Do Songstresses Really Like To Dance On Stage?

Watching a clip from Iraqi singer Shatha Hassoun concert in Beirut, I could not help but see how she is trying to force the dance to get along with the song--a cover song beloved by the Lebanese audience. Some other stars in Arabia does not dance---I name Elissa, Diana Haddad, Amal Maher, Latifa...and few others.

And there are those who would not stop dancing, Nancy Ajram for starter, Myriam Fares is another. Haifa wins the gold. Now in this biz you cannot take yourself seriously if you want to appeal to a broader fan base. If you want to sing, you better learn how to dance, this is no longer the 40s when people had no TVs.

I do not recall Shatha Hassoun being known for her dance moves--she was a really good singer, but the rule at her concerts....you cannot be the star of a party singing songs asking people to dance, when you yourself do not shake something something. Granted a lot of women enjoy dancing and excel at it, but some women do it for different reasons.

Guy entertainer cannot really fake a dance, you can either dance or just get out of the way. Pop music is all about the movement on the stage. People want to see a show, not just a guy with a microphone who is standing idle.

 يابا لا - شذى حسون - حفل بيروت 2012 - Shatha Hassoun

Jad Rahme Is An Old School Man From The Old Country

Behind the publicity and the live shows, Jad Rahme is Lebanon’s next big voice.  He is already being compared to some of the worlds biggest international Arabic stars and now is ready to show the world what Lebanon knows already~ His talent is undeniable. This Montreal based Lebanese singer is the go to star if you want to fire up your party attendees. Jad's music packs so much of the old world flavors, it's uncanny who he managed to preserve the Lebanese style so well.

Jad has toured and performed in countless clubs, restaurants, private, special events, festivals and celebrations within every major city in North America.  He is now looking forward to be touring at an international level. When asked why his new single is called Ana Rijal(which, in Arabic means “I'm a man”), he had this to say, “I want every man out there to listen to my song, sing along and feel proud to be a real man, not because of what he owns, but because of who he is.”

Now, this is something I can stand behind, men need to man up and stop trying to be so girly in pursuit of popularity. Jad found a good subject to sing about and bring a little bit of joy in the lives of those who get to listen to his songs. And yes you will most likely want to dance, women like a man who is confident and who brings something to the relationship that they do not already have. No female will even want a guy who cries more than she does.

After receiving enthusiastic reviews online, the recording is gaining international attention. Ana Rijal is available on iTunes, Amazon mp3, Emusic, Rhapsody and  Soundcloud. “I'm pumped to be releasing new music”, says Jad.  As an independent artist, Jad is currently considering offers with record labels. Ana Rijal has been his break through hit.  The song itself is “not only is it catchy, it's melody addictive. It's entwined with an old-school beat, making it a modern mix of that traditional “dabke” we all love so much!”

“The whole process has been amazing and I hope that this new track will please my fans.”  Jad was happy to receive such great feedback from fans and friends through his Facebook page before releasing the hard copy. The page has been flooded with encouraging comments and congratulations from many established musicians and artists such as George Dfouni and Koko Balkorkian.

Jad recorded the vocals for Ana Rijal in Toronto, Ontario with world famous composer/producer/singer Salah Kurdi, who is the artist responsible for the lyrics and music of the single.  Instrumentals were recorded in Studio Joe Baroutjian in Beirut and then the recording was returned to Toronto where Ali Ramadan mixed mastered it.

For a really love time, good Arabic singers have almost always came form the old country to the States for concerts  With Jad, I am feeling he might be the first North American grown singer to be able to go back to the motherland and stand his own ground musically.

Ana Rijal - Jad Rahme (Arabic, Lebanon) أنا رجال جاد رحمه - عربي لبنان

Video: Nariman Mansour Is The Egypt's Iron Woman

Nariman Mansour might as well be a super hero. At the time of crisis in her country, she and her team manged to make a sci-fi filled music video with Iron Man Suit and an amazing Aerial shot of Cairo. I like the outfits and styles she chose to sport.

This is most certainly a dance track for people who like Red Bull. I love the mastering and the computer affect on the track, but I had to say it I am not sure if this is her natural vice or some computer affects, but in both cases, she might need more vocal coaching.

