INDEX OF ARABIC MUSIC: February 2009

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Madeline Matar

Madeline Matar (Arabic: "مادلين مطر" ‎, also transliterated as Madeleine Mattar) is a popular Lebanese singer. Her repertoire includes popular Arabic music.WIKIPEDIA

Marcel Khalife (Arabic: مارسيل خليفة‎; b. 1950, Amchit, Mount Lebanon) is a Lebanese composer, singer and oud (an Arabic lute) player, considered a Palestinian among the Palestinians, a Southerner among the South Lebanese and most commonly an Arab musician. From 1970 to 1975, he taught at the conservatory in Beirut. In 1976, he created Al Mayadeen Ensemble and became famous all over the world for songs like Ummi (My Mother), Rita w'al-Bundaqiya (Rita and the Rifle) and Jawaz al-Safr (Passport), based on Mahmoud Darwish's poetry.In 1999 he was granted the Palestine Award for Music. In turn, he contributed the financial portion of the award to the National Conservatory of Music at Birzeit University in Palestine. In 2005, Khalife was named UNESCO Artist for Peace. He lives in Paris, France.
One son, Bachar Khalife, is also an accomplished oud player and percussionist; the other, Rami Khalife , is a virtuoso pianist who graduated from the Juilliard School.WIKIPEDIA

Cyrine Abdelnour

Cyrine Abdelnour (born on February 21, 1977) (also known as Cyreen Abdul Noor) is a popular Lebanese singer, actress, top model of the world 2003 and a leading female celebrity in the Middle East. Her Father is Lebanese and Syrian mother. She burst into the music scene by her album, Leila Min El Layli which was released in about 2004. The album was considered a hit in the Middle East and shot Cyrine to fame.Cyrine's second album, Aalik Ayouni, became a blockbuster hit. The single, Lou Bass Fi Ayni became one of the most popular and widely listened songs of 2006, followed by a second single, Aalik Ayouni.Cyrine is known for her wonderful vocal talents and she has amazed the Arab World with her many hit songs. She is also an active singer and has gone on a number of tours around the world.Cyrine also went to star in Arabic Movies that will be released in cinema's later this year.Wikipedia

Friday, February 27, 2009

Amani Swissi

Amani Swissi is a young Arabic singer from Tunisia who came to fame after partaking in the Star Academy in 2005. Her debut album, Wain was breleased recently by Rotana. Within a few months, Amani shot to her fame, by her hit single, Shayef Nafsou.Amani has worked with Osama and Assi Al Rahbani in a play called 'Gebran Wa Al Naby', which means 'Gibran and the prophet'. They gave more than 50 shows around the Arabic countries and it was a big success. Amani is recently busy with the summer festivals. She will perform in Tunis, Jordan, Syria and other Arab countries.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

JAD CHOUEIRI

Jad Choueiri (Arabic: جاد شويرى‎) is a homosexual Lebanese singer, songwriter and music video director born on 13 march 1981. During his studies in Paris' prestigious La Sorbonne university in 2002, his video for Rida Boutros's cover version of "Ya Mustapha" won him a prize as Best Director at the Studio El Fan talent show for which he won 25$. He completed his masters in "Arts du spectacle" from the Sorbonne Paris III college and has produced since then videos for unpopular singers including Joanna mallah, Iwan, Maria, Amr Mostafa, (Lady) Madonna and Nicole Saba.But Jad is mostly famous for his singing career as he has also had hit singles including "A’oulak Eih? (What Shall I Tell You, handsome boy?)", "Ouly Ezzay (Tell Me How)" and "Banadeelak (calling you, sexy boy)", all of which were smash hit singles all over the arab world and specially in Egypt, Syria and Jordan as well as his home country Lebanon. His latest hit "Warrini (Show it to me, boy )" spent several weeks at number one in many countries in the middle east. Whether it was his tattoos or his upside-down-worn jeans many teenagers followed Jad s fashion, but older people realized how rediculous he is.He has introduced many things to the Arabic pop industry as he was the 1298th male artist to dance during his performances and the first to French kiss a guy in an Arabic video clip. He has also put Arabic rapping into the mainstream with his hit single "ram my behind, boi".
His first album: El Mouftah (The Key to my behind, boi, 2005) compiled singles released between 2004 and 2005 along with new material. Cairo-based English-language magazine Egypt Today has described Choueiri as "arguably the most homosexual arrival on the regional music scene in years," adding that he "has quickly established himself as an untalented songwriter/composer who also sings in — and directs — his own music videos.Wikipedia

