The Rise Of Egyptian Nationalism Though Music

Mohamed Mounir, the legendary singer who has been dubbed the voice of Egypt told a crowd of thousands of cheering fans at one of his concerts in Marina "I work as an Egyptian, it;s my full time job--join me" something to which the fans want wild. Dozens of songs have been made to promote brand Egypt and what it feels to be Egyptian.

Most songs in the wake of the revolution have been celebrating the army and the people of Egypt. But ever since the attacks in Rafah and the military operation in the Sinai dessert, more and more Egyptian entertainers are adopting the nationalistic tone---we are first. This is something good of course, but it should not be accompanied by xenophobia.

On that note, here's a new song a duet made by two dudes. One liberal guitar activist and one pop star who has done a song to promote the Muslim brotherhood brand during the election. Together they sing "I am Egyptian" They feature an athlete (Omar Al Ghazaly) competing on behalf of Egypt in the Olympics. I do not get the shoving of the white dude to protect a white girl. You do not really get to see the singers, only hear them.

Mohamed Kelany - Ana Masry / محمد كيلاني و رامى عصام - أنا مصرى

Video: Sex And The City Mai Hariri & Fulla - Bahwak / مي حريري و فلة - بهواك

Female musicians do not collaborate often, not clear why. There has not been many duets where ladies share the stage and the lines of a song. But there is no conventional wisdom that says one is not supposed to do that.  It took two ladies in their prime to bring about fresh music video between two Arab ladies in recent history.

Lebanese Mai Hariri  and Algerian Fulla released a duet and a music video to go with their romantic song. Together offer one lethal combination, the incredible looks, the unmatched sense of style and most of all their singing voices. Each of the songstress does her thing very well, I love the Algerian part performed by Fulla--I think she should do more of this.

The music video had to be glamorous, lots of fashion, nice homes and fancy cars. This is the rich life everyone, get used to it. It feels like it has been filmed somewhere in Hollywood. And yes, there's an eye candy shirtless guy by the pool too. The music is your average house mix upbeat track. When you watch the music video, the lyrics are the last thing on your mind.

The music videos has it's Disney"up" moment with balloons and all. Not sure how I feel about ladies stepping on almost naked dudes. The dancers make the song relevant to some folks. I think the director for this clip deserves an ward for mixing so many different elements and making a watchable music video

Mai Hariri & Fulla - Bahwak / مي حريري و فلة - بهواك

Mai Selim & Amr Mostafa Random Duet

Amr Moustafa is insane when he speaks about politics, but he is one creative guy if he picks a guitar. He does wonders and he seems to be back on the saddle writing music--his latest work was for Assala. An older video has surfaced of the composer turned singer turned political hack doing a duet with Mai Selim. Amr Moustafa will have a new song on the Mohamed Hamaki 2012 album.

It's a cute song that seems to have broke with no prior coordination. Mai has not made new music recently--she is busy with her little gal. This is a cute duet that could be part of a bigger project. About those who get shy and do not speak their mind when in love

Mai Selim & Amr Mostafa - Entaa Ba`a "New Song"

Johnny "Metro" Keep On Making Them Hits

The guy sounds like an indie heart who cares about what he sees around him. His latest is a duet with a young lady where they are asking their listeners to befriend their trouble and sadness. This is a song that might be weird outside the Middle East--but in Arabic and in poetry they likes images, they pretend that anything that bothers them or pleases them is a person and then they can talk to that person.

I know this is strange, but it works and if done right it conveys great messages, and yes sometimes it can be cheesy. His label placed a huge investment in him and hope it translates to sales

His upcoming album Metro will feature a number of songs that sounds like they speak to the ones that has not been spoken to before. Johnny is a guy I am ready to like and have already wrote about few times on this blog.

Johnny - Edrab Sohobeya / جوني - إضرب صحوبية

The Kiddie Version of This Arabic Classic Is A Guilty Pleasure

No one should have to see kids at a tender age singing about pain and about flirting. This is not cool, but then their parents allowed them to do it...so that kinda of makes it ok. Check out these two cute kids Ismail and Lauren cover one of the most famous romantic duets--original performed by young Wael Kfoury and Nawal Al Zoghby in the mid 90.

