Persian Singer Farshid Saykh Steals From Arabs

Arabs and Persians have a lot in more in common than they like to admit, here is one of those Iranian singers stealing the music from a very popular Arabic song by Egyptian pop star Mohammad Hamaki.

This is nothing short of stealing as the artists or his composer added nothing to the Arabic music composer, they just changed the words to some Persian words instead of Arabic. I know Israelis are notorious for stealing Arabic music, but I must add to the list my list Iranian singers. As how this music got stolen, I am sure it was first heard in the United Arab Emirates where are tons of Iranian nationals reside.

Ramy Gamal, the Egyptian composer behind the original song is suing the Iranian artists Farshid Saykh for damaged. The copied song emerged in November 2010. The Arabic song was released in 2008.

Farshid Saykh - Miboosamet Az Door [ HQ 2010 ]




Mohamed Hamaki - Bahebak Kol Youm Aktar / محمد حماقي - بحبك كل يوم أكتر

Nancy Ajram The Sony Girl

Najwa Karam was not the first female Arab artist to do shameless adverting for a foreign company. This is not a new trend by all accounts. Here's an an ad from 2008/2009 by Nancy Ajram for Sony lines of Walkman phones.

notice how Nancy Ajram styled her hair in the fashion of Japanese high school girls. She did not forget to throw in her famous shy smile turns to laugh and she always holds her mouth. That move alone made Nancy millions.

I think Sony made a great call by hiring Nancy, she is a Star in every corner of Arabia and beyond.

Why Are Saudi Liberals So Obsessed With Sex?

Liberal Saudi publication Elaph does great reporting. When they are not doing that, they are obsessed with sex and ladies. This seems to be a themes of Saudi Liberals, a way of telling the extremists in their country who tend to fear women that we will be doing the opposite. I do not know how things are in Saudi Arabia, but I feel censorship does wonders on most sites.

I am a fan of Elaph, their timely coverage of politics, and music is second to none. But to a certain degree they go over the top with sex stories and ladies. Take fro example their latest story on the women groups that are enlisted to rally for Putin. Really? That's the one video you managed to upload to your YouTube channel? On the same day Somalia was declared in famine?

I mean all healthy males like women, but here from what I see, women follow women who are trend setters in fashion, style and entertainment. Men on the other hand, follow the same women if they were in GQ, Details, or Esquire! Those are the very fine men. But if you sink to the level of Playboy and Hustler, then there is a problem.

Beautiful women have every right to do whatever pictures they like to publish, I also have the right to reject them if they go over the top on this mainstream publication that is meant to be real by everyone and all ages.


جيش بوتين جهة غامضة أخرى تسعى إلى تعبئة النساء Women for Putin

In Ahmed Samir, Egypt's Next Pop Princess

Ahmed Samir has always been about pop, but he is also about defiance and wanting to do it your way by not caving in to the ones you love who is playing you. Backed by two Egyptian companies, Sontana Music in production and Pyramedia in distribution, hard to go wrong when you have some help.

Ahmad Samir is not just another pop singer, his style is pretty fresh and his music suits his vocals. But most of all he seems to know what the young listeners in Egypt want and he is giving it to them.

It does take a lot to make a star, but Ahmed sounds like a good investment, and it will pay off in concerts and record sales. I project he will be around for some time. He may even act. I think the title of his song is pretty awesome, "It looks you like you get it"

Ahmed Samir- Shaklak Fahem

"Revenge Is Sweet" Says So This Arabic Song

Salah Kordi is a Lebanese singer composer who is not on everyone's top list, but he has friends and followers in his country. His music is about breakups, the dark days and heartache. His sad tone and tender voice is just right for those kind of songs that bring you to tears.

But as a composer he has given some of the best compositions to Arab A list singers like Fadel Shaker, Elissa, Saber El Rebai, Melhim Zain, Adam as well as others. He is one resourceful musician.

I am actually impressed by the quality of his voice and his lack of name recognition outside the business. I wish to see more singles from him--not an album becasue those seem to be overly commercialized.