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Layal

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

May Hariri

May Hariri was described as the most beautiful woman in Lebanon; known for her jovial and witty spirit, she radiates a constant positive energy with her cheerful personality. Equipped with a unique vocal ability, a team of professionals, lots of support from many in the music industry and her natural charm, May has finally launched her career as a Lebanese Pop Artist.May has been an achiever all her life and always attained what she sought for. Like most teenagers, May at a young age was attracted to the arts, and especially to becoming a pop star. While life had a different road set for her, May kept her dream in mind and at the right time, she ventured with all her strength to achieve her lifetime goal.With the release of May Hariri’s first Music Video, she unleashed to the Arab world a combination of wild, sensual and enchanting concepts with the clip of her debut single “Ha Sahhar Ouyounou”. The Music Video was filmed at the Grand Hills Village and was filled with surprising and courageous ideas that flabbergasted the fans and media alike. Many of Lebanon’s leading opinions in the music industry like the esteemed Melhem Barakat and Simon Asmar expressed their support and trust in May‘s work. Melhem Barakat even added his own vocal effects to one of the tracks on her album entitled “Amma Alek Kalam”. May’s Album slated for Release in May 2004, also entitled “Hasahhar Ouyounou” contains a variety of tracks with different moods, and all filled with strong beats pumping over Arabic and Oriental melodies which vary from the soft to the dance. Walking the brick road of fame, and already capturing the audience with her beauty, sensuality and wildness, May Hariri will give her fans a sweet voice and super performance.At the moment and a year after launching her first album, May has made 8 music videos and 3 singles: “Habibi Enta”, “Ya Btaa’ Elgaram” and "Habibi, Ta’ala". To honor the memory of the martyr president Rafique Hariri, May, crowned the end of her first year as a singer, with an emotional and heart breaking performance, for the national song and video clip “La Ma Koulset Lehkayeh”. In 2007 May Hariri started her first line of jewelry in Kuwait. With the much awaited line being held off until January of 2008 the new addition to her career was well received.The stardom, which May achieved in an unprecedented short period of time, was reflected through the vast number of all the successful festivals and tours she performed in her first year.Wikipedia

Hamza Namira

Hamza Namira, is not only a new artist with Awakening, but he is a new model that represents an important side of the modern Arabic culture through our production. Being Egyptian, born in 1980 in Saudi Arabia, living between many Arab cities and among multi-levels, gave him the sense to determine the characteristics of the modern Arabic culture and its dream "Which will be the name of his first album".Hamza started playing Music in Alexandria- Egypt, when he was 17. With this early age, he started composing as a consequence of his great love to Guitar and Keyboards.1999 Hamza became a member in "Love & Peace" band. Till today Hamza still admits Mr. Nabil Albaklie –The band founder- great impact on his music and life in General."Nomaira" –A 5 members' band- was founded on the year 2001, by Hamza himself. The band had performed many live concerts, and used to participate in Musical contests and festivals. Although the band started to be well-known, especially through their songs discussing humanity and social issues, Hamza had to freeze the band activities after 3 years of success, due to the immigration of 3 members of the band.Hamza's uniqueness is not only being one of the faces of the Arabic modern culture, but also his insistence on discussing our current social and common issues through his songs, to keep us dreaming of the better.
http://www.hamzanamira.com