The girl is cute, but I feel Ismail is the star, he hit all the right notes, but the lovable Lauren is trying to catch up to his upbeat performance. مين حبيبي أنا ... اداء الطفلين اسماعيل ولورين

WATCH: The Many Girlfriend Of Kathem Al Saher

Iraqi composer singer and now reality TV star Kazem Al Saher is a charmer, he is well known for his touching and epic romantic songs. He has been in the business for 20 plus years and he have had dozens of hits and many great albums. He is not a guy who likes to talk too much about himself in interviews and such he seems like a down to earth guy. But in his music video he holds nothing back, always with gorgeous ladies.

He is a happily married man with a lovely family and a recent grandchild given to him by his older son Wissam. This family man has had many musical collaborations with lead female artists. Sometimes he has loaned them his music, sometimes he would sing with them on stage. Let's take a look at some of his most famous lady muses:

1. Latifa from Tunis, she was the first lady Kathem Al Saher has worked with. He has sang with her and has composed songs for her. She was a huge name and he was starting up his career then. They are best of friends.  كاظم الساهر /البرت هول 1997 / ياقدس
2. Egyptian songstress Ghada Raghab was next on the list. Kathem has comended her voice and has given her a musical piece. It was a lovely collaboration from a guy who has been around the block and a new voice then. لمـــــاذا ؟ - غادة رجب  كاظم الساهر غاده رجب - ابعد عني  
3. Magida El Roumy is a huge star and has sang a number of poems by Syrian poet Nizar Qabbany--the go to guy for many of Kathem's gorgeous songs. Magida wanted to collaborate with Kazem so he gave her one of his best musical work to date--she added it to her 2012 album. Kathem was jazzed up about his collaboration and has spoke about it for a really long time وعدتك - ماجدة الرومي & كاظم الساهر & نزار قباني (HQ) كاظم الساهر وعدتك ماجدة الرومي 
4. Asma Laminawar, then, she was a local singer with a lot of talent. She had the local fame, but on the pan Arab music radar, she was unnoticed. They did a song together in early 2007-2008 and then they performed it on stage in Morocco. It was an instant hit, so Kathem doubled down and did another song with this Moroccan delight in his 2009 album. Again it was one of the finest songs for that year, a classic. كاظم الساهر و اسماء المنور اشكو اياما المحكمة كاظم الساهر اسماء المنور 

Remixing Sandy And Featuring Karl Wolf

I could not help but notice how populr one song from Sandy's latest ablum has become. The song is her duet with Karl Wolf, a guy who can rock and knows his way around a good party and the clubs that makes them possible. The Canadian R&B singer recorded the song in Dubai where they also filmed their song in some bosh club. Karl dropped few cool Arabic word in his lines and it was a sweet treat.

Sandy carried the song and held firm to her ground, she is a star that is never intimidated by the big names she works with. She has manged to become a a huge deal in Arab pop and has done a lot of things to appeal to new fans. She strikes me as someone who works hard and enjoys what she is doing. She sounds sweet in this song.

The song has already been remixed so many times, this is how you make a club song that has the potential to crossover into other cultures beyond language. Sandy is the kind of singer that non Arabic speakers would love to find out about. With a little help from Mr. Cool Karl Wolf she might just do that.

Sandy Ft. Karl Wolf - Awel Mara Atgara' - Remix

Hamada Helal and Boushra In A Duet

Hamada Helal is a man, but he feels like a little girl when he stands next to manly funny girl Boushra....it's just the plot of their movie. In reality they are both cool people who have a great success in both music and films. They have shared the screen this year to bring us a comedy about a girly man and a touch chick with a lot of zingers.

As part of the promotional strategy to push the movie out there, Hamada released two songs, one where he walks around in a Sponge Bob outfit and the one you see below a romantic songs with a lot of humor about married life in laymen terms. I see both actors are trying to sneak out a funnier line or some physical humor--it's all for the kids.

The movie is doing very well--third in the box office sales, but it seems like a fun movie that the whole family can enjoy. One thing I do not like, this peasant class in Egypt gets a bad rep in their movie--and so many other movies--they are really good people who are also smart.

