News On Sick Arab Stars and Hospital Bills

There are few Arab stars who lay in hospital beds at the moment

1. Sha'aban Abdel Rahim was sick and smoking is to blame. And I am sure his weight and diet have something to do it it. The folksy "Sha'abi" style singer is no stranger to health scares and he is making a full recover. 
2. George Wassouf have left his hospital in Sweden after staying day for few weeks in rehabilitation post his health scare. His fans are worried for this iconic Syrian singer, but in fairness we have almost lost him a year ago.
3. Diana Karazon had trouble breathing, seeing and fatigue. The doctors concluded it's some issue you with her nose, she had a surgery and recovering just now. Once fully recovering, she will be touring the States for concerts. 
4. The mighty legend of Lebanese song Wadie El Safy was submitted to a hospital for few days in his home Lebanon. A leaked picture of Wadei surfaced and he looks really good and I love him for it. I know Wadie loves those Syrian doctors, they are on the reasons he has a spacial place in his heart of Syria.   
5. The legendary Egyptian composer Ammar El Sharie awaits government approval to get treatment on the government dime. Ammar has age issues and have suffered a health scare. Ammar helped shaped Egyptian music for the past 40 years, he is a talented composer.
6. Al Mogy Jr., an Egyptian composer and the song of a legendary one with the same name has been caught in a exchange with the Artists guild who has not approved funding his treatment. He too needed medical attention.

Aside note: Arab press knows no limits to privacy really. If an entertainer is in the hospital  they all need tom know why and certainly they want a picture--something not cool to do here.

I love how Arab stars or some of them, make lots of money and try not to pay taxes. Then when they get sick, they ask the governments to pay their bill because they are somehow national treasures. 

What's Going On With Syrian Singer George Wassouf?

Now we know he is in Sweden recovering and going under physical therapy. After making a much anticipated visit to the motherland Syrian and dismissing the clashes George Wassouf fill ill. People were reporting he is in a critical condition and most people seemed to have bought it. Love him or hate him, Geroge is a survivor and so is his music

This is not the first time the iconic singer has a health scare, last year we almost lost him, but he made a full recovery. To his credit the man seemed to have stopped commenting on the revolution. I have read stories that he was detained for few hours, another that he has saluted the Syrian troops. Other ones that he has met with the Syrian leader. So many many stories coming out, none seems to be confirmed.

Here's something we know is true, he is working on a new album with the title "Zikrayat" or Memories. The album is set to have six tracks. Ziad Burji have composed a song on the album, Tony Saba arranged the music, lyricist Ahmed Shatta has a song in there too. The album will be released in the holiday season toward the end of the year.  

George Wassouf - Ana Asef Clip HD

Moroccan Dounia Batma, Makes The Gulf Crazy

She is a diva in every sense of the word. Sure, she is young, but her emotions are her vocal training some spend ages trying to develop. She has the confidence at a level only the legends enjoy. Her commanding stage presence is well documented. This Casablanca native, the girl that rocked Arab Idol and was only given the runner up title is taking a break to sort out her career plans.

She did released a number of singles that I call crowed pleasers, but an album has not materialized yet--which is a good step. Last thing the fans need a rushed album that has not been made with hear and soul. One cannot rush greatness, Dounia has a career that's shorter than one year--she auditioned on September 8, 2011

In those few months Dounia performed in a number of  dialects and various styles from classic Egyptian songs (Umm Kulthum, Mohammed Abdel Wahab, Warda, Faiza Ahmed), to Arabic pop music (Samira Said, Fulla, Najwa Karam, Asala Nasri) and Gulf music (Ahlam, Mohammed Abdu, Talal Maddah) She has also dabbled so well into Gulf music.

After the show, Saudi singer Rashed Al-Majed was quoted about her voice was "rare". She has done well for herself where received a beautiful Mercedes, more expensive that the Chevrolet Corvette that was among Arab Idol's awards. This was a gift from a group of fans from United Arab Emirates.

Dounia has been a fixture in Morocco's music festival where she tends to get booked often, the Gulf has also called, they seem to big among her biggest fans out there.

 دنيا باطما اغنية وردة الجزائريه مالى HD

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

Video: Drunk Melhem Barakat Loses It Insults His Drummer On Stage

We all love the black horse of Lebanese music Melhem Barakat, he is a talented musician and a gifted singer. I love his compositions, but I am sure no one loves Melhem more than he loves himself. He is very eccentric and his ego is as big as Lebanon.

