The Much Anticipated Angham Album Arrives @Angham "Innocent Dreams"

Rotana is banking on Angham, she would be the biggest female pop star on their label--at least from Egypt. Angham is an artist who predates the music video craze and the whole pop thing. Sure she was a little girl then singing alongside her father, she is still be big force.

Here's her latest album which is her first in six years--she did release a mini album about four years ago. This is her big album and it must be the comeback her older fans are waiting for. To be blunt, her fans are now older and the younger folks have no idea why they like her. Now, the idea is to see if this album gives them a reason to fall in love with her. The album is meant to introduce young music listeners to Angham. It allows them to explore this classically trained artist who happens to do stellar pop songs.

Rotana is included 12 tracks here, and most of the song have been written by one guy--Ameer Taeema. He is good, but I have to hold judgment until I hear the entire album.

01 - Ahy Gat
02 - Atgah Wahed
03 - Ben Elbenen
04 - Tol Manta Baeed
05 - Aktablk Tahod
06 - Hata Naasa
07 - Ahlam Barya
08 - Fengan Elnesian
09 - Bakrah Elmosika
10 - Bahab Aghany
11 - Ganbak Makany
12 - Baaet Waheda

Angham … Ahlam Barya | انغام … احلام بريئة

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New Moroccan Song Goes Viral! #Jamila Blach Blach

Moroccan hit-maker Jamila is now officially the most popular lady in Moroccan pop. Jamila has all the exotic attributes. And she is a styling lady who goes bold. Jamila she has already stood behind two viral hits that were literary everywhere in the Khaleej and beyond.

Her latest song seems to do a lot with colors, and funk. There's a catchy beat and there is good energy. There are also those back up dancers doing their moves right behind Jamila. And that music bit that sounds like a Moroccan/Khaleeji hybrid.

I like her many looks and that hairstyle keeps changing. It's a Moroccan song make no mistake. A likable star makes a catchy song and the world celebrates. It seems that the craze for Iraqi songs have been replaced with Moroccan songs and before them the Syrian country song had a good run.
 
So dance you guys and enjoy the party form this creative music force known as Jamila who seems pretty much so inside out.

جميلة - بلاش بلاش | Jamila Blach Blach

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The Music Terrorist Naya Offends Pretty Much Everyone (Video) @Nayatheofficial

 

Naya likes to do things differently, this pop songstress has done for the butcher look while wearing high heels. I liked her break out songs three years ago and now she wants to cash in so, she landed herself a new Khaleeji song where she goes to war.

Is that nudity? Does she says she fears God? Well, I like to believe her but many Arab Christians are offended by her use of the Cross.

Then there is that bloody knife, and torture S & M scene. Look, Naya is a pretty lady and she seems to like to party (as told by the bubbly champion) Not sure if this song has a soul? I do not get it, is that hot for her fans in the Khaleej? Naya went for sexy and rebel look, she played that part well, but the song does not ask for that. How about that gun that fires toward the end of the song? What's with the wrapped in black outfit? Is that meant as a zing on conservative Muslim outfits?

Really does the Middle East need further terror? I guess, Naya thinks we have not had enough violence so she took upon herself to terrorize the rest of us.

Also did she time the release of her song to be in time with Nawal Al Zoghby's new music video. You may not know this but Nawal's ex is managing Naya and he is promising to make her as big of a name as Nawal is or was. Keep on mind that two years ago Naya decided to retire, but she seems to have changed her mind.
 

Naya - Ana BKeify [Official Music Video] (2015) / نايا - أنا بكيفي

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Ray Charles, The Beatles, James Brown, And Elvis Presley Go To Saudi Arabia @Masha3elStar

 

Two of America's biggest names in music star in a movie video made by a Saudi female artist. For starter this song should be confusing because Saudis are not well known for being patrons of the arts, and the stereotype Saudi women do not have it easy. It took Saudi vocalist and really cool cat of Khaleeji pop to bring out a big concert that takes one back in time.

Mashael brought few iconic American/British entertainers to be her sidekicks for her music video. Attention to details is clear. While this is a huge hit in Arabia, Masheal took it one step further. It's pretty funky concert that is well made. I could not tell if these folks were in there for real or just some computer tricks.

