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: Abdel Majeed Abdallah New Single مجنون صاحي عبدالمجيد عبدالله

Saudi Singer Abdel Majeed Abdallah is not the one to talk about himself to the masses. He is a shy artist and a Saudi which makes him bad at talking about himself. But the man makes good music and his fans and the industry knows this.

I wish he was a bit more engaged by releasing more songs, but it seems singles from him come once a year and land as a surprise. He has a fresh songs out there and the music is so beautiful as it is authentic. Enjoy this single and its distinctly classical Arabic with poetic justice.

مجنون صاحي عبدالمجيد عبدالله


اغنية عبدالمجيد عبدالله - مجنون صاحى | النسخة الاصلية

This Generation Poet, Mahmoud Abdullah

Among Egyptian lyricists, one particular young talent, Mahmoud Abdullah. He is new to the scene, met few people around through a friend and then he met Hamid El Shari, a producer who is always scouting new lyrics. He says it's about networking. First a friend introduces him to another and so it goes. I like young talented, they are often hungry for work and fame.

I like his bit about how he writes for singers and composers through Facebook, this is true because. He does also say, it's time consuming. He picks his words and poetry from incidents and situations that happens to him. That does keep his lyrics relevant and not too smart. See his interview
   
عز الشباب - الشاعر : محمود عبد الله

The Best Romantic Farewell/Closure Song

This is a song about the last time two loves have met, or as it has been dubbed, "The Last Encounter" when the hands are let go. And when the lovebirds are no longer able to recognize one another. Those are really painful moments for anyone who has ever loved something or someone and then let them go.

Since not of us are gifted with words, we have songs that express the feelings we want to see, poets have a way of recreating moments with their words that captures. Tamer Ashour has been one of those people who have been able to releases songs that captures such moments.

His voice is the perfect delivery tools for all sad songs, but also the music which he personally crafts compliment the song so beautifully. The words man, I am a softie for such words, the missed connections and failed relationships often hurt, but songs like the one below make them a lot more meaningful.
تامر عاشور _ اخر مقابله




اخر مقابلة كانت ما بينا من يومين احساسنا فيها يوميها كان بين البنين
وكاننا اتنين بعدوا اصلا من سنين
اخر مقابلة كانت ما بينا من يومين احساسنا فيها يوميها كان بين البنين
وكاننا اتنين بعدوا اصلا من سنين

واجى امشى تسيبنى بسرعة ومتقوليش خليك
ازاى بنبص لبعضينا باستغراب وبنتقابل زى الاغراب
طب ده احنا حتى محصلناش اتنين اصحاب

Nadim Mohsen, The Lebanese Renaissance Man

Unlike many working composers in the Arab world, Nadim Mohsen has a day job he loves. He is a professor of politics and culture at the Lebanese American University. Not many Lebanese artist can be dubbed as complete artists who live in the real world.  Why does he matter you may ask?

For starter he composed some of the finest and most original Arabic lyrics that blends poetry and spoken language so well. I have come to love Nadim's work by listening to song songs which he has composed and wrote for Lebanese diva Ghada Shobier. As for his own albums, to date Mohsen released two albums: "Shabah" and "Raks el Nar"

What I appreciate about Nadim is the fact of his wide talent, he is like a renaissance man, gifted across the board. He writs the lyrics to which he composes fine melodies. He is a working poet, with a good voice and a passion that can only exist in a place like Lebanon. His work in music can stand on its own, his smooth musical concepts and poetic images he paints with his pen are astonishing.

Mr. Mohsen is a political columnist who has been publishing articles regularly in various Lebanese newspapers. He also is a music composer and a poet. He has a degree from the University of Michigan.

Nadim Mohsen - Sway


كوفية - نديم محسن

The French Group Zebda Has Gaza On Mind With "Une Vie De Moins"

Lyrics are often by poets and people who have a gift for words, college professors are not what you have in mind when you want to write a song. But since this is a song about the Middle East and Palestine in particular history is always in style. What better lyrics can you get is not written by someone who teaches history?

Jean Pierre Filiu is a professor of history (contemporary Middle East) at Sciences Po (Paris) also has a gift for words, he write lyrics for the Toulouse based hip-hop group Zebda. Together, they have released this song dedicated to the Gaza youth. The song is about finding hope and not giving up in a desperate situation. This is the voice of a population that has seen it and lived it all from the mass protests to the violence. Giving up on hope is not on the table.

