A Good Song, Jury Is Out On The Music Video Wassim El Naggar - Fokek / وسيم النجار - فوكك

He has a good voice, nice dance moves, he is animated and dresses well. He is a young Egyptian pop sensation that goes by the name Wassim El Naggar. He is out with a new single made for dance. I like the beat. It's exciting for young talents to see their first music videos, always has been this way.

He has a style and she held his own ground in the music video--he did not make it into a nude show which is refreshing. I just feel the music video could use some better lighting and a better story perhaps. I know the teen girls and young women will find the music video to be fun. This is a clip about a guy telling the girl she is driving him mad.

I feel good about Wassim who is unafraid to come across as a goof ball, he is just out to have some fun and being himself. He has two outfits, the one he wears at the club and the sport outfit from a guy who likes cars. So this is the balance. the soft and the rugged looks are all in one place. The lyrcis are light hearted and seem to have been written by a relative of Wassim. The music is the work of the singer himself.

Wassim El Naggar - Fokek / وسيم النجار - فوكك

Would You Wear This Shatha Hassoun Outfit?

Shatha Hassoun knows a thing or two about fashion, she lives in Beirut  but works in Dubai, her hearts beats Iraq and her mind is always on Morocco. She makes good music and her online brand is one of the strongest among her peers. Her fans live all over the world and she often speaks to them via a number of media outlets.

She is often in Lebanon doing media interviews on A list shows, and in Beirut for concerts and events. She also records there. But I feel one of her most recent outfits feels little bit not her own. It looks like the sylist of Myriam Faris has finally got Shatha to wear his clothes. Fashion hits and misses are nothing new. You are a star and you wear something you think looks good one you...sometimes you are right and sometimes you are very wrong.

It's just a dress meant to cover your privates and make a statement. So no big deal, I have seen worse and a lot more revealing. Shatha is on her Turkey for a big project she is not talking about so far. From there she will head to Kuwait for a big wedding where she ha been hired to sing.

Shatha Hassoun "Menou Li Ma 3endou Madi"

Listen: The UAE Golden Boy New Single فايز السعيد - انت مين 2013

Fayez Al Said had two kind of songs, the one where he is cool and fun--we like. And the other one where he wants to be all serious, I have mixed feelings about it. What I do not have mixed feelings about is his true talent to make some of the finest and most original melodies.

He makes so many of them, and he does it so well. As a singer who just released an album few months ago, he has kept a busy schedule  he is also talking about a TV drama. But music from the Gulf does not tend to travel well, so we do not read many interviews with celebrities from there. Naturally, because they tend to be very private folk.

Fayez has a mega studio in Dubai where is has been turned into a cultural saloon. He has new single with a catchy title, "Who Might You Be?" He pleads with his loved one to let him in, because as clever as Fayz is, he cannot figure him love interest out. Not sure what the message here is, but I am certain the song will be airing in radios around Dubai and the Gulf for days to come.

فايز السعيد - انت مين 2013


فايز السعيد انت مين

WATCH: Sijal Hachem SExed Up - Khalas / سجال هاشم - خلص

50 Shades of Grey might be the talk of town in America  but Sijal and his sexy lady copes are the talk of those fitly boys. Women in short uniforms with authority turn some people on and he did all that in Lebanon in a music video about the battle of the sexes.

Got no idea what's the message of this random music video, but the dudes are taking it seriously as those oversexified police women take a stand. Models dancing on cars is nothing new...but I do like the line about her grandfather traveling via jackasses not fancy rides.

But it gets worse and never gets better. This is a dance song about a guy who goes bankrupt because he gets his woman all she wants. I have never seen cops stripping, in real life.I weep for the sext interrogator portion, it makes it look fun. No woman would find anything of value in this very stereotypical music video where women are the entertainment.

Sijal Hachem - Khalas / سجال هاشم - خلص

The Best (Winners And Losers) On X Factor Arabia

I think X factor is getting to narrow their list of talented names. They are ready to show off their finest voices and show off. One of those is a guy with the name Ibrahim, he is Libyan and he is ready to make them proud--I like him. He makes good choices and shows a level of maturity when doing cover songs. He might be going home, Elissa and Wael were unkind to him. Hussein and Carole were supportive. He was hurt becasue Libya could not vote due to their issues with telecommunication.

