Please Help Make The Talented Omar Kamal A Mega Pop Star

His name is Omar Kamal and he is the song of the Suez City, not the hottest place for music, but he found his way to music when he studied in Cairo music institute. His first work came in 2007 with a single. Two years later Omar released his debut album with 11 tracks "Hasib Ya Qalby" translating to something like "My Heart Be Careful"

Then he went on to releases singles and through the FM Stars radio, his music reached larger audience. In 2011 after the revolution happened he released a song where he saluted the people of Suez who played a key part when the protest turned violent. The song was well received by his home city and was a radio hit. Which brings us to his follow album that you can see here, and is it Golden?

I love Omar Kamal, he is young but he is very talented. He sounds like his very own version of beloved Egyptian star Mohammed Foaud. Think of some of his new songs in those terms, the song is about a man and a woman who are in love, and who sacrifice love for a higher purpose. This is immensely appealing. 

Omar keep going, the more you know about how the album was made, the more you respect it. With little help Omar Kamal is breaking out on his own terms. He is in control  the way he manipulate his voice to fit the song's style and mood is not an everyday experiences. I have fallen in love with the duet with new comer Yasmeen Salah. 

The entire album is available here on Omar's account. Note how his song for Suez incorporates el simsymyah, a folkloric music instrument popular in that part of Egypt. He makes me want to go visit--I have passed by it at least four times, but never had a reason to stop by.

01-BeghabyEeeh
02-Sebna Ba3d
03-Teswa-Eeeh
04-3ayesh-Fi-Ghorba
05-Kalam-Ma-Yhmenesh
06-Oodamak-Kteer
07-Mazalamtahash
08-Mesh-Enty
09-Teswa-Eh-Omar-and-Yasmen
10-Ahl-Elswees

عمر كمال | أهل السويس | من ألبوم كلام ميهمنيش 2013

عمر كمال | تسوى أيه (دويتو) | من ألبوم كلام ميهمنيش

عمر كمال | مش أنتى اللى قولتيلى

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

The Arab Justin Timberlake Strikes Again--Wissam Hilal

"Last Goodbye" is the title of a new single from the super-talented pop sensation Wissam Hilal. The song is already getting a music video with director Robert Cremona and the track has been picked by a number of radios nationally and internationally on some of LA radios that BT entertainment taking care of and African and African-American radios.

The music video for his song was filmed in Beirut, his debut hit "Single" was filmed in Dubai where the artists is based yet he is on the move. What I like about Wissam how he sounds jut line one of the Jackson Five without coming across as he is imitating anyone. This explains the interest in his songs in places beyond the Arab World--try Kenya. It's a tough market, but his good work comes through and hits the mark.

Wissam Hilal is a naturally good looking guy who comes across as a charming person, and that is reflected into his songs allowing him to be a lot more personal and communicate different messages to his fans. To be frank, you listen to one of his songs when you are in a certain mood, then when your mood changes you still find something fresh about the second take.

The latest is Last Goodbye is a little darker than the breakout song, this is a plea from a man who lost something but tries to convince himself that by trying a little bit harder he can have this thing back. This mindset makes better songs, gets the most complicated of emotions to the listener's core. The new single is different a lot wiser than the previous track from Wissam.

The bad news is that the music industry needs a shot in the arm, but with little help Wissam was able to release great songs. I cannot wait to see what kind of hits he will be able to share with the world once the music industry figures itself out.

For the time being, non-Arabs in Dubai and the Arabs who like English songs are slowly embracing this very talented Arab Justin Timberlake! Wissam has the moves, the looks and the music savvy to entertain a global audience 

As for the music video it should air internationally around May.

pilipili fm Exclusive Wissam hilal - Last goodbye 31st March 2013 وسام هلال


Wissam Hilal - Single (official music video) وسام هلال

Arab Ladies Who Love Their Moms نايا / مى كساب

Sexy moms are out to get you with Naya! It seems that male pop stars are not the only singers who love their mothers, there are two more ladies joining them to celebrate motherhood on the day Arabs celebrate mothers--March 21.

Slow season, fast season, it's always a good time to celebrate the women who give birth to us, and nurture us. I like both songs, and I feel artists tend to give a better performance when they sing about something real to them--their moms.

In Lebanon Naya--Naya cannot seem to give up on sexy, but sang in studio. And from Egypt Mai Kassab sang--both chose their own mothers as a template

Naya-B3idik Ya Mama/نايا- بعيدك ياماما




 اغنية مى كساب - امى | Mai Kassab - Ommy

Download: Carole Samaha New Hit Album البوم كارول سماحة - احساس

If there is one pop star in the Arab world that takes her albums seriously, I would chose Lebanese diva Carole Samaha. There are many others who are serious about making music, but very few of them invest in their music, most of them find someone else to pay for their songs. Carole goes her own path, hires the best names and tells them to be serious.