Nariman Mansour - Bab'a Btabe'ty / ناريمان منصور - ببقى بطبيعتي

Dance Away With Zen Master Yahia Sweis New Single

Yahia Sweis is a passionate young man, but the father of the girl he loves can kick his butt. Yahia loves the girl from next door where their both houses are separated by a wall--he wants to tear down that wall. So Yahia makes a proposition  let me marry your daughter in accordance with the religious traditions off course.

At least this is how his new single goes. Yahia is a spirited singer from Jordan, he did appear on Star Academy three years ago. I think he has a winner song here and it has the wild appeal to most Arabs. The beat will be welcome in Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. The lyrics are dripping passion, Yahia looks the part. This is a song that will be welcomed by the young and the old. The young will like the upbeat style, the old will cheer the traditional style.    

Yahia is well composed guy, a very quite personalty, and a student of Computer sciences. His song Karmal 'Ayonik will be a great calling card for concerts and othber parties. Great Job Yahia, you have made a great choice here.  

- يحيى صويص -- كرمال عيونك - Yahia sweis -- kermal 3yonik 2012-. جديد

Cyrine Abdel Nour-Snin 2012 She Does Not Need The Work

One of the pleasant surprise of Arab pop is Cyrine Abdel Nour, a family gal with a best TV drama in ages, and a solid concert bookings around Lebanon and Egypt. She is also a popular singer in the virtual world. She did not make a single in more than three years, but just recently she had a song that was featured in a film.

She appears in a music video to promote the song. She sounds good, sweet, mellow with a dance beat. Cyrine is one of those entertainers who have met success by crossing over from modeling into singing into acting. She is a diva that has the looks and the commercial success to boast about. She has grace and class written all over her brand.

Her very long TV series Ruby finished few months ago, but her fame has only grown stronger since then. Her fans do not like to see their star compared to other entertainers--Haifa and the pack. Frankly, she stays away form those circles and instead focuses on her business and her family.

Cyrine Abdel Nour-Snin 2012/ سيرين عبد النور- سنين مسلسل الست ٢٠١٢

Hasna Matar, The Pictures Are Out, The Video To Follow

She is Lebanese but she does very well with Iraqi songs, her latest music video will treat her Iraqi song into a cool music video. Her songs are about being away form the motherland, she did this very loud and strong song about yearning to the land of the ancestor.

Here claim to fame was a happy dance song that gets you pumped up. Get ready for one more pop diva that fights hard to get where she needs to be.

Hasna Matar - Layaly El Ghorbah / حسنا مطر - ليالي الغربة

The Egyptian Queen Of Belly Dancing In London

Poor people love her, religious folks hate her sight, and the intellectuals have mixed feeling about her. Business people love to invite her to their parties. This is the story of Dina, the world famous belly dancer and entertainer from Egypt. She danced and she is very vocal about her craft, but she also feeds the poor and does a lot of good that earns her good will from the good people of Egypt.

Dina flew to London to take part of the Belly Dancing and Oriental Dance festival--London is a hip place for a lot of Arabs. Dina took a three day break from filming a movie in Cairo to be at the festival. she likes to tell people that belly dancing is her turf and she won't let others take it away from her. But before going to London she had a wedding in Alexandria to perform in. And her movie is about being a dancer with a heart of gold.

One thing about Dina, I do not mind what she is doing, I do mind that people who promote her do not do so by telling people she is an adult entertainer 

رقص شرقى دينا مشاهدة مباشرة اون لاين للكبار يوتيوب مشاهدة افلام مباشر افلام عربيه افلام اجنبيه اغانى

WATCH: Khaled - C'est la vie (Clip officiel) A Riot

Khaled tops himself once again, he refuses to age and certainly refuses to go out of style. With the release of  C'est la vie, he is back to being hot, relevant and a global star he never stopped being. A French dance song that's worthy to be played in any club anywhere in the world. It will get you moving and it will bring back to life even zombies.

Algeria's finest son and hottest musical talent has been a fixture in French music for over a decade now. The clip delivers all the right punches, it's hip, trendy, French and Algerian at the same time. Part of the clip, you see urban dancers trying to show Khaled their best moves as he sings his song.