Richard El Haj, The Savvy Egyptian Producer

One Australian, Egyptian Lebanese music producer is Richard El Hag "Hajj" is busy promoting new voices in the Egyptian market and doing so with his company Pyramedia production. His track record included introducing Loai and composer singer Mohammad Rahim to the business.

Richard seems like a nice guy, but he is one savvy business man too, who knows a money making talent when he sees it. So he sat down for interview to talk about how much he loves Egyptian pop. His father is sort of Lebanese, his mother is Egyptian and works in Australia to promote Egyptian tourism.

Asidie from that, he is now focused on making Egypt the go to place for production of Arab entertainment. Egypt has been losing ground to other Arab capitals ever since the year 2000 hit us. Richard took the time to introduce three new talents from Egypt one from the city of Alexandria who also sings in the opera.

This is a cool way to introduce new talents and try to give them promotion during those tough times. A tip next time, maybe he should get interviewers who actually speak the Arabic language.


المنتج ريتشارد الحاج فى برنامج اه ياليل الجزء الاول

Meet The Busiest Female Arab Entertainer

Carole Samah is a name you should know very well. She is an A list singer that has a great vocal set, just ask the Rahbani family in Lebanon and they will vouch for her. And 80 million Egyptians would say the same thing.

She is also an accomplished actress in plays where her shows sold out for months in her country Lebanon. And now her latest gig is acting in a TV drama about the life of Lebanese diva Sabah. Her performance has already generated postive feedback in the media. She became Sabah, she lived and breathed Sabah for the duration of the filming--3 months.

She has recorded a single for Egypt parsing the new change and headlined a concert in Morocco. And of course the media appearances and press conference never stop.

She also comments on other stars, she criticized American stars like Kim Kardashian for offering nothing to the world other than butts and thighs. Kim has million of followers which indicates we are in the age of silliness. That must have been a bold statement, but it's right on the money.

If that's not enough, her album of two years ago, still on top of the charts and the hits on it keep on making waves. Two days after wrapping the filming of the Sabah Drama, Carole shared her concert schedule, and she was booked for the month of July and August too.
كارول سماحة - ملكة على الارض من مسلسل الشحرورة رمضان

Tarek Madkour Egypt's Hottest Music Producer

He is not a well known figure out side Egypt and not too many outside the entertainment business know of him. But everyone knows the hits he has brought us. Working with pretty much all those A list Egyptian and Arab pop stars and making their music and lyrics better. Tarek Madkour is his name and he is one song doctor you cannot afford not to hire.

Few days ago he release a song with the title "خلي بكرة أحلى" "Make Tomorrow Better" part of a marketing campaign for Coca Cola who is trying to take back a market share from Pepsi who hired indie band Cairokee for their marketing effort.

The lyrics of this Tarek song have been crafted with the A list lyricist Ayman Bahgat Amar. Its a high in the sky song about the future, the sun and the funk. The vocalsits are Shady Hamza and Yosra El Gendy took the song and made it their own. seriously who needs big ego A list singer when you have young artists like these? Ousso added his guitar touches.

Khally Bokra Ahla - خلى بكره أحلى


Nancy Ajram & Tarek Madkour - The Rehearsal Of Ah We Noss

How You Can Download Arabic Music Legally

I know sometimes it seems easy to get stuff fore free, and you know it's hard to see the need to pay artists whom we think of as rich. But the truth is this, it's not the artists you are paying, there are millions working in the music industry in the world and thousands of those are in the Arab world, so when you get their stuff for free just think about it, it's nothing less than robbery.

I know there are hundreds of Arabic websites where you can download material for free, I use it sometimes because they are quick and I get the material to review it and spread the word about an album or a movie. Most of the time I feel bad doing it, but in a way I am helping promote the work of some those singers and entertainers.

But there are ways to purchase Arabic music guilt free, and enjoy the stuff you pay for more. Here's a list of websites where you can legally listen to and purchase Arabic songs. While Arabia needs a software of the like of iTunes and amazon to streamline the purchase process, until then we have to purchase the music for independent labels.