She gives her finest performances in the new album, with 13 tracks that come in different styles. She has written at least song songs in the album herself. She has traveled far and close to ensure her album is all her. She got Rotana to distribute her album--they really worked hard to ear her trust.

I have so far heard three songs, and boy are we in for a treat! This is one super ride, like a curated tour in world music with special focus on Arabic styles from the past. Salim Assaf worked on it, and so has Marwan Khoury and the golden touches of music producer Michael Fadel do show. Go to iTunes, and get yourself a copy--when made available. It should release on the 13th of this month 13 after 2013 and 13 tracks. She is unafraid of bad luck.

Smooth and bold is this album.


01 - Ehssas
02 - El Afrah
03 - Hakhounak
04 - Inta Tofl Kbir
05 - Ohdonni
06 - Ana Geet
07 - Wahshani Belady
08 - Yaoumayn Shahrayn
09 - Mosh Maakoul
10 - Mosh Tayaak
11 - Khedni Maak
12 - Wou Taawadet
13 - Ma Bnethammelsh Baad

Carole Samaha - Khallik Behalak / كارول سماحة - خليك بحالك

The United Egyptian People's Song حميد الشاعري وعلاء عبد الخالق ومصطفى شوقي -انا مصر

The trip of Hamid El Shari, Moustafa Shawki, and Ala Abed El Khalik stole this month of March with the release of their new song, about the united people. They celebrate everything that brings them together and not worry about the things that pull them apart.

A sweet vocal treat from three guys whose voices we have grown enjoying. Hamid is the man behind this song, but the three performers rally around, we all worship differently, but the homeland is all ours. I wish the politicians would listen to this song and apply it in their work.

The music video makes it out and we get to see the best places and best things about Egypt, the song itself reminds us why this place matters. A serious song from three patriots comes in the right time.

حميد الشاعري وعلاء عبد الخالق ومصطفى شوقي -انا مصر

Listen: Carole Samaha - Wahshani Baladi / كارول سماحة - وحشاني بلادي

And the first teaser from her upcoming album keeps me guessing  how awesome this upcoming album from Lebanese songstress Carole Samah be? The options are limitless, this is a woman that likes her work. She is very educated about her craft and shops the world for good music and fine styles to adapt into her work.

The soon to be released album is promising to be something that good, I have always been a fan of her work, and her style. She is one of this voices that can sing, yet she does not act like a diva the world owes her something--she perfects her music and keeps her fans and foes interested in her next move. Like her musical which will be playing soon near you--she will dazzle in this big production--The Lady.

In the mean time, her teaser for the upcoming song about missing the motherland, being with loved ones, and the music belongs to the old school style-she sounds coming from her time machine where she went snagged this song and brought it back to the future. The topic is dear to far too many of us, a love story cross borders..the kind the brings home every time. The Rotana people will be busy for some time playing her upcoming music and music videos.

Ms. Samaha, you go lady....you make the music scene far more interesting by adding your worthy voice to the roaster.

وحشاني بلادي - كارول سماحة | 2013 | جديد


 Carole Samaha - Wahshani Baladi (Teaser) / كارول سماحة - وحشاني بلادي

Listen: Amanda - Mosta7il 2013 / أماندا - مستحيل

There's an up and coming Lebanese songstress with the name Amanda and she just released a new single--her debut. Radios in Lebanon picked up the song and the music seems to have agreed with what's hip in club mixes. The success prompted Amanda to talk about releasing a new music video.

The thing about this song, it's a good package the loud music overshadow the lyrics  so they do not have to be perfect, just good. And this is the story of all those Euro style electric/funk music. Amanda has another thing going for her she has the textbook mermaid look of fantasies.

This is a good star, I am sure she will get better as she moves forward....Amanda welcome the entertainment industry. Her song is titled "Impossible", like having a thriving career at the moment.

Amanda - Mosta7il 2013 / أماندا - مستحيل

Listen: Nassif Zeytoun "Larmik Bbalach" ناصيف زيتون - لارميك ببلاش - 2013

Ouch, this is the song you can play as you walk away from a relationship that's not working. Thanks to Nassif Zeytoun, the dude hit-maker and Star Academy winner brings it all out with his new slick song. A breakup song that we needed...I love the line

"I Won't Sell you (as give up on you), I will give you away for free" This charming young and talented Syrian has a new image to sell and I love that tattoos with various Arabic words on his left arm. I am certain, some may hear is like a breakup song with president Bashar Al Assad, but it's what it is. A good breakup song made just right.

