Listen: مكس تيب - أسلوب مقدسي | Osloob Maqdsi - Mixtape

Palestine won't be liberated because you made a rap song for it, but the rap song will liberate you. Free people can bring about change. This is why I try to promore good rappers, not the attitude and the swag, but the art itself helps some people tell their stories.

The group is called Osloob Maqdsi or Jerusalem Style. A rapper tells his story of growing up in the city of Jerusalem. It's very telling the rapper is for resistance and he speaks volumes about both the Israeli and the Palestinian politicians.

I really learned new stuff about Jerusalem--like young Palestinian growing up listening to music in Hebrew. The song drums the beat of Arab nationalism and unity. Listen to their mixtape below and tell me you are not moved.

 مكس تيب - أسلوب مقدسي | Osloob Maqdsi - Mixtape

Listen: "Open Letter", Jay-Z Wrote Cuba A Love Song

I’m in Cuba, I love Cubans. This communist talk is so confusing,” Jay-Z raps on the track, which is produced by Timbaland and Swizz Beatz and goes on to reference Bob Dylan’s song “Idiot Wind.” “[…] ‘Idiot Wind,’ the Bob Dylan of rap music. You’re an idiot, baby, you should’ve become a student. Oh, you gonna learn today.”


“I done turned Havana into Atlanta,” Jay-Z raps in “Open Letter,” which he released Thursday. “[…] Boy from the hood, I got White House clearance… Politicians never did s—- for me except lie to me, distort history… They wanna give me jail time and a fine. Fine, let me commit a real crime.”

“There seems to be some confusion regarding how Beyoncé and Jay-Z acquired visas to travel to Cuba. Just days ago, Jay Carney evaded questions on the celebrities’ trip,”

The U.S. Treasury Department that while it approved for the trip’s organizers to travel to Cuba as part of a cultural learning experience, they were unaware that the couple would be attending, as it is department policy not to require organizers’ to provide a list of travelers.

I am certain that conservatives will go to town on: “I got White House clearance.”

In The Aftermath Of Muslim-Copts Clashes Comes A Unity Song # Egypt

Songs are not enough to protect Christians in Egypt as sectarian violence shows its ugly face again in Egypt. It is not the first time and will not be the last unless the president and government take serious measures to prevent it


The last few days have witnessed clashes and sectarian violence between Christians and Muslims. These clashes have killed eight people, most of them Christians, and scores have been injured. Birdshot, petrol bombs and stones were used in these incidents. The two incidents in Khosous, Qalioubiya, north of Cairo, and the subsequent clashes at the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, highlight the plight of Copts in Egypt after the fall of the Mubarak regime.

It should be noted that Copts suffered discrimination during the Mubarak era as well. No one is happy about this, I am not sure who is waging those clashes and massacres--they are a minority that knows how to make a small situation much bigger. It's a sad day, but Egypt son of the South Aly Hussain has a new and short song about the situation calling for unity under the Egyptian banner--we are one people and the Nile belongs to both of us.

I wish those things do not happen and wish people weren't tribal and prone to emotional outbursts. But it takes time, what it should not take is many lives.



Aly Hussain Nheb Baad نحب بعض على حسين

Listen: #Egypt Exclusive: Bahaa' Sultan " Deny we Denak " / " حــــصــريا : بهاء سلطان " دينى ودينك

Bahaa Sultan is a Muslim, he producer and mentor is Christian and they are the best friends in the world. When this team saw the massacre in Egypt and the attacks on one Christina Church, they worked around the clock for a song. They were moved and their song came through to move you.

 His song is about bringing worshipers closer, it's about reconciliation and peace. Trying to bring people together, we are always friends and same kind--let's not be victims for other people. Bahaa does not do the knee jerk songs, he is the apolitical figure, but this time is seems very personal to him. Ramy Gamal wrote the music. Moammad Atif wrote the lyrics.

Starting the song with an interview of an eye witness who saw the incidents and then Bahaa picks it up. This is less of a song and more of prayer to appeal for common sense and reminding people of what brings them together. The footage that accompanies the song help create the mood for this toxic topic, one people, religion should not be a wedge issue.

Bahaa' Sultan " Deny we Denak " / " حــــصــريا : بهاء سلطان " دينى ودينك

Rest In Pease Salah Abdel Ghafour, Iraqi Legendary Singer And Intellectual

He sang in Arabic and Kurdish, this way he is very Iraqi. Not too many Iraqi singers have this kind of appeal, not only does both Arabic and Kurd love this talented and popular iconic singer, they have come to enjoy his singing in any language without regard to politics. His last album was recorded three years ago, and he has a number of unreleased tracks he has been working on. On his final days he spoke about the toxic mode in Arabia and the many tragedies that make it very hard to release new music.