ابراهيم - العروض المباشرة - الاسبوع 2 - The X Factor 2013


The other lady is Salwa whose talent is hard to miss. She seems to have the face for it, she is ready to entertain. Her covers of those English songs are something of a novelty, she has it figured out. She has the stage presence and gets in the act. She does the rock star persona very well, though her latest performance left something to be desired. She is also the youngest contestant and she is from Morocco.

سلوى أنلوف - العروض المباشرة - الاسبوع 2 - The X Factor 2013


Merayah, the band that knows what they want and have their own way of doing business. They are a boy band from Egypt who have the sweet and bad boy sides. I think they can do so much more than the soft song they performed. They are a crowd pleasing, but again they song did not allow them to show the happy side.

فرقة مرايا - العروض المباشرة - الاسبوع 2 - The X Factor 2013


He is the statement on the show and his name is Hussam, he has a strong voice, and a highly classy style. He has been singing fro some time since he was an 8 year old boy. I like this guy, he seems to have his quirks going right for him. He does the old man trapped in a young man's body so well. He is Lebanese and from the same area as Wael Kfoury.

حسام ترشيشي - العروض المباشرة - الاسبوع 2 - The X Factor 2013


Egypt gets her own lady on X Factor and her name is Marwa. She has that zen when she performer the oldies, she never races in her voice and she seems to need not to worry about her taking a breath. She comes across as comfortable and confident--thanks to growing in a music loving house\hold.

مروى أحمد - العروض المباشرة - الاسبوع 2 - The X Factor 2013


She is Moroccan and ready for prime time. She started singing in her school and has taken part of a singing show in Morocco. Now she is ready to perform something from Fayrouz. Iman is a strong contender. The judges seem to love her, she chose a song that everyone knows, so messing up in this song means she will go home--I feel she delivered it. She has the Wow factor!

إيمان كركيبو - العروض المباشرة - الاسبوع 2 - The X Factor 2013


The guy who does not seem to want to be there comes from Jordan. He knows himself and not shopping around for an opinion from pop stars. He has something to share with the world. I like him fro that, he does not sell his charisma, but he sells high quality songs, this is Adham and I think he is a solid voice and he may actually win. I think the judges have challenged him to bring the best in him.  He is very good and Jordan will vote him in and push his brand.

أدهم نابلسي - العروض المباشرة - الاسبوع 2 - The X Factor 2013


This is the most unique voice, he is a young Moroccan artist. I love his voice, he is very different and no one out there will be able to copy him. Think a unique George Wassouf, a voice that you cannot help but love even so you may not always understand it. The fans love this dude, and give him the votes. Certainly the boys love him. He is the candy of this show, he actually has divided the panle Elissa and Hussein are among his biggest cheerleaders.

محمد الريفي - العروض المباشرة - الاسبوع 2 - The X Factor 2013


The most talented band on the show, they are the creative force, they bring so much energy and charm , the band members are best of friends, there is so much chemistry. I love the Young Pharoz and something tell me, they are the number one band on the show and they are ready to smoke their competitors out. They are so smooth and Egypt has loved their style. The lady (Shahad) on this trio brings so much flavor in both English and Arabic. They put on a show each has their own talent that sells, but together they are something not to be overlooked.