ناصيف زيتون - لارميك ببلاش - 2013

Listen: Asalah Blazing New Single اغنية اصالة - تصدق | جديد 2013

What cannot Syrian supernova Asala do? I really would like to know that....she is a top family woman, a mother of four children, a very good daughter! A loving wife, and by the way a platinum record and hit maker. And if that's not enough, she also has a top rated TV show where she hosts celebrities and singers to talk and sing at her home...

She has a new single out, a poetic one recorded in the Khaliji dialect, yet accessible to most Arabs who like good music. Asala is like an endless candle burning so that those around her can enjoy a little bit of light. I am a sucker form such songs...few non Gulf stars can draw me to listen their Gulf songs, Asalah is one of those voices....

She has created a modern day gem...I do not know how she is able to portray such fined emotions, she is awesome like that....she has always stood tall and never came across as a jaded soul. This "Tisadik" song has been playing on various radio stations around the Gulf, and folks have been asking for more. The song's message, life changes, one day you are up, another day you are down.....unlock your heart.

اغنية اصالة - تصدق | جديد 2013

Elissa, The Street Beggars Favorite Artist

Elaph is out with a news story about a street beggar in Iraq who considers himself the biggest fan for Lebanese romance hit maker Elissa. In a small city southwest of the Iraqi capital that goes by the name Sayed Salah who begs for money on the street.

He takes that money and uses it to buy radios which he uses to listen to Elissa's songs. He also purchases her albums and only asks about her music. People like to tease him about this, so the say the name Elissa. Once he hears the say the name he walks away from them and gives them disapproving looks. Some think he might be jealous. Other have shared that he does not know how she looks, he only likes her voice.

Another interesting thing about Sayed, he goes through many radios, not sure why, but every few weeks he comes back to purchase a new radio. Some link that to him breaking the radios if they do not play his favorite songs by none other than Elissa. Street merchants and cassette sellers, play her songs once they spot him, something pleases the old man.

X-Factor مصر - مؤتمر لإطلاق ال

Rest In Peace Folks Music Legend Mohamed El Ezaby

At age 75 Egyptian folksy music legend has left this earth. On February 5th 2013, Arabia has lost one of its most entertaining and authentic voices, Mohamed El Ezaby. The Cairo native and better known singer who has took the folksy song of Egypt and made it into something one can see at the house of Opera. The iconic Egyptian singer own father was a well-known drummer who wanted his son to go to college. Ezzaby did, study business, and worked for the petroleum agency for a while before he landed on his singing career.

No one is able to tell better stories that he could, he told the country stories and made his fans want to go back and live in the old country. The singer have had a health complication and was being treated in one of the  Cairo hospitals. I know he has quit singing about two years ago. El Ezaby was on high demand, most concerts and cultural events and even some movies would seek him out. He is the all Egyptian voice, the story that never gets old.

Among his fans are people who have never lived in Egypt, but came to be reminded of home and mothers as a result of the ballad he told so well through his songs--many of whom are classics. Take in 2003 when he was on a duet with Lebanese pop star Diana Hadad (here). Also in 2007 he appeared in the Arab Dream Operetta, he actually kicked it off next to Legendary Wadei Safy (here).

Among the venues where he has performed is London's Albert Hall, Olympia Hall in Paris as well as dozens Arab stages. He was a personal favorite of King Hassan of Morocco. He married once and now is survived by three children, the oldest of whom is a dentist.

I came to know of the legend through my dad whom adores the man and so does my grandfather. The man who aged gracefully and kept his folksy voice. He started singing in 1954, then years later the radio picked him. He joined Rida band in 1957 and he kept much of the magic through out his five decades journey. He has also been credited in a number of films. His songs will never leave this earth, they will remain with us to speak volumes of this gifted entertainer.  

محمد العزبي - شفت حبيبي


محمد العزبي - بهية

Listen: Sultry Myriam Fares Sings For The Ladies اغنية ميريام فارس - هالله يالصبايا 2013

This song is for a Gulf-Khalij produced TV drama that has the title of "Girls Dormitory", or the dorms where only women live. The show will have plenty of drama about the things that bring young women together and pulls them apart. We do not get many songs about the ladies and the issues that cause rifts and fights, but at the end it's all fine and dandy.

They chose a Lebanese babe to do the promo song for the Drama, I hope the show gets the viewership it deserves if it was well-written. This is a dance song, I really like the beat, and most of all, yriam goes out of her way to make this song special.

