Ehab Tawfik Allegedly Threatens Bodily Harm To A Store Owner

Egyptian 90s pop star is not having a good year, and this story if true indicates that he has finally hit rock bottom.  A local Cairo fashion store owner reported to the police that Egyptian singer Ehab Tawfik has threatened him and sated that he will harm that individual.

Ahmed Abdallah Said, a store owner in Al Agooza bosh Cairo pocket claims the star has purchased clothes form his store. Then the pop star attempted to return the clothes and get a refund. The store owner declined, an argument broke out which allegedly caused Ehab to lose his cool.

The incident is being investigated. The story has been reported in Al-Ahram, a reputable newspaper.

If this story is true, once again we find out that stars are just like us, they get pissed off if they are unable to return merchandise the you longer care for. This is a bad news for both the store owner--who will lose some of his more affluent customers out of fear. And it's bad for the star as it shows him as a erratic and violent individual.

Ehab had a concert in Virginia here few weeks ago, maybe he should have hit the mall in Georgetown while he was in town.

Ehab Tawfik - Tetraga Fia / إيهاب توفيق - تترجى فيا

Video: Baladeyat Band "The Mean Zionist" Odd Song

For me as a Palestinian, Zionists are no different than terrorists. They may have a good name now in some parts of the world, but they were never anything good for Palestine. They murdered people, imprisoned thousands, shot and injured hundreds of thousands, and terrorized otherwise peaceful people.

I once asked the Michael Oren the Israeli Ambassador in the United States (an event at Georgetown University  this question: "You are an American citizen from New Jersey, you gave that up to go and become an Israeli, even though you have a choice to live somewhere else, I do not have a choice to move from Palestine, how do you explain that?"

His response was this, "I am a Jewish person, for us Jews we need to be responsible. Going to Israeli is part of being a responsible Jew" So this is what one Zionist believes. Zionists live in a different universe than the rest of us and they love re-writing history. I am hardly an activist, but you do not need to be one to see that one it comes to Israeli mentality, injustice is all around.

So when I read about a new song that went viral, I am always up for it, but then I learn the song is titled "Mean Zionist", I was intrigued to give this song a listen. The band behind the song is known as "Baladeyat Band" It's an Egyptian band that goes by the the name which means Homies.

As for the song is about being sarcastic, the voice of an Israeli telling his side of the story, as it looks to many around the world. The song also speaks about Mubarak sweet gas deal, and that time when people looked like Tamer Hosny. This is like watching Saturday Night Live, it offers many zingers, loaded humor and random elements like Santa Clause.

This is an original, the music was adapted from the Ukrainian folklore.  song, Baladeyat Band works on a lot of Originals for us, we write, compose and arrange 95% of our songs. I am hoping this video won't be taken down anytime soon. As for musical style, the music video below reminds of one of my favorite odd American Bands "Bowling For Soup"  

بلديات Baladeyat band - "أنا صهيونى واطي" "Mean Zionist"



وتقول كلمات الأغنية:

أنا اسرائيلي سادي, باكل حدادي، واخطف أرواح ملايين
أصلي صهيوني واطي, ومش اعتباطي أحتل أنا فلسطين
هعمل مظلوم مجروح, واستر وشي المفضوح, بالإعلام والألبندات
زيّك زي المسيح, بإيدي دمه يسيح, وهحارب كل الديانات
فين أيام جمال وأبوه, كات(كانت)أيام تمام ياهو
خدنا الغاز بدون فاتورة والعرب شبه تمّورة
فين أيام, فين أيام المخلوع ياهو
مضيت معاهدات مع حبيبي سادات علشان أكسركم لسنين
لو هتسيبوني أعيش واّ كل عليكم عيش, دوركم جاي يا مصريين
فجأة أتهزت الدنيا هزة, فركة كعب يادوب من غزة
الأحرار شباب الثورة قاموا قبل سادس دورة
كانوا فايقين, شكلي تاني هشيل تلاته وسبعين
أنا اسرائيلي سادي, باكل حدادي, واخطف أرواح ملايين
أصلي صهيوني واطي, ومش اعتباطي احتل أنا فلسطين

The Media Loves To Pick On Menna Fadali

She is an Egyptian entertainer who seems to do nothing right according to the males in the media. She is only 30 years old, but Egyptian press loves to bash her. She is like their own version of Lindsey Lohan. Lately, she has been dubbed as Mena and Her Five Scandals. Let's get dirty, shall we?