Thanks to the gift of subtitle we have the song in both English and Arabic. As for the rap band, Zebda.  mixes rock, rap, ska, Latin, Arab, and French accordion music. They have been around since 1985 doing their political activism through music. The popularity of the group showcases their lyrical wit, musical excitement and unique talent to generate limitless supplies of good-will. Some appreciate their playful sense of humor, commitment to its music, and mastery of its unique style.

Aside from that, Zebda's music and messages focus on heavy and often divisive issues like immigration, assimilation, racism, equality, and the problems facing. This time they turn their attention to Gaza, a place like the has been dismissed by the media and politics. Something Zebda knows a lot about as they grew up on the margins of the French way of life.

Zebda just performed in Toulouse where they played a live version of their "One life less" at the very moment of the Gaza long-awaited ceasefire. How timely, even though the song has been released some time ago, it's still applicable.

Zebda-One life less-(une vie de moins)


Zebda- حياة بالناقص -(une vie de moins)

Rupert Murdoch's Fox Buys Amr Diab

This is huge!

Egypt's hottest lyrical genius Ayman Bahjat Amar issued a call to all composers, musicians, and lyricists not to collaborate or give their work to Egypt's hottest pop star Amr Diab. Those comments were made on Facebook account for the lyricist page.

here are original comments in Arabic:

"لما تكون فنان مصري كبير وتقبل تبيع أغانيك وتاريخك لـ(مردوخ) الإسرائيلي، دي حريتك الشخصيه، لكن أنا أغانيا دي أنا سايبها لبلدي ولولادي من بعدي أنا مابابيعش تاريخي". وتابع "أنا وعمرو مصطفى ومحمد يحيى مش هنشتغل في سي دي عمرو دياب الجديد، ونصيحه لكل زملائي الشباب الجداد، إحنا إتضحك علينا زمان عشان ماكانش فيه حد عنده ضمير ونصحنا، محدش يمضي أمر النشر الخاص بروتانا اللهم بلغت".

Translation: When you are a huge Egyptian star and accepts your songs to be sold to the Israeli Ruprt Murdoch, this is your personal freedom, as far for my songs, I am leaving them for my children and my country, I never sell my legacy.

He added"

"Myself, Amr Moustafa and Mohamed Yehia we will not collaborate on Amr's new CD, and I advice my colleagues and the young talents, we have been duped in the past and no one gave us advise on Rotana's work, God is my witness"

The lyrical poet refers to the partnership between Rotana and Fox which is owned by the Australasian Murdoch. It's true the businessman now owns a portion of the Arab entertainment pie and archive thanks to the good prince of Saudi Arabia Al Waleed.

Do not there people read the news and see that Fox hates Arabs and in some cases incites violence against them, Muslims and other minorities.

أيمن بهجت قمر تامر حسنى اسلوبه رخيص

Maw3ood | Deeb - موعود | ديب "Cold Peace" Album

Forget the distant past, this song is about today. Deep rapped this song to tell people in his country to look out for Egypt. He started his song with the voice of Abdel Halim on the song for Maw3ood! Then when you think you can relax, comes Deeb spitting his poetic lines and venting his rage.

Filmed near the famous wall put in Egypt to block protesters from reaching some critical establishment offices. Where graffiti took over the wall and expressed what goes on the minds of many people. Even Palestine get to have its presence on the wall. The song is part of an upcoming album "Cold Peace" written and produced by Deeb himself

This is a really good rapper, he is not a poster, not even one bit. He flows and delivers on punch after another like a fighter in the ring. Deeb is showing his roots by giving shout outs to figures in Egyptian music like Makawi, by doing so he tells people he is no impostor. He doubles down and uses the name of some of the names of local and ancient religious figures.

The song closes with the Egyptian flag and a dedication to all the fallen heroes of the Arab Spring.  

Maw3ood | Deeb - موعود | ديب | Axeer Studio

Sofia el Marikh & Jennifer Lopez @ Morocco Mall

Jennifer Lopez and boyfriend have hailed as guests on the King of Morocco who is brags about being related to the prophet. Jenny left Los Angeles on a private jet Tuesday night and landed in Morocco on Thursday, were she's set to perform at the launch of the Morocco Mall in Casablanca.

Jennifer Lopez was one of the main acts, in fact she was the show, but also Sofia Marikh, the popular singer who does mean Arabic and French songs was at performing at the opening of this new mall in her home country.

Not sure what's the point of holding such event in a magical place that has a rather large unemployment rate for the youth. They might not be able to shop in the mall, but they can go to a concert.