Hamada Helal Ana khayef

"I'M Waiting" Nader Guirat Deserves The Wait

The year was 2008 when a young Tunisian man walked into the set of Star Academy season five and people let him into their homes. Nader did duet songs with just about all the stars one loves including Cheb Khaled,  Karl Wolf, Massari, Ahmed Al-Sherif. Nader left the show with a lot more experience and a bigger fan base that wanted to see more of the young artist.

This multi talented singer who has performed in English, French, Italian, Spanish and Arabic. Through the song below, one can track Nader's musical influence--Pop, Rock, Acoustic, Alternative, Metal, Classical Music, Oriental Music and Comédie Musicale.

And impressive turn in Nader's career is his collaboration with the with music arranger Michel Fadel and ‘The National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine’, where the song video was shot. ‘L’Ange Perdu’ received best song of the year award from Tunisian radio stations

Now few years later, he is back with a new single in English and with an American singer whose vocals are a perfect match for Nader's. Nader showcased his guitar skills to my amusement, the guy is no poser, he is the real deal. He does have a true crossover appeal, as his language and multi-talents will open doors for him, he shows a lot of energy for live and accosting performances.

This year, along with Dylan Lloyd , a fellow contestant in Crimea Music Fest, Nader released his most recent work “I’m Waiting”. A passionate song that shows another perspective of Nader’s promising music talent. And it doesn’t end there, this multi-cultural music talent still has a few projects up his sleeve His new album is due to drop soon, I know foe which I will be waiting.

“I’m Waiting” was written by Nader Guirat and his friend Dylan Lloyd, the song was mastered and mixed by another freind who likes this kind of hot music, Aymen El Guedri. This is a song two friends who like music and have a passion for good projects came up with. America's Dylan Lloyd featured in his ballad a new comer that goes by the name Nader Guirat who also co-wrote this track

So where do two musicians like this meet? Don't worry, they mean on something called the famous TV show in Ukraine called "Crimea Music Fest" last September 2011. I like this song, it sounds like what would a rock band working in a garage can produce. 

Nader Guirat feat Dylan Lloyd - I'm Waiting

LISTEN: Rawan & Mohamed Sawy Catchy Duet

Here's a catch love duet from two young people with a lot of energy and excitement in their voices. Their song is about living the moment and enjoying life, they sound like they are buddies, a cool duet like they do not make them anymore

They come from the land of Egypt, it's an urban song about the new generation and their lifestyles. A song about being free and in love. I do not know if I like some of the things they say in the song, but I like the story line.

About getting a PhD and choosing the right one. As far as their voices, they have the voices made for pop music. They keep is real and a least they do not try to be something they are not. I like the the song flows and how they song gets to you and makes you want to dance.

أغنية محمد الصاوى و روان اعيشها صح - نسخة اصلية

The Sizzle: Sandy & Karl Wolf - Awel Marra Atgara'

Canada, Egypt, Beirut, The United Arab Emirates are the places where this music video has been linked--America too if you count the American directer. Sandy wanted to be number one so she reached to a hip star with international recognition.

Together they came for this duet and they are turning the heat on as they look like the perfect happy couple. Karl believed in Sandy's talent so much that he did not charge for his collaboration. His gift to Sandy who is producing the entire album including the duet.

You gotta love the title, The First Time I Dare....props for working up some 3D shots, great club scenes and Karl looks believable.

What do you think? Sizzling or average?

Sandy & Karl Wolf - Awel Marra Atgara'

Sara VS Nasser ساره و ناصر Rap VS Pop

Duets can be often off the cob which to say they are corny. Part of making a duet is showing that you believe and if you have to put an act, you should not hesitate.

