago. She chose the right moment to release this song, land day in Palestine....every March 31, we are there.


ليان بزلميط - بحبك يا فلسطين / Lian Bazlamit "B7ebik Ya Falastine"

The Most Intellectual Rap Album "Khat Thaleth", A Tour Through Arabia In The Wake Of The Revolutions

Link To Download Album 
If you wanted to hear a smart and sophisticated political analyses delivered via touching rap songs, then this is the album you cannot miss on. This is the mature album where buyer's remorse are loudly expressed on the Arab Spring and the politicians who are making a killing off it. Palestine is in the center stage but other Arab countries where revolutions are brewing are featured.

While the political weight of hip-hop may have waned and become overrun by commercialization in many parts of the world, over the past two years certain areas throughout the Arab world have witnessed a new wave of politically committed rap. This album is about goring up so much since 2011, the demands of Arab street has not changed much, but politicians have. They have learned that dictators recycle themselves through the revolving door. Luckily, the album is for those who have had enough and are just pure cynical about anything they hear.

With diverse and technical lyricism, eclectic productions and an active listenership, artists have aptly assimilated the art-form and made it their own; picking up microphones as their weapons of choice, supporting, criticizing and, in some cases, actively participating in the Arab revolutions. This a curated album by some of the most prolific artists in this genre.

Following last year’s critically-acclaimed release of Stronghold Sound’s, Sembeh Ma Fa Fe, a landmark compilation of Guinean hip-hop and reggae, the San Francisco-based label continued on to Beirut, Lebanon, where Syrian-American producer, dub Snakkr (Munaqresh) has been based for the past 2 years. With the objective of putting together a new compilation, dub Snakkr connected with some of the most interesting and representative acts in the Arab hip-hop underground.

Khat Thaleth, Third Line: Initiative for the Elevation of Public Awareness is a comprehensive 23-track compilation that covers a wide spectrum of this new wave of conscious rap and features artists from diverse scenes like Palestine, Tunisia, Jordan, Syria, Egypt and Lebanon. The title, “Khat Thaleth”, refers to a third train rail or track, a metaphor for a third way of looking at the polarized political context in the region, as well as a reference to the "hijaz" railroad that used to connect much of the Arab world. Artists team-up, in most cases from different regions and countries, to deliver critical blows to the various political systems in place, and offer sharp social commentary as well as sober realities currently being faced on the ground.

The immense relevance of the unprecedented Khat Thaleth compilation in the Middle East is not only limited to the politically charged content of the verses (full English translations of the lyrics are available online). Artistically, the album also provides us with a glimpse into the avant-garde of some of the most musically adventurous artists and producers in current Arab rap, who smoothly mix their lessons learned from American golden age rap luminaries with their very own folk traditions creating a completely new school of lyricism and production.

I cheer on this album that brings out some of the finest musical styles form all over the world to celebrate a universal message of freedom. I love the very Syrian rap, about the revolution and murder in that country, there are no wrong or right when it comes to Syria--there are only chaos for all involved. The 23 tracks are a delightful tour of all what's hip and relevant in Arab rap. I adore the mixing and layering of the tracks, this is an album made on the highest professional standards by people who take their rap and their messages seriously.

Sometimes I think political science professors would make intellectual rappers, this is how their work would sound had they wrote this album. Frankly, the album captures the pulse of the Arab street to the best one could. America has at least one rapper who make such songs here, Lupe Fiasco. Now we can boast about artists from Arabs with similar political and musical chops.

As for the substance, the album is never too shy from discussing any controversial or polarizing policies or groups--they are an equal-opportunity critics.

Link To Download Album On iTunes!

SubeeTube Finds Comedy At Arabic Weddings Songs

Arabic weddings are a blast, too many random elements come together to create one odd party that has so much politics. I have poked fun of Arabic weddings before, but no one does a better job lampooning different wedding songs and dancing styles, like the kid in the video below

Khaliji songs are meant for shoulder dancing, Egyptian sha'abi songs are meant for the dudes, old ladies dance with hands and shoulders, young women do the hip thing. You really need to see this video and ejoy the jokes as the comedian tells them. He makes one find dancer.

The on camera person is Subhi Taha from SubeeTube, an American Palestinian from Texas, the land of natural humor. Spot on Subhi!

Arabic Weddings

This Video Just Made Me Cry--With Tears And Everything

Ayman is the Palestinian political prisoner who refused food for 260 days, and finally the Israelis agreed to send him on exile to Gaza, away form his home in Hebron. He has been in Gaza for three days and his family had to walk through hell to get to the hell called Gaza.

See the moment he got to see his mother and see the real emotions caught on camera. Keep on mind, this is Mother's day, and this mother has not seen her song for a long time--he served 10 years in jail where he was sentenced to thirty.