Poet Kareem Al Iraqi, The Man Behind The Hits

If you were impressed by an Iraqi song in the past 20 years, then chances are it was c rafted by the mighty poet of Baghdad, Kareem Al Iraqi. All your Iraqi favorites have sang his lyrics and many more wish to collaborate with him, but to his credit, he only gives his all Iraqi lyrics to the best of the best.

Latest pop singer to sing his work was Shatha Hassoun, the starlet of Iraqi and Arabic pop, lady that can sing pretty much any song and hit all those notes a song may require. Majid Al Mohandis, Katehm Al Saher, Saber Al Rebaei, have all performed his songs and carried the local Iraqi songs to new frontiers.

Kareem seems to favor Kathem Al Saher as his lyrics always find their way to this iconic Iraqi singer who packs talent in music, singing and lyrics. Kareem Al Iraqi's philosophy is that a poet who writes lyrics has a mission which is to spread optimism and hope while communicating the message of the little guy and injustice.

he is currently working on an Iraqi play, a children album, a poem publication, so he has a busy life. His style of music sometimes picks the artists and sometimes the artist finds him, in all cases he is always doing the writing. Kareem also likes to see his songs filmed in music video which helps get the word out. that's one of the reasons his collaboration with Majid Al Monhadis is rare. Majid has yet to film a song whose lyrics come from Kareem's.

On the other hand, Kathem Al Saher has sang an impressive 100 song of Kareem's, and filmed about 10 of those. Out of those 10 filmed music videos, his least favorite is Madinat Al Hob, Baghdad City of Love. He is not a fan of that clip. He is also not entirely happy with the filming of Sha'alha, a song that Shatha Hassoun filmed recently.

Kareem Al Iraqi is most proud of his poems that has been turned into official Iraqi state stamps. He has four of them. An Iraqi singer that Kareem has tried to collaborate with, but has yet to see something significant materialize is Rida Al Abdallah.

This is a song that made it big in 2009 and told us that Kathem can have a hit and that hit does not have to be the works of the beloved Syrian poet Nizar Qabbany. As of who wrote the lyrics for this epic song...you guessed...Kareem Al Iraqi is the answer.

Kadem El Saher FT Asma Lemnawar arasmo bilkalimat 2009

Turkish Singers "Borrow" Arabic Melody

So hotties of Turkish music Sinan Akçıl and Hande Yener are big fans of good music wherever this music is. On their most recent collaboration, a song released in mid April titled Atma, a cool hip pop song with some great vocals. Observes have noted that this song sounds like an Arabic song.

So it was. The Turkish artists liked the melody of Randa Hafez-Egyptian pop singer with an 2009 album "Mayalah", they contact it the composer and got the rights for his melody. Most people thought the song was stolen, but in fact it was not and the Turkish artists did the right thing.

Egyptian musician Hassan Al Shafi was the man behind this hit song and I bet he was glad to collaborate with artists outside Egypt. But the artist that sealed the deal is Mohammad Rafaei, the lyrics and owns the rights to the track.

Last I heard their is some legal battle between the producer of the song and the owner of the rights, who gets the money? As far as we can tell the Turkish artists done all the right things, but the Egyptian party seems to not know how to handle the issue of compensation.


Randa Hafez Gowaya Keter" / راندا حافظ -- جوايا كتير

Sinan Akçıl feat. Hande Yener ~ "Atma"

Maher Zain Let "Freedom" Ring

Maher Zain is one of those musicians who are out to make good music that comes with an uplifting message. He is not the one to make you dance, but he will make your heart and brain dance to the tunes of his powerful messages.

The Danish Arab singer who has exploded more than three years ago with his animated song for Palestine along with a very awesome album with messages of being good and doing good. So you know, he has been touring all around the world performing in concerts and helping fundraiser for various Muslim and Humanitarian causes.

Having said that, you knew it would be a matter of days till this respectable singer release a track to celebrate the revolutions in the Arab world, and we were right. Here comes his single "Freedom" from a live concerts where the flags of various Arab countries plays in the back. This young singer has taken good Muslim music and made it hip again. Never mind his very visible social media activities.

Maher Zain - Freedom (Official Music Video) | ماهر زين - الحرية

For Some Reason Women Hate This Angham Song

But the guys love it....I do not know why whenever I play a pop Arabic song to someone who does not speak Arabic, they say the following "It's different, but it' Catchy", go ahead and play a song to your roommate and see what they will say. I did it like a hundred time.

But whenever I play an Arabic song by a female singer, they either mock it or just do not enjoy it. something about female voice in a langauge that you do not understand makes you run away to the other direction. I tested that in Spanish, French and American sons to individuals who do not speak the languages of those countries and they all agree.

