Listen: PSY - New Song GENTLEMAN Pop, Dance And Viral?

That's South Korea, Dennis Rodman. "Gangnam Style" rapper PSY has released his new song "Gentleman," and while its fast and familiar beat isn't quite as catchy as his mega-hit, be forewarned: He's unveiling the song and a dance affiliated with it live on YouTube Saturday at Seoul World Cup Stadium. So we ain't seen nothin' yet. But here's the song:

The odds are stacked against an artist hoping to achieve success in pop, but if success does come, then building it into a lengthy career rests on recreating the series of happy accidents, coincidences and right-tune-right-time-right factors that secured the initial burst of interest. That is why pop history is strewn with decent but disastrous second albums. But for novelty hits, and internet memes, and collisions of the two like Gangnam Style, the theory is condensed and accelerated. Psy does have a secret weapon, of course. Amazing as it may seem Gangnam Style did not succeed on musical merit alone and was as much a meme as it was a pop hit, helped by a video that was so strong that it even worked without any music.

I could see this song   being picked up around the world just because PSY is the cool thing he has become. DJs and clubs around the world will cheer this hit-maker and wish he would never go away. But the question is will those short-attention span generation stick with PSY. "I can't tell you about the dance but all Koreans will know this dance," the rapper told a local TV station. "But [those in] other countries haven't seen it." The release of a creative and appealing music video by PSY might prompt the fans to fall in line.

PSY - Gentleman [OFFICIAL] + LYRICS!!

PSY - GENTLEMAN(싸이-젠틀맨)

Haifa Wore The Same Dress Worn By Britney Spears

It's a slow music news day, but those with too much time on their hands, have pointed out that the Lebanese supernova Haifa Wehbe wore a dress that was seen before on Britney Spears. How do they dig this kind of stuff? Seriously, who has the time?

Nevertheless this is a cool music video, the MJK music video which shot in New York and Haifa sports a number of stylish and froward looking outfits. The two Djs she has used for this song did wonders...Lenz Garcia and Noor Q took the original song and turned it into something any given nightclub would love to play on their busiest night.

Anyhow, Brittney is a global celebrity and Haifa is making her way toward a bigger and global audience.

will.i.am - Scream & Shout ft. Britney Spears


Haifa Wehbe - MJK (Heartbeats Remix) By Lenz Garcia & Noor Q هيفاء وهبي - ملكة جمال الكون

Listen: Ray J, Releases "I Hit Is First" Track On Kim Kardashia

Ray J, the R&B singer who co-starred in the sex tape with Kim Kardashian that launched her career, has released a  new song called “I Hit It First” about their love affair. He is no different than those jaded boyfriends whose girl goes on to do better things with her life, and then they feel the urge to make comfort themselves by singing how they were the first.


Certainly Kanye West is going to appreciate this.

This is an off the wall and perhaps tasteless, Ray J, the one-time paramour of reality TV sensation Kim Kardashian—who co-starred in the infamous Kardashian sex tape that helped launch the bodacious starlet’s career—has released a diss track called “I Hit It First.”

“If you would’ve come back to me, girl, I know just how you’d do me / And if you would’ve come back to me, girl I know just why you choose me,” he sings. “And if you would’ve come back to me, girl I’ll give you a Jacuzzi / And if you wanna come back to me, girl, we’ll make another movie.”

Kardashian, 32, briefly dated Ray J after her four-year marriage to music producer Damon Thomas ended in 2004. Years later, in Feb. 2007, a sex tape she’d made with Ray J in 2003 was leaked to the Internet. "I Hit It First" will hit iTunes April 9. Kim, for her part, doesn't seem concerned by Ray J's new song. Today (April 6), for instance, she showed off her growing baby bump on her

With The Help Of Raef, American Pop Gets A Second Run

Maroon 5 had no idea that one of their popular and hit songs  [Won't Go Home Without You] would find a another life of its own. It wouldn't have gone to a new and more Islamic audience had it not been for Raef. The young American talent with who asks for redemption and forgiveness with his guitar.

Raef came a long way and he still has a long way to go, but as an artists I feel he is ready for prime time. His sense of poetry and strokes on the guitar are a perfect match for an audience looking for something hip. Raef's idea is to take popular songs that everyone relates to, and use those songs or their template to tell a story about being a better person.