Khaled sits aside, does his song and lets them put on a good show for us, as he smiles approves and applauds them. The young break dancers are a great choice for this intense hit. This is the new France, out of many one. Khaled has found himself a catchy tone that has surprised many and pleased even more. I know this comeback of his that took many years was well worth the wait.

Khaled - C'est la vie (Clip officiel)

DOWNLOAD: Ahmed El Sayyad Good Looks And Throwaway Pop ألبوم احمد الصياد - احبووووش

I give him that the guy looks good and he is a high commodity in Egypt in the looks market. Hazel eyes, clean cut, a full set of hair, and a nice shirt will take you far in Egypt. Most singers in his genre tend to be not that good looking and older. Ahmed beats them in the looks and the funky sound.

Sh'abi music is the kind they play at weddings in poor areas. Singers often show up and perform with belly dancers, men carrying sticks and money flying around. So he just released a movie about the ladies and he tries to ask one of them to go out with him. Typical songs, where everything sounds dirty and sleazy and they tend to talk about fruits bananas, mango, and almonds.

I find myself enjoying those songs, Roa hates them. I like the street language they use and the funky feel those songs feel. Their life seems simple and they tend to find joy in street food and free stuff. One thing, the music always sounds the same nothing fresh. The lyrics are the show. These are happy songs that often get dismissed by producers and the media, but 20 years later they are embraced and celebrated just like they did with Ahmed Adawya who is a legend now.

1.A7bosh
2.Aftra
3.Al72ny.Ya.Wad.B.Gor3a
4.3bdk.Elda3ef
5.Lekol.Mn.Damr.7ayty
6.Maser.Fo2.Elgmy3

اغنية احمد الصياد - احبووووووش | A-B&MUSIC

Misho or Michel Azzi Has A Catchy Debka Wedding Song

Michel Azzi wants to part with us this summer, so he releases a cool dance/summer song for fans of the Lebanese song. It's catchy, and his voice works well for this choice. I like and  have enjoyed this wedding song from the new comer/ local celebrity. His passionate love song about wanting to scare all the otehrs from thinking about making a move.

Does not Michel look very familiar, he does look like another young, Lebanese singer who does a similar style. Can you name his look alike?

جديد ميشال قزى (وصلت لحدا ) +الكلمات woslit la 7adda michel azzi

Ali Abdel Sattar Sang My All Time Favorite Gulf Song

Technically, he did not intend to make a big hit. I am learning that he made this song for his little kid, he wanted to sing it for him--"I love him and I like to hear his tales". This was the song that introduced generations to Gulf music as a hip and catchy song easy to fall in love to and music that gets you to move around. I was in Dubai at that time and his song was on every radio and in every cassette store, at that moment I know music can gap about of differences....

Ali Abdel Sttar is actually from Qatar and he is proud this way. He has a sweet voice that sounds the way it would had he not been a big name. I am trying to say he has that intimate voice, he is not the one to party, he  does a lot of business ventures on the side and as we can tell he has a loving supportive family. He does have this wide name recognition across the Arab world.

Ya Nas Ahba came in the late 80s and paved the way to Ali Abdel Star stardom. He kept at is in the 2000s, but then quit briefly once his contract with Rotana expired. I do not think he has ever made a song that rivaled his initial hit song. But in other news, his son is getting into the singing business as his father has produced that album for Naif--the son.

HD علي عبدالستار يا ناس احبه YouTube

Sizzling Palestine Summer Music Festivals

Al-Bireh, Ramallah and Birzeit are all Palestinian towns in close proximity to one another and those thriving towns have a lot in common as they all seem to enjoy life and music. Three different music festivals were held  and a number of local artists, dancers and ones with a pan-Arab recognition. Such events hope to attract tourists and signal that Palestinians are life loving people too.

I have a number of videos from each of those music events, Tony Qattan headlined one of them, Palestinians singer Mais Shalash. Keep in mind this is a news report where dancing old ladies are in the center of attention. I need to remind that those three cities are the center of the Palestinians leadership and economy, most other cities are too busy trying to make a living and coping under the Israeli occupation.