Salah Abdel Ghafour is the folkloric Iraqi voice that gave Iraq one of its most hit songs that have come to define Iraqi music for decades, "Shlonak" This song of his is one of half a dozen songs the entire Iraqi nation knows like they know the back of their hands. He passed away in a tragic car accident in the Kurdish city of Erbil. One thing you need about him, even the Americans and other nationals have come to appreciate his music and his songs. Shlonak was later released in Turkey by a pop-folk singer ibrahim tatlises.

He has released 30 albums, he excelled in doing Iraqi styled songs as well as Folkloric dance songs. His first singing gig was when he was eight years old on the Iraqi TV and radio corporation he chose to perform songs of the mega Iraqi legend Nithem Al Ghazaly in 1961 "Rokin El Howa" Amateur Corner.

In 1973 he would join the national theater group and make his own path. In 1977 he want back to school to study music and composition where he learned to play the violin. He stayed in the music institute for six years perfecting his talent. He would become on of Iraq's finest voices for generations and would inspire droves of young Iraqis to make better music. He was the go to guy of Iraqi Maqam music 

To me, he was one of those artists who refused to objectify women and he spoke about it for a long time--he was very critical of sexualized music videos by many half baked Iraqi talents (for more about his opinions read here). He also released many sport songs for the national teams, and has sang for Palestine. A singer, an intellectual and patriot passes away in an accident, what's not an accident is his talent.


Shlonak - Salah Abdel Ghafour


صلاح عبد الغفور حلوة يالبغدادية.

Listen: "We Hacked You Tel-Aviv" Song Released اغنية هكرناكي يا اسرائيل علاء رضا

This is a random song by someone who has little talent yet he sings. His new song is about the anonymous hack operation at Israel. It's a current event song, that mentions even the striking prisoners. Alaa Reda has way too many lyrics for this song and his song is about bragging of the operation.

Do not know where to begin, this singer might be clueless about security systems but that did not stop him from singing about something very complicated. He does drop all kind of social media references and so on. I found this song worthy of being blogged about. President Obama even gets his names repeated in this all over the place song.

Sure the young people would find the track of interest. I do not really know what happened. alaa Reda is not the first to sing about this, but his song seems to have gone the farthest.

اغنية هكرناكي يا اسرائيل جديد علاء رضا 2013 الاغنية كاملة

Listen: Rouwayda Attieh Searching For Syrian Peace رويدا عطية - ابواب السلام 2013

Artists hate war, they have always been like that, and for one Syrian diva Rouwayda Attieh is out with a new song about peace. I cannot make out the politics of the song, but I know it feels human. I know pro president Assad would find it good and the same goes for the revolutionaries.

There is one true bit in it, we have not attacked anyone, they attacked us, occupied our land and then turned around and told us we are the problem. Maybe the Golan heights is on her mind at the moment. I like the reference to the churches and schools where the people are praying for peace.

The song starts strong, my land is seeing a lot of tragedy, enough with the disasters and promises. Enough is enough. Rouwayda Attieh had to be courageous to get involved in this topic, but once a Syrian always one. Her fans are all over the world would agree on this track specially about the dreams of her grandfather. It shows tradition and faith.

Rouwaida Attieh - Abwab El Salam 2013 / رويدا عطية - أبواب السلام


رويدا عطية - ابواب السلام 2013

Egypt's Jon Stewart Is No Hero

My latest post for the Huffington Post

Bassem Youssef, the famous host of an Egyptian satire news show, is being sued. Bassem is no hero of mine, and there are countless others who share my view. Facebook is riddled with pages and groups who declare their lack of affection for Bassem Youssef. The former heart surgeon has been gaining fans and building an audience throughout the Arab world with his jokes and zingers. At the get-go, I loved his jokes and delivery. I thought he was the missing breeze of comedy the Arab world has been missing.

Entire Post Here

Bassem Yousef Shouldn't Go To Jail, But He Should Think Twice

The famed Egyptian host of some TV show with satire news is being sued. For more on his legal woes, visit this Arabic link it details some of the charges. To be clear, Baseem is no hero of mine. You too should be tired of being told who your heroes are. I am sick of lies circulating around the internet that conservative Muslims are the ones who want Bassem Yousef in Jail. I think it's safe to say, a lot of business interest people want to see him in jail. This is not a joke, you see laws of defamation and libel are tricky even in the West. You could be in serious trouble if someone has a serious case against you.