Young Pharoz - العروض المباشرة - الاسبوع 2 - The X Factor 2013


Ali or Aly from Saudi Arabia, he is 20 years old and he loves his family so very much. He lacks the stage presence, he is good, but I do not think for the big league. He choses to stay withing the Gulf dialect and he is already a star. He does not know this, people love him, he just does not know how to show how much he loves them back

علي حامد - العروض المباشرة - الاسبوع 2 - The X Factor 2013


The Omani dude who is like a magician. I love this dude, he always thinks about the song is his last song, so he goes all in. The judges really like him and he is a crowd pleaser  he knows how to show love and appreciation. He does wonders when he holds the microphone. It's safe to say he will go far, because even people outside Oman\love him--he might be the second artists to be born in that country.  Another thing, he performs like he is a Western star focuses on the show part, and not just the song.
المنتصر بالله - العروض المباشرة - الاسبوع 2 - The X Factor 2013


Another band with a very cool name, ninja is ready they come to us from the West, they have the hustle and flow thing going for them. They do rap, and each come with a story they have gone far with the Western bloc of the Arab world. They are all about energy and joy. They are fun to see them live, their fusion works to their advantage. I believe they are Tunisian. They took a challenge and turned a Lebanese dance song to their own style. Tunisians have to be really good to make it out and thoe guys are no different, they hit all the right notes.

Les Bledards Ninja - العروض المباشرة - الاسبوع 2 - The X Factor 2013

It's Slow Day, Here Are Two Whatever Music Vidoes

I have no idea who these two young performers are, and frankly I do not care all that much. I only know that they got to appear in this music video and I didn't. Pyramedia is turning itself int a hub that makes music videos on the cheap--just in studio shoots with the artists standing and acting like he is having a good time. Not great songs by any measure, but may be entertaining.

Meet Talal and Adel Haky, the two artists who will be pretending to entertain you and I want you to pretend to be entertained! Ok, I will tell you about Adel Haky, he is an Egyptian guitarist who has lived in Spain where he has mastered the guitar. He has made song songs with Arm Diab. Adel makes music for Disney movies--the Arabic versions. This time he is singing too

طلال - مش هتغير / Talal - Msh Hat3'yr


عادل حقي - ليله / Adel Haky - Leela

Listen: Ramy Essam - Gika رامى عصام - جيكا عايش

Ramy Essam, the activist who likes to sing and rock. Released yet another song calling for change and promoting the more secular parties in Egyptian politics--the very ones that failed to win. Ramy sort of have moved into Tahrir Square and made it his home. He has performed there many times, and have become the voice of the revolutionaries and the source of their entertainment.

He has his heavy base, and the song is in the third person using the voice of the Shaheed--the fallen. Where those who have been murdered in cold blood ask Ramy not to give up the fight and continue the protest till bring justice and freedom. This song I like, but when Ramy goes on the attack attacking certain factions he loses me.  

Ramy Essam - Gika رامى عصام - جيكا عايش

Is This Dude Wearing A Pajama At His Own Concert

When your lead singer is wearing a cap and a full casual look, why not wear a pajama. Or at least that's what I think the gifted and hard working Turkish Clarinet player Hüsnü Şenlendirici is wearing on stage. Seriously, what's he wearing?

Maybe this is some rehearsal, but it's on film the Saber El Rebai is kicking it with the band who seem to be hanging loose. I know both Arabs and Turkish people are keen on looking their best, but this clip confuses me.

I have seen similar pants at the Target sales bin on Black Friday. I have no idea where this was filmed  but I think it might have been somewhere in Europe. As for Hüsnü Şenlendirici he has been doing a number of concerts in Egypt where he is a celebrated figure. He has collaborated this year with Ghada Ragib on her most recent dazzling album.

Saber Rebai, Hüsnü Şenlendirici, Aytaç Doğan (Soirée Privée)

Myriam Fares Parents Must Be So Proud Of Their Little Girl

I often wonder how do families of pop stars that overdo it on using sex as a marketing strategy feel about them. I am certain there's double standards, women are much easier target and i should not really be that way. I know I am mindful of that, and pick on guys as much as i do on women who make a bad music video or focus on the sex part and not the entertainment.

One curious case is the Lebanese songstress Myriam Fares. She has sold her body parts on camera, look no further than the way most of her music videos are filmed, Myriam does not tell the director anything off limit and she gives them what they want. Boobs, ass shots are abundant with any music video of Ms. Fares.

