Essaf, Egypt's Styling Justin Timberlake

Many sing romantic songs, few believe in them and even fewer can make you think that they actually believe the words they are saying! So if you are in Arab girl preferably from Egypt then you will know Essaf to be your singer. The dude who is for pop and romance is what Usher for R&B. But when it comes to style he is the Arab Justin Timberlake--see the pictures.

Essaf is one of those singers that only sings withing their comfort zone and never leave it. He is happy doing pop and romance songs and that has been rewarding for him. See his latest songs released as a promo for his upcoming album. He performed those two songs in a Valentine party.

Essaf is not the number one selling artist in Egypt, but he is one of those voices that if you listen to, you come to appreciate and defend. I like his music videos and think his image and good looks agree with the ladies. But even he knows that there are way to many pop singers competing form the same songs. So concerts are in order, and from what I read, he is doing well in that department.



Essaf _3ashe2 Ba7eb_ @ Solidaire On Valentine's Day




Essaf _Zai 3`erha_ @ Solidaire On Valentine's Day

Mohamad Bash, The Love That Destroys

Syrian singer Mohammad Bash is trying to breakout into Arab music and he is back with force with a song titled, "Your Love Destroyed Me", this is real dramatic song about a lover who just cannot let go. The song is recorded in Egyptian dialect and it sure will earn some fans as this style of sad songs seem to be welcome in Cairo.

Bash will be given an aware the MEMA award for best up and coming singer for this song of his "I Shall Forget You". A soft song with a sweet guitar about a guy who seems to always miss his loved one. Another thing about Bash is his mother's family also comes form Jordan.

Bash came to fame when he took part of the 2009 season 6 of Star Academy! So if the name sounds familiar it's because of that. On other news, Bash is one of the many singers in Syria who are sticking by Bashar Al Assad and pretend that everything is just fine in Sytia when in fact , it's far from being over.




MOHAMAD BASH 7obak damarni new

Giant Stars And Mini Albums

Giant Stars are out of luck, but for the new voice of Magdy Saad he is hard to miss. Releasing his last album two years ago, got him in the radar of many of us who came to love his voice and his unique style of more often than not dramatic songs

Magdy Saad is going for happy this time at least with the cover of his newly released Mini Album-4 songs or less. He is gone boating, the cool shades and roacking the "wife beater" undershirt look. This is not dramatic, but rather happy, I am guessing.

Obviously, a happy cover sells more than a dark and a twisted one does. But one thing has not changed, the quality of the Magdy Saad's voice. Titled "Life" or "World" as in Donia!

01. Ana Koly Leek, those in search of a night club music have found one here. Romantic song, the vocals are raw, the techno music takes away form those lyrics.
02. Welli Mel Ayam, back to the darker work of Magdy Saad, love the music and the production here.
03. Koll 7ob El Donia, not sure what's the experiment here, but this song does not agree with me, I can tolerate the guitar me
04. Donia, the title song ought to be good, a good preview of the older Magy Saad voice that is mostly missing in this album. Enjoy this one in your next breakup

The Next Big Thins From Pyramedia

is Egyptian pop and fashion idol Mohamed Eltokhy! It might be that I am getting old enough to like pop teens songs. I really want to like Mohamed Eltokhy becasue I am a fan of Richard El Haj and Pramedia, I think they do a lot of the young talents in Egypt.

As far as I know, the best thing about the music video is the fashion, as I fail to be touched by the song. I hope others feel something in this song. My issue when the song is the lack of flavor as in Eltokhy did not challenge himself enough to set himself apart from the hundreds of pop singers who do these kind of songs..

Mohamed Eltokhy W 3ashan Arta7 Original Clip\ محمد الطوخي- وعشان ارتاح

Rida, The Lebanese Man of Blues

A year ago Rida, the Lebanese singer with the voice for the best Arabic blues, released a great album! He is the man that stays up with with you at night as you tear up over the breakup. His voice tells tales of the dark days. And he has not made an effort to leave that sorrow infested territory.