Per US Legal Journal

Most defendants in defamation lawsuits are newspapers or publishers, which are involved in about twice as many lawsuits as are television stations. Most plaintiffs are corporations, businesspeople, entertainers and other public figures, and people involved in criminal cases, usually defendants or convicts but sometimes victims as well. 

Bassem is not doing his show for free, he has a contract worth millions, and with that comes a great deal of prestige and access. I bet he enjoys all that fame and media attention he received from around the world. I love how American media is using this ordeal to further damage Egypt and get back at president Morsi--the guy who won an election.

I have one question, do you think if Bassem Yousef was a support of the president of Egypt, the international media would care what happens to them? No! Not in a million year. It's all about self-interest. CNN and such follow Bassem only because he is casing trouble in Egypt and because he is critical of the democratically elected president.

All he has to know, those media folks who cheer him on, will be with him so long as he stays on the same page with them. The moment he tries to do or say something un-american or hostile to the West, they all will jump ship. So he would lose at home and lose abroad.

Every night of the week, Bassem Yousef finds a way to call the Morsi an idiot, and when he is not on air, he is tweeting about him. As someone who holds freedom of speech to be absolute  I know there is no such thing.

Bassem Yousef is milking his 15 minutes of fame, and his friends are talking about him as if he is some modern-day Martin Luther King. MLK did not have a million dollar contract, MLK did not insult people for money, MLK did not try to embarrass his foes. Let's stop pretending Bassem is fighting the good fight. He is just fighting for a pay check.

Now, I do not want to see him jailed for stuff he said, he should not have to be subjected to a witch haunt. He must now know, that he is playing with the fat cats, and if he tries to rock the boat too much, he would be shown the door.

On another note, is Bassem Yousef being patriotic? I do not think he puts Egypt first! It only takes one deranged person to ruin the reputation of an entire nation, Bassem Yousef has entertained so many people and in the process he has mocked all things that make Egypt the place loved by so many people. Because last thing, Egypt needs is a voice that promotes divisions.

If things get serious  I am certain he would not have a hard time moving somewhere else and doing his who--I think he might actually end up doing that, I see him doing his show in Dubai or even Beirut. It's sad but Egypt right now is in a delicate state.  

Listen: جديد - أمل حجازي - فين الضمير -Amal Hijazi Human Song

Lebanese pop songstress is out with a new song about doing the right thing, about the human conscious! Why do we not care anymore? Where is our heart? Why so much injustice? This is would be an easy song to write if you have been following the fallout of the Arab Spring.

Amal Hijazi is a unique voice, and a gentle soul, she is singing in Egyptian and this seems like a song that she wanted to sing, not your average I am in love and silly tracks. The message is bigger than one person. Unlike her peers, Amal is not great at promoting herself, she is not the biggest self-promoter but she is person with a good moral character. And she found the song that she felt.




امل حجازى - فين الضمير يا بشر - النسخة الاصلية -3 201

Watch: ليان بزلميط - بحبك يا فلسطين / Lian Bazlamit "B7ebik Ya Falastine"

The Ramallah native, the 23 year old up and coming pop star Lian Bazlamit has been thinking of bigger things than herself. Palestine, her love and her home. She has a new song that touches your heart and wamrs your soul. Something about the topic, brought the best we have heard Lian be. This is a personal song with a lot of heartache as one listens.

We still sing to Palestine since 1948, and will continue to do so. Lian is shaping up her career to be the best entertainer to come out of Palestine and continue to claim it as a homeland. Lian lives in Jordan at the moment where she goes to school.

I must show some respect to the lyricist and the composer, they have created a good thing here, something that Lian turned into a special song that will live on and be a credit to this young entertainers' career. She came a long way form her early days on Star Academy two years ago. She chose the right moment to release this song, land day in Palestine....every March 31, we are there.


ليان بزلميط - بحبك يا فلسطين / Lian Bazlamit "B7ebik Ya Falastine"

This Video Just Made Me Cry--With Tears And Everything

Ayman is the Palestinian political prisoner who refused food for 260 days, and finally the Israelis agreed to send him on exile to Gaza, away form his home in Hebron. He has been in Gaza for three days and his family had to walk through hell to get to the hell called Gaza.