I have seen Raef perform in a more intimate setting in George Washington University few days before he had a big gig with the poetic justice group performance. Raef sounds like he has a bit of Country music in him. I beilve this Maroon 5 cover is serving a good purpose and with Raef talent it remains a work of art.

Raef - Your Mercy (Maroon 5 Cover) [Won't Go Home Without You]

Tickets: Adnan Sami To perform in DC on April 12th at the Patriot Center

Per Wiki

(Urdu: عدنان سمیع‎,Hindi: अदनान सामी) is a singer, musician, pianist, actor and composer. with a command on Indian and Western Classical/ Semi-Classical notes, Jazz, Rock & Pop music. Born to Naureen and Arshad Sami Khan in London, United Kingdom, he is a Canadian citizen of Pakistani and Indian ancestry and currently works and lives in Mumbai, India. Having received his formal training in Indian Classical music from the famous Santoor Maestro Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, his music merges Asian and Western music styles and instrumentation. His career has ranged from Classical Music (Indian and Western) to Jazz to modern Pop-Rock.

He will grace our Nations's capital with a once in a lifetime show at the Patriot Center

For Information click here, Who will be going? You cannot say you know world music without skipping over India and if it's India, Adnan Sami is the man for all music seasons.

Noor-E-Khuda - My Name is Khan 

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

WATCH: Tamer Hosny FT Akon - Welcome to the Life ( Behind the scenes)

Tamer Hosny might be doing American pop a huge favor, he is stimulating the economy by his big spending as he pays top names to collaborate with him. The latest star to charge Tamer Hosny a fee is American rapper Akon (by the way of Senegal) Tamer went to Akon's home and studio and we have the footage from the behind the scenes.

I think there is a new Tamer is town and he means serious business. I do not think he will ever become a global icon, not for his lack of trying, but he is already big in the Arab world. He has already singed with top companies who want to sell their stuff to Arabs. So his new duet with Akon might not do that much, other than adding to his resume.

I like Akon and think he is a smart business guy. Watch the two work together on the song as Akon tries to pick few words and they are working on a music video too. There are simply too many douche bags in this video who think they are all that  important.

I think this would be a fun project, I would ask Tamer, take it easy, save your money and go back to Nasr Mahrous--he knows how to bring the best in you and how to put you in a hit.

Tamer Hosny FT Akon - Welcome to the Life ( Behind the scenes)

WATCH: Melissa Brings Sexy Back In Nanana كليب ميليسا - نانا

She is Lebanses but she has what it takes to be a pop sensation around the globe. She has the voice, the looks and the teams who want to work with her. After doing three songs duets with the likes of Akon, she is now ready to step on her own for the world to meet her.

This time she is not doing Arabic, but rather a song that Arab youth can appreciate along with the global audience--say the club around Europe and Russia. I dig the new look and to be frank, had this song been released in Europe first, it will be all over their radio stations. She worked with a London based team that took their work and the star seriously. There is also a foreign director who seem to know his way around the pop style music videos.

This is how it works, you just need to have connection with the producers and the radio people who can bring your song to play around. "Nanana" is the title and it's catchy song that locusts on the beat and the motions. There are too many cool looks, and I must admit, this is a good choice and hope the song travels. I do not think her new single lacks one thing.

It seems the song has been picked and well-received by the fans out there, it seems now she has more friends than enemies. People like successful artists and like to pick winners. Also this is a good exercise song, it gets your engine running. You cannot match the energy, if you had any more, things will start exploding.

Melissa Nanana - ميليسا نانا


Melissa Nanana - ميليسا نانا

DOWNLOAD: Lara Scandar "About a girl" Album البوم لارا اسكندر

If you needed a pop album recorded in between Cairo and Beirut that rocks the boat and do something different, then you have Lara Scandar Album "About a girl", this album is new in some markets but it has been released more than a year ago in Lebanon.

I know the artists and her production team wish things were better at home at the moment, but it seems they could wait no more and the album came out. There 11 tracks if you count the remix version. There are songs in three languages, Arabic, English and cute Italian song performed between Lara and her father.


Egypt also get a praise song by Lara who calls Egypt--the mother of the world. There are varying styles throughout the album, but the emphasis is on pop dance songs. However, Lara allows herself to be seen as a strong vocalist.

There are personal songs on this album that tell more about Lara and less about the listener  but I find the album entertaining and has a fresh feel. This might be the finest English pop album that comes out of an Arab country to travel the world.