Rida here reintroduces one of his last years song on the album, remade it and introduce it online. That tells me he does not have the time/ nor the interest to do new stuff. But it could be that he likes the song too much to let go unnoticed.

Fans of this singer are extremely loyal to him, and they feel by liking his music that they are members of a very exclusive group that is mature and has seen a lot in the course of their life.

Rida Nisit Il Noum ReMake 2011 HD-1080P

Majid Al Mohandis: Iraq's Other Singer

Majid Al Mohandis is one smart musician, I say musician becasue he has a lot of acclaimed work in composing music for a number of Arab singers. But he is a singer first and last. Due to the political instability in his country, he now has the Qatari citizenship, so he can travel easier.

He is the other singer from Iraq that has virtually little enemies in the Gulf area. Katehm is the other Iraqi singer/musician but he is too big and he does not get political which creates some discomfort toward him. Majid does not have to worry about that, he managed to be the nice guy that has little history in Iraq.

But Majid has fans all over the Arab world, in North Africa he sells concerts, in Egypt he is well known and has a large media presence and Lebanon also welcomes him. He is known in the Beirut for his romantic song. His song for post Mubarak's Egypt was well received. But his income comes from his private concerts and parties in the Gulf region.

But to his credit he also has some memorable songs in Iraqi dialect. And he has a friendly relation with his countrymen artists like Kathem Al Saher.


ماجد المهندس دنيا بدور .من مسلسل بو كريم

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

Haitham Said Album 2011 Untill When?

This album was not going to be given you any timeless gems. Haitham Said did not risk too much wit this album. The music, the topics and themes have been around for some time. But Haitham's vocals, style and emotions are all over this album. I think the music could have been better if there was some extra money for live orchestra or really good band. But it's what it's here is my time on this album:


01- Tany, pop and house often go hand in hand, this is another proof that Arab pop is no different than Western pop.
02- L'emta, Tango is the choice for this title song. Not a bad song that allows for the Haitham's vocals to stand out. Romantic and sweet
03- Seab Nafsak Leya, house again with a baladi beat. I like this track, I think the lyrics do it for me
04- 3alashan 7'aterha, guy loves girl and starts imaging life together, he would write this song and lets his feelings pour.
05- Alby 3andak, I like this one, the drum make it for me, and the flow of the song does not disappoint.
06- Ana Malet, for a song about being bored, this song has a lot of entertainment value.
07- Lesa Ba2y 3aleh, a dramatic song about distance, breakups and what's in between. Not my style, but I do not loath it.
08- Keda Hansak, Hard to go wrong with this very Egyptian pop song, Haitham shines here with his vocals and emotions as he recounts the story.
09- 7elwa El Donya, when it comes to pop Spanish guitar is nothing new. This is about how life becomes whole better when someone in love.
10- Law Fi Makany, a delightful song where the voice makes the song. Haitham channels his inner sensitive guy and performed this song.


Haytham Saeid - Tany / هيثم سعيد - تاني

"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.

Arab Music Video For Dogs

This is not a new music video, it came out last year and it was like who the heck is this new singer and what does those words mean? With a title like Al3awo...Al'aoo, an Arabic word for the bogie man and sometimes dogs. It's driven from the noise some animals make.

But for Egyptian singer Diab who is backed be Nasr Mahrous, Egypt's hardest working music producer, we cannot help but wonder how these guys made this funny music video with not actual beasts in it. They only had lots of ladies, dancers, and dudes jumping in the air.

This is a funky dance song with one of the better beats I have heard last year, so this is a great song to play at parties. Nasr is one dynamic producer, and director, he loves the details and knows how to make a great song better. He also knows about image and character development.
Making of El 3aw video by Nasr Mahrous- كواليس العو للمخرج نصر محروس

Assi El Hallani 2011 Will It Stand Out?

It's always fun when a new pop album gets released especially if you like the singer, then you know you will like the album unless it's really crappy then you might be in for a disappointed.