If they do not understand the langauge of the singer, it seems they would tolerate it from a guy, but not a woman. In all fairness, there are so many great female musicians, take this song for example one of those fine Angham songs that if you do not understand the lyrics, you will think she is crying, think unhappy and people just do not want that. I cannot explain it. But I also know that some women do not like to hear the voices of other females.

The Axis of Awesome Takes On Pop Song

Everyone knows pop songs all sound the same, and at times they also seem to have the same beat and melody if you can call that music (I do), but not the musicians beg to differ with us.

See this video clip from indie band The Axis of Awesome proof it to you that it only takes four chords to have a pop song. That's right just 4 chords to make a pop song. this is science. They basically perform two dozens of pop songs to the same beat and you can never tell or see it coming. This is one band that loves to parody (pays homage fine) other songs and tackle cheesy songs like did this this Valentine day song (link). They really know how to make fun of cliche songs better than anyone can. I gotta say thanks!

In less than five minutes these guys perform the following song to the same boring 4 chords. Aha - Take on me Green Day - When I come around Eagle Eye Cherry - Save Tonight Toto - Africa Kelly Clarkson - Behind these Hazel Eyes Smashing Pumpkins - Butterfly with Bullet wings Joan Osbourne - One of Us Avril Lavinge - Complicated The Offspring - Self Esteem The Offspring - You're Gonna Go Far Kid Akon - Beautiful One Republic (Ft Timbaland) - Apologise Eminem (ft Rihanna) - Love the way you lie Bon Jovi - Its my Life Lady Gaga - Pokerface Aqua - Barbie Girl

The Axis of Awesome perform on Red Nose Day 2011

Love An Arab Woman Like This One

Noha Nabil might as well be the hardest working female poet in the Gulf. The sensational poet that has built a huge fan base for his poetry though TV is not the one to shy away form love. Her bold lines and smooth delivery have been reserved for men until Noha came along.

She is here in one of her finer poems "The one passing by me", she is flirting with a young man and telling him to make a move or else she will. She writes and delivers one flirtatious lines after another. I am now thinking that it takes a real man to stand firm and take all those nice compliments crafted by Noha. He has robbed her of sleeping, she loves everything about him, even all his ancestor and relatives.

She is hoping to spend the rest of her life next to him, she wishes she was his watch, phone so that she can always be near him. She ends the poem with this line, you either ask for me or I ask for your hand from your mother. Once again the Gulf continues to school Arabs in writing fine words with better meanings.

أحلى قصيدة تغزل بالرجال (المار قدامي)


هذاك المار قدامي وله نظرات قتاله ..

له سكسوكة حلوه بأقصى الوجه مرتسمه ..

حرمني النوم في ليلي .. حرمني النوم عقباله ..

يحس الشوق في صدره ذبحه وزاد في همه ..

احب امه .. احب عمه .. احب جده ..واحب خاله ..

اموت بنظرة عيونه وأعشق كل حروف اسمه ..

احب جٍده واحب هزله ، اذوب وحالتي حاله ..

واذا يطروه قدامي .. احس بداخلي صدمه ..

ذبحني بكثر ماشتاقه .. ذبحني بكثرة اشغاله ..

شغلني جنن قليبي .. فصلني من على الخدمه ^^ ..

ياليت اقدر اصير بيوم شي(ن) دايم قباله ..

وراه بكل مكان يروح .. شي(ن) غالي يهمه ..

ياليتني ساعة(ن) بيده .. او ارقام(ن) بجواله ..

يطقطقني على كيفه ولا احفظ سوى رقمه ..

انا ادري انه يعاني .. وادري صعبه احواله ..

قلبي مايطاوعني .. يبي دايم اهو يمه ..

انا مايهمني ربعه .. وعذالي وعذاله ..

احبه بكل جنون الحب .. والإحساس والذمه ..

صحيح انه يكذبني وظنونه دوم على باله ..

لكني بعلمه كيف هو دمي وانا دمه ..

يقول اني انا انسى ؟! فال الله ولا فاله ..

لو بانسى انا نفسي .. مانسى ابد رسمه..

ياقلبي شوف لي حل(ن) بحب(ن) صار لي عاله

يا إما تجيبه لعندي .. والا إطلُبه من امه ..

Lara Scander Speaks Up About Her Mission

The Egyptian, Lebanese, Italian, Californian starlet Lara Scander who might as well be the first Western pop star to have their career launch in an Arabic country is global star. With her roots spanning in four continents focuses on English songs. When she first appeared on Star Academy few years ago, she was the all English singer who left a great impression on Arab viewers.