01 - Mission Is You
02 - Egypt
03 - Taalou Ghannou Maaya
04 - Who I Am
05 - No More
06 - Falling Out Of Love
07 - Chains
08 - Amci Di Sempre
09 - See The Beauty
10 - My Friend
11 - Mission Is You - Club Mix

Lara Scandar - Taalou Ghannou Maaya | لارا اسكندر - تعالوا غنوا معايا

Carole Samah Upcoming Music Video كارول سماحة إحساس

Carole Samahe flew to Paris to shot her music video--to be released soon. Ehasas is that song and it's that tile song for Carole Samaha's most recent album. She teams once again with her favorite director--also French where they have shot a dozen music videos together.

The music video seems to be telling a story of a woman with an emotional void when she has dumped her former lover. The song create a sorrow filled mood, and I hope the music video captures such emotions. To her credit not only is Carole a great songstress, she is a gifted actress as well.

It looks simplistic--like most of her music video--she is the star and the song is right there in the center. Nothing too flashy, just the right elements. Watch behind the scenes from the filming of the upcoming music video, the cast and the set. Something about Paris that makes Carole race to to film yet another music video in that city.

EXCLUSIVE 'كارول سماحة - كواليس تصوير فيديو 'إحساس

Will The Real Lara Scandar Stop Faking It

Lara Scandar likes to think she bridges the gap between Egyptian and Lebanese styles. In between Western and Eastern music. She has done some work to show she she is a well-rounded pop star for the Facebook generation. She has a mentor in Beirut so she visits often.

But she is also part Italian--she sings in Italian too, and she is partial a Californian, so she is all about the party. Lara Scandar is like the star companies want us to fall in love with, she can sell stuff. Her songs are the kind of empty songs about let's sing together, enjoy the sunshine. That's fine if this feels organic, you cannot really force

Now, she is with Herbal Essence selling shampoo, she sat with Elaph to talk about her songs, concerts and the products she endorses. She is also ready to talk about Christmas, the white kind.
لارا اسكندر تجول في شوراع بيروت مع صديقاتها

The Jacksons Hit All The Notes In Their Abu Dhabi Concert

Nobody believes that the Jacobson are mourning the death of their most favorite and legendary brother Michael. But the now troubled family is touring the world sharing the legacy of their beloved brother. The leg of the tour took them to Abu Dhabi, a city where many rich people live and many people who like to be rich dwell.

This meant to be a tribute concert performing Micheal's great songs in sold out venues. Janet has already performed there. Michael is irreplaceable, but the Jackson Five where it all started, so Michael has always done well with his solo act.

This is the first time the Jackson's get seen together performing. Four Jacksons took on the audience by storm. Watch them give an interview talking about his legacy and his spirit. The Gulf a great place to sell any American product, the Jacksons are among this nation's finest export to the world.    

"آل جاكسون" كرَّموا شقيقهم في أبو ظبي

Vote For This! Awakening Talent Contest - Mc Dahab - Egypt

Awakening Talent Contest is heating up as submissions from around the globe are pouring in. They are searching for talents they can sign up and work with on a contract. Naturally  they want someone who promotes good citizenship and the teachings of Islam.

There are many talented people out there from the greater Muslim community who embody those principles  they just need to have something that can be cold. I watched many of the submissions, and I find myself partial to a young Egyptian lyricists and a raper who in very quiet ways has been rocking the boat. Not only are his words fascinating  but also attends one of the most highly regarded Muslim University -he is a student at Al Azhar in Cairo.

He has chose  a song about the virtues of the Hijab. He has a lot more songs about life, standing up and being grateful to those who help us. I wish the video quality was a little bit better, but one works with what he has.


Awakening Talent Contest - Mc Dahab - Egypt

Video: Japanese Beautifully Cover Classic Arabic Songs

They have nailed the song on its head, and the music is so close to the real thing. I have never thought Egyptian music would be something that the people of japan care for, but things you learn. This is an ensemble of four ladies including the vocalist.

The Arabs is pretty decent. I think so far the have performed Oum Kalthoum songs. For a long time, bands and artists have performed songs in languages they do not speak as natives. The band behind the songs take the name "Le Club Bachraf" playing oud, nay and darboukka. Japanese singer Nao Koyasu sings Arabic songs "Inta Omri" and "Lissa fakir" of great Oum Kalsoum. These videos are from their concert in Cairo, Egypt, country of origin.