But we already have heard half of those songs from Assi and pretty much they are all ok. Rotana is producing the album for Assi and they spare no funds when it comes to making music that can make money. That's why Legendary Lebanese singer Wadie Safi is a in duet on the album. There's also the cool romantic song Assi titled Bil 3araby "In Plain Arabic" that sets well with people.

While most of Assi's fans are a bit older than your average star Academy fans, he continues to break new ground and reach new ears. Keeping a bust schedule helps Assi maintain his grip on his stardom in Lebanon and beyond.

So, there you have it eleven songs, you will find something to savor. The title song is titled, "I am Your Soul". In all honest this sounds like Assi's best album in years, this is the album to beat this summer season. Not one bad song. Yes, every track offers something fresh and something you will enjoy. Roa and I enjoy this album and we certainly appreciate Assi challenging himself once again by getting soft and not doing the same old Lebanese Debak style songs.

01.S2alony
02.Ro7aj Ana
03.Ra7 ElBard
04.Rabitak.Sa3'eron
05.Maw3od
06.Magbor
07.Lelat Karef
08.Balilna Wnahnw Sawa
09.Bal3raby
10.Amerty
11.Al'mana

Underrated Pioneers of Iraqi Folks Music

The days when Iraq was a top Arab country in all fields might be gone for now, but they will be coming back soon. Things are tough now, but the people of Iraq are resourceful and appreciate art. They are a highly educated bunch who invests in education and art. No more junk pop music, there are few names in Iraqi music that will live forever in the collective memory of its people. There is Nazim Al Ghazaly and Saadoun Jaber, but there are dozens more. Here are few names that should not be overlooked.

1. Reda Al Khayyat "رظا الخياط", a legedary Iraqi singer that was big in the 70, one of the most vocal singers of his country. Lives between Iraq and Bahrain. His songs got covered by Hossam Al Rassam, Mjaid Al Mohandis and Samira Toufic. He is a great voice and remains active in the music of his country.
   
2. Yas Khader "ياس خضر", one of the sad songs best voices in his country. He has a distinct Iraqi dialect and has a recognizable voice. Made it big in the 70s http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifand 80s. He is no longer with us. His music can define how Iraqi you are.
   
3. Shaheed Kareem "شهيد كريم" responsible for many hits in the Iraq folklore songs, current day singers remake his songs. He is folksy singer that has great mawaweel. His music travels with Iraqis wherever they go.
   
4. Hussein Nimah "حسين نعمة" he used to be a school teacher in the 70s. He also worked in Kuwait and had many religious themed songs. He had a very elastic set of vocals that allowed him to do all kind of songs. He has a sweet and a tender voice that sticks with you. He is no longer with us, but his legacy speaks for him.
   
   ياس خضر - اه ياليل (جودة عالية) هجع
   
   
   حسين نعمه - حبايب
   

This Kathm Song Will Cool Your Summer

We all love ice in the summer, it makes everything cool in this really hot and sticky weather. But back in 1996 before we had to hear much about global warming Kathim Al Saher released a song with Rotana titled "Wash With Hail".

This is one of his rare songs that went under the radar as he was not the big star he now is, he was just a guy from Iraq living in Lebanon and Jordan. Sheik Mohammad Bin Rashed of the United Emirates wrote this poem that Kathem sang. The same Sheik would give Kathem another poem to sing for Iraq in 2005

كاظم الساهر - اغسلي بالبرد - نسخة اصلية




اغسلي بالبرد .. قلبي صبٍ تشهّد
بعد عقل يدله ضاع منهالدليل
ساهر ما رقد لين جفنه تجمد
يسهر الليل كله في نحيب طويل
جمر شوقيتوقد في ضميري وعود
بالعنا والكلافة والبكا والعويل
له نصيب الأسد في فؤاديمؤكد
وما لحبه بديل
كلما الليل رد ذكرها له تجدد
علة فوق علة من يداويالعليل
بين صد ورد ناعس طرف سدد
نظرة منها عجب من تصيبه قتيل
بعد طيبالوعد من أوده تمرد
ما رحم قلبي خله وتار عنه الرحيل
سامني بالزهد في غراميتزهد
منيتي ليت فعله مثل وجهه جميل
إن تقربت صد أو تبعدت هدد
حيريني ياهبدله وين بأمري أميل؟؟
مستحيل مستحيل البعاد له دموعي بتشهد
وأنت يا عمري كلهقربك المستحيل