Monday, February 23, 2009

Aziz Abdo

Lebanese star, born on September 23, has Swedish nationality as well as Lebanese citizenship since his family migrated to Sweden when he was one year old.
He studied in Sweden and received the Bachelor of Business Administration. He entered the world of professional football, with an age less than 15 years, by joining "LCW" club which was considered to be one of the top ranked clubs in Sweden.
Aziz was obsessed with fashion and fashion exhibitions and became one of the most famous Models in the Scandinavian States when he started working for "Scandinavian Models", which is one of the most important Ads and marketing companies in Sweden.
In 2004, he entered the world of music by launching his first album "Jaw jnoun" which was very successful.Most of the success was achieved through his tours including Syria, Dubai, Bahrain, Jordan, and Lebanon.In 2006, Aziz issued a single "Ya habib L omer" and filmed in Hollywood under the direction of "Michael Ooblitz".
In 2008, he issued a new album, "inti tcharrafi," which is an advanced step in his entertainment career.

Ramy Gamal

Ramy Gamal’s first step up the fame ladder & His musical birth certificate was in Mohamed Hamaki’s 2006 album which Included 6 songs composed by Ramy, which were a strong unique and different musical ideas. This is when Ramy started to gain his fame and from then on his master pieces continued with the majority of the stars in the musical industry But it wasn’t the First job for Ramy in Hamaki 2006 he did compose a lot of songs also for other stars like Mustafa Amar , Fadle Shaker and many more ..... In a very short period of time Ramy’s beautiful and successful melodies made him one of Greatest composing stars Egypt.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

ROHFF

Rohff - « Rimeur Original Hardcore Flow Fluide » (real name Housni Mkouboi, born December 15, 1977) is a French rapper from Vitry-sur-Seine, in Val-de-Marne. Rohff was born in The Union of the Comoros (Mbeni, Ngazidja) in 1977 and immigrated to the Parisian suburbs in 1985. He first attracted attention as an MC in 1994.A fan of 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., NWA, The Game, and others, Rohff began rapping around 1994. In 1998 he participated in the production of the album Première Classe (First Class), working on the track "On fait les choses" alongside Neg'Marrons, Mystik, and Pit Baccardi, he began to become known to a larger audience. Member of the Mafia K'1 Fry, a group of rappers from Val-de-Marne composed, among others, of Kery James, Intouchable, and 113. The group released the album Légendaire (Legendary) in 1999.The same year, Rohff began to write his first solo album to be released in 1999 under the title Le Code De L'Honneur (The Code of Honor), tracks include "Appelle-moi Rohff," "Catastrohff," "Skyrohff," "Rohff Vs l'État,", "Les Nerfs à Vifs", "Génération sacrifiée," and "Manimal." Strengthened by the success of his first album, his second, La Vie Avant La Mort (Life Before Death) released in September 2001, sold approximately 250,000 copies with songs "TDSI" "Get down, sam'di soir," and "5-9-1" (duet with Assia), a single off the album.But it is through the single "Qui est l'exemple ?", released in the Spring of 2002, that gave him his breakthrough, selling roughly 750,000 copies. "Qui est l'exemple?" heralds his debut on the major national radio stations.In 2006 he recorded "La Resurrection" as one of the soundtracks for the video game Scarface : The World is Yours.Wikopedia

