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

WATCH: Sugar Pop And Oral Fixation Music Video

I know guys are idiots, otherwise we won't have to see music video like the one below. Something about women and candy makes guys lose their minds. We had Maria start up the fad in 2005, but in 2010 another young lady used lollipops as props for her music video. Neither of those ladies is seven years old.

Michaella is her name and there's about a mile between her and being called talented. That does not make her a bad person. Her song is about a guy who tells her buddies she is all over him and she is crazy about him. She has to put him on his place.

Trouble, the dude looks like a turd bag and he seems older than Michaella. Not sure where the songstress career stands at the moment and it remains a mystery if she regrets this music video. One thing Michaella did here, she went for cute and not sexy. She has to be given credit for that at least.  

Michaella - Aal Leshaboh / ميكايلا - قال لأصحابه

Dana Halabi Launches Children Foundation

Dana Halabi or Dana, the pop star who is no stranger to making raunchy music videos has finally found a  good cause where she can fight for children of the Arab Spring.  Dana Halabi will work with her foundation to help bring some happiness and joy in some of the broken spirits, she sees on TV screens in places where the Arab Spring has visited.

The headquarters office will be in Beirut and the foundation will be working to offer support to children who have lost family members due to the political fevers. The goal is to work with a thousand child who need such services. A management company and a public relations firm has been tabbed to get the Halabi Foundation name out there, raise money and accomplish the mission.

Kids will be able to learn music, painting, carving and whatever art from they chose to channel their negative emotions. Trainers and experts will be in charge and running the show. Dana has already released a promo song for the foundation. There are tons of children in that music video talking about life. Still Dana is still Dana and she did her thing.

 I did not spot any children in the kickoff, I only saw people who wanted to drink and have a good time.

 دانا حلبي وأغنية خاصة لمؤسسة الحلبي الخيرية

I Love Wael Jassar, But This Epic Song Disappoints

Ok, it might not suck, but it's not exactly great. Wael Jassar promised a second to none poem song like he has never done before. The guy is a master of emotional songs. I really wanted a great song worthy of this Lebanese hit-maker with a hear of gold.

The song is alright, it feels missing something. The lyrics have been written by Sahli AbdulKarim, a song about a guy who wants his lady to confess her love to him. He just wanted to make sure she is in for it. It's a romantic songs that forces you to really listen in. It reads like a Nizar Qabany poem, but it's not. The music is good in some parts, but my main take is on Wael's performance. I feel he was not all into the song.

You may have liked it, but poem songs are not supposed to be average. He does sound sweet, but her vocal skills are not at their prime.

Wael Jassar - Qoli Shayaan / وائل جسار - قولي شيئآ

Bashar Assad One Malek Jandali Zero

I have no special love or appreciation for Assad--he is not my president and has little influence on my life. But the man seems to be a survivor and he might as well have beat a handful of countries that bet on his fall. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the West in one side with their Syrians sidekicks.

They all have failed to bring down the leader of Syria. They are not crying and telling folks that Assad's days are numbed. They have been saying for more than a year now. Yet he is still there largely enact while the people who want to topple him are seeing dying support and dwindling funds. I think the people who wanted to bring an ed to the regime, chose the wrong way and thus took the wrong actions. You cannot ask other armies to come in and free you from another one, this is a perfect prescription for civil war.

There's a right way to bring down the Assad regime, and a wrong one... lining yourself with Iranian opposition like composer Malek Jandali just did in his speech protesting the UN summit. Do not complicate things for yourself. Syrians should have freedom, they will ultimately have it, but I think such actions make it harder. Malek is a singer who should not be calling to wage wars and spill more blood that what has already been spilled at least this is what I think.

The UN ain't going to do anything, the Americans do not want another war, the Europeans do not have the money or the political will and the Arabs are wary. Sure, the Russians and Chinese are helping Assad. But this was never a fair fight.

Malek Jandali Speech at the UN - New York City

Hady Khalil Throwback 90s Pop In His Prison Song

I thought to hear this kind of Egyptian pop music, I had to go back to 1990 and listen to one of the guys who are in their 40s now. But no, we now get a guy with the name Hady Khalil and he likes to sing the tunes of that time. He sounds like a younger brother of Iraqi big in Egypt pop star Baha Sultan.

Not sure why he is performing the song while talking on a payphone--also something you have to go all the way back to the 90s to see. He is in a jail house and his guard is the one he loves. She is wearing the uniform too. This can be insulting and only married people can relate to this concept.

Love is no prion my friend. The song is entertaining, the music video might be loved by the teens and the older people who are stuck in a lousy marriage.

Egrahny - Hady Khalil اجرحنى - هادى خليل

Nawal El Zoghbi Is Doing The Madonna Thing

Crazy dancers, people jumping all over the stage, live audience who has gone wild and fireworks seem to be an old trick from the pop stars of the world. The trick seems to work well. In a summer concert appearance Lebanese pop candy Nawal El Zoghbi filmed her performance and captured few minutes from a night that will turn into a music video.