It's well made music video with a lot of flare and shows how cool Mashael in real life. The young singer takes a tour in what's hip and cool in American music. The king of pop Michael Jackson gets a cameo as well. I like this music video and the rap ends the song with fireworks.

The director had a good talent that believed in and she was willing to go along for his vision. What came out is a creative concept for music video that allows Mashael to shine and introduce us to many other world class talents.
 

مشاعل - مصيبتي (فيديو كليب حصري) | 2015

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Syrian Vocalist Assala Sets Her Sight On The Khaleej-#Aqoba

One of the best things that Assala did was to stop talking politics. Not that she was wrong, but that her critics were many and she got to the level where she has become an activist who took a stand on a losing battle. The versatile Syrian vocalist released a sweet album earlier this year and we fill in love with it. It's was an pan Arab pop album that blends so many musical styles and uses lyrics in Egyptian and Lebanese/Syrian.

Now she is ready to release her third album using the Khaleej dialect. Assala did very well singing in that regional dialect and she was able actually to dazzle even the big names in music. For starter, she has the voice, the emotional range and she gets to work with the top names in lyrics and music in that region.

Here's a single that will be included in that yet to be released album. A song about punishment, pretty fresh passionate poetry here.

Assala - Aqoba | اصاله - عقوبه

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Nasr Mahrous Presents Touba--His Latest Find

There's a new name in Egyptian pop and it has the name Touba. Touba is being presented by Nasr Mahrous' Free Music label. Touba is really working with the one great music producer who is a powerhouse in Egyptian pop. Now she has to deliver on that promise. Nasr will package her and give her some of his best work.

Will she be the next big thing in female pop? I do not know. I think she has to do a little bit more vocal workout. She is got something to sell and I think she can find her own path. Her song is about missing the loved ones. Not to mind the blurry belly dancer who actually takes away from the song.
 

Touba - Wa7ashony (Official Music Video) | توبا - وحشوني (فيديو كليب) حصرياً 2015

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One Of Egypt's Finest Female Artists Stunning Return! @GhadaRajab

Ghada Rajab has finally found a winning formula...working with A list lyricists and musicians to allow her unattached vocal muscles to shine. The thing with Ghada is that she is super talented and has a wide range of vocal talents. She has not tried to be cool before, just an amazing vocalist who can deliver amazing songs. In my book when it comes to female artists in Egypt there are four big names--Ghada is on that list.

Now, it's 2015 and she is ready to compete on the pop turf and so far I am impressed by her new single. "Nawyalak" Aside from Ghada who is a world-class talent, look at the team....

Ghada Rajab - Nawyalak
Lyrics: Ayman Bahgat Amar
Composer : Amr Mostafa
Arranger : Tooma

These four names if not the biggest names in Egyptian pop are the greatest names. They know what works and they certainly know how to make a hit fly. It's a an upbeat song, with catchy lyrics that grab the listeners attention before it gets in the details. It's a song that shows both love and war all at once.

Ghada Rajab - Nawyalak / غادة رجب - ناويالك

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Jamila: The Best-Selling Pop Songstress Will Blow You Away #Blach_Blach

Jamila was a little known few years ago, now she is a big hit-maker whose songs are what sits the tend in Khaleeji music. Though she is Moroccan, her songs are what is popular right now in the Gulf region and outside of it as well. Jamila was born and raised in Morocco but owes much of her success to singing Emirati and Arabian Gulf songs with pitch-perfect enunciation. She is so good that her fans in the UAE struggle to believe that she is not a native to that land.

Jamila is making a colorful return with what could be her next big hit. She already has two hits this year that were like wild fire. The teaser promises a lot of cool things, and it's enough that it kicks of another catchy title "Balch Blach"

Platinum Records is surly a sinner in having picked this resourceful and creative pop star who is ruffling so many feathers and doing something exciting. Just check out her choice of wardrobe--not many female artists can do what she does.
  