كلمات : الشيخ محمد بن راشد

I'm OK With It, Her Dad is OK With It Song

She is 17 years old, I am ok with it, and her father is ok with it, what do you have to do with us Honorable Judge? Those are the lyrcis from Hossam Hosny, the pop guy from the 90s who was a pioneer in Arabic pop and funk. He does not make much news anymore nor does he go any big gigs.

But this song is a bit too much. This is about a grownup who is getting married to a minor 17 of age. This is not an Arab problem, this is human problem. Here's the proof of a 51 year old American wanting to wed a 16 year old "Watch Video"
I am serious this should be the Libertarian song of choice if they ever needed on in Arabic.

Not sure what they have to brag about in this song, he even says that the girl is dreaming of the day of her wedding, even she is still practically in cradle! Don't look at me, this is a song not many know of. But nevertheless, it was permitted to play on the radio.


حسام حسني أبوها راضي

Jasiri X Rapper, Activist, From The City of Steel

I came across a news report on a local rapper in the city of steel "Pittsburgh" rapping about social issues and I was intrigued by his powerful lyrics, his honest and his style. While most rappers now rap about making money and partying it up. Jasiri X has not left the early roots of rap.

Jasiri X is a MC, Activist and Entrepreneur. He came to global fame with his provocative hit song “FREE THE JENA 6″ which was played on more than 100 radio station across the country and over 500,000 times on the internet ,was named “Hip-hop Political Song of the Year”, and won “Single of the Year” at the Pittsburgh Hip-Hop Awards.

He followed that up with a searing commentary on the Sean Bell murder titled “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”. With that comes the concerts and gigs Jasiri X’s first performance in New York City and a taped appearance on BET’s Rap City.

As for the business side Jasiri X is currently the President of LYRICS Inc. Jasiri successfully navigates communication with youth and adults showing the pros and cons of this growing phenomenon called Hip-Hop. He recently became the first Hip-Hop artist to receive the August Wilson Center for African American Culture Fellowship. Jasiri released his debut album “American History X” in December of 2009. Featuring an all-star lineup of international producers “American History X” made several best of 2009 lists and was named “Album of the Year” at the Pittsburgh Hip-Hop Awards.

A 6 time Pittsburgh Hip-Hop award winner Jasiri is currently working on Season 4 of his highly successful series “This Week With Jasiri X” and preparing to release his sophomore album “The Ascension” with acclaimed producer Rel!g!ion on Wandering Worx Entertainment.

I viewed his song "Wandering Strangers" about Islamophobia in North America in the wake of the Orange County California protesters who attempted to crash a peaceful Muslim gathering in their city shouting all sort of colorful hateful and misguides attacks against their hard working follow Americans.

Jasiri X continues to follow world events and current news that gives him his best material and his best doses of rage that fuel his career. He also makes frequent media appearances commenting on those very events that move him.

Jasiri X, Music's Political Power




Wandering Strangers




Jasiri X: 'We All Shall Be Free'

Alaa Wardi: A Guinness Who Makes No Sense

He looks like a homeless person or a hobo at best, but he knows better than anyone else in the Arab world how to make a video intro a viral hit. He has done it multiple times with his creative ideas. First he whined about being bored and how he needs a visa, and then he started covering Arabic songs by making everything in them with noises he creates--the music and the everything he made all those sounds.

That was a hit video that took everyone by surprise. And now he is back with a new hit video with a song that he says makes nonsense and thus he asks viewers not to work hard to try to understand it.