The slideshow seems to help as well. I do not think the music matches the lyrics of the song and the back dancers seem not to be in sync with the song or the starlet. I do not think this song should have been filmed and this is spoken like a fan of Nawal's. She still has so much to give and she at least has a half a dozen of pop albums in her.

Nawal El Zoghbi - Ha'oullak Eih - Live / نوال الزغبي - هقولك إيه - حفله

ARAB Hipsters: Ahmed Moawad - Gebt Akhry / أحمد معوض - جبت أخري

I just saw a music video that features Arab hipsters, these guys got the outfits right. They have figures the look and the attitude the hipsters of the world have build for themselves. The song is not a hit, it's a bit weak for my own taste. I think they get A for effort.

The song lacks the good beat and the powerful tunes. I am not a fan, but I like the music video concept, and that Ahmed looked the part. Not sure what role the girl in those short shorts doing and why the car is there, but I am sure if you are 16 years old you will understand.


 Ahmed Moawad - Gebt Akhry / أحمد معوض - جبت أخري

Yehya Radwan: Horses, Bikes and Cheating Ladies

Horses are awesome creators, they are mighty, gracious and proud. No wonder celebrities and rich people like to be seen with horses. Horse racing is an activity seems reserved for the rich and powerful. Yehya Radwan, a pop singer from Lebanon uses a horse for his music video--he was riding one showing off his skills.

Then he is walking around with a girl young enough to be his daughter--except she might be meant to be his lover, they are walking around a gorgeous villa. And now we see he also likes bikes- This guy likes riding things. And the girl you see in the music video she cheats on hims with the guy who attends to his ranch.

Dude, Yehya love someone your own age not something young enough to be your daughter.
 
Yehya Radwan - Allah Ma'ak Yalla / يحيى رضوان - الله معك يلا

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

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

Sally Njeim, Color Me Unimpressed

Man, every young girl in Lebanon grows up wanting to be a pop star, just like Sally Njeim who wants to make pop music to get the cash from the Gulf folks. Her voice ain't terrible, but it ain't no award winning experience either.

She is back with a song about a guy who like them ladies. The album will come out prior to the year end, and it will have some good names behind it. Like the song below, it was written by Faris Iskander whose good songs go to the good looking ladies or his own father.

Sally will do well in private functions and media appearances as for the masses, they might have some alternatives that can get the party started.

Sally - Zeer L Nessa' / سالي - زير النساء

Jwail Hatim "Joelle Hatem" Nude Lebanese Model

Jwail Hatim, some know her as a model the internet knows her as the girl who wears bikinis. She is Lebanese model with a foreign name. The dudes on the show where she appeared are encouraging her to pose for playboy. She has their full support or as they said, "this is the demonstration that we will join"  Jwail is pron in America to a Lebanese father and a Brazilian mother--she is a South Carolina native.

I have been doing some reading about her and she claims to have worked in Europe and in America, so she has nothing to hide. Among her statements, I do not mind posing for Playboy if it's an artistic shot. Jwail think the folks in Lebanon are not cultured enough to tell the difference between porn and artistic nudity. "I don't feel ashamed, I love my body" she has said in an interview here

She has been known for being bold and doing jobs other models won't do, she has been popular with magazine covers. She likes sports and avoids carbs and fat. I do not know what to think of her, she seems to have a good career out of what she is doing. If people did not like her, she would stop doing what she is doing.

Mtv- Joelle - lebanese international TOP MODEL


جويل حاتم تبدي استعدادها للظهور بمجلة بلاي بوي

Zein Chaker, A Lebanese Song About Transgenders

In most cultures, including the Arabic one, this is not just a taboo, it's a toxic topic to bring up in mainstream media because we either lack education about the subject of transsexuals/transgenders or as some know them the gender benders. I do not know how real is the song from Zein Chaker, but for certain he has picked a lot of press--most of it is bad. But now we know who he is at least.

The song goes like this, boy meets girl, loves her, takes her home and introduces her to his family and circles. Then after the engagement comes the wedding, then here comes the boom, the lady is actually a dude. I do not know how people in this situation feel about the song.

The singer walks a fine line, he says this has become normal, but yet he loses his mind. The song is a poor qulity in terms of the production and even worse in terms of the demo music. The singer goes on to say this was a shock. I loved a woman who has turned out to be a male.

Zein Chaker will hold a press conference after the month of Ramadan to talk about the song and survey the press. The singer has actually shot a music video for this song which would be kinda of interesting to watch.
Zein Chaker - Tol3it Rejal NEW 2012

Jay Sean Gives Lebanon A Night To Remember

Jay Sean, is a British singer-songwriter, rapper, beatboxer and record producer who likes the club scene. Lebanese like anyone who likes the club scene to they invited him to party with them at home. He brought the party to Lebanon and the video will show you as much.

Locals and tourists flocked the concert to enjoy what Jay ha sin store for them. The song of a Punjabi Sikh immigrant in the always evolving city of London. Jay was never meant to be a singer, he was in medicine school before he dropped out to sing professionally.