جميلة - بلاش بلاش - قريباً | Jamila - Blach Blach Promo

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Jana Sticks It To Her Ex And His Bimbo- Feek W Fiha @JanaOnlineWorld

Those who spend time in Lebanon, they know that cursing is a very common daily activity in that country. Vulgarity happens a lot at every sitting too, and sometimes if you do not know the local Lebanese customs, you may be scared---you should not.
That's relevant because now we have a new single by new comer Jana who takes that route by insulting her ex and his new love--a former friend of hers.

The song is a fighting song, it starts with to hell with you and her or even worse terms. But the song has already unleashed much fury in places like Egypt. But they do not know that these Lebanese lyrics are not as angry as they sound. So, she got the singing, the composing and the writing (her father is a poet) done, but she also has some dancing chops. She is a graduate of the respected TV show "Studio El Fan" This is not the first bold song by Jana, as she did another single in 2012 titled "Bent Min Al Charii" which roughly translates to "girl from the street" as in someone who has little class or grace.

The nice thing is that Jana did write these lyrics which give her a lot more credibility on the subject matter. Then the music have been crafted by Wissam El Amir and the production by Mark Abdel Nour which makes a solid A team. This is light pop song that does something real without having to be over the board. Jana makes a welcome addition to Lebanese pop.  This is yet another hit single from a young and promising pop songstress.
 

Jana - Feek W Fiha [Official Lyric Video] / جنى - فيك وفيها

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Here's The First Song I Ever Loved, It was 1997

I think I was a freshman high school when this song by Diana Hadad was released. I was just so in love with this song, it took my breath away. It might be the first song that I connected with emotionally. I knew I was a fan of Diana ever since she did that "Sakin" song....but this song seems to be on the darker side. That was her second studio album and it came in 1997.

It's a love song but in the low point where you do not know where love is. Luckily Diana continues to make music for her fans. Some good, some misses, but she will always be remembered and defined by her first song when she was a young woman...

Diana's vocal performance, passion are out of this world. It just spoke to me, and told me that sometimes people need to learn patience in their quest for that eternal love....now that I have found that eternal love this song still rings true to my soul.

Diana Hadad Ahl El Ashq ديانا حداد - اهل العشق

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The Late Tunisian Zekra Came Back To Life On The Voice! #MBCTheVoice

The Voice on MBC has four amazing vocalists, pop stars and musicians who represent the top of the food chain. They also get a large share of serious vocalists who may have the voice, but lack in other departments or lack in age.

Enter the stage Hadir, a young singer whose voice reminded the judges and the audience of a beloved legend of Zikra, the capable vocalist who was gunned down more than a decade a go in tragic events. Hadir is different for sure, but her voice has elements that we recall too well form Zikra's voice.

Haidr left a big impression on Sherine who gave her a big hug and she broke in tears upon making that connection. Hadir did chose to do a cover of a tough song by Zikra that is neither well-known or an easy performance. Hadir aced it and finally she chose to join the team of Iraqi Kadem El Saher.

#MBCTheVoice - هدير يوسف – الصدفة خلتنا نحب - مرحلة الصوت وبس

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WATCH: The Soft Return of Amal Maher in "Ayam Matetawadsh"

In the past, people used to beg Amal Maher to make music videos for her songs, now she cannot be stopped. Amal makes so many music videos nowadays it's a sweet thing really. Her album released in the summer of 2015 with Mazzika and it was pretty well-made. A different take on her music than her stunning album of 2011. But still a decent work of art.

Luckily one of the better songs on the album gets a romantic music video set in Paris. The music is pretty amazing and so is the vocal performance for Amal Maher who shoes a lot of grace. It's a darker song about the past, and failing to live it to one's fullest. It's a song about things we missed in our lives.

This is an expensive music video to make and very nice sets and outdoors. It sucks the guy is glued to his phone and stopped dreaming and investing in his love. This is a play house music video about what we have and what we think we deserve or what we once had.

Amal goes back to her original self and the style that we have come to know her best for. The gentle and innocent lover who breaks one's heart without uttering a word. We know the editing of this clip took a very long time, but it came out and it features a number of styles, looks and outfits that put Amal Maher under a different shade. The plot is unclear, did Amal Maher have two lovers one from the past and one in the present? Or is she daydreaming?
 