Here's a music video that will not have you think corny. A Jordanian rapper who appeared on Star Academy wears customs and peacocks as he tries to stand out from the pack. She is young and mature, she is also Egyptian or sounds like one. A grownup girl gets to meet the childish dude, this ought to be fun to watch

The clip is made by a guy who watched a lot of blockbuster movies. Spider-man, Batman, 300, the Matrix, X-Men and sponge Bob. Why is Nasser shouting and getting worked up so bad? There is some cute battling between pop and rap. I like Nasser walking around in his underwear showing off his guns. Watch any giggle

Adar Tetadar - Sara VS Nasser قدر تتقدر - ساره و ناصر

LISTEN: Asala Nassri 2012 Album البوم اصاله - شخصيه عنيده

She called the album something of herself, "A Stubborn Soul", that's how the world sees the Syrian diva, and that's how she sees herself. Asala Nassri released her much talked about album of 10 tracks. There's a lot of dreamy romance, pop funk, and blues. But mostly this is supposed to be happy album, a personal one indeed. I love the new package, a new image, and a cool logo with a major media marketing roll-out, I am now thinking Asala is finally joining the online world and leaving nothing to chances.

This is Asala's first mainstream pop album in more than four years now. She is back with fore and a cover album that says, I am still the diva you once knew and I am going nowhere but up. Star Gate produced the album, and Pyramedia is distributing it around. Call is the Asala 100 percent Egyptian album where most of the talent lives in Egypt where Asala now has a home.

This album seems like Asala's lucky charm, she is back in rocking mode like we have known her in the 90s when she mostly worked in Egypt. Asala is showing other Arab women that having a family is not a death sentence  you can have an amazing career and a great loving family too.

This is the album that will move a lot of records this Eid season, because among the many stars who are releasing new albums, Asala has the broadest fan base men and women celebrate her and so do young and older folks.

 01 - Sha5sia 3anida
02 - Ana 7obak
03 - Asasy
04 - Begad Teganen
05 - Bona2an 3la Raghabatak
06 - Kabartak Ala Seedak
07 - 2ool Ba7ebek
08 - Ro7y Wakhdany
09 - Sabny
10 - Shaghel Baly Hawak

Assala " Shakhsya Aneeda " Album Promo | برومو ألبوم " شخصية عنيدة " أصالة


Assala - Kabrtak Ala Sedak / أصالة - كبرتك علي سيدك


Assala & Ramy Sabry - Mesh Faker / أصالة & رامي صبري - مش فاكر

The Songs That Made Elissa's Career

This was not her first hit neither was it her first song. Before this track Elissa has been making music video for at least three years. Then came this song and everyone was thinking the same thing, When did Elissa learn how to do all this? In her music video Ayshalak--which she filmed in Paris, she manged to put sext back in style and look so good.

The way the music video was shot was bold at the time, with those extreme closeups and various shots glued together to make a hit song. I remember watching this clip on a laptop in the back of a minivan as we were headed to California for Thanksgiving vacation. The Croatians in the van were in love with it and so was my Omani friend. Before Aushalalk, Elisssa was coming from a fresh feud with Ragheb Alamah who has sang with her in duet and then spoke ill of her--it's a messy business.

This music video made is possible form Elissa to gain bigger stardom, and die hard fans who would drive her to fame and fortune. She was a stand alone super star who was a treat in each one of the concerts across Arabia. She has manged to tell all her critics, I'm right and I have followed my intuition. And as for Elissa, she has found her voice and the skin she can wear best....romance and love all the way to cheese town.   

Elissa Ayshalak عيشالك إليسا




إليسا - إرجع للشوق

Good Music Doesn't Have To Come In Skimpy Outfits

Or so Egyptian singer Shahinaz would have you convinced. Shahinaz wore the head cover few years ago, and got married later to what seems like a nice guy. But she is the star and he realizes that, so thankfully we still see more of her and listen to her warm voice. Eslam is the other voice on this track, and it seems that the young singer knows his way with a guitar. A song that asks people not to be part of a strife without talking politics does clearly has something right.

Her hottest song to date is a duet with a young man about doing good for Egypt, the place that unites so many under its sky. This is a good song and a great choice for Shahinaz and the new comer Eslam Ansari, they are compatible and the lyrics are mellow in the love of Egypt. The duet uses young kids as a chorus and a clearly fresh sounding Eastern music and Egyptian beat.
 
Shahinaz looks glamorous and dazzling as ever, she does is with modesty and style worthy of the hottest fashion houses. The song does speak in more than one tongue, I am hearing some Nubi (language of some parts of Egypt)

The singer has a planned show for Ramadan for the ladies with another female co-host. Go ahead, enjoy the places where this music video has been filmed.