• Her birthday and the leaked photos of her having fun--she is not the first girl to have birthday party and things get out of control. She is no responsible for people with ill intentions who leaked those private photos.
• She wears "Hot" clothes and has a tattoo? c'mon people! You mean to tell me all those Lebanese celebrities you celebrate in Egypt are all hookers? They bring them to Egypt for their hot clothes and their tats.
• Again, leaked pictures of her wearing a bikini on the beach! Why are you not locking up the people who took those pictures? Do you want people taking pictures of your sister on the beach--even people not wearing bikinis get picked on.
• She was assaulted while on a car with a famous dancer--she accused them of stealing her stuff and valuables. She accused people from the Sinai of doing that. This is stupid and I cannot defend that. If it was true, then she has every right to be pissed. This is hardly a scandal. Women go with guys all the time and it's legal.  
• Supposedly her erratic behavior lead to her third breakup--we now know his family did not approve of her. She pledged to not fall in love again and focus on her work instead. 

So give Menna a break, she is hardly a saint, but can we see something good about her. I have also seen a number of comments describing Menna is a Palestinian--maybe she has a parent who is one. The term is used as an insult.

منة فضالى أغنية ان راح منك يا عين

Video: Hip Song, Cool Music Video Effects

Dude can sing and he seems to have made a song in the tradition of Amr Diab. The young and charismatic singer Bassem Abd El Wahab has released a music video for one of his catchy songs. I am loving the computer effects on his video. It's really exciting and has taken some serious work and talent. And yes, he posses a sense of style worthy of the finest rapper.

The song does not disappoint, I do like the nerdy looking model that appeared alongside Bassem. Some might have opinions about the FBI tee and the shades he is wearing. The song is pretty hot and it's not the summer yet. I think the electronic and funky music is something we do not hear much of in Arab pop, but it's making a comeback.


Bassem Abd El Wahab - Kalamy Annak / باسم عبد الوهاب - كلامي عنك

Best Middle East Act, Who Should Take Home The MTV Award?

Accorsing To MTV EMA 2012 award nominations, there are five different entertainers from the Middle East who are up for the Best Middle East Act. As a music blogger, I only know three of them and the rest I have no idea who they are. And I think this should be a warning sign for the organizers. 

1. Ahmed Soultan, He Stands Behind A New Music Style He Calls Afrobian, For Afro-Arabian. He Comes From The Land Of Morocco Where He Has Taken Part Of Many Music Festivals And So Far He Has Released Two Albums To Date. If creativity is to win, Ahmed may be the winner of the night.
2. K2rhym, A Tunisian Rapper (Karim Algharbi) Signed By EMI France To Make Music In 2006 When He Made The Switch From Professional Football.  He Is Based In Lebanon Where He Keeps A Busy Schedule. He Wins The Most Creative Name There Is. If interesting life and indie persona to win, K2rhm is it is.
3. Karl Wolf, the Biggest Name On This List And More International Fame Than Middle Easter Fame. Canadian Lebanese R&B Singer. He makes good music and most recently he has done a duet with Sandy, who is on the same nomination. If international name recognition counts, he is the awardee.
4. Qusai, Smooth Saudi Rapper with Great Songs In Both Arabic And English. Had A Big Hit Album Earlier This Year, And Does Fresh Music That Appeals To Arabs And Non-Arabs alike. He does make fresh raps and seems like a good role model. If CD sales where to vote, he might as well win.
5. Sandy, The Biggest Celebrity On This List, A Pop Princess Known In Egypt And The Rest Of The Arab World, She Is Very Resourceful And Very Exciting To Man People In The Area. She Has At Least Three Albums To Her Name, And Has Generated Fame And Success In Concerts Mainly In Egypt. If YouTube video views can vote, Sandy will go home with the award. 

ahmed soultan-ya salam

حماده هلال - هبدأ حياتى / Hamada Helal - Habdaa Hyaty

Egypt loves this guy, he is an all around star. He sings about pretty much everything: life, love, youth, the past, Egypt, politics, kids and humor. He also has excelled in making great songs. He does not talk to the press much, but when he talks he often have something new to talk about, promote. Just like the seasoned talents out here in the States do.