ميس شلش في ختام مهرجان البيرة الثاني


طوني قطان في افتتاح اسبوع التراث في بيرزيت


 مهرجان الرقص الشعبي الفلسطيني - وين ع رام الله 4

Men 2idy 2012 The Bad Nay 2012 / نايا - من ايدي HQ

Naya makes good pop songs, but with one problem. Her manager is a schmuck, a jerk and classless bastard. Why? He is using Naya's talent to get back at his wife and he has always made that clear. Naya is a tented star and she need a ruthless manger to help get her gigs and songs. What Naya does not need is to get caught in a family feud.

She is a star on her own not a younger version of Nawal Al Zoghby, the divorcee of Naya's manger who I won't mention his name. Naya has a sweet voice that makes her a great candidate for breakup pop songs, but her latest do not seems o live up to Naya's earlier work (check out tizkar).

Men Eidy is a pop song made for clubs, you cannot do a sad song to a party music, it just takes away from the fine crafted lyrics. It's what it's a good song with loud music
Naya - Men 2idy 2012 / نايا - من ايدي HQ

While Arabs Shame Belly Dancers, Non Arabs Dominate It

Everybody loves belly dancing, no body would want to be one. As far as Arab people go, it's a dead profession. And such belly dancer have became just another word for prostitute. So, who gives? The people around the world picked the dance and made it even sexier.

Go to any restaurant in Lebanon or a Moroccan restaurant, chances are the dancer is not Arab, but she appreciate the culture--which to her means belly dancing. Which was no surprise to me when I saw the video below about belly dancing festival in Lebanon and most of the stars were from Europe, Latin America and beyond. Few Arab belly dancers were also present.

Needless to say some mid aged bald guys with a sleazy personality showed up. Check out the belly dancers from Spain and Mexico who have been interviewed. The lady behind this event is a local belly dancer with the name of Amani.

   مهرجان الرَّقص الشَّرقي في بيروت يجذب الأجنبيَّات

Egypt's Taxi Driver Will Love Mohammed Abd Elmonim 2012 Album

 Mohammed Abd Elmonim is a homeboy and he is the guy you would want to appear in your movie if your movie has a block party and belly dancer. This young composer and charming singer knows how to kick off a street party. In his title song he swears by the name of the Lord about how excited he is about this girl.

Mohammed might be the next best thing to happen to this Sha'abi music or as it has now been called festivals. Saad Al Soghyar is getting too old for this and Mohammed seems to be a protegee of that singer as he has appeared along his side in a recent movie. So if you are tourist in Egypt, you might want to get familiar with such taste of music because I know your cabbies will be playing it on your ride.

God and women is how poor people live, Mohammed brings the best of both worlds and put it all on a nice soundtrack for everyone to see and hear. The good news is as follows, Abd Elmonim is a decent looking guy--unlike most of singers in the Sh'abi circles. So, here is his new album, I dub it as the party album where we now have a physical proof how poor people like to party it up.

So if you are a guy you would love the songs, and if your a women whose sole concern is men interest and looking good, you will also like this song. But if you want more out of life, this song might not be meant for you.

 النسخة الأصلية لألبوم محمد عبد المنعم وربنا المعبود 01.

01. Kol Ma Aghamad Einaya
02.Wrabena Elmaboud
03.Amlt Elly Alya
04.Ana Mo'gab Beek
05.Taiheen Dai'een
06.Keed El Nessa
07.Men Youm Ma Sebtk
08.Elly Ma Shafsh El Dounya


 09.Foash محمد عبد المنعم - وربنا المعبود


محمد عبد المنعم - وربنا المعبود

Safy, When Pop Disappoints And A Song Goes Unnoticed

Pop music is supposed to be fun, and not unintentional funny. I could not stop myself from laughing at the music video for this mediocre song by Safy. No surprise that Safy is not a name that most know. The concept of the music video--if you want to call it that is shitty.

 Farmers dancing in the bushes in laughable outfits and there are cowboys and weird dancers. Camels, trucks and poor dance moves. It does feel awkward watching the clip, as I do not like to be mean, but this one makes it so easy to be so. Fame is a bitch if you have to do something that you do not feel right about. Safy might not be a pop star, but she seems like a nice person.