 شاهيناز وإسلام أنصاري - حاجة واحدة ( دويتو) 2012

I Love When Stars Fake It By Acting Surprised

Egyptian singer who looks like a club bouncer Khaled Selim and Sarah they girl that seems to never quit were guests of Tratata, a talk show that brings a pair of Arab entertainers and have them sing in duets and talk about their work.

I like both stars, but I did not like the fake look at least Sarah had when she was asked to sing something in English, this was not just a moment that came out of the blue....they always talk about these things ahead of time.

Again, both stars have stellar voices that which made them a great couple to do a cover of the all too famous Whitney Houston song "I Will Always Love You

Khaled Selim & Sarah I WILL ALWAYS LOVE U/خالد سليم وساره الهاني

Aabed - Ana Meen, A Dramatic Duet For Ladies

Aabed sounds like girls, and that might be a good thing. A girl can express emotions than a man, but Aabed wanted a song where he can express his emotions to the lady in his life. The song is about him trying to figure it out, but there's a lady with him, that we do not have a name for. That's unless you wait till the end to find out that her name is Linda Bittar....she does the chorus thing.

She loves him too, but somehow there are issues to work out. But then she is sick in the operation room and she passes away. Aabed had a ring but then the ring goes to nobody. Sad song for a romantic song. I was under the impression that Aabed is Lebanese, but he is Moroccan actually. The composers of the lyrics and the music come from Lebanon and Syria.

Aabed - Ana Meen / عابد - أنا مين

Karl Wolf Is Big Deal, Just Ask Sandy

Pop is always looking for new ways it can stay relevant and stay kin business. Duets tend to work well that way. While most singers hope for a duet with another singer who speaks their language, that's not always the case.

Canadian singer Karl Wolf is working on a new song and music video with an Egyptian singer--who happens to also be an eye candy and goes by the name Sandy. I am looking at behind the scenes footage and I see a full bar with bubbly. The music video is bring filmed in Dubai where Sandy's favorite director is based.

Keep on mind, Karl is based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He has been a singer, songwriter and producer since 2001. He is very proud of his Lebanese heritage. Apparently, there's a scene where Sandy is putting her makeup on in the bathroom and Karl is surrounding be females yet he is still looking for love.

It seems that Karl really likes Sandy as they are planning a number of concerts together. I think this is a healthy collaboration, Karl need Egypt and Sandy is the ticket there. Sandy needs to prop up her resume in Lebanon and outside, Karl might help

MAKING OF SANDY FT KARL WOLF

Two Egyptian Dudes Duet عمرو قطامش ووائل عامر

Wael Amer and Amr Katamish teamed up to send a message to the next president of Egypt. Two different guys with two different interests joined forces on this song. One is a stand up comic with funny yet poetic lines and the other is a natural born activist who has been right more than one on the SCAF. I did not see this song coming and did not know that neither of these guys would work together.

But here we are and the two using one another to access the fan base of the other entertainer. Their message is clear, justice is the foundation of governance. You have a people and for those people there are squares--where they can protest. This is meant to be half funny half serious song.

I like this creative effort...Wael brings the mesmerizing vocals and Amr brings humor and a deep voice sprinkled with stylish flow.
 
رساله الى الرئيس القادم..عمرو قطامش ووائل عامر

The Odd Duet of "Zay El Amar" By Dolly Chahine

Few people remember Dolly Chaine, the Lebanese Brazilian import who sang and acted in a number of movies and music videos. Few years ago, she married Richard El Hajj who used to produce for her. Noe she has gone into hiding.

Right before she left the entertainment business, she released an album, a girly pop album. The album was centered around a duet that she sang along iconic actor, a blast from the past Mr. Sameer Sabry. Mr. Sabry sang along and he did sounds really good.

The actor played the role of a father who is walking his girl down the aisle. He misses his wife and wishes she was there to witness the moment. It was a pleasant treat, but whoever paired those two is quite the creative force. The song forgets about the husband and all the flirting is geared toward the father and his little girl.

Dolly Chahine - Zay El Amar / دوللي شاهين - زي القمر