I really wonder how do her family members or her parents particularly feel about it. I know some of those people can look the other way if their son or daughter buys them stuff and gives them money. Myriam is a bright entertainer with a nice voice and a sweet personality. Maybe she is a good person and we are the bad ones pushing her to show more skin, bigger cleave.  

Myriam Fares - Eih Elly Byehsal / ميريام فارس - إية اللى بيحصل

How Nancy Ajram Is Becoming Increasingly Fake

If you ask most Arabs, they will agree Nancy Ajram is a huge star. Why? I would say she has manged to sell cute, by posing as the girl next door. The spunky girl that looks exotic and has and exotic name yet still act as if she is some some small village in Lebanon or Egypt. For her music video from (2003-to 2007). We all remember that poor girl's dress she wore while she was doing laundry as her boy tries to win her affection.

But then she changed her image from that to the girl that wears tons of jewelry, promotes fancy and glamorous life. Nothing wrong with that, no one says anything wrong with making lots of easy money. But that's not we have all come Nancy Ajram. We loved her on camera antics and who she is, not the girl that is a walking billboard.

Just look no further than her latest music video...it's full of glamour and gold. Her millions of fan base around the Arab World won't connect with that. Those kind of music video has gotten really old now. She is now joining those reality TVs as a judge, so once again she is further turning people's love into her personal ATM machine.

Nancy Ajram has always been a trend sitter since 2009, I think she is no longer doing that. Would that mean much? I do not know, but Nancy could be looking at a bigger house and more vacations.


Nancy Ajram - Aah W Noss


Nancy Ajram - Badak Teb'a Fik / نانسي عجرم - بدك تبقى فيك

The Bipolar Ehab Tawfik The Saint vs. The Party Guy

Most artists have to put on a face and smile even though they are hurting in the inside, they are under constant spotlight and anytime they say something, someone somewhere will write something. But one of my favorite stars, the cool pop guy of the nineties is none other than Ehab Tawfik.


While he is not bipolar or anything, his musical choices are so. To elaborate, Ehab Tawfik can do only two songs. One is happy because he loves some girl, that means we get a dance intense song. And the other song, the one he makes about girl that left him or would not marry him. We would tear up for that one.

Any  album he makes, you get 8 songs, 6 happy and 2 really sad and dramatic tracks. This is what we have to expect form Ehab. Does he make other songs? No. But he has made religions songs that did not make any impression on any of us.

He is still scouting out new songs, but he has changed homes, he now lives in Qatar not Egypt and hopes to stage a comeback this year. For the past four years his star has faded away with more and and more talented young artists jumping in.

Lately, I cannot make up my mind on Ehab, one day he all spiritual, talking regrets  and the next he is doing some party in the States. So he might be bipolar as he is often contradicting himself. I am grownup and I know he has to pay the bills so music is a job, not a lifestyle for him.  He was in America few months ago, and pictures at his party were fun, he was modest, but his concert goers went there for a good time, not a worship service.

Find below one of his happy go lucky beach songs.

Ahla Menhom - Ehab Tawfik احلى منهم - حفله - ايهاب توفيق

Download: Diaa Shaheen New Album البوم ضياء شاهين اجمل حكاياتى 2013 كامل

Young Egyptian pop stars are a dime a dozen, but not each of them gets a debut album, like the charmer Diaa Shaheen who has a new pop dance album out. This is an electronic album made with many computers  beats and club mixes. Every now and then something exciting musically emerges. I like the way he approaches his songs, they play as if he is talking to the girl that has put him under her spill.

Diaa has attended the Arab Music Institute and then joined the University of Alexandria to get a law degree. From there he moved to Cairo, recorded and produced his own album, then got Mazzika to distribute his album. He shot a music video for one of his songs and the buzz began. He now works with the Alam Alphan music label that snagged him. 

Listen to all tracks with the links below. This is an album meant for the new comers who are discovering new music and Diaa will keep them interested. the guitar and the electric drum offer plenty of gleeful songs. But there are darker and more romantic songs--I do not think it's his finest performance. But the great thing about him, how many likes and fans he has manged to secure on the social media.