They added the fashion show to his concerts and those Lebanese party goers who like a drink and a good beat. I checked out some of his tracks, the go makes good club mix and he has a likable personality. See the story from his concert and the interviews with the folks who are among his biggest fans.

 Jay Sean يلهب ليل مدينة جبيل

Aside From Her Fake Egyptian Accent, Mais Hamdan Is Cool

Mais Hamdan is a funny gal who does a great job hosting a number of shows in Egyptian TV. She has moved over to acting, and she seems to have song alright in that. But I never thought she should be singing, I do not like her performance and I think her vocals are not that strong.

Having said that, there's a sweet hint in her voice, so it's not all bad. Checkout her new single song, a song she recorded for a show where she is also starring. A drama about living in upper Egypt in the country side. Mais does a very fine job in impersonating singer, she has even upset some of them

Mais grew up in Jordan, so for her to try to speak with an Egyptian accent is a bit laughable. She has offended Egyptians few Ramadans ago when she told a joke that pissed off some people. Anyhow she is still in business as you can tell by this song. Mais will also appear not in one TV dramas, but in three this Ramadan.
Mais Hamdan - Yabo Shal (Al-Nar w El-Tayeen) Song

Sally: A Bimbo And a Womanizer Walk Into A Bar

She is acting like a bimbo on screen to tell us the guy she likes is a womanizer. I do not know which one is worse, using sex is a marketing strategy or seducing women for fun. Sally sings about how is is quitting the love game, and how she is much prettier than the other girl

The best part about the song is the dialect the lyrics are written in, the music is upbeat but I cannot say it's something new. The fact is Sally is drop dead gorgeous. She has an album where she tries to appeal to the rich Gulf market. She is from Lebanon, hoping for a slice of the pop pie

Sally - Zeer L Nessa' / سالي - زير النساء

Is Lebanese Singer Elissa Really That Happy?

Elissa gave an interview few days ago where she said, had she wanted to get married, she would have done so a very long time ago. She wishes her latest album to win another world music award--she already has won three titles. Then she spoke about the album being a winner. While most of her fans and critics agree, the album is really sad.

It's too much for the moment when we see death all around  us due to revolutions and what's not. People needed something happy, not 8 tracks of drama breakups and tragedy. Then her concert in Algeria almost got canceled, and not a word was mentioned--we had a leaked photo from the concert for Elissa. But no one wrote much about it.

Elissa is still single by choice--I do not think this is a good thing. She has picked some fights most recently with Haifa Wahbe and Shatha Hassoun. But she has also performed in a Beirut concert. Before she got on the stage Bassem Faghali mocked her on stage--she was cool this time. Among the attendees were Eli Saab- a fashion designer she loves; Wael Kfoury he buddy and pal; Simone Asmar--the guy who discovered her; Siham Shis'asha who has written a number of songs for Elissa; Joumana Abu Eid, the TV personality.

Elissa made a good album, the jury is still out on it. in the concert she had glow, and she showed some serious cleavage. The concert had many surprises including inviting the composer of one of the latest songs in her album. Wael turned down an invitation form Elissa to get up on the stage and do a song with her.

أليسا أسعد واحدة على الرغم من صدّ وائل لها

Bosy Ah Ya Donia 2012 Album البوم بوسي - اه يادنيا Street Music In Cairo

Bosy wants to be an "it" girl, street festivals and local music are common in Egypt and they have gone mainstream, they tended to be the business of males until Bosy broke the mold and started jamming with the boys, she hit it big and eventually left those circles and got her debut mini album with four track

01.Ah Ya Donia, the hit song of the album, was featured in a popular thug life movie "Al-Almany", made it big in Egypt in the anti-intellectual circles.
02.Saytra, a song stoners will relate too, a lot of shouting and local poor areas beat. Not going to be on TV, but those songs all sound the same--if it was not for the lyrics.
03.Get Ala El Garh, a sad song about life and not having a good luck in it. Poor people like cab drivers, street vendors and under-employed will find something in this song.
04.La w La, a happier song that you can play at your next wedding, a spunky song form a lady who is overjoyed by the wedding they have, telling the other folks, that they are not cool as she is.

I do think the cover art is pretty clever, what it does not do is connect the singer with her art form. She looks like a pop star in LA! Not a street artist who has to deal with a lot of shitty things.

 اغنيه بوسي اه يا دنيا - من فيلم الالماني

Saad Ramadan Sings Like A Star, Talks Like A Drug Junkie

I like his music but I love to hate the way he talks. It might be the Lebanese thing, why do people like Saad Ramadan talk like they have been given some kind of drug? The guy is hot, the guy is smart, and he makes good music. He had half a dozen of concerts this summer and his biggest were in Algeria--a country he did not know he was known in.

So he sat down with Elaph and talk about his success and his hard work. I do not like the bit when he talks about his plans and activities, he should stick to music and romance. His talking pattern might alienate some people. His new album should be dropping by soon.

سعد رمضان نجاح ممتد من الجزائر الى الجنوب اللبناني