Did You Miss Him? Mostafa Kamel Returns

He was never a big name in his early days, but his magical lyrics made the career of dozens of big household names. If they are Egyptians or if they have worked in Egypt, chances are Mostafa Kamel has given them his lyrics.

But in the late 90s, early 2000 he wanted more than helping others become stars, he wanted his own album, and then there was more of those. Mostafa made a good career in music, but for the post five years he was been virtually missing.

It's 2012 so, Mostafa seems to be making an attempt to be more visible. He released a single that reminds you of plays to his strength. Staying in the romance and blues genera as we have come to know him. I know, I liked it and I sort of missed listening to his stuff.
اغنية مصطفى كامل - فى ليلة شتا | Mostafa Kamel - Fi lealet Shetta

With Mohamed Qwaider Jordan Pop Is On The Rise

Thanks to reality TV, the Arab world has half a dozen singers from Jordan. Such voices made the people in that country a lot prouder and lot louder. It started with Diana Karazon, Tony Qattan and now we have a dozen of them.

Mohaed Qwider is one of those voices that can sing and write music on his beloved guitar. Here's his latest single, that sounds like a Lebanese song in terms of passion. But the title sounds like a religious song. A Proclamation of Innocence. It's a break song where the guy states the reasons for the breakup.

On a funny note, Qwaider's song cites that his family does not like girls like that.

Mohamed Qwaider - Shahadet Bara2a / محمد قويدر - شهادة براءة

Play This Track At Your Muslim Themed Wedding

It's hard to imagine this, but Shahinaz quit the romance and pop business to focus on Islamic songs...the songs that play with little music, but yet bring up the cheers for your happy occasion.

Shahinaz stopped by this Egyptian TV show hottest by the same guy who used to do suggestive dances with half naked overweight belly dancers--Saad Al Soghair. They all seek forgiveness now. But this is above our pay grade.

The song mentions the prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and counts the virtues of the bride and his groom.

شاهيناز - يا عشاق النبي (لايف)

Arabic Song For Dog Lovers!! Bark At Your Own Risk

Arabs and dogs do not mix well, think oil and eater. But to our credit, in the past we used to live in tents and dogs were our best friends there to protect the herd. Now, since we live we homes, and dogs need not to apply.

Here's one of the dude of Egyptian pop who figured away to get on the radio, release a song that barks. A song for beasts about beasts. Dogs are used as a boogeyman, if you do not listen up, I will unleash the El 3awa on you.

Diab - El3aw @ La plage Beach - Marina



Diab - El 3aw دياب - العوو

Hanni El Khatib: Rocking The Blues

Written by our friend Benyamin

Hanni El Khatib might not sing in Arabic (he's a half-Palestinian half-Filipino American with lots of tattoos) but with a name like Hanni El Khatib, he's earned a spot on Hot Arabic Music. El Khatib works out of San Francisco and Los Angeles and makes crunchy, sexy blues rock. Sort of like the Black Keys, except actually marginally interesting. He describes his music as “songs that were written for anyone who's ever been shot or hit by a train.” His excellent debut EP Will the Guns Come Out dropped in September 2011.



El Khatib has been generating some buzz over the last few months, with features from NPR, the Guardian, and gigs with Florence + the Machine. He's also got strong American cultural pedigree, as a former creative director of legendary San Francisco clothing line HUF and a recent signee to storied LA hip hop record label Stones Throw. El Khatib is definitely someone to watch for 2012. He spent the fall touring Europe and Australia, and is performing around southern California currently, but hopefully he will embark on a wider US tour soon.

Kastan, Mahmoud "A Vacant Heart"

Mohamoud Kastan is a cool dude with a hear of gold. His luck is not so good. He is a new voice that wanted to be a star in 2011, but 2011 all stars were overshadowed by the events of the Arab Spring. So when he released his album, few people took notice. We reviewed it here on this blog.

Kastan just released a new song about self love, he no longer wants to be taken advantage of by people who later end up wronging him. This is a the very definition of a bittersweet song. This should be the go to song for those tender spirits who are going through a breakup. Surprisingly, this song delivers and further states that Kastan is a talent not to be overlooked.

محمود كاستن - قلب فاضي

Post Hospital/Marriage Hamaki Is Back On The Saddle

Egyptian mega pop star Mohamed Hamaki had the year of his life in 2011. First he gets engaged to a fashion designer lady from his home country. Then he had a mile stroke/heart attack, then surviving that. Few months later he gets hitched to the lady of his dreams.

His wedding was the wedding of the year, all the household names turned up for him and his bride. Musically, he released about 5 singles. Three of which for Egypt and one for his finance then and later for his bride. But 2011 wasn't wrapping up till he had another single "Scribbles On The Wall" about an average Joe falling for a lady everyone like.

It was a sensible song with a lot of heart. So for his new year concert, Hamaki performed it live and the internet went to work, the song is everywhere. This concert came few weeks after his weeding..he has not finished his honeymoon yet--he chose to be in America for that.

Hamaki Singing Shakhbata 3al 7et From New Year Concert At Conrad