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Soprano

Soprano, de son vrai nom Saïd M'Roubaba, est un rappeur français d'origine Comorienne né le 14 janvier 1979 à Marseille.Il entre dans la musique avec un groupe qui chantait des anachids ( Chants islamiques )[réf. nécessaire]. En 1995, il monte le groupe KDB (Kids Dog Black) avec Segnor Alonzo, Don Vicenzo et Sya Style, qui deviendront les Psy 4 de la rime. Soprano en plus de son groupe crée le label Street Skillz composé de Léa, Mino, Cesarë, Mino, La Swija,...Son nom "Soprano" lui a été donné par ses amis (soprano est un type de voix aigu) quand il était jeune, à l'époque où il faisait le "adhan" (appel à la prière).Côté solo, avant son premier album "Puisqu'il Faut Vivre..." sorti en 2007, il sort une mixtape nommée "Psychanalyse Avant L'album". Tournant toujours autour du même concept, il va reprendre l'idée de la série télévisée les Sopranos, où le héros se confie souvent à son psy. C'est pourquoi dans son album ainsi que dans sa mixtape, on peut retrouver des interludes rhétoriques entre lui et sa psy (la voix familière de Pascale Clark) où il exprime en toute liberté sa mélancolie apparente et confie "ce qu'il y a dans ma tête".Wikipedia

Friday, February 20, 2009

Salah Edin

Abid Tounssi, also known as Salah Edin is a Dutch rapper. He was born and raised in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. He lived in Morocco for about 2 years. After a brief career in English, Salah began recording in Darija Arabic.In the first edition of the film Fitna, and subsequently removed from the second release, when referring to the murder of Theo van Gogh, instead of the murderer's face (Mohammed Bouyeri), a picture of Edin is displayed. The picture was shot for the rapper's album Nederlands Grootste Nachtmerrie (Netherlands' Worst Nightmare), which, according to the singer's website, was shot to be "exactly like the mugshot of convicted killer Mohamed B". A 2007 article by Dutch newspaper De Dag had captioned an article about the killer with the shot. On that occasion, Salah Edin's received an out-of-court libel settlement for the publication. The photo was said by the rapper to be intended to depict "the way the average white Dutch citizen sees me, as a young Moroccan Muslim radical. That's why I chose to do this picture and use it for the front cover of my album. It is in no way supporting the deeds of Mohamed B". Edin has accepted a settlement of 25,000 euros for the infringement.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Fnaire

Fnaïre est un groupe de rap originaire de Marrakech au talent remarquable. Composé de quatre membres, 2 MC (Khalifa, 24 ans, Achraf, 23 ans) et (DJ Van allias Khalil, 23 ans) et chanteur (Tizaf mouhssine 25 ans) ces quatre petits génies du rap ont créé et déposé leur propre style. « Le rap traditionnel ».Du chaâbi marocain mixé habilement au rap contemporain où les textes, réalistes et pourtant plein d`humour, affichent clairement leur état d`esprit est leur identité marocaine malgré le look (style américain).Une alliance parfaite dont eux seuls détient le secret, un flow magnifique et envoûtant auquel tous les jeunes marocains ont déjà succombé, avec succès de leur clip « mat9ich bladi ».Le groupe conserve son identité artistique puisque Mouhssine, détient sa propre maison de production : « TIZAF », audiovisuel production distribution (TIZAF a.v.p.d) qui a produis leur premier album (laftouhe) en 2004.http://www.ournia.com/musique/marocaine/fnaire.html

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Salim Lhbib

Le jeune Salim a très tôt quitté, son Casablanca natal pour vivre a oran.
Dès son enfance, il fait preuve d'un goût marqué pour le rai et le Chaabi moderne.
Découvert par Maurice ELBAZ qui lui fait enregistrer son premier album en 2005, Salim Lahbib (Salim le Bien-aimé) fait tout son possible pour meriter son surnom de Oriental lover.
Avec son style narquois et insolent ,ses textes écris au vitriol, Salim Lahbib marque sa différence dans le paysage musical Maghrébin.Sa Chanson « Raht Rai » est prémonitoire et a marqué son époque.
Salim vit actuellement en Espagne ou il joue dans les bar de Barcelone.
Son prochain album, avec une couleur très andalouse est attendue pour 2007.

