Egypt has always been there as the home of Arabic music, anyone who is anybody must make a stop in Egypt in order to be on the radar. Because most TV networks have traditionally been based there, Egypt is a huge market and they tend to have an industry going in there full time. To Egypt, entertainment is their black gold. A cash cow of sort that keeps many families afloat.
But in the early 2000, the power has started to shift, Lebanon has stabilized, and has been made the home of many TV networks and cool cafes. More and more Lebanese venture into music--movies are only coming from Egypt, but in music the Egyptian pop has been losing traction to generations of Lebanese stars who have returned home to make good music. The ones in Lebanon has also taken advantage of internet marketing, they no longer have to go to Egypt to be famous, they can have their own show on the internet and make money form home--in theory.
Also Lebanon tends to be a lot more liberal than the entertainment industry in Egypt--less censorship and more investments form wealth business men from the Arab Gulf who seem to have bet their money in Lebanon. Combined with a zombie phase most Egyptian composers have gone under--they were not making hot records from 2002--to 2008. What was the last Amr Diab hit? In that phase Tamer Hosny has prospered and good hard working entertainers were left in the dark.
But then again the Gulf started buying out all those big names, they would hire the top entertainers from Egypt and Lebanon, give their amazing lyrics--mostly poems and invite them to record the songs free of charge. Sometimes the Arab entertainer would make a bank from one hit song. The Gulf still buys music--they can afford to. And they tend to be more generous with their concerts and private events--no star would turn them down.
Yes, Egypt has kept its place, they were down for few years, but starting 2010 and better songs are coming out from that country, better albums and bigger stars. Sure, the Arab Spring did not help, but everyone was done for a while. Egypt will always be there, it's a sure thing. They have an industry that's a 100 year old--no other Arab country come even close. Sure, some might hate the Egyptian dominance, but at ultimately, they are 90 million strong.
I would put my money on Egypt any-day, but that does not mean that Lebanon cannot compete, in face I think competition is great for everyone.
