Jad Choueiri Directs Diana Haddad's Next Video

The hip and bold music video director Jad Choueiri is taking up a new challenge. His assignment is to make traditional conservative Lebanese singer and mother of two cute girls Diana Haddad look hot. Together they filmed the music video in Beirut and in London.

Diana Haddad has those natural looks, she is non threatening and most people tend to like her. She has never gotten herself in a side fight or a controversy. This is why it's so surprising to hear the news about her next music video for a new single will be directed by none by bad boy Jad Choueiri. Jad seems to really have wanted the gig and Diana needed a fresh take as her last music videos have failed to bring her in a good light.

To her credit, Diana said, she went to the guy for his recent work, not the bold music videos he directed in 2004 to 2008. The guy seems to want to get creative without all that over the top sexy themes. The good news, the lyrcis for the new song "My heart is Loyal" has been written by the lyricists who seems never to make a bad a song, Faris Iskander.  

Diana Haddad Ya 3aibo

Elissa Gets The Indian Treatment

Musicians steal--borrow from one another and hope not to be noticed. When they get caught, they say they are paying homage to another artist. Fine. Elissa had a song six years ago that sounded fresh. A romantic song Bastanak, which she filmed into a music video. I have found the song has been remixed or remade into an Indian song. It's not uncommon for Indians to rip off some Arabic music and vice verse--though Turkish music seems to be more popular with the Arabic musicians 

It seems that Hamid El Shari has put this video together.

اغنية اليسا - بستناك - بالهندي -توزيع حميد الشاعري


Elissa - Bastanak / إليسا - بستناك

Arab Men Now Seek Plastic Surgeries For Themselves

You have heard the rumors that men seek to make their wives more gorgeous than the next guy's so the put them under the knife in pursuit of perfection. Nip Tuck is also a popular procedure in places like Lebanon--a pioneer country in anything freaky. But the City of Dubai the one upper is refusing to let go and claiming something for themselves in the plastic business.

Dubai is the capital of fun in its part of the world, it's the place like Vegas of sort. But now they have entered the plastic and cosmetic surgery business with force. Only to find out that most of their clients now are actually men seeking to look younger and maybe with a smaller nose and more hair.

Foreigners are flocking Dubai along with locals seeking the thrill of surgeries. A local newpaper has reported that 68 K person have visited with a plastic surgeon. 15 k of those 68 k are visits by locals who have actually gong under the knife. The city has appointed a commissioner to promote this business for tourism. The report have interviewed a little girl who wanted her ears smaller, and another lady who wanted to add fat to her face.

تزايد إقبال الرجال على عمليات التجميل في الإمارات

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

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

Grace Ashkar Will Not Sing Professionally, OK?

Joe Ashkar has a lovely wife and a mother of his children. She sang live, she released a song or two, yet she continues to make the case that she will not be a professional singer. Even though she can carry a note in both Arabic and English, Grace has zero interest in singing.

Grace Ashkar just performed live with Michael Fadel in a concert in Beirut, she also released a song late last year, but she maintains the song has a social message. She will continue doing such songs to promote various causes. She has also argued that doing two songs live with a musician friend was just a fun thing to do. So she will not be releasing any tracks anytime soon. It seems Joe and his wife are on agreement on this matter. So do not get excited.

One comment, who really cares?

Grace Ayanian in Michel Fadel Concert 3al Lebneneh in Beirut Holidays 2012
  

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. 

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

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

Watch People Walk Away From Haifa Wahbe's Concert

In a recent concert appearance in a Beirut Sport Club, Haifa had to deal with some unhappy concert attendees. The story goes she the Lebanese diva was more than one hour late for her concert at the Club. It goes that some people are busier than others. And as she walked unto the stage, some people started leaving the hall. Supposedly from the video, she started kicking her leg and asking them to go.

Then she greeted everyone who chose to stay and promised them to party with them till the morning. She also said that who have left her show are missing out the good times. I would question the story, had the video below did not reveal that there were many empty seats in this private function.

This must be a humbling experience for the unstoppable diva with with global fandome.  

هيفاء وهبي مستاءة من مغادرة الجمهور حفلها

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. 

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

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

Video: Snoop The Soccer Player Takes Penalty Kicks

Snoop Dogg is an icon of American music, a world celerity and a notorious bad boy. What he is not is a soccer player. He was given too shots at scoring, and he never made it. He did talk about his style and his Salsa dance moves. Snoop Dogg, also known as Snoop Lion, joins SportsCenter and takes his shot at penalty kicks. ESPN was there to document the moment.

If soccer ever becomes an American sport, it's not because of Snoop. Despite shooting from only 10 yards, Snoop hit the goal twice, but he has given as high entertainment. And had he scored, we might not be talking about him. As you might be aware, this is only the latest example of Snoop-soccer synergy. Snoop is a FIFA 13 enthusiast, and he's been spotted promoting the new video game in New York.
  