I am detecting some Amr Diab/Bahaa Soltan grade pop songs where a catchy beat meets a guy with a big heart and a hear of gold. A B plus album indeed from a talented and versatile singer who also knows to navigate his way through the world of music. Ten tracks are not cheap to make, let's hope music buyers in Egypt would find time and the taste to try something new.


01 - Edert Ezay
02 - Sahl El Regoaa
03 - Ana Ekhtart
04 - Wenta Beaied
05 - Ahla Men El Awel
06 - Zay Mategy
07 - Hekayty We Mafeha
08 - Agmal Hekayaty
09 - Khaliny Meaak
10 - Ayzak Tesaal Alaya

Edert Ezay - Diaa Shaheen قدرت ازاى - ضياء شاهين

Tattoos, Beef Cakes And New Singer Zayne

The problem with having a common name in Arabic (or any other) music, is that there are so many of them out there. If we have a last name, things would get easier. This is what I had to go through to search the artists with the name Zayne in the clip below. There are half a dozen artists with that name.

This guy spends a great deal of him time at the local gym where he likes to press the bench...now he also wants to sing. And for that we must bear with him as he gives us a tour of all the cool places mapped in ink on his bud.

this silly season indeed. the promo almost makes fun of itself. Maybe I am wrong maybe all those kids who watch American shows are up to something. This could also be an ad spot for a gym where UFC fighters get tough. I like creative material and this can go either way, so till we see the music video, we are out of luck

Zayne - Be Strong Soon

It's Raining Cats And Dogs For Egyptian Kids الكات والدوج - مجد القاسم ·

Magd AlKasem is a Syrian singer who was a big deal 17 years ago. He is still out there based in Egypt hoping to score a big hit, so far he has not. But his music career where he composed songs is doing fine. He has not said anything about Syria, which is something smart.

It seems he is now trying to make music for kids--he has few of his own. So he made a song about cats and dogs where his kids also star in the music video on his side. The song has dogs, cats and a monkey  This is a low budget song with a cheap music video.

Toward the end of the song, the two siblings talk about how much they love soccer--sure the boy likes one team and the girl likes another. Both are fans of Al Ahly and Al Zamalik, and they fight each time there is a game. Majid tries to mediate. I like the concept and I am sure the little oens will enjoy the cat and dog one

El Cat Wel Dog - Magd Alkasem الكات والدوج - مجد القاسم ·

Jad Choueiri Helps Nesreen Bring It--Whatever It Means

Jad Choury directs halfhearted music videos, but when he sings he loses some people out there. He does push the envelop in his music video where sex and outfits triumph good art. But in fairness, good music rarely makes enough of money.

So comes the quick music video with a well placed and effective harmony definitely being a bonus the type of stuff the Beatles were masters of, song structure and rhythm progressions (good parts, good melody changes), and something a bit unconventional to grab my ears. But this is not Jad's specialty.

The overall vibe and feel of the songs he collaborated on. I am also a sucker for instrument harmonies usually on the more subtle side, but sometimes the more heavy handed ones work too. Mix all of that with some catch factor and you're in good shape in my books. He kicks off the song as if he opening for her, then she takes on the stage and gives him her answer--I used to love you, but now engaged.

Although, like I said, it's hard to describe. A lot of the songs I really love maybe have one or two of those only. Sometimes they're really simple. It all just depends. With Jad, you always get something to like and certainly haters gonna hate.

Nesreen - Makhtoba / نسرين - مخطوبة

Déjà vu! The Egyptian Revolution and Music

In the first revolution in Egypt of January 25th 2011, the music scene celebrated the movement, it did not shape it and it did not lead it or cause it. The second chapter of the revolution is gaining momentum in 2013 and music is trying to play a bigger role.

More and more songs are coming out against the government and in support of change. This can be good and it can lead to disaster. But when I hear the new song by new comer Mohemd Metwaly talking about pledging to bring an end to all things wrong, I feel like we have been there before.

Metway has even used a clip from the president talking about making things better, when the clip ends the singer goes, " enough with the talk, we had plenty!" There's another quote in the song by Egyptian actor Ahmed Hilmi who likens the current situation to an old and bad film with the same scenes playing over and over again.