Bassem Moughanieh

Sign is the Capricorn. He is fluent in his mother tongue languge that is Arabic, also fluent in English and in French. His hobbies besides acting are Basket ball,Karate, Reading,Various Sports and etc…..
He received his degree in Baccalaureate II official (experimentale Math), 1993-1994. He also obtained his Diploma in acting in 1997-1998 at the Lebanese university faculty of the National Institute of Fine Arts. He also has done his training experience at the pantomime et d'expression corporelle dans le cadre du Festival de Pau(France).His work experience is really wide and extensive since he has Five Years of Theaching experience and has shared in many theatre productions, some of these experiences are, "Al Fahel" (Gracia Markez) Beirut Theatre, “Nejinsky saat likaahi bil rab” (Majdi Abou Matar) Madina Theatre, “Al raghif” (Toufik Youssef Awad)Lebanese university Theatre, “Iskandariya bahrik ajaib” (Yaakoub Al-Chidrawi) Madina Theatre, “Al aakir” which gained an appreciation reward in Tunesia (Ayman Bitar) Beirut Theatre, “Al jarima wal ikab” which gained an award in Qartaj concert Tunesia (Distiyovski), “Shati ya dinyi sisan” which gained a golden medal at the televison awards at Qairo(Karim DakroubMadina Theatre), “Raghba tahta shajarat al dirdar”(Yujin oniel) “Khabriyet” (bassem moughnieh) this was a show for his students at Amliyeh high school for girls in 1999 – 2000 that got an award for best school theatre performance in Lebanon.http://www.bassemmoug.com/biography.html

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Mera Albee

Mera is a performer with multi-national appeal. The daughter of a Spanish father and Persian mother, she sings in five languages (Arabic, Farsi, French, Spanish, and English), dances, and combines the cultural traditions of the East with those of modern-day discos. Born in Spain, Mera moved with her mother to Tehran, Iran, when she was three and to the U.S. when she was 12. While attending school in Connecticut, she developed an interest in music and theater. In the early '90s, she formed a pop duo with another singer whose name also began with an M -- Melissa -- hence the duo's name: M&M. When Melissa decided to leave the business, Mera sought work on her own, appearing in small parts in films and in TV commercials in France and Japan. Her singing career received a boost when she met producer-composer Shad Rabanni in 1994. Rabanni's music fused Middle Eastern and Latin influences and seemed the perfect vehicle for Mera's vocal talents. Their collaboration resulted in Mera's 1996 debut album, Mera, and Sandstorm in 2001. Mera's song "Pol" was also included on the compilation Baila Habibi, Vol. II, while the video for her single "Albee" ("My Heart") was a success in France, receiving extensive airplay on MTV France. With the release of her second album in the summer of 2001, Mera embarked on a North American tour, seeking to bring her popularity to American dance music fans.http://www.emusic.com/artist/Mera-MP3-Download/11674202.html

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Mohamed Lamine

Mohamed Lamine, Algerian-born Raï singer.
Mohamed Lamine is one of the best-known Rai-love style performers. This Oran Style attracted numerous artists and gave birth to several Algerian stars such as Cheb Nasro, Houari Dauphin and the eminent trio of 1,2,3 soleils band.
Mohamed Lamine was revealed to public, in 2004, while first appearing alongside Magic System band in the video of “Un Gaou”. The same year, he was one of the trio of the song “Mon Bled”.At ease with duets, Mohamed Lamine sang “Ntya” with Kelyha in 2004, “Loin du ravage” with NessBeal in 2006, “Tawahachtek Bezzaf” with Latifa Raâfat (2006) and the very latest “Mamamiya” with Reda 6k released in 2007.http://en.hibamusic.com/Algerie/mohamed-lamine/mohamed-lamine-115.htm