Snoop Takes Penalty Kicks

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

Medhat Saleh To Boycott The Egyptian House Of Opera

Medhat Saleh is a guy who is happy doing performances at the house of Opera in Egypt, they love his music and his voice has expressed and documented Egyptian moments for a really long time. Medhat is a popular name in local concerts where people needed a heavy dose of all Egyptian music. He never disappoints and he has his fans young and old. He is well-educated and trained in all Egyptian style songs, regional and national as well.

Now, Medhat thought he is close to the House of Opera and its orchestra. So when he was invited to the Arabian Music Festival in Alexandria, he thought he could borrow part of the Opera's symphony for this appearance. They shut him down.

According to an interview with AlHaram he wanted to mix the symphony with the Arabic Music orchestra to produce a new show for the festival. Naturally he is upset and has condemned their denial of his request. He pledged not to perform at the House of Opera again. He will focus on his upcoming performance at the Egypt University Opera concert on Nov 16th.

مدحت صالح ,ع الحلوة والمرة , بقى عايز تنسانى , صافينى مرة
    

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

"Secrets" Of Tamer Hosny And Bassma Boussil's Wedding

Tamer Hosny have never had a problem where he keeps away form the spotlight. He has spoken about everything and has not done the same thing with his marriage. When he doesn't talk, other media outlets do the talking and spread some information that might be incorrect. I think the bride deserves a huge wedding and those fans of Tamer Hosny need to see some tangible proof. Who's up for a party? 

Here are some behind the senes info nuggets about Tamer Hosny's wedding of the decade:

1. They both wad in Tamer Hosny's private Villa in Al Ahram Gardens. It was conducted according to Islamic laws. Only four people have witnessed the private ceremony. 
2. They have fallen in love two years prior to the wedding. Bassma was studying medicine and at first her family opposed the wedding. 
3. Tamer Hosny has met Bassma in Morocco where he had many concerts. He found her to be close to his personality. He has fallen in love and his friends were surprised how easy it was. Tamer Hosny has said in the past that he won't marry someone form the entertainment industry.  
4. The wedding was kept secret by both families for three months. Until Bassma went to the States with her husband to be with him for a month and a half as he toured the country and recorded new songs. Rumors started to surface.
5. She is in her early twenties and he is in his late thirties. 
6. Tamer wanted her to have  a career in the music industry, she recorded an album under the supervision of Tamer Hosny's producer Mohsin Jaber. But before the release of the album, Tamer Hosny announced the wedding to the public.   
7. They both had filmed a music video together that was marketed heavily with promos. The couple seemed to be in love. The music video have to see the light of day. Tamer Hosny is keeping it under close watch. Tamer might be doing the right thing in the eyes of some people.  
8. We have found out about this wedding on the same day pop star Mohamed Hamaki released his much anticipated 2012 album. 
9. We wish Tamer Hosny and Bassma Boussil well. I think we all have an obligation to make sure this relationship is a successful one. 

Clip Tamer Hosny & Bassma Boussil Marriage

Video: Myraim Faris Makes Love To Saudi Arabia

The good people of Saudi Arabia loves all things Lebanon. Nothing they love more than a Lebanese girl who wants to celebrate a Saudi Holiday with them. Lebanese songstress Myraim Faris knows that and she realizes she must have millions of fans in Saudi Arabia, so she wanted to make them feel special.

She wore the colors of their flag and wished them a happy Independence Day via her Facebook account. She also added a button where she says "I Love KSA", that's short for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  Myraim Faris had already made them an all Gulf dialect album. This is a video for one of her private concerts in Saudi Arabia where she seems to have unleashed her dance.

I do know that the good people of Saudi Arabia have special place in their hearts for Myraim, her dance moves and her exotic outfits. While I admire the gesture, would Myraim do the same thing for Somalia, Sudan or any other county that does not have cash?


هكذا ترقص ميريام فارس في الحفلات الخاصة


Myriam Fares - Ana Wel Shou' / ميريام فارس - أنا و الشوق
  

Ghida Nouri's Upcoming Video Blog Jokes and Looks

Ghida Nouri is an Egyptian blonde that gives her an advantage over other entertainers. She is also funny that can make her career. She was a frequent guest at the popular news satire show by Dr. Bassem Yousef where she told joked and sometimes, thy joked about her exotic look and her being from a ghetto part of Egypt. I am familiar with some male mentality in Egypt who tend to give females a hard time.

There's a promo for her upcoming show she gets her own show and she is trying to tell people she has what it takes. It seems that she has many fans out there and other celebrities also endorse her. The promo's weirdness and lacks focus does not tell you much. I think it's refreshing to see a female in that role--there has been one before her that has a really cool show (Mona Toof anyone?)

So watch the video and let us know what you think. I do not see the video doing Ghida Nouri a favor, I am certain she is more than a pretty face. But I think a lot of people like her just for the looks. I do not connect with her jokes yet, but good looking girls are usually funnier. I hope her video blog or vlog offer a lot of jokes but purpose. I know I admire Ghaida's effort to highlight the struggle of some Egyptian  women during the latest revolution.

Ghida Nouri welcome to prime time!


غيدا نوري: الحلقة زيرو :Ghida Nouri #Zero