Ayam Matetawadsh - Amal Maher ايام ماتتعوضش - امال ماهر

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Najwa Karam's Former Husband And Tour Promoter Beat Her Up!

It seems the modest and soft spoken music tour promoters Youssef Harb likes to beat up women. You may know Harb as the tour promoter based in North America from Lebanese origin whose name is enough to get all the A list artists to drool. Now it seems according to one news report, the well-known promoter used to beat his spouse singer/diva Najwa Karam. Karam and Harb got married in 2000 and got divorced in 2003.

Najwa said that in one account, she raised her voice on Harb who did not like it one bit and charged to assault the lovely Lebanese diva. In Harb's world, the wife should not raise her voice over her husbands so long as he is able to protect her and provide for her. Those comments were made on a talk show "Awa'el" with host Rima Nejim. We all know how proud Najwa of what she has accomplished and that she takes shit from no one.

The whole marriage was strange for a number of reasons, Harb was already married and he comes from a different faith than Najwa (this is a huge deal in Lebanon and many places) Harb is still a big name in Arabic music and live concerts. He has a reputation for sleeping around with female singers who come to him for his brand name and his expertise.   

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Facebook and YouTube Get Their Own Songs (Videos)

We are all suckers for social media, yes many of us have an addiction to them. But not these two ladies who released two songs celebrating YouTube and Facebook.  Oumnia did a song for YouTube and her voice is pretty decent, so she can do better songs than this one. It's a romantic song where YouTube comes up.

The next song is by Mai Khayat who woke up only to head to her Facebook profile to check what's happening. Again, neither of these artists are A list artists, nor are they B, but their songs travelled well and thanks to Filfan, I got to hear about them. I am glad someone is watching these songs and music videos. In between the uploads and the updates, this is a whole different universe.
 

youtube oumnia

 

Mai Khayat - Shet M Alnom / مى خياط - صحيت م النوم

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Here' Are Four New and Exciting Songs By Newbies

Here are four new songs but five different new artists from around the Arab world. the styles and dialects range, but there should be some excitement in the air for all the new comers who are working hard and doing their best for one's entertainment. You will hear voices from Khaleej, Morocco and beyond fighting for your attention.

So, let's take a quick tour and appreciate the fine voices and emotions to be found in these songs. Start off with that hit duet by Ibtissam Tiskat and TwoTone, swing by the emotionally complex track by Salwa Omar, then take a quick break by hearing Layla Iskandar sounding like a Latin dance track and finish your tour by slowing down with Sultan AlRashed who is glowing happiness in his latest fun track.
 

ويلي ليا - TwoTone ( مع إبتسام تسكت ) | Weli Liya - TwoTone feat. Ibtissam Tiskat

خلاص إرتاح - سلوى عمر | Khalas Ertah - Salwa Omar

صقاره - ليلى إسكندر | Saggara - Layla Iskandar


عشرة من عشرة - سلطان الراشد | Ashra Mn Ashra - Sultan AlRashed

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A New Palestinian Vocalists Is Born! Lina Sleibi Stands Tall @lina_sleibi

Lina Sleibi is a talented diva with a voice worthy of the biggest names in the indie vocalist scene. the young women form Palestine is out with a new song that feels like gold and sounds like diamonds. It's a beautiful song that feels warm and human by a young soul.

This is a fancy song for the soul, the kind you enjoy in the morning with a cup of coffee. I must say the amazing team behind the song worth celebrating. Fine art is no longer exclusive for the Israeli occupation. The people of Palestine will stand toe to toe and let their art speak for them. Lina Sleibi  is just one example and I expect great things from this bright star.

Lina came into my radar few months ago with her famous cover for the old country. Now, she steps a bit more with an original song that plays to her strength. Recorded and created in between Jordan and Palestine, the song travels the world thanks to the expansive fan base that Lina enjoys.   