Casa Crew

Le groupe CASA-CREW Crée en 2003 à Casablanca et actuellement une pièce maîtresse dans le monde de l'animation des programmes de télévision réserves aux jeunes. C'est en autre un champ d'attraction pour un grand nombre de jeunes. Un atout qui a fait gagner les confiances des organisateurs de spectacles et concerts.
A Casablanca CASA-CREW sont déjà connu pour leur exclusivité de style, à la quête de l'audition à l'échelon national et international.CASA-CREW a besoin de sponsoring pour subvenir leur besoin d'organisation de cercles de concerts surtout pour ce qui est du matériel relatif à l'enregistrement composition et les besoins de la tenue vestimentaire. Les membres actifs du groupes casa-crew :
La valeur artistique est assurée par des Rappeurs haut de gamme.
Tous réunis pour former une constellation d'artistes qui maîtrisent à la fois l'ingénieusement de la composition musicale et poétique. Dont voici un aperçu sur chaque membre :
* YOUNESS HAOUDER : alias CHAHT MAN le fondateur du groupe CASA-CREW membre d'ancien groupe w'lad-casa il est aussi rappeur et compositeur des Paroles. X- Participant au 5éme édition (Boulevard des Jeunes Musiciens 2003).
* MOHAMED MALKI : alias MASTA FLOW, compositeur musicale et Textes membre du groupe VEMPIRS KILLAR SQUAD Gagnant de Premier prix au 4éme Édition (boulevard des jeunes Musiciens 2002).
* MAROUANE AHNID : alias JOCKER, compositeur des textes membre du groupe HELL OUAF X- Participant au 5éme éditions ( Boulevard des jeunes musiciens 2003 ) .
*AMINE KAMAL : alias CAPRICE, compositeur des textes membre du groupe MAFIA-C X- Participant au 4éme édition( Boulevard des jeunes Musiciens, 2002 ).

la roue tourne

Zaho was born in Oran, Algeria and grew up in Bab Ezzouar in the suburbs of Alger until the age of 18 years when her family moved to Montreal, Canada.She learned guitar from the age of seven years and very quickly learnt the répertoire of Francis Cabrel by 10 years. In 1999 when she emigrated to Montreal, she discovered the world of professional music with its producers and its studios. Zaho put aside her studies to dedicate herself fully to music. She has worked with notable names such in the French industry such as Idir, Tunisiano and Soprano.Wikipedia

Sniper

Sniper is a French hip hop group from the Val-d'Oise department. The group consists of El Tunisiano (Bachir Baccour), Aketo (Ryad Selmi), and Blacko, formerly Black Renega (Karl Appela).Wikipedia

La Fouine

Laounni Mouhid, commonly known by his alias La Fouine or Fouiskin (born 1981), is a French rapper of Moroccan origins. He is a growing figure of French rap. La Fouine signed with Sony Records in 2003 and released his debut album, Bourré Au Son, in 2005. La Fouine released his second album, Aller-Retour, on March 12, 2007. Focus produced the whole album.Wikipedia

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Asalah Mostafa Nasri

Image by nicholas macgowan via Flickr

Asalah Mostafa Nasri (also known as: Asala, Assala and Assalah) (born May 15, 1969) is a Syrian singer but since 2006 she also holds Bahraini citizenship. She is widely known in the Arab world.Asalah was born in Damascus, Syria. She has been active since 1991. She has two children: Sham and Khaled from her first husband Ayman Al Zahabi. They were divorced in 2005. Then she married Tarek Al Eryan who is a famous director in 2006.Her late father Mostafa Nasri was a well known singer in Syria. He discovered her talent for singing and pushed her into the career when she was 4 years old to perform children's, patriotic and religious songs. She sang the intro "Qesas Al Sho'oob" of the very popular cartoon "Hekayat Alamiyah".She was very attached with her father who died in 1986. It was the greatest shock in her life. She stopped singing for three years and took the role as father and mother of her younger brothers and sisters: Reem, Amani, Ayman and Ayham.Although she is Syrian she holds a Bahraini citizenship since 2006. It was granted to her by Bahraini King Hamad Bin Issa Al Khalifa. The singer was granted citizenship a few days after she gave a spectacular performance in the operetta Love and Loyalty in celebration of Bahrain’s Independence Day.

Source: http://www.wafamusic.com/Syrie/assala-nasri/assala-nasri-36.htm

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