He is a devoted family guy, and a cool guy too. He made this movie about a boxer, it was so well made and the guy looked the part (he was ripped) This summer he went with a movie for kids, it made millions of Egyptian pounds. He has released two other songs from that movie and now comes the third one. A more serious song about the dark moment each of us goes through.

 حماده هلال - هبدأ حياتى / Hamada Helal - Habdaa Hyaty

Video: The Coolest Arabic Music Video Animation ‫كليب جوني‬‎ - مترو | Jonny - Metro

I like Egypt and I love public transportation, I wish I can say the same about the Metro, it seems to scary people off. But one indie Egyptian singer wanted to make the metro cool while singing about real issues with this overworked system.

He made a cool animation--it's no Hollywood production, but it's still awesome to watch. It has some bright and Arab looking folks in animation. I happen to like the song and the subject it brings up. I love the virtual tour of the city that never sleeps.

To find a place for my leg, I need to maneuver, and to find a place I need to start a revolution--the song goes. This about how a person feels taking the crowded metro for the first time. Johnny's song makes it look like a worth while adventure. 

 ‫كليب جوني‬‎ - مترو | Gony - Metro

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

Good Arabic Sport Songs Vs. Really Terrible Ones

I like spot songs, they are supposed to cheer you up, super charge you and make you want to punch the guy so bad--do not do that. Hamada Hilal had a good sport song few years ago. There are not too many of the sport songs in Arabic pop. Good ones anyway.

Here's an example of a really bad sport song, that puts you to sleep, not wake you up. The song was made for a sport movie about a local soccer talent from Egypt who makes it big in the major league in Europe. The song that I do not like--noe even one bit is by the funky singer Abdel Fatah Girni, it's a terrible song for the movie--a good song for high schol graduation maybe, but not for sports.

The same movie had a hit song that pumps the hell out of you up, the singer who voiced the song is Loai, the song about the homeland--a touching song that does what a good sport song supposed to do--excite you.

The movie was a really good sport film, it does make you hope, believe, cry and cheer too. It was well filmed and that means they had to spend real money on it. It's romance, drama and sport all packed in one flick. The actors also took the film seriously, they were not trying to be cool, instead they just let the movie make them cool.

 طول الشمس بإيدك - عبد الفتاح جريني -


Loai - Baladna / لؤى - بلدنا

Ayman El Refaie: When Sexy Prays

The good looking, and charming singer Ayman El Refaie has a song where he is praying to the good Lord. The handsome almost model look singer who comes from Egypt chose an odd time to release his latest track. It might be that he wants us to know prayer is as good any time and it doe snot have to be limited to the holy month of Ramadan--when most such songs get aired.

Ayman is a rare breed, he sings, composers and writes his own lyrics too--which gives him an advantage in both the business and the artistic sides. Ayman started his career in 2006 and has already authored two songs that were featured in films--one of whom won him an ward.

Ayman El Refaie - Khaleiny Adma3 / أيمن الرفاعى - خلينى أدمع

سيمبلات البوم حماده هلال ماتقولهاش Samples Hamada Helal 2012

Hamada Helal is back with a new album, and we are all enjoying the samples for this upcoming album. I am loving each of the tracks Hamada will release. Sweet, happy, funny and heartbroken are the colors of the upcoming album. Hamada manages to do what other stars fail so bad in doing which is recreating his old songs with new material and song songs. He works withing a formula.

It works for Hamada because he keeps the album energizing as you can dance and part to this album. Not using fancy words helps, by finding middle ground language. Most people who are asking a fun album, they are not looking for a mental workout. Not exactly street language and not that one you need to go to school to process. Keeping humor is also a signature Helel move, it helps him be one of us--he is not too rigid.

Hamada is on top of pop culture reference and when he brings them in his songs it seems he is speaking to his doorman not to his university professor. In one track Helal wears a sponge bob costume and wins the kids over. But he also keeps college kids with a couple sad songs where he lets his emotion out of the bag. This is how you keep a balance and this is how you move records.