She is clearly comfortable in Western pop where she fits so well judging from her music video The Mission is You. She is currently working on an English album that will find a market in the Arab World, but I hope this young starlet manage to establish herself globally without losing her root. I am thinking using the Shakira model.

She is a true global star that started in a little town in Columbia, it took her a decades but now few can deny she is a global star, her world cup performed in 2006 and 2010 attest to that. I noticed in the interview Lara is not too comfortable in Arabic and she does not seem to have interest in Arabic music, other than the essential old songs of Fayrouz and Abdel Halim. I think that needs to change a little, After all Shakira still open her concerts with an Arabic song.


Lara scandar interview on nile life tv


Lara Scandar - Mission Is You

Lena Seikaly Rocking The Jazz Scene

Lena Seikaly is an American singer from a Palestinian heritage. She is not just a singer, she is a Jazz singer, one of the finest in the business. Washington DC is the home of this artist as well as the home of many Jazz legends. Clubs like U Street Bohemian Caverns where stars of the likes of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, and Thelonious Monk have graced its stage. Since this is a blog about music, we like to cover artists of all walks of life, Lena came to mind as a fixture of the Washington DC Jazz scene.

Lena Seikaly, started her classical training at age of 4 and moved up in the ranks until she joined as a vocalists a number of DC ensembles where she made a great impression. Lena is also an accomplished, classically-trained mezzo soprano. She has studied for the past four years from world-renowned bass-baritone Francois Loup at the University of Maryland School of Music. Per Lena's website,

Professionally, Lena has sung with various choirs, including the Schola Cantorum at Washington D.C.'s Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle (specializing in early sacred music), the Washington Chorus, and several ensembles associated with the Catholic University and the University of Maryland. She formerly served, and now again serves as the alto soloist and section leader at Westmoreland Congregational Church in Bethesda, Maryland. An avid educator, Lena has worked as a private teacher of jazz and classical voice, beginning piano and beginning guitar in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia for several years. She was the vocal jazz instructor at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts during the 2008-2009 school year. Beginning in 2010, Lena has been leading educational workshops for jazz vocalists at the Strathmore Music Center.

I know Jazz music is a very American music and the African American community prides itself in being the driving force behind it. Well many Europeans came to love Jazz music and so did many in all parts of the world. To see a star with an international background excel in this music is rather refreshing.

I was able to see Lena perform live in a number of occasions, most recently at the Jerusalem Fund in Washington DC at an art Gallery opening and I was pleased by her grace most of all. There is no doubt Lena Seikaly has the talent and the voice that make her special in every sense of the word.

Love Me or Leave Me By Jazz Singer Lena Seikaly Performing @ The Jerusalem Fund


Lena Seikaly "Love You Madly" @ The Jerusalem Fund

Fired Up In Egypt w Amir Sulaiman, Ayah, Freeway,The Narcicyst, Omar Offendum

Yes, this is rap at its finest, a rap that truly fires you up and makes you want to attend a rally and shout to bring an end of the injustice you see. A number of A list Arab American rappers and musicians came together to bring this beautiful collaboration. The people of Egypt need no attention right now, they've earned the attention of the world and its leaders. What they need is to keep the momentum going, keep the fire within.

That's where I think "#Jan25″ comes to the rescue, reminding us of the date it all started with little attention at first. While most causalities happened on January 28th, "#Jan25" bring it all together with a wonderful video montage of the protests in and around Egypt and the brutality of the very group that is meant to keep the Egyptians safe. This is the day that will be marked in history where the government and its agents have officially lost it and thus lost the war.It's the day that gave value to saying, "I am Egyptian", you can say it now and roar!

What draws me about this song, is more than its high energy, and testosterone charged lyrics, but rather the poetry in both Arabic and English. I have not this done before where Arabic lyrics and English ones complement each other. And both languages deliver a high dose of a well placed rage. This what comes out when you have something bothering you that allows you to channel a limitless warehouse of an emotional baggage.

Two thumps up to Sami Matar, the Palestinian-American composer from Southern California, and The Narcicyst, Omar Offendum, Amir Sulaiman, and vocalist Ayah. While their song is about Egypt, it resonates with the great majority of the Arab world, as the plight is too familiar. Had enough? Are you angry yet?

Omar Offendum, The Narcicyst, Freeway, Ayah, Amir Sulaiman - #Jan25 (Produced by Sami Matar)

"Prayerful" (Monday)

Monday's prayer: Guide me in Your word guide me in all my understanding Amen!