I just did not fall in love with her other Khaliji songs, this is the first song she does and she made me feel like she wanted to make a hit out of this track. If she can make more of her songs like this, then she has my money. It's if she took all her strength points and put them to a good use here.

 اغنية ميريام فارس - هالله يالصبايا 2013

"Listen: Najwa Karam "Ykhallili Albak جديد نجوى كرم 2013 يخليلى قلبك

Most human brings age and grow old, Najwa Karam is growing younger and you know what, she is aging gracefully. You cannot ever see her out of shape, out of style, or old. She is not made for aging. I know most entertainers do some work to look younger, with Najwa Karam you can never tell she if she has gotten some work done or not.

She has become one of the very few things Lebanese agree on, she is a home grown diva who loves her motherland and has never shied away from rocking any concert at home. Till now, she has refused to sing in any other Arabic dialect, other than hers. She makes a point and for this many fall in love with her pride. While there are many young divas out there who pretend to like Najwa Karam when in deep down they want her stature.

Najwa is not known for releasing singles, she is very business minded. She judges the Arabs Got Talent and enters virtually every Arab home. And she makes a hit album every two years. I do not recall her releasing singles as far as I can remember. Maybe the timing is for Valentine Day, it's a song about the people who let into our hearts.

Not only is the song a fresh reminder of how great Najwa Karam and how powerful her vocal chords, but her new pictures are nothing short of spectacular. In the span of 2 decades, very few singers have carved their spot in pop history as beautifully as Najwa Karam has.

najwa karam Ykhallili Albak حصريا جديد نجوى كرم 2013 يخليلى قلبك


اغنيه نجوى كرم - يخليلى قلبك | كامله

Lebanon's Hottest Composer Salim Salemeh Speaks

Salim Salemeh is one of most known and popular composers in Lebanon. He is never too busy, but most Lebanese stars seek him out and work in his studio to record songs they are hoping to release with the man. Salim likes to defend his work and he does not take criticism well. He is often caught in arguments with other singers and composers in Lebanon. Salim was on a radio show the other day and he has shed some lights on what it feels to work with those pop stars we love so much. Here are few nuggets of information from the composer.

1. Elissa is the hardest singer to work with, she demanded a lot in the studio and hard to please. 
2. Nancy is the easiest one to work with, she does not give anybody a heard time at all. He loves working with her and he gives her his best work.
3. Melhim Zein can also be a headache and so is Mohamed Iskander and Ragheb Alamah--they all want good material and it takes time.
4. Elissa's hit form 2009 album "'Aa Baly Habibi" was offered to Nancy Ajram first, but because she was pregenant at the time, it did not make sense for her to sing about wearing the bridal dress. 
5. A hit song is the one that changes the career and the price of a singer, Faris Karam had his skirt song, Mohamed Iskander has "The Republic of My Heart" hit and other as well. 
6. Saleem thinks Ragheb Alama is the Arab world's most important artist and not the Egyptian pop star Amr Diab.
7. Assi Hallani is not a great singer composer combo, something Melhim Barakat argues. He still needs time argues Saliim.
8. Not a big fan of Fares Karam's new song, he thinks it was made by a bunch of kids who little experiences. The song is about not lying to one's wife  
9. Ramy Ayach needs a good heart and better manners, he has the right to say he would not work with me, but he is crossing the line when he says he does not believe in my talent. Ramy needs to go back to his old style that made him popular in the first place. 

سليم سلامه يغني عبالي - هيك منغني 31-3-2012

LISTEN: جو اشقر - كنتي بالسهرة Joe Ashkar Transcend In Kounti B'sahra

Joe Ashkar knows how to party and how to be a top tier socialite. The handsome and well dressed Lebanese singer owns a posh club in downtown Beirut, and has friendships to envy. But most of us know him for his music and his music video.

Joe Ashkar seems to live on his own terms, he never copies other singers. He does not chase what's popular and always come across as confident romantic. Just like he is doing with his latest single, telling the love tale when he was stuck by love from the first sight.

This radio hit of his, feels different, the music has not been generated by some fancy computer affect. I appreciate the lute and the more intimate vibe the song gives. It feels like very warm in there, and that warmth is reflected on Joe's performance  He is able to speak to the women that has put a spell on him. The lyrics are very sweet and believable at the same time.

I think Joe breaks new ground with this new single, he is reaching intro a territory of fans he has not addressed before--the grownups who want something real.

