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

Greek Mandolin Music Inspires Arab Composers

For a really long time, many Arab singers have looked to Greek music for inspiration. Many Arabic began to feel a bit like the ones in Greek in the late to 90s. We can thank Amr Diab for that--he went to that country and made a hit song with one of its songstresses. Then came a new wave of Lebanese composers (Iwan) who took Greek melodies and made them into Arabic ones.

I now can tell if a track has been influenced by a Greek instrument or melody--it's easy. In fairness, Greece has always been closer to Arabia than to any Western civilization. Since the days of Alexander the Great and the shores of Egypt have been home to far too many natives of that land. This is one of the reasons the Egyptian city of Alexandria has an exotic beauty.

Here's a musical piece from Greece by NiKos, it sounds like a soundtrack for a movie. He draws music inspired by nature, the sea, birds and the hills.

   موسيقى رائعة للموسيقار اليوناني نيكوس-beginning belalim

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

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

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

Asmara Rocks The Blue Look أسمرا - عشقاك

If you wanted a side order of the Arabic look with an exotic twist, check that off your list, Asmara just delivered you that. She sings in English, French, Italian and Spanish, but she focuses on Arabic at the moment since she released her debut song which was in Egyptian.

Asmara is a local girl from Lebanon who has met a lot of luck in the Gulf where she travels a lot to Dubai and others places for concerts and private events--weddings! She has been in the business for 4 years and counting


Asmara - Ash'ak / أسمرا - عشقاك

DamDum Has Found The Hottest Girl In Egypt On Facebook

DamDum is a guy who wanted to releases a song about a girl he calls The most beautiful in Egypt. He looks cool and is gutsy enough to give himself the name Damdum.  His gal is on Facebook and that's where they have met. It's humorous rap song that teach a lot about what the kind in Egypt are up to these days.

The girl sleeps in and walks up late. She has given herself the Facebook name of the coolest or hottest gal in Egypt. Now, I do appreciate the music--it's not your average simple demo. I think Damdum has done himself a big favor by making a cool song that will live on the internet for a long time.

This might sound like every other song, but at least the singer told us something to giggle about.

DamDum - Agmad Wa7da f Masr | دمدوم - أجمد واحدة في مصر

DOWNLOAD: Metro Pop By Amr 60 In His Debut Album البوم عمرو 60 - مسافر

Amr has been on my radar for a month now and he has done a wonderful job in dazzling me and his new fans. The metro looking clean cut pop singer is really out there to get a slice of the pop pie. I compere his music to that of Hamaki...happy poo that plays like a club mix that gets excited even if the song is not that happy.

A romance pop is common--guys like to jump to the music and those young ladies like some fancy dreamy lyrics from a good looking guy. His album has been released and the new is eyeing it with a high level of anticipation. The 10 tracks album is making a worthy buzz among the people who are looking for new music.

01 - Bokrah Ma'ak
02 - Msafer
03 - Mabakhafsh Leih
04 - Ba'a Fi Keda Ya'ny
05 - Be'ay Shakl
06 - Had Aaref
07 - Kaddeb Ehsasak
08 - Mate'melish Hessabek
09 - Agmal Haga
10 - Wala Nsetha

Amr 60 - Had Aaref / عمرو ستين - حد عارف


Amr 60 - Wala Nsetha / عمرو ستين - ولا نسيتها


Amr 60 - Be'ay Shakl / عمرو ستين - بأي شكل

LISTEN: Amr 60 2012 Album Dance And Romance

Pop artists tend to use an interesting strategy over and over again. Bring out a new star,  build his brand up with a young fan base, he will cater to them....these fans grow up, make money and remember their star who was there for them when they were young poor and stupid.

Amr 60 released a pop single two weeks ago, and now comes the promo for his album, he has combined his music promo with his photo shoot--some crisp shots indeed. He does romance songs and light pop songs that will appeal to the easy fan with not too many options or musical experiences. I call them the virgin ears.  I like the promo and I like the beach even more.

It seems that Amr 60 is doing something right, he has already made a buzz online. Why not and he enjoys a great deal of those famous Egyptian look and that jaw. He has a sweet voice, but I think he can do even better, he is listening to his sound engineer too much. Set Amr 60 free....and you will be surprised.

I think the album will sell even though it is not being released on a holiday.

Amr 60 -"Mesafer" Album promo / برومو البوم عمرو ستين

OMG: Amr 60 - Agmal Haga / عمرو ستين - اجمل حاجه

You must be a badass if you think you can make it in the pop business with a name like Amr 60--it's cool I give you that. There are a million Amrs out there, this one is cool enough to rock the white tee and jeans by the harbor. He does have a rocking debut music video and he does like sailing around with his lady friend.

He has the Arab dude look, and that means he likes to be seen with blondes to his side. He does have a pleasant voice, and a likable personality that does not feel rigid. As far as fame, Amr 60 has just came out of the woods, he has no footprint yet. The next knows nothing about this young charming pop star to be.

Amr 60 - Agmal Haga / عمرو ستين - اجمل حاجه
 

Love Your Johnny! A Butterfly Vs. A Tank In Egypt

The delicate souls of Egypt had to put up with violence, live ammunition and tear gas because they wanted change and they would not fudge. That might be the inspiration behind new comer Johnny, a new pop singer form Egypt who have just released his song a Tanks and a Butterfly.

My first instinct, this guy is pretty cool. While his voice and style is different than most singers I have heard, I am detecting an influence by Mohamed Mounir style--just a hint. This is meant as a compliment, writing a love song in those circumstance is tough, but I really like the take on the subject.