In a recent Beirut concert, the legendary singer lost his cool and insulted his drummer using profane language where both the drummer and his mother were insulted. Since the audience laughed, Melhem tried to make it a joke, but he was not joking. He was drunk and senile.  

Not very classy. Melhem has gotten himself in hot water once again, two months after he has picked a fight with diva Magida El Roumi over a song he composed for her.

The video has an edited version of the insult, but you will tell what he is saying. Not classy, not something you would want your kids to hear. I think Melhem owes the drummer and the fans a sincere apology.  

The All Moroccan Songstress Naima Samih

Naima Samih is an icon in the world of Moroccan songs, she is one of its early pioneers. She entered the singing business when there was only men in that industry, she sang and impressed people. Thus she earned her stripes in this traditional society.  She had to struggle with the men of her family so lunch her career, she did start in the late sixties and flourished in the early seventies.

At first she sang with no music to avoid upsetting the religious folks as she was no in position to battle them. She owned the local Moroccan song and took it into new territories. The slower song is her shtick. Among her most known hits is Jarabit We Jareet a song that deserves to be heard by more people--no different that Warda or Mayada really.

She is a mixture of Arab and north African tribes, she continues to make music and live in a small town. She is a frequent guest in local music festivals.

نعيمه سميح - جريت و جاريت - توزيع جديد


Naima Samih _ Shofte L'Khatem * نعيمة سميح ـ شفت الخاتم وعجبني‏

The Day Oum Kalthoum Met Sheikh Zayed

In the country of the United Arab Emirates, there's name you must know, Sheikh Zayed. He is the founder of that boom in the desert, a visionary who has made miracles out of little resources, a man who invested in the human resources and the capital of his country. Abu Dhabi would have never been possible without this leader and without his love for change and challenges.

The now late leader, is remembered is a man who liked music. Here's a picture of his when he has invited the lady, the diva and the legend of Oum Kalthoum to come perform in his country. In 1971 she met with him too, he gave her a pearl necklace and she performed two sold out concerts. Prior to the oil boom, the UAE was known for pearl diving. The necklace was made in 1880 and it is now been offered for an auction. They are estimating it will bring 80 to 120 thousand US dollars.

The concert was planned for his fifth year anniversary as the ruler of the now United Arab Emirates.

Sheikh Zayed is in our Hearts زايد باقي في قلوبنا

Funnyman Adel Imam Won't Go To Jail, Says Court

Back in February 2012, a lower court in Egypt found the seasoned Egyptian comedic actor Adel Imam guilty of disrespecting religion and being offensive. They have given him a three month jail sentence and a fine of roughly 2 thousand US dollars. He appealed with a higher court and was backed by pretty much everyone with a brain in Egypt.

Today he was cleared of those charges, and the decision is final. The court has found the actor innocent as he did not intend to offend any religion, but he wanted to show some negative manners and behaviors in the Egyptian society.  I think this is a fair trial and did away with all the media wars. Court of laws should be Independent and they have shown as much. All these talking heads need to feel ashamed. And Mr. Asran Mansour, the attorney who have brought the case should stop his senseless attacks on entertainers.

Imam is Arab world's most famous living comic actors. The actor has frequently poked fun at authorities and politicians during a 40-year career, has one month to appeal and will remain free until that process was concluded today. Adel Imam cheered the ruling and have spoke well of both the legal system and the entertainment industry in Egypt

Adel Imam Mout dial dahk

As Always, Magida El Roumi Stays Classy

Lebanese composer Melhim Barakat was reported to have been feeling not too happy about his song not being made the lead song of the album. His song was made the lead song, it's the number one song in the album and yes, it's a great song where the composer does an incredible job.

But in Mr. Barakat's world, he wanted the song to be the promo song--the one all radios will play to drum up marketing for the new album. Magida has maintained her position of respect love and appreciation for this composer. She was asked about the feud and has taken the high road. She has akways made classy music and that was personal because she is a classy lady.

This is a great album that did not had a perfect release date due to the ongoing ever changing Arab world. Watch this report about her concert in Lebanon, she attended the press conference for the Batroun International Music Festival. Go forth Magida and keep your head high, you make good music and let those critics who want to make names for themselves by bashing you.