 Mohamed Metwaly - kona feen Rayhen / محمد متولى - كنا فين رايحين

Andrew W.K. Is America's Cultural Ambassador To The Middle East

Because drones, military force and tanks do not make good ambassador of America's wide cultural landscape. One rocker can build bridges and make the Middle East fall in love with America all over again by partying loudly.

In surprising and odd news of the day, the U.S. Department of State of has named Andrew W.K. the Cultural Ambassador to the Middle East. He is  an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, entertainer, motivational speaker, and music producer. He is the host of the television series Destroy Build Destroy. In November 2012, he was named a United States cultural ambassador to Bahrain. As a musician, he is perhaps best known for the 2001 hit single "Party Hard", from the album I Get Wet. Bahrain is an island, so he would have to get wet. Andrew has also lived and grew up in Ann Arabs where many Arab immigrants also live.

"This is a tremendous invitation," W.K. said in a statement on his website. "I'm very thankful to the Department of State for giving me the opportunity to visit a place I've never been before. And I feel very privileged and humbled by the chance to represent the United States of America and show the good people of Bahrain the power of positive partying. I can hardly wait for this adventure!"

The performer's website reports that W.K. will visit the Middle East "to promote partying and positive power." The story also explains that "Andrew will begin his journey the first week of December, 2012 and will visit elementary schools, the University of Bahrain, music venues, and more, all while promoting partying and world peace." Partying does help bring peace, but if the music is too loud the cops will shoe up and things may get hairy.

W.K. once told HuffPost his personal tag line would be, "I'm not here to impress you, I'm here to party with you."

Andrew W.K. - Party Hard

Palestine's Finest Raed And Ahmed Kabha Duet

Raed Kabha is one of the hottest pop/folk singer in Palestine. For a wedding singer who has done hundreds of weddings, he has done well having a career on the side as a mini celebrity. Checkout this song where Raed writes his son a letter about recording a new album.  They letter exchange could have been saved for something more serious like Ahmed going to school, but making an album is no huge deal.

It's a song for the son to show his love to his old man, "your voice is my guide dad" sings the young man. It's a low budget music video, a song meant to introduce the young Kabha to the broader audience that has loved his father for two decades. Some singers do not like their kids to take on singing as a profession, but the Kabha family has always been known for music.

The dad mentors his son in music, life and religion. It's all about having a blance in life.

جديد رائد كبها ونجله احمد كبها كليب يا ابني

Eastern European Music Arabs Dig

I have no idea why, but it seems more and more Arabs are tuning in to European music videos from the East side. Maybe because the language sounds for close to the Arabic one. It might be that there are so many Arabs living in this part of the world or the fact that Eastern Europe is very close to the Arab world culturally.

I do know this, clubs in Eastern Europe are crazy, and many Arabs attend universities and colleges in those countries so they bring back that music with them. I am impressed by the quality of the music videos they make. Sex is no taboo in those places, so you get a mixed bag of such entertainment.

I just wanted to bring your attention to a song where an actual Arab singer did a song with one of those stars Reda Al Abdallah & Cvetelina Aneva Romania and gypsy culture are hot all over Europe


Neblagodaren - Andrea (Costi Ft Sahara) - HD


Djena - Ne stavash


Azis 2012 - MMA / Азис 2012 - MMA


Marina Tadic - Ljubi, ljubi [OFFICIAL HD VIDEO]


Reda Al Abdallah & Cvetelina Aneva - Habiby Laa

WATCH: Akmal - Msh La3eb / كليب اكمل - مش لاعب

Akmal is one of the Egypt' average pop star, but unlike the many average singers, he is releasing a new music video. This song was released in 2011, part of his album, it was the best song on that album. The dance beat is pretty refreshing.

So he filmed a music video for that A song, it seems like your average night club with the chunky belly dancer. The music video won't win any award, it's really nothing special, but Akmal wanted to be out there and get his name on in the concerts and parties roaster.