This is a love story about a couple caught in the midst of violence. The song is about looking forward and dreaming of the day they will get a girl. "Instead of flowers, they gift guns loaded with nightmares." I also approve of the music choice. I hope you find this song something to cheer and that we will welcome a new Egyptian star with the unusual name Johnny....Go Johnny.  
 
Johnny - Farasha Wo Dabbaba / جوني - فراشة ودبابة

Adham Wagdy Not The Greatest But Convincing

Last year Adham Wagdy voiced a song for the revolution and the Arab Spring, on the collection album produced by Hamid El Shari under the title "An Arab Tale" Ever since then and I have not seen nor heard again from Adham Wagdy.

But he is back with a Ramadan song, few days before the end of the month, the song was picked by Melody Hits and it currently airs. The song is about the rituals of the month and you get a free tour of those popular Ramadan attractions.

I think Adham has a good voice, not a great one....that means I do not feel it's strong enough, so it sounds like Adham is stuck in the nasal area. Plus, I failed to find much info on Adham--Adham if you are readying try to reclaim your name on the net.

 Adham Wagdy - A'zam Al Shohour / أدهم وجدى - أعظم الشهور

Watch London Olympics Egypt Theme Song

The London Olympics are upon us this summer, while the event is mostly for sports and marketing, music has its place--there's always place for music it seems. So for the Egypt  athletes competing for the Gold, Silver and such, they can boast about a new song that speaks to them....about not letting anything stop them from reaching for the gold

Nisma Mahjoub is the voice, naturally one needs an upbeat song for this topic and in that regard, the song delivers the energy. The music video features a number of Egypt's brightest athletes doing their thing. This song serves Nisma well as she gives us a glimpse of a stronger voice of hers that can hold a breath like a seasoned diver tries to.

The song is not exclusive to Egypt, all Arabs can relate to it and use it to pump them up. The song might as well double as a promo song for those beverage companies.

متخليش حاجة توقفك نسمة محجوب

Mohamed Khairy "Youm Matbelna" Amr Diab Cover

Amr Diab is more than a pop singer, his songs helped defines a new generation of singers. He is the guy that each of those 20 something singers grew up listening to and now they are out doing covers of his songs.

No one bad mouths him and manages to have a sustainable career in the music business. He is the guy most idolize and respect. We can have opinions about his later work--when he switched to Rotana, but anything before then was nothing short of awesome.

A young pop sensation that goes by the name Mohammed Khairy has just released a cover of one of Amr Diab's songs. I am a fan of young Khairy and his very sweet boy voice where you are drawn in right away. I did not like the original song, but somehow, I am now prompted to give it another listen.

Mohamed Khairy - Youm Matbelna | محمد خيرى - يوم ما اتقابلنا

Mahmoud El Mohandes Rings In Ramadan 2012 محمود المهندس - رمضان بيخبط

Ramadan is the time we pray, eat, sleep, pray, read the holy book, and then over eat. But in between, there are those awesome Ramadan songs talking about food and daily rituals and dishes. I like such songs, they help create an atmosphere of excitement especially for the young ones.

Ramadan is a magical time, and it is the perfect season to make memories. So, get excited the first song to ring in the holy month is in and it's by young and good looking new comer Mahmoud El Mohandes who just released his song for us all.

I like it, Ramadan is knocking at our doors and bringing all the good stuff with it, says the song. I am nostalgic now because Mahmoud's song paints the perfect Ramadan picture, with everything including the dessert.

Mahmoud ElMohandes - Ramdan By5bt | محمود المهندس - رمضان بيخبط

البوم ابو الليف "سوبر ليفه " - خليك فى النور يا امور "Super Leefa" From The Guy Who Needs A Shower

When Ayman Bahjat Qamar--a household name in Egyptian music wants to take a break form writing the same old songs---I love you, and your eyes have magic, he takes the time to write the lyrics for this album. Ayman loves funky and wacky Egyptian comedic singer known as Abo Leefa or Nadir Abu El Nour. He made a big success of him in their 2012 collaboration and they are back at it again for a sequel.

This time they have more money, more support and most of all bigger market. The music market in Egypt is hungry for this album as everything seems so serious and so gloomy. Humor is in order and Abu Leefa knows how to humor us while he delivers one line after another. Making many of his songs superstitious about bad spirits and people while jinx everything.

The "Super Leefa" features better music and higher production value, a variety of musical styles form the old Oriental beat to the hip hop style. Abu El Leef did mange to be super secretive about his album, and when it was announced it was a treat no one saw coming. Aside form the humor, there are songs that offer wisdom about this life and people in it. I like his title song where he sounds like a 1930 singer tackling a current day issue--secret marriages.

Before he was singer Abu El Leef was broke and did a number of odd jobs so you know he has a lot ob bitter stories to tell about his family who did not come to his help, but when he made it big, they all lined up--think of those rapper who rap about such matters. He has another song about those who attack the arts and he is taking them to task.

01 - A3ozo Bellah
02 - Bent El-Nass
03 - Hatofrag 3alena
04 - Ta2 To2et El-Fan
05 - Ba2ena Be Zambalek
06 - El-Tawoos
07 - Taxi 2
08 - TaTa TaTa
09 - Nena How
10 - Gedo
11 - Khaleek Fe El-Nour
12 - El-Tawoos (Remix)

 أبو الليف Feat هشام عباس - هتفرج علينا