I can assure you this, Hamada's album is a golden chance for the cassette market to redeem itself. Everyone in the streets of Egypt and beyond want to be buddies with Helal. They can take a peice of him with them home when they purchase his album.

Enjoy the sample  

 سيمبلات البوم حماده هلال ماتقولهاش Samples Hamada Helal 2012

Mohamed Nabil The Sound That We Already Have

Some Egyptian pop sounds like car horns, that's one of the reasons most people who do not speak Arabic really hate Egyptian pop according to study done by an American economist. Here's a song by the voice of someone who has been dubbed the new voice his name is Mohammed Nabil.

The song is presented by Team Hamid Shari who has been creating pop stars since the 80 through his work in music production and arrangements. The song does not sound fresh and neither does the voice of Mr. Nabil. But in itself the song is not a terrible one for those who are already familiar with Egyptian pop.

Nabil sounds like Ehab Tawfik spot one....

الصوت الجديد محمد نبيل - مطنش

The Latest Arabic Entertinament News Roundup

1. Moroccan songstress Laila Ghofran invested in an Egyptian restaurant in Morocco. She flew from Egypt to launch the restaurant in a first non music activity. The idea came to her as she was looking into starting up a business. She does not find Egyptian food in Morocco  so she hired two Egyptian chefs to bring the authentic flavors to the Maghreb. In other news, Laila has a new album that should be released in time for Eid- Al Adha.   
2. Rumors that Nancy Ajram will be the next judge on Arab Idol Season 2. Ragheb Alama tweeted the rumor which Nancy Ajram re-tweeted to her followers. Not sure if Nancy will be replacing on of the four judges and if so who would it be?
3. X-Factor is looking for a judge and it seems Iraqi songstress Shatha Hassoun has thrown her hat in the race for the post. X-Factor is the only Western show that has not been adapted in Arabia. Shatha has not confirmed or denied the news, but she is getting a new manger whose former clients included Rashid Al Majid. 
4. Fayrouz Karawya will be headline a concert in the Egyptian House of Opera on October 19, 2012. The concert will be held in the open air pavilion. The songstress will perform her new songs from "Baram Menny", the delightful album that took six years to make.  
5. The Arab legend and master of Lebanese song Wadih Al Safy is recovering in a Beirut hospital. He is out of the ICU and has been receiving droves of visitors in his hospital suite. Wadih is a survivor who meants a lot to different people. We wish him well. 

All The Boys Love Themselves Some Sandy

Sandy is an entertainer and she has done well with that limited vocal strength she has. But what she lacks in voice  she compensates for with her dazzling looks, chic outfits and loving fans. Sandy was unafraid to show off some skin as she performed her pop songs live and on camera.

Sandy broke the mold in Egypt, she rocked the mini shorts look on her music video, she sang girly pop songs about the cute boys. She did with Katy Perry does, colors, styles and ever changing image. While Sandy has toned it down a bit--she has found a middle ground where she can be sexy without being sleazy. Sandy did Egyptian pop a favor, when Lebanese pop was going full sexy mode, the Egyptian one could not keep up. Along came Sandy who claimed herself a spot with the boys who have found themselves a bold star from among them.

She established her brand in Egypt, then she moved to the Gulf with her single--it was pretty good. Then she expanded into a bigger market by doing the song below with Karl Wolf whom I am impressed by. But before that she did the nerdy look music video to tell people, I still can get views not playing an eye candy and she did.

Sandy & Karl Wolf - Awel Marra Atgara'



Sandy - Ayza A'olak / ساندي - عايزة أقولك

Pictures: Orange Arab Celebrities Tan Screw-ups

Egyptian songstress Soma had a recent concert in one of Egypt's hottest shopping malls--Sun City. The concert was part of the the shopping festival where big Arab names appear and sing for the thousands of mall goers who only have to be there--it's up to the mall then to sell them something.

Enough with that, Soma has a very exciting voice and a talent that helps her shape her voice to do happy and sad songs with the proper emotional strength. Take it from me, she can rock. But I am taking issue with is her tan that make her look like an orange. Soma performed for about an hour and the fans wanted more.