See the moment he got to see his mother and see the real emotions caught on camera. Keep on mind, this is Mother's day, and this mother has not seen her song for a long time--he served 10 years in jail where he was sentenced to thirty.

The mother could not hold back, after all this hero to so many Palestinian is the one she gave birth to and fed. He is her little son is grateful to her and there is so much love. This video will touch your soul and send your eyes to tears. Mother, we love them, and they love us unconditionally.

عائلة الشراونة تُعانق أيمن في غزة

WATCH: President Obama Is Coming Obama Jay أوباما جاي #Palestine

Activist in Palestine are poking fun of president Obama's visit to the West Bank, they are not mean or anything  just sarcastic at the man who comes offering nothing and changing little. They are bored and it's all a fair game to recount some of the pains people of Palestine live through daily.

This is a humorous song with, welcome Obama! The Ramallah activists are smart too, you can hear a voice in English saying, "I have seen enough, I must go, wait for peace" The biggest expense for the music video was the car rental where the actor playing president Obama rides.

The song talks about the crossing or military checkpoint separating Jerusalem from Ramallah or the west Bank. I like the geek guy with glasses, he might have his fans around the world as those geeks have a league of their own. It's sad, but true, this trip came form nowhere in a time where the peace process has not gone anywhere in five years.

Obama Jay أوباما جاي

One Tunisian Rapper Arrested For Trashing The Police Weld El 15 البوليسية كلاب

Some Tunisian who sang against the police rests in jail right now. His song was titled "The Police Are Dogs"--think Pigs in America. His song takes a creative approach at insulting the police and he was nothing but harsh words for the police force in Tunis,

Many young people in Tunis are pissed of at their government and from the comments they post, they seem to want to break free. Weld El 15 is the artists behind this song. The Tunisian Ministery of Interior has arrested a young man and unidentified woman, they await to see a judge. This has taken place south of the capital and they are investigation the incitement and defamation the song calls for against the government and the police.

I think, people should be free to speak their minds, but even in free societies there are limits...try to mock a police officer, call him a name of give him the middle finger here. You will not be happy. I wish the artist well, and I want him to be free.

Weld El 15 - NEW البوليسية كلاب [Clip Officiel]

Dear Suckers Of Israel, Please Watch This Song

Do not worry, the lyrics for this song are in English subtitle, so you won't miss any of the passionate lines Hamza Namira has for you. This is a song that came last year, and Hamza is a clam guy, he is one of those sober voices in Egypt. The world is not picking on Israel, they may not like their actions but none of them can do anything about it. Israel likes to believe it has superior ethics, but when it comes to their own interest-they would kill, imprison, abuse and discriminate. Yes, they are not all the same, sometimes people have legitimate concerns.   

I have no issues with Israelis, I do take issues with violent Israelis, the ones who incite violence, steal land, and murder people. And my most hates one are the racist ones who discriminate against us in places like Jerusalem. Jews have always been welcome in the holy land, but what is happening right now, is that they want to kick everyone out.

This song is about justice and about history. Hamza's guitar is more of a threat to the Israeli right wing, that the most lethal weapon. This is a war of ideas, and the right win in Israel have just lost it and the United Nation has just handed them another defeat.

Ana Ya Israel - Hamza Namira | أنا.. يا إسرائيل - حمزة نمرة

The Now Offensive Bassem Yousef With Sex Jokes

There was a time when Bassem Yousef used to be a folk hero and a guy who told jokes by grilling the lame media. He had a good run, and we loved him for it. When he started worrying about the money, he had to watch the rating of his program. There are very few things one can grill in public, but now he has gone to great length to insult the collective IQ of his followers. 

I for once, do not watch the show and can no longer stomach the guy--I like to point out that we are the first blog to write about him. But now he is in trouble with his fans. This time, Bassem joked about sex, sexual harassment and failed to make a point. I do not watch his show, but I read about it when it makes the news. There's nothing with using sex to tell jokes, but this is something often reserved for adult audience in a private club late at night. 

I present some of the comment via his programs official Facebook page. The comments take issue with his language and crass humor. Some have accused his critics of being members of political groups that he often ridicules   

--Disrespectful

--May God Take Revenge On Him

--Low life and crude.

--This episode is garbage.   