1. Alam El Phan, an Egyptian music company with a large catalog of artists who make new Arabic music and old ones. You can find music for Tamer Hosny (do not encourage him please) Ramy Gamal, Amar, Mostafa Amar, Samo Zain, Karim Mohsen and much more. It used to be the home of Amr Diab before he switched
2. Free Music, the brainchild of the hottest music producer in Egypt Nasr Mahrous, if you like serious voices in Egypt like Bahaa Sultan, Suma, Khaled Agag and Diab, then you need to check these guys out. You can stream their music too. It used to be the home of Tamer Hosny before he went to the dark side
   
3. Pyramedia, a top notch house for most young voices in Egypt, it's based in Egypt and has a large number of A list singers as well as up and coming. Richard El Hajj is the man behind this venture. Dolly Shahin, Loai, Nader Nour as well as others work and perform under this label that knows a thing or two about social media.
   
4. Rotana, this company has the best of Arabic music, from Elissa to Najwa Karam; from Mohamd Abdo to Kathem Al Saher; From Sherine to Mohammad Foad, they are the home of Arab singers form all corners of Arabia. artists either love them or hate them. But they are not to be marginalized. They know how to produce and sell records, but they do not have the best social media presence.

Mohamed Eltookhy Will Steal Your Heart

Mohamed Eltookhy is a lovable young man from Egypt who has been making the media rounds lately after the release of his single which was filmed into a music video (3Ashan Arta7). A pop romance album with a lot of house mix for the dancer in you.

Pyramedia, the Egyptian company of Richard Hajj is putting out the album, but as of now we have a promo of that album. It seems like a light pop album where the fashionable star tries own new songs to test his vocals and his ability to entertain.

Mohamed has a lot of young Listeners who would purchase his album of course, but there are way too many pop stars singing for the same people and worse, singing the same songs. It's really hard to stand out in the mix.

The album to be released on July 7th with 8 tracks that include some Latin music, the young singer has released a pro Egypt song in the wake of the revolution in that country about rebuilding that country.


Mohamed Eltookhy Mn Ghair Kalam - Promo

Top Arab Singers Release Album For Kids

Hala Turk made a good name for herself as the child star on Arab Got Talent show with her cute songs. So Platinum Record designed an album around her by enlisting pretty much everyone under their label to do a children song.

Those names do not necessarily go along with children or have children of their own, they are just doing music, some might have had to revisit their own childhood to connect with the little ones. Some of those songs are catchy, some are like whatever...but the lyrics are about summer break, having fun, listening to mom and dad.

The marketing for this album is geared toward the Arab Gulf, the title comes from that dialect "My Dad Got Paid", so we can all have fun now!


01.Abdel.Fatah.Gereny.Esma3.Kalam.Baba.We.Mama
02.Rakan.Ft.Nabil.Rogeh.ELSanah.12.Shahr
03.Rashed.Maged.ELShater
04.7la.Turk.Baba.Nezel.Ma3ashah
05.7la.Turk.Ft.Mesha3el.Benety.El7aboba
06.Wanes.Beeb.Beeb
07.Mona.Amarsha.5lasna.Elderasa
08.Pol.Mark.Ft.Farah.Sho.Heya.Elhedia
09.Wanes.Kazab
10.Atfal.Lebnan.Ma.Bedy.Eyaha
11.Wanes.Nam.Ya.Shater
12.7la.Turk.Ft.Asel.3omran.Namy
13.Maged.Mohandes.Haza.Abona


عبدالفتاح الجريني - في البوم بابا نزل معاشه - قريبا

Watch Najwa Karam Brings 3D To Arabia

Question: What's Better Than Najwa Karam?

Answer: Najwa Karam in 3D is

This will be the greatest marketing strategy to bring the attention of the Arab world to the 3D technology. Such music video where Najwa Karam, the Lebanese diva will release her much anticipated music video in 3D.