Not sure where Soma got the orange spray or a tanning bed. It's also possible that she has been on the beach for ages, but knowing my Arabs--we fear the freaking sun. I think it was a makeup misstep that left the songstress looking like an orange with a face.


الحرفنة ليها ناسها فى صن سيتى مول | Football Stylers at SunCity

Thanks To Ahmed Elshobokshy, Arabia Gets A Real Rap Battle Diss

Ahmed Elshobokshy most famous Arab rappers do their thing, they wear stuff and act like they are thugs. Some of them could fake it well, but it takes no time to tell that the underdog Egyptian rapper Ahmed Elshobokshy is the real rapper. He is like one of those East coast rappers. He does not focus on the show, instead of the powers of his lyrics and the stories that move him to rap.

While Ahmed Elshobokshy is a good looking guy, he is no hottie. His image is not what he is selling but his style and his lyrics makeup the  rapper.  The guy lives on the streets and it shows in his rap songs. The guy is the right shade of anger  the right shade of smart. I like him and I think he compares with Eminem in terms of his personal story and his lyrical power.

He raps about Egypt in the wake of the revolution, more than a year later he is telling people to give up and keep up the good fight. The rapper shocked me to the core when he battled with the Algerian rappers. He took them to take, he spared no effort in trashing the angry Algerian--my wife was born there. I understand his rage, but Algeria have good people too.

The Algerians responded in vengeful rap, and the war goes on. Egypt and Algeria do not have to be foes, they get along just fine. Soccer however drives them apart. Both sides had reasons to be upset. We get to enjoy a taste of some real rap. Welcome the real world.

The Anti-Egypt Algerian Rap
احمد الشبكشي - سامحني يا يبه - The LeGeND راب Rap


Ahmed Elshobokshy sticks to them

The LEGEND كس ام الجزائر احمد الشبكشي


   احمد الشبكشي انا مصريِ(Ahmed Elshobokshy( Official Music Video HD


عز الشباب - المطرب : احمد الشبكشي

RIP: Legendary Actor Ahmed Ramzi Passes Away

Egyptian actor Ahmed Ramzy passes away. And his funeral arrangements are on the way. Among his most memorable films are co-starred along funnyman Ismail Yaseen. They were not friends but they were a great team, they made four movies together. A movie they made together cost 18 thousand Egyptian pound, it made 300 thousand in revenue. His last appearance in on Drama was in 2000 "Wajeh Al Qamar" alongside Fatin Hamamh.

Ahmed passed away in one of the towns on the Northern Beach of Egypt, an airplane and permits are being organized to bring his body back to Cairo for funeral and burial. He was 82 years old, and died due to complication when he fell after losing his balance. He is survived by his wife Nicole whom he was married to after he has quit the show business. He has married three times, first tin 1985, Najwa Foad was the second--both the first and second wife gave him children. But Nicole is the last wife of his

Ahmed Ramzy has 111 movies to his name, many of them are classics in the Arab cinema. He is the son of an Egyptian physician and a sottish mother. Ramzy was a student of business until he entered into the movie and sport business. His friendship with Omar Sharif helped introduced him in one of his movies "Ayman El Helowa" Or Our Beautiful Days.

Watch Ahmed Ramzy talk about opening his shirt and his chain back in 1965. He also talked about the blue eye he has hanging on his chest for protection. He has been dubbed the Don Juan of Egyptian Cinema

نجمك المفضل - احمد رمـــزى


احمد رمزى يتحدث عن اسماعيل يس

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"

Listen: اغنية كارمن سليمان خايفة/Carmen Soliman-Khayfa

Carmen is one bold chick! She is the only young star who is comfortable releasing songs with no music. Most new singers are often intimidated, and seek to package their voice with music. Carmen needs none of that, most of her songs online and on TV shows she performs without music.

To be clear, she is not against music, she just knows that she has that voice and her confidence shows. She is the title winner of Arab Idol. She has just released a fresh track--from one of her many media appearances. "Afraid" is a song about women fear of the uncertainty of the future. Carmen is magician, I love her voice and sincere emotions.

Make no mistake about it, this is how a perfect voice should sound, it needs not to hide behind fancy computer affects.

اغنية كارمن سليمان خايفة/Carmen Soliman-Khayfa

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