WATCH: #Egyptian Short Film "Youm Sa3b" "فيلم "يوم صعب

This is indeed a hard day, but this is also a movie that was made about the January 25th revolution of Egypt . A comedy about Mubarak. The old man who can get away with many things and blame it on age. While the film is supposed to be about Egypt, it's loaded with sexual references. And that's what sells in Egypt, never mind what they say in public.

"A Hard Day" is the title, and counts various stories about the political stalemate in Egypt at the moment, but the focus is on the people who tell the stores not the events themselves. There are too many odd characters  like the guy who seems to be from the  "Saw" franchise.

Thugs, torture, and women caught in the crossfire are all common tale we have heard form the Egypt, now we get to see them blended together. The short pokes fun of Mubarak, has kind word for the revolution, but it's entertaining.

"Youm Sa3b" The Movie - "فيلم "يوم صعب

See Shams Open Fire On Retried Fadel Shaker

She was a fan, she thinks he is a gifted musicians  Then she says once this sense is gone, the man is gone. She takes issue with his beard, and his lessons he has preaching in public. She thinks artists are meant ot unite people and not promote a certain ideology.

She is a Muslim just like he is, her trouble with him is his public feud on all other singers, he was not gone away quietly. I like Shams, and she has never shied away from controversy herself. She is no fan of the retired Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker who has been busy promoting the Salafi way. According to Fadel Shaker, he wants his fans to grow beards like he did.

I think Shams has some good points, but she should be careful not to mix the personal with the business. The Kuwaiti songstress seems really disgusted with Fadel and his choices. I think Shams really hates those religious conservatives who often attack her and her choices, so for her Fadel is their loudmouth spokesperson   

شمس تهاجم فضل شاكر لانة اعتزال الفن وصار متدين وملتزم


شمس - تهاجم و تنتقد و تشرشح فضل شاكر.

Listen: "I'm Egypt And I Used To Be Great" Song اغنية حميد الشاعرى وعلاء عبدالخالق - انا مصر | جديد 2013

This is a song about history and how awesome Egypt used to be back then. It was a good idea to bring two singers who come form the past when they also used to be so great...Hamid El Shari and Ala Abdel Khaliq. The duo who kicked butt in the eighties.

Their song is heartfelt and hits where it hurts, it's like they are writing an obituary for the motherland, I loved these two guys when I was younger, it must have been a great deal to bring them back together for this song project. There's one more voice that was unaccredited in this song, Mostafa Shawki

I must admit, Egyptian will find a rallying cry in this song, it's c all for unity...all parties love Egypt...they just do not know that about one another. Hamid and the other singers released this song that speaks unity about all parts of Egypt from East to West, from North to South and from coast to valley...everyone is mentioned and they all make Egypt with all its odd characters.

حميد الشاعري وعلاء عبد الخالق ومصطفى شوقي -انا مصر


حميد الشاعري وعلاء عبد الخالق ومصطفى شوقي - أنا مصر


اغنية حميد الشاعرى وعلاء عبدالخالق - انا مصر | جديد
2013

Rock Stars Cannot Govern Nor Can They Rule

Rock music is about saying no to the man, it's about defying the powers and the authority. But to run a country, you are given powers and authority to apply the rule of law. Naturally, rock stars do not like rules and did hate to be told what to do.

So while Morsi is trying to run the government of Egypt, its people and institutions, some out there are on the streets protesting. They want him in less than six month to bring miracles, to bring order to a very chaotic surrounding. While he has done a fair share of mistakes, I think the people of Egypt--or the ones protesting in the streets are being too quick to jump the gun. 

I had those thoughts when I was watching the latest live version of Cairokee's popular song "Spread Your Wings", a rock song about realizing one's true call and living their potential. While clever lyrics are to be celebrated, songs do not really run a country. The politics is messy, we can have heroes all we want, but at the end, they will have to take some steps. Those steps will never be approved by everyone. So difference and resentment is a human nature.

What we cannot do is be violent to one another. Like those police in the streets of Egypt beating up protesters  You should not be doing that. On the flip side, thugs and bullies are also on the streets and those should not be mistaken for real citizens who have concerts for the direction of the country. Cairokee is one of many bands that has engaged in making music about dreams and aspirations, I think this is the right time for such bands to make songs about giving peace a change.

I have no doubt in my mind that Morsi loved Egypt and those who support him love her as much. And yes, those who are protesting him believe in Egypt too and care for it. When the dust settle I do not want to see Egyptians bringing destruction to the Egypt we all love.

050 Ft Amir Eid ( Cairokee ) - Efred Gena7ak | إفرد جناحك