Le Club Bachraf ft. Nao Koyasu - Inta Omri : Japanese singer Nao Koyasu sings "Inta Omri" composed by Muhammad Abdelwahab / Le Club Bachraf Concert in Cairo 2012 at Beit el Umma(Saad Zaghloul Cultural Center), Cairo, Egypt, August 11th 2012 / Yoshiko Matsuda(Oud), June Chikuma(Nay), Chisato Yagi(Derboukka), Nao Koyasu(Vocal) / Presented by JSPS(Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) Cairo Research Station(Director: Dr So Hasegawa)

 / 子安菜穂、カイロでインタオムリを熱唱(ロングバージョン15'59") / ウンム・カルスームの名曲インタ・オムリ(ムハンマド・アブドゥルワハーブ作曲) / ル・クラブ・バシュラフ・エジプト公演2012 カイロ・サアド・ザグルール文化センター 2012年8月11日(土) / Le Club Bachraf：竹間ジュン(ナイ), 松田嘉子(ウード), やぎちさと(ダルブッカ), 子安菜穂(ボーカル) / Enta Omri / 日本学術振興会カイロ研究連絡センター主催(長谷川奏センター長)


(more info)

أنت عمري الفرقة اليابانية Le Club Bachraf - Japanese ensemble - Inta Omri



لسه فاكر الفرقة اليابانية Le Club Bachraf - Japanese ensemble - Lissa Fakir

The X Factor Judges And Guest Stars

The X Factor judges are taking a break and filming at each of their homes where they will play hosts to some 6 persons under their supervision. During the time, each judge has picked a star to be a guest of their home. As you can see the choices are many. Many of them look super cozy and all smiles--at least when the cameras are rolling. 

 Faudel a star guest of Elissa in romantic Istanbul.

Ahmed-Mekki, the star guest of Carole-Samaha in Cairo

 Mohamad-Abdo a star guest of Hussein-Aljasmi at his Dubai home

Nawal-Al-Zoghbi a star guest of Wael-Kfouri at his Lebanon home.
دويتو بين الحكام والمتسابقين - The X Factor Online Exclusive

WATCH: Zayne - Be Weird In Be Strong / زين - كن قوى

Zayne is a guy who has some dance moves, his moves are even pretty amazing outside of his cosmos of fans. He is so smooth and has a nice movement and flow. He seems very slick and quick, so he has won that recognition. His style is vibrant, unique sound and represents one of a kind dancing style.It's his singing or choice of songs that I do not connect to.

Now, his dance moves are worthy of the likes of Justin Temberlake. It's his singing skills that has a room for growth. I am not taking issue with the music video--even though it feels inaccessible to me, but those are strange times and one gets older not younger. Weird sells and young people like weird--no no further than Lady Gaga.

The message of his songs may apply to troubled places all across the Arab world--Syria could use his message of "be strong" and so can Egypt--where Zayne is deeply connected. It's a great credit for him to have written the song. It makes him the first British singer with an Egyptian background to release an English song in the Middle East.

I think it's hard to market talents like the artists here, the Arab world is just trying to figure it out thanks to many TV shows where similar talents have met the mainstream. Zayne, you are a cool catch, now is the time to do something that will set you apart. There's an amazing way to incorporate Arabic beats into Western ones, you have gone to great length to do that....now comes the need to figure how to sell it.


Zayne - Be Strong / زين - كن قوى

Listen: Fadi Andrawos 2013 Single / ما بعرف كون - فادى أندراوس

Fadi Andrawos is the original indie rock star from Lebanon by the way of Palestine. He is one of those artists that have always found their own path. He is not the one to hold a contract, put on a suite and talk to some company. He just wants to make music, as he likes to be free.

This is why he rocks in both English and Arabic, and he is flawless in both languages  He has some hard metal chops, he enjoys that look very few Arab stars can pull off. And yes, he is a musician, and a rebel inside. Where in his new song, he is asking to be loved the way he is--unconditionally.

He sings, if you want to love me, let me be me! I love his style and have come to admire his creative process. He makes music that crosses cultures, and sings lyrics that crosses the gender boundaries. His style is getting around Arabia just not...many Egyptians indie artists are taking his approach. Fadi is never controversial  he is just distinct, you cannot really copy him. He does not offend, and neither does he ask people to be like him instead, he seeks to live and let live.