The mother could not hold back, after all this hero to so many Palestinian is the one she gave birth to and fed. He is her little son is grateful to her and there is so much love. This video will touch your soul and send your eyes to tears. Mother, we love them, and they love us unconditionally.

عائلة الشراونة تُعانق أيمن في غزة

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

Dear Suckers Of Israel, Please Watch This Song

Do not worry, the lyrics for this song are in English subtitle, so you won't miss any of the passionate lines Hamza Namira has for you. This is a song that came last year, and Hamza is a clam guy, he is one of those sober voices in Egypt. The world is not picking on Israel, they may not like their actions but none of them can do anything about it. Israel likes to believe it has superior ethics, but when it comes to their own interest-they would kill, imprison, abuse and discriminate. Yes, they are not all the same, sometimes people have legitimate concerns.   

I have no issues with Israelis, I do take issues with violent Israelis, the ones who incite violence, steal land, and murder people. And my most hates one are the racist ones who discriminate against us in places like Jerusalem. Jews have always been welcome in the holy land, but what is happening right now, is that they want to kick everyone out.

This song is about justice and about history. Hamza's guitar is more of a threat to the Israeli right wing, that the most lethal weapon. This is a war of ideas, and the right win in Israel have just lost it and the United Nation has just handed them another defeat.

Ana Ya Israel - Hamza Namira | أنا.. يا إسرائيل - حمزة نمرة

WATCH: Harlem Shake - Gaza Style #Palestine

Too much time, and unemployment can drive young people to the edge of madness. But some young guys in Gaza with lenty of time to spend on YouTube  have came up with their own version of the Harlem Shake, not the first in the Arab world, but one of the best editions I have seen for this random music video of odd elements doing a twisted dances.

The Tunisians and the Egyptian may have done earlier versions, but I am biased to the one from Gaza.
This is a group of young Gaza artists who want to be heard they call themselves Gangnam Gaza Style....enjoy this fun video.

Harlem Shake - Gaza style

Palestinians In Israel Refuse To Enlist In Israel's Army

For a really long time, Israel would not accept Palestinian enrollment in its army--those are citizens of the State of the Israel. And for the most part, Palestinian Arabs would not join the army because they do not want to be killing their brethren in Gaza and the West Bank. Both Muslims and Christian Palestinian citizens refuse to serve in the army and Israeli is happy about that.

Now, some loons in the Israel government--there are so many of them in this current government want to ask those people to serve in the army and protect Israel. So a group of ordinary young people made video for that matter where they are singing about refusing to enlist in the army that will send them to do acts that might be contrary to human rights.

See dozens of young men and women making it loud and clear, in the Israeli army we won't serve. They are all too familiar with the "Divide and Conquer  rule. Take me to prison if you may, but I ain't joining the army.

صوت فلسطيني ضد التجنيد


The lyrics of the song

I refuse to serve in the Israeli occupation forces
Even if I am sent to prison
And I know, mother, how proud you will be of me
Mother, I refuse to be recruited
And you can rest assured
That I will always revolt
Even if they torture me
I refuse to oppress my people
And stop my friends at the checkpoints
Let the freedom screams blow and roar
Down with military rule
I will liberate my land with my hands
And I will not collaborate with my oppressor
I give my heart and soul eyes for my oppressed

It's time for the occupation to end
No to negotiations and normalisation
And the right of return shall not be sold
The blood of martyrs shall not be wasted
It's time for the occupation to end

From Ramleh jail to Askalan jail
The prisoners have defeated their jailers
And shouted behind the bars:
It's time to end the occupation

The sons and daughters of Palestine
Reject the Israeli military service
And will not rest Until we end the occupation
It's time to end the occupation.

We shall liberate Palestine with our steadfastness
The people demand freedom
And we all reject recruitment and civil service with the Israeli army
The people demand freedom

Palestine's Finest Raed And Ahmed Kabha Duet

Raed Kabha is one of the hottest pop/folk singer in Palestine. For a wedding singer who has done hundreds of weddings, he has done well having a career on the side as a mini celebrity. Checkout this song where Raed writes his son a letter about recording a new album.  They letter exchange could have been saved for something more serious like Ahmed going to school, but making an album is no huge deal.

It's a song for the son to show his love to his old man, "your voice is my guide dad" sings the young man. It's a low budget music video, a song meant to introduce the young Kabha to the broader audience that has loved his father for two decades. Some singers do not like their kids to take on singing as a profession, but the Kabha family has always been known for music.

The dad mentors his son in music, life and religion. It's all about having a blance in life.

جديد رائد كبها ونجله احمد كبها كليب يا ابني