ماجدة الرومي: هذا هو ردِّي على ملحم بركات

Samira Tawfik's Best Hit Songs Are Here

I call her the dark pearl of Lebanese songs, the lady of Lebanon's other people, the line that rocked hard and  the original mountain side vocalist, and the legendary singer who continues to inspire the career of dozens of young Lebanese singers

Samira was not the hottest girl in the room, but what she might have lacked in good looks made up for in confidence and attitude that moved generations. Samira did not have a chance in making it in her home, so she made a habit of singing in Jordan and Syria where she has made a huge name for herself and then came back home and was treated as an iconic lady. Then she made movies too and did well then. Her first songs were recorded in Jordan using the Jordanian Bedouin style

Her career took her to all those fine places where the Lebanese expats live (In Australia she performed in front of Queen Elizabeth, in Mexico she performed too, in Venezuela she performed and was given an ward by the Parliament, she has also performed in France, London and Africa)

Samira is still alive with us, living at home but struggling with a number of health issues that come with age. She has made a lot of people happy and for that the people are grateful. A collection of her best and most famous songs is below

اجمل اغاني سميرة توفيق

Nasr Mahrous and The Making (and Marketing) of Top Pop Stars

Sherine Abdelwahab, Tamer Hosny, Baha Sultan, Diab, Suma, Khalid Agag, Mohammed Foaud, Mohammed Mohie and a dozen more household name in Egyptian pop have all been branded and brough to the spotlight by one humble Egyptian man that goes with the name Nasr Mahrous, a music producer. Nasier owns the label Free Music and was the guy who made stars before Rotana ever could. He made and produced top quality songs turning them into hits. Nasr seems to be most proud of his collaboration with the late legendary singer Mohammed Roshdy.

the last thing, I have seen of his work was the music video for Baha Sultan, a really good one that cam elate last year. Nasr knows all about shots and production. Nasr is a producer, director, lyricist and and if needed to, he can sing. Nasr's father was a music producer before him and Ameer, Nasr's brother is one of the top sound engineers in Arabia. This is the work of an all Cairo family that likes the business and the art side of their work.

Nasr started in the 80s by selling cassettes and distributing them around Egypt. In the 90s he started releasing a series of various artists under the label Free Mix--those sold huge. That also included a Free Baby tape, that had many silly but lovable hits. Nasr uses a decent formula, which is making mix tapes for new names, if those names have hits, then he and produced them an entire album. Nasr has tried his hand on feature films by releasing Captain Hima, a romantic comedy with Tamer Hosny and Ziena.

Some of those stars might not work with Nasr's lable, but they still all refer to him as big brother who gives them advise as needed. Perhaps the two names who are considered Nasr's greatest commercial success, I would count Tamer Hosny and Sheine, they are the biggest money maker in Egyptian pop at the moment.


Making of "Soma - Da Habiby" كواليس كليب "سوما - ده حبيبي"

Making of "Shirene - Mabtefrahsh" كواليس "مابتفرحش - شيرين"

Making Of "Khalid Aggag - Wahdany" كواليس "وحداني - خالد عجاج"

Best Of Mohamed Mounir "Voice Of Egypt" Live Concert

If you ever wanted a rock star personality, then you will find it with colorful Egyptian. He is the guy who take local music and makes it international with simple formula, make the music faster, but maintain the local flavor. For more than 20 years and this rock star has been in the business and has claimed a center stage. No one can make concerts as big as he can, that's why the biggest companies chase him down to sponsor his events. Yet he still has the fan's love and appreciation.

He loves the motherland--it's easy when you have been called the Voice of Egypt. He knows Egypt inside out like no other musicians ever could. His Ultras has uploaded a number of his songs which he has performed in his Marina concert--he took a nationalist tone as he declared "My Full Time Job is Egyptian", I can never move to another country, he concluded.

For some reason Mohammed Mounir seems the only star in Egypt who has no problem getting permits for his mega concerts--Amr Diab seems to have trouble doing that. Mounir keeps his cool like when his fans ran a game to see who can guess what color pants the singer will wear--they thought orange or red....he rocked the white pairs.