 Safy - Leil Wara Leil / صافي - ليل ورا ليل

Another sub-par music video and song from Safy, it's catchier than the first one. It feels like it has been directed under the same ideas of the first music video but with a new look.
Safy - Kaddab Zamano / صافي - كداب زمانه

Tony Qattan 2012 Song About Stupid Old Arabs

The cool thing, if a group or a delegation of old Arab men comes to any given home, and refuse to drink the coffee served until their request has been honored. Most if not all people accept such offer because of the hospitality tradition rooted in the desert culture. So when a family wants to ask the hand of a woman in marriage they send the old and respectable men in the family to do the asking.

This is cool, but what if the woman says no? Will those old men go back and eat their word? so here's a scenario....they host family says, sure whatever you ask we will give you. These guests ask for the girl's hand in marriage. She might say no! While most will honor her wish, and go back on their word--this is something Islam is keen on by the way. But then the families might want to get the girl to change her mind.

Lecture aside, here's a song about the very same story, but Jordanian Palestinian singer Tony Qattan where he says "your coffee will be drunk!" And the girl will be your girl now, so congratulation. This is a happy song and shows that the singer is well raised and knows the tradition well. My thing is this, old men do not always know the right things....they are only assumed to have such knowledge.

As for this song I like the beat and the energy is brings. And yes the cool old school instruments incorporated.
 جديد طوني قطان - قهوتكو مشروبة 2012

How To Let Your Music Video Director To Ruin It?

Simple, let them apply all the ideas they have on your music video. This way they would make your music video a lab rat, a testing ground for all and any of their untested ideas. This way they will surely give you one shitty music video that looks like an overflowing salad bowel loaded with salad dressing and none of the fresh produce.

I guess what my analogy is trying to say, you should be the judge and in the driver seat, don't let some guy with a fancey press release sell you one something that doe snot feel right. You want an example of what I am talking about, look no further than the video below. While the song is hip, the music video disappoints and confuses one's soul.

This is a pop song by Rahma Riad, it was supposed to be a treat, now I feel bad for the star who has shown so much promise. The pictures,m they tried to pain fall flat and the looks do not necessary work well for Raham (what's up with the all black dancers?). And what's sup with that eye mask look? Some bold hair cuts too! Why stop there? Bring the disco ball too!


 كليب رحمه رياض الا اقللهم 2012

Ramy Ayach Stays Healthy With His Tefaha

Iraqis had a hit song about oranges few in the mid 2000--the guy behind the song just passed away this year. But the Syrian Farid Al Atrach sang for the lemon a long time ago in the 60s maybe? Then 2012, Ramy Ayach wanted to do a song of this nature so he asked Mr. Salim Assaf to write up a song about an apple. The apple would be a reference to the woman.

Ramy talks about summer apples that tends to be fresh...and he is using humor maybe to try to drown the critics of this song. I have heard him say, the apple is healthy, and then he says some like it green. all are funny, but not sure how women would think about being likened to a fruit? Is this is proper in this day and age?

I have to admit that I like the song, it's pretty cool and dance inducing, Ramy sounds really excited as he performs the song. He has been talking to the media whom he invited to his home about this song. The team behind the song have used their own voices as chorus. I like the baladi beat and the throwback the song brings.

In other news, Ramy was in Morocco for a wedding where he sang....he says the audience were in upward of 1800 attendees.

 Ramy Tefeha

One More Shitty Egyptian Song Won't Hurt

I do not know who Amgad Omar is, but other than his name, I think he mostly sucks. Neither his voice nor his personality entertain. So why bother and release a music video that feels a lot like torture? While I like pop music, there has to be a threshold singers ought to have. 

Amgad got nothing and his song disappoints. But to be disappointed in hims is not accurate. Because it implies that one had high expectations for the young star, when we really did not. Now the guy is young, good looking and can dance, so I would say modeling/ adverting maybe?

I am not the one to hate--only if you are Tamer Hosny, but this one was just a terrible song all around.

. Amgad Omar - Arrabny Mennak / أمجد عمر - قربني منك