So here we go, the same format of his last video, same look, but a different song that only Alaa Wardi's mind can come up with.



Alaa Wardi - Shalamonti Fel7al

B List Egyptian Voices Get An Album

There are so many great singers in Egypt, and there are many more hoping to become those great singers, become famous and get paying gigs. For those there are smaller production music companies that get their work out on an album with other hoping to make it big young singers.

This time Loading Music Production found 11 dudes and packed their songs in one album and put it out in the market. This album is for adventurous type, you never know what you will get, I kind of like that. Because while there are too many weak songs, you might be in for a surprise voice.

On the upside, the song is the star not the name, so if the songs fails no harm is done, but if it agrees with you, then all is great. This company is releasing what they call volume one so they are hoping for a second run with new names and new songs. There are other companies in Egypt that do that, check out our review of "Modern"

Maybe in their next volume they can find some female voices, this time they seem to have not found any or maybe they have not looked hard enough.


01.Adham Wagde - Tar El Taeir
02.Hussien Shalaby - Rage3lk
03.Gamal El Shame - Lessa Faker
04.Mahmoud Zaher - Getwmshet
05.Mahjob El Kassem - Halo Low Lela
06.Wael Yehya - E3tebrne Sm3etha
07.Nader Magdy - Khatwa Kaman
08.Khaled El Taybe - Lok Lok
09.Hossam Badr - Khod Balk
10.Ramy Samir - 3gbany
11.Omar Salman - Mabnsash
12.Mohmed Arfa - Shoft El Bar2a

The First Gulf Singer My Generation Loved

is none other than the Saudi singer Abdel Majid Abdallah, came to the spot light in the early 90s and has not left the spotlight ever since. He made the song of the Arab Gulf sexy without having to show any skin. He Abdel Majid Abdallah did it with close to daily life lyrics, beautiful and often meaningful stories. And of course his music was always up to date.

The newly lunched Arab entertainment networks carried his cool music videos, and he was performing in places like Jordan and Egypt without having to change his tongue or leave his comfort zone.

But his mission was done, the Gulf song made its great comeback and by the mid 2000, we started seeing those Arab singers form countries like the Lebanon, Egypt and Morocco performing song sin the Gulf Dialect. So he is now back this year 2011 with a new single, a bittersweet one where he is having the DTR conversation with his loved one.



عبد المجيد عبد الله قلبي وانا / محد يسواك 2011جديد -3lo0o$h

Meet Ousso, Egypt's Hippest Guitarist

Meet Ousso, to become Egypt's Hippest Guitarist, the one most big names go to to make their songs stand in the crowd is not easy. But it seems Ousso have found the perfect balance to be the bridge in between Western Guitar and Eastern melodies. He also bridges the gab between pop music and indie music as he does both without having to alienate any of his followers.


OUSSO is a guitarist (lead guitar: electric, acoustic classical and folk) in some bands like "na3'am masry" & "music matbakh". He played for "eftekasat" ... but he left it. His real name is Mohamed Ahmed Lotfy but goes by Ousso.

In an interview with him via his fans page on Facebook, you can elanr few things about this talented Egyptian guitarist:

Tell us about the last gig you played
Last gig was nice...I played with my new custom guitar that I've been waiting for a year. It was very interesting cuz I was improvising on a new guitar which had new ideas and feelings.

Tell us what music means to you
Music means to me...eternal life, freedom, the extreme expression. I'll die without music. Music kills the barriers and lifts the soul to a very very high degree

Tell us about the last album you listened to
The last album was with Eftekasat and I enjoyed recording it and mixing it. It sums up the past 3 years work..and it's a push to move on and work on the second..it was a big success in Egypt.

Which musician do you most admire and why?
I listen to Herbie Hancock and Pat Metheny and I admire Herbie the most...he's a master amd he took music to a different new place..his substitutions and voicings are magica!

Ousso at Tarek Madkour's Studio

Ousso's Guitar Clinic

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