جو اشقر - كنتي بالسهرة ( حصريا ) Joe Ashkar kounti B'sahra

GD Turns Up The Heat With Upcoming Duet

Lebanese mogul GD  is taking some serious moves toward becoming a full-time pop star. GD has always had the singing thing going, but now he is stepping up his efforts by making more songs, recording albums and brings more of his Lebanese entertainers and friends to perform in Atlantic City. For starter, GD might be doing a great service to the Lebanese song, he business savvy ways and connections are helping bring the Lebanese song into a new territories.

To do that, he booked a New York studio invited and up and coming vocalist Woroud to join him on his upcoming duet. The duet is titled "Salmta Qalby", I have surrender her my heart. The romantic lyrics are the words of Salah Al Kurdi and the music is the craft of Nasser Al Assad. I have liked past songs from this duo before, and I know they will give George a winner, I am hoping the musical arrangement keep up to this song, if it does, then this song has legs.

The pictures of the recording session have caught fire and I know I dig the GD's new look. GD was first dazzled by the lyrics and the melody, and since he wanted to support Ward who deserves to be an artist on her own merit, they have recorded the song in the presence of its composer. I am hoping to be wowed by Woroud and her temple of emotions voice.

The song will air in Lebanon and the United States, I know I am waiting to see GD bring out the romantic inside him. He has already made us party to his songs, but can his talent turn us into gooey romantics?

GD @ Ragheb Alama Launching

Amr Diab Picks The Next Amr Diab (Wafae Chikki/Mohannad Zohair)

The fresh idea of a star picking the young talents who can best perform his own songs is pretty awesome. Through his radio and social media outlets two voices have been picked by the votes of Arabs based on their performance of a beloved Amr Diab song.

Amr Diab has picked five voices, the ones you see in the video below. And then the audience had more than a month to vote them in. This plan generated so much buzz online and offline, it was one of those creative ideas that has win-win written all over it.

Amr Diab Academy - The 5 Finalists الفائزون بالمرحلة الثالثة


The votes came in, and the first winner is Moroccan native and German resident Wafae Chikki who did a fine job covering one of Amr Diab's most romantic songs. I think Wafae tells me you can never be too young  to enjoy the modern classics. Amr speaks to you, and the language does not matter.

Amr Diab Academy We Malo Wafae Chikki


The other winner is the song of Egypt Mohannad Zohair who owned the song and reminded us of many emotional songs Amr Diab has given us. Mohand did give it his best shot, but now he is in the spotlight and he is form the motherland, so he has to shine.

Amr Diab - Medley | Mohanad Zohair - ميدلي | مهند زهير



Those are two great voices, and I hope to hear more of their own original songs. The award cemony was held in the Four Season Cairo. Mohannad and Wafae are set to appear next to Amr Diab in his next big concert. This is the opportunity of a lifetime.

Needless to say this is a smart business idea to drum up support for Amr Diab's social media presence. Where his academy received about 1000 submissions and more than 100 thousand people have sent in their votes. I am sure other stars are now thinking to copy Amr Diab and do their own competition. Either way this is a good way for internet hooked young people to stand out.

Amr Diab Academy (English Subtitle) أكاديمية عمرو دياب

Good Listen Naji Osta - Mesh Tabi3i / ناجي الاسطا - مش طبيعي

Can you dance while crying? I believe you now can. Thanks to hot record spin master Naji Osta. Naji is kind of a cool dude who makes fun records while being a chick magnet. His new single lands smoothly and it fuses the joy of love and the agony of loving too much.

The lyrics can make you break a tear, they are heart felt and seem to have come from a deep place and a real love story that has gone bad. But the music is primed for the dance floor. I hate the fact that it's not long enough. The title means unnatural or abnormal, a way to describe his love to this luck person. 

Naji you have finally landed on the song to take you mainstream, get booked outside Lebanon and get your press releases farther now. Naji is open for your pop and romance business.

Naji Osta - Mesh Tabi3i / ناجي الاسطا - مش طبيعي

Mohamad Ramdan New Album البوم جديد من نوعه للنجم محــمد رمضــان

Radio stations are entering the music production game JBC radio network has produced the album for young and dazzling Jordanian star and former Star Academy star Mohamad Ramadan. Naturally, the radio people have always been in the production game, they are the ones with microphones studios and it's the place where people with talents hang out.

They also have the outlet to make any song famous, and they can also promote it. Ramadan would see the debut album after few singles and half dozen concerts. He is loaded with talent and has a big heart from romance and dance songs.

The young artists is promising surprises to his fans as the album will release on Valentine day for all of you lovers out there. Tune in the teaser, and get a sample of this forthcoming album where a poem has a place.

البوم جديد من نوعه للنجم محــمد رمضــان قريبــــا