 محمد منير : أنا بشتغل مصرى


محمد منير - الليله يا سمره - حفلة مارينا 2012
 

محمد منير - يا حمام - مارينا



 محمد منير - رمـان - حفلة مارينا

The Egyptian Opera Warda Tribute With Khaled Selim

In a wonderful tribute night for the late Algerian diva Warda, the Algerian embassy and Egyptian singers planned this night to walk us through memory lane as the late singer's music came to life with the voices of a host of Arab singers who have nothing but love and respect for this diva.

One of the stars of the evening was Egyptian singer Khaled Selim who has actually appeared with Warda on a TV show few years back when they acted. Khaled spoke for a minute about what Warda means for him and then chose one of her songs to cover.

Khaled has one of the most flexible and capable voices in Egypt nowadays. He transitions from pop to classics in a heartbeat and pull a stunning act each time. This why he is one of the youngest singers to frequent the Egyptian opera--they know he won't disappoint.

Khaled Selm Layalina/ خالد سليم ليالينا

Abdel Halim Hafez, the Boy Who Made Arabic Music Accessible

At his time, he was a lightweight, but now we come to see him as a legend. Singer and actor Abdel Halim Hafez came in a time when the stage with loaded with people who make beautiful Arabic music accompanied by live orchestras and musicians who make true Arabic music unadulterated. There were also popular folksy artists who have made it big with the common man in the street and in small towns around the Arab world.

Yes, the young people were left un-catered to, they were many of them around who liked Arabic music, the music of Farid Al Atrach, Oum Kalthoum, and Abdelwahab, but none of those singers expressed the feelings the young had. The stores were not right, so to fill in that voice came a skinny guy Abdel Halim Hafez and gave the boys and girls of Arabia the songs they needed. That was his niche and his market, he was their break and butter and brought millions in revenue for everyone in in his business. 


Abdel Halim Hafez was a big hit, even the big household names watched him with amazement. He made cute movies and sang the most romantic songs riddled with passion. He has all the rights told, the charming personality, the warmth voice and the untamed emotions that wanted to get out. Or maybe he was really good at getting in character and performing for hours in stage.

Abdel Halim Hafez packed full concert halls with young and energized people who had little, but a truck load of untapped emotions. He toured all over the Arab world and collaborated with all the big names of his time--he opened to Oum Kalthoum and worked with Farid Al Attrach too. He sang for Nizar Qabbani and had Baligh Hamdi write him music. The list goes on. His movies made so many lead female stars who at their prime were the it girl.

Then all of a sudden he died...just like that. Keep on mind, songs of Abdel Halim Hafez are not your average songs, they are tales fashioned like a song. 

Here's one of his little know songs that offered a world class music that tells a story even when the singer is standing in amusement waiting for his cue.

عبد الحليم حافظ نبتدي منين الحكاية كاملة

Best Of Walid Tawfik البوم افضل ما غنا وليد توفيق

 Turn back the clock to the 80s, 90s and the early 00s and you will find a legend for those times. Lebanese singer and composer Walid Tawfik is that legend. Few can hardly remember why they liked him, but most know him and know that he is a has been. This is not accurate entirely. Walid made Lebanese songs popular in both Egypt and the Gulf--Egypt has always been is a tough market to break into.

I like Walid Tawfik, he was the cool kid who acted in movies but also made good music that we all remember well. It's enough for him to be the guy who has the classic birthday song with his voice. But he has also other hits, and he has let us know by remixing them and doing covers of his own songs with a new twist. But Walid also was one of the first Lebanese singers to sing in three Arabic Dialects--Lebanese, Egyptian and Gulf.    

In fairness, the album doe snot have all of his hits, just the hits Rotana has produced for him. Which means you got none of the old good stuff like "Tiggy Ni'esim Al Amar", "Ya Leel"...etc. I would say the album has at least three decent songs by Walid, but none of the good stuff that you and your mom have come to love.

So, we do not forget, here's an album that has his best hits to date. Buy the album where you can. One thing to remember....Walid was the guy who made old school musit a bit hip and a bit faster. He does have Tarab talent, but his pop also lives on in our collective memory.

 01.Badry
02.Mehtajak Habibi
03.El Qessa Kelha
04.A'an El Raheel
05.Akbar Garh
06.Lamm El Shaml
07.Es-har
08.A'beer Al Ward
09.El Hal El Waheed
10.Ehtemal

 اجمل اغاني وليد توفيق The Best Of Walid Tawfik