This will make those wealthy Arabs to start thinking about purchasing a 3D TV sets and yes with those funny glasses. Of course Rotana, the music label under which Najwa Karam performs is on it too. But Sony, the Japanese company is providing the technology to make this venture possible.

This is a great example of product placement. With Najwa Karam hot song Ma Fi Noom, we know this will be quite the production. Not to froget the shameless advertising Sony TV sets get as Najwa is also watching herself on them. So far we have the promo, but I am certain the music video will be released in a week tops. It seems the three dimension ins in Najwa Karam's dress which looks like a mirror.

On another note, why did they not get a better voice over that can actually pronounce Najwa Karam as it was meant to be?


كليب نجوى كرم - ما في نوم برومو Najwa Karam In 3D


Najwa Karam Ma Fi Noom 3D 2011 كليب نجوى كرم " مافى نوم " اول كليب

New Music Video By Ambassador Elissa Promo

Elissa is up to her old games, her album is a year and ahalf old and she is promoting a new music video to be released for that hit song Tesadaq Bemein. The impressive think about Elissa is her ability to remain on the best seller list for years to come. She simply makes good music that sounds fresh every time. Do this, play an old album of hers (the last four were great), and you will see what I mean.

But Rotana needs the material to air in their channel. They will also air the making of, and interviews about the music video, then they air promo along with ads selling the download and rintones. And when you are about tried, they release the music video which you watch once or twice then flip the channel.

Elissa/ اليسا - Tsadaq Bmein COMING SOON NEW OFFICIAL VIDEO 2011

Nancy Ajram Helps Sell Everything in Egypt

Nancy Ajram wants to help sell a seaside resort in Egypt, so the owners at Amer Group, the holding company enlisted her to do the theme song for their summer marketing. Mohammad Rahim, the Egyptian composer put the music, and some animations were made to make a music video playable in most Arabic TVs.

This is a children song with a lot of humor in it, and no one has done children songs in the past five years as Nancy Ajram has, so she has been there. She also has two little girls. That helps sell Egypt's very own Six Flags like theme park that has its own mascot.

This not meant to be a pop song, but it received some big attention when it was released on the internet and over the radio. Downside? You do not really know it's an ad for something...nowhere does it mention come to find out what fun things we have for you. Maybe the people in Egypt already know everything about this place.
كليب نانسى عجرم - بابا بورتو

Egypt's Hottest Venue El Sawy Culturewheel

If you are a star in post Mubarak Egypt era, you do not get to your status without having performed at El Sawy Culture wheel. This is the hottest concert venue in Egypt where all those indie bands, pop stars, and single artists have performed to sold out crowd. Since the owner Mohammad Sawy has been an icon in the cultural landscape in Egypt and since he was also tabbed for the position of minister of culture.

Not a single day went by without having read about an event there, a concert is a common thing, they have film festivals as well and debates and panel discussion there too. And what makes these guys hot is having their own radio show and their ow magazine.

The place accommodates 1500 people but it seems that 2000 people can enjoy performances and shows in this hip place. Established in 2003 by an engineer who likes hanging out with intellect and fun people who keep the place open and have built a great community.

Visit their website and book an event there via the internet.


اعلان حفل ساقية الصاوى

Luxe Soap Keeps Arab Ladies Clean

If you want to humor your grandmother tell ask her if she has used the famous soap Lux soap in her old age? She will love it. But that does not explain why pretty much all those good looking Arab celebrities have to do an Lux commercial and appear in a bathtub?

I saw Yosra do it awhile back, so did Elissa, Mona Zaky, and now Yara is joining the club of those Arab female celebrities who have done commercial for this sometimes overrated soap. If you use Lux everything will be OK mentality is prevailing out there.

As for the celebrity they get to make some money, and feel that they have made the hot list, "I am hot they chose me not you" Yara will be filming the commercial in Dubai.