Such artists are perfect for live interactive concerts, because they make the experience more vivid and real. He approaches his music as if he was a regional star with a global sight--like most rock stars in Latin America. Local is the new universal. Fadi might not be on a TV near you, but his near cult fellowship has stuck by his side for years. 


Fadi Andrawos - Ma ba3rif koun 2013 / ما بعرف كون - فادى أندراوس

Egyptian Celebrities Shamelessly Chase The American Citizenship

Since the dawn of time and mankind wanted the best for himself and for his family. So it's no surprise more and more celebrities are seeking to give birth to their own babies in places that can be safe and protect them.  Some American celebrities have given birth to their kids outside America, now I am learning of half a dozen Egyptian entertainers who are chasing the American citizenship through their babies.

This is a totally legal process, you only need to afford the cost of giving birth in America, and not be part of a coordinated effort. More and more of them are lining up at American hospitals to have their babies delivered on American soil. Some Egyptians might not like this practice, it does not seem very patriotic. However, the same people if they could, they would do the exact same thing.

America is changing, and it might not always be the place people around the world idealize so very much. It's a wonderful place to life and have a family--just do not get sick.

Here's the most recent celebrities who have their kids delivered in American hospitals in the United States.

1. Tamer Hosny: His wife and himself have been in the States for work, and she is along for the trip. Of course work is scheduled around the time of her delivery. In fairness the two got hitched in the Egyptian embassy in Washington DC.  The baby girl will be delivered somewhere in the area
2. Ghada Abdel Razik: the biggest Mubarak supporter on the planet, took those steps prior to Tamer Hosny. She is not having a baby--she has passed that time but her daughter Rotana is pregnant and the two have landed in the States. Ghada spend ten days out here, Rotana has been around for four months waiting to pop up. Keep on mind, the father is a police officer in Egypt.  
3. Khalid Selim: the original beef cake singer/ actor spend some time in California along with his wife--they just got married last year. The baby girl was delivered there and has an American birth certificate.  After that, the couple has returned to Cairo. 
4. Nashwa Mostafa: made a statement on Facebook declraging that she has never thought about getting her kids to become Americans--their father is. She frimely belives Egypt is the best place on earth with all the trumoil. However, she regretted those belifes as she now she wants her kids to be protected and resepcted in the event of a problem.

The Singing Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez Dead Dies At 58

The Associated Press reports that Hugo Chávez, who led a leftist revolution and served as Venezuela's president for nearly 14 years, has died at 58 years old. Chavez had been fighting cancer since 2011, and had chosen Venezuelan Vice President Nicolás Maduro as his heir-apparent when it became clear that health concerns might force him from office.

Aside form everything, the Venezuelan president liked to sing in public, he loves Mexican songs and has performed around the world as part of his travel--at the UN he even sang. Seriously can you see an Arab leader doing the same thing no! Even President Obama sang in public and the internet loved him for it--some did not think it was presidential.

 Hugo has the singing voice, a very strong manly voice and a talent that exhibits his inner child. This is one thing that brought him closer to the people of Venezuela and the world. I recall at one time, there was a tension between his country and Mexico. Chavez took on the streets and sing a famous Mexican song.

The world will miss this singing president. Here's some of his finest public performances where he has put his heart on display. While his politics might not be missed, the cool president will be missed by those who have heard him sing.

Hugo Chavez sings with famous Mexican musician

Hugo Chávez canta en el Balcón del Pueblo Palacio de Miraflores Caracas Venezuela Regreso de Cuba

SINGING CHAVEZ - Hugo rocks Moscow

Hugo Chavez Singing in UN


Hugo Chávez singing

Lara Scander Parties In Beirut "About A Girl"

Egyptian pop songstress Lara Scander spends most of her time in between Beirut and Egypt--Egypt for marketing and TV interviews and Beirut for making music. Her most recent trip to Beirut was a meeting with her and a number of media outlets and friends who attended the launch of her pop album "About A Girl"

While the album released about a year ago, it was buried by all the political turmoil sweeping throughout Arabia. The album has more than a dozens songs in English, Italian and French, there's only one Arabic song and that song was shot in a music videos. As far as I can tell, the album was never formaly lunched or released in Egypt.

The meeting took place in an upscale Beirut district of AlJmizah at Rose Restaurant. This is a light pop album where dance is theme. The song was about forgetting the pain, and singing instead.


لارا اسكندر :تعالو غنوا معايا"