Lina Sleibi - Atwaqa' لينا صليبي - أتوقع

Music and lyrics
Mohammed Alhasan
Mix and mastering:
Arif Amer
Musicians:
Saxophone/Clarinet
Abdullah Haji
Solo Violin
Ali Aloliwi
Guitar
Saad Alaabar
Nay
Ayman Bergas
Qanoon
Mohammed Aseeri
Piano
Mohammed Alhasan
Recording Studio:
Take Time Studio - Bahrain
Kawar Studios - Jordan
Sound Engineer:
Ali Sameer
Haytham Kawar
Special thanks to:
Vivid Photography
Omamah makeup
Ahmed AlShams
Mohamed AlThawadi

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Carmen Soliman‎‏ Not Happy With Old Plantinum Records

She is the only Egyptian singer with the Dubai based music label Platinum Records, and she came to them straight from Arab Idol where she won the first season. The young woman feels out of place in the company though she has many of Arab Idol past winners and runners up. Carmen has a busy season since she left the program with the title.

Hear her speak about the company that's supposed to be looking out for her. To her credit Carmen did not set home waiting for them to promote her, she worked on her own and she formed a strong partnership with Saudi singer Mohammad Abdo who took her under his wings.

I can see why she would not be impressed with them, I do not think they treat her right, they sure love Assaf a lot. I think she deserves better, she has a rare talent. She is looking for the new administration at the Platinum Records. She is hoping to start a new chapter.

كارمن سليمان | لم تعجبني إدارة بلاتينوم ريكورز | Carmen Soliman‎‏

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Shayma Helali Brings All The Boys To The Yard

Shayma Helali is doing great things for Rotana, for once she is making them look good and cool without trying too hard. This Tunisian pop diva has a new single in that Khaleeji dialect and it's all about parties. Sure, it has a neat title even those who do not like Khaleeji music tune in to hear what this lady is up to.

I did not think this would be a dance song, but here it's and it's festive and exciting. Rotana values Shayma and it seems she has the connections to make her career a stellar one. Her song is about being stubborn and how she appreciate it. It's meant to be a cute song that gets people--especially young ones who are melodramatic

Shayma Helali ... Aheb Enady - Lyrics Video | شيماء هلالي ... احب عنادي - فيديو بالكلمات

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A Moroccan Song To Fall In Love With By @asmaabassite

At first Asma Bassite burst to fame by participating on Star Academy (2005) and singing there. Then this Moroccan vocalist took her fame to the MBC produced X Factorand there she withdraw from the program and made news. Asma blamed her withdrawal because one of the judges (Elissa) kept asking her to do songs that do not fit Asma's voice. Asma maintains that she respects Elissa but she should be the ultimate judge of what works best for her own voice.

I seems that Asma wanted to do more of Tarab songs, but the judge wanted her to do light pop songs.
Now, following in the footsteps of many of her countrymen, Asma doing a song with the Khaleej music market on mind. This is a light pop song that has a good beat--the kind that moves one's feet. I like the delightful Moroccan dialect. Asma has a candy like voice and I think she has a lot going right for her.

I detect the music style is for the Khaleej but the lyrics are meant for Morocco. I think the title is pretty clever, see and hear or just "listen!"

شوف إسمع - أسماء بسيط | Shoof Esma - Asma Bassite

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Arabia Hearts Moroccan Fadwa Al Malki @FADWAALMALKI

Here's a song and a music video that I knew nothing getting into. So I had no idea what to expect or what to look for. It's not like I know who Fadwa Al Malki is, I do not know everything in Arabic pop. But I like this Fadwa Al Malki and what she is trying to do. Sounds like a Moroccan star trying to do something fresh.

We know the top pop song in Arabia this year was Moroccan so, more and more are trying to channel this success. Fadwa Al Malki is a cool lady with a funky voice and a funkier style. So, she is a welcome addition to the music scene. This is a nice music surprise coming from the West side by an artist who has shown a lot of talent in her years of singing.

The music sounds like something you would hear on a video game, which is neat. Fadwa is not a new comer to music, she is been in the business since the late 90's--though mostly inside the Moroccan kingdom. She did make waves in Cairo in the mid 2000's. Now Rotana is working with her and producing her songs and music videos.

Fadwa Al Malki ... 7ila - Video Clip | فدوي المالكي ... حيله - فيديو كليب

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