اليسا في دعاية لوكس - Lux commercial for Elissa

Rotana Makes Their Stars Sing Just For You

Rotana knows a bit about marketing, they do know less about making a star judgeing from their own track record. They are also great at releasing old material, packaging it in a new album and sell those theme albums.

This is easy to do when you have 7 of the best selling Arab artists and the biggest names in the scene. Look at the names of the artists on this new album, chances are you know these voices very well, follow them and most likely know their songs that are out together for you to purchase.

What else? Get a second company to sponsor the album in cross promotion to sell rin tones and raise money for both of you. There are simply no bigger names in the business that the artists here, the comany behind them and Nile Mobile cell company in Egypt. The album is focused on Egypt, few Lebanses songs here, and one morocco duet with an Ira's most famous singer.


01 - Amr Diab - Aslaha Bitifreaa
02 - Angham - Habibi Malak
03 - Mohamed Fouad - Saat Bashtak
04 - Fadel Shaker Feat Elissa - Jouwa El Rouh
05 - Kazem ElSaher Feat Asmaa lmenwar - Mahkama
06 - Hussien ElJasmy - Seta El Sobah
07 - Najwa Karam - Khallini Shoufak
08 - Haifa Wehby - Lama El Shams
09 - Fadel Shaker - Nessit Ansak
10 - Assi El Helani - Show Ma Saar
11 - Elissa - Matearafshi Leh
12 - Mohamed Fouad - Khabini
13 - Asala - Nos Hala
14 - Tamer Ashour - Akhir Moabla
15 - Sherin - Katar Khaere

Khaled Agag Egyptian Tax Evasion

Egyptian pop singer Khaled Agag will got to jail if one Egyptian court has its way. As they seem to have sentenced him for 12 months on charges of tax evasions. The sentence was handed on June 2th, 2011. They bail was set at one 1000 Egyptian pound.
He is accused of failing to pay taxes mounting up to 52 thousand Egyptian pound for his income on his album last year.

Khaled did not attend the session so the court concluded he has no disagreement and handed down the sentence. I am sure, Khaled won't be going to jail and instead he is lawyer shopping at this moment. Like many celebrities in Egypt, those sentences are often a way to get them to be serious about paying back their taxes.

On the same weekend Khaled Agag was spotted at the funeral services for Hany Shaker's daughter who have passed away after a struggle with cancer. Maybe that would help explain his absence from the court.


كليب خالد عجاج - بنت الحته

Arab Children Songs Album

You know the music market is in trouble when every and each music label tries to find a new market to fill, a need that they can cash on. For now, it seems that Platinum Record found that opportunity. Making an all children album, who would go against that? I mean look at Nancy Ajram her record sold millions!

The company rounded the likable singers on their label and gave them lyrics to sing and assembled all those songs in one album. Music by committee is what I call that, they need a children album and used all the voices they have to appeal to the Arab child and his parents.

Majid Al Mohandes, Aseel O, Mona Amarcha, Mashael, Rakan, Rashid Al Majid, Abdelfattah Greeny...and more are the list of the A list singers who have a track or two on this album. This is an album not made for all kids, just the children of the Gulf will get this, it's focused on the Gulf Dialect to help market it. The Gulf market is about the only music market that is selling records. Not just that the ringtones are a big revenue maker so there's that revenue stream.

As for the cover is pretty cool, but not sure why put Rashid Al Majid and Majid Al mohandis as the big guys who are bullies? They might be big names, but that doe snot mean make them look big. It's intimidating.
بابا نزل معاشه - قريبا في الأسواق | Baba Nezal M3ashah - Soon


بابا نزل معاشه - قريبا في الأسواق | Baba Nezal M3ashah - Soon

10 Ad Campaigns That Backfired Badly

Occasionally advertising executives fail to hit the mark; a joke that passed at the focus group stage ends up flatlining when it hits the TV screen or billboard space. However, sometimes we're cursed, or perhaps even blessed, with beholding the moments when adverts truly backfire, spinning off ungraciously into the land of ironic failure.

Here's a collation of the top ten most cringe-worthy, backfiring ads.

(thanks Ritu)