When it comes to Arabic music, Syria has given us a number of legends that live on with their original style and their high status in the Tarab style singing. But for the past 7 years a number of Syrian singers have met the Arab world by singing Sha'aby style..using simple langauge that tells stories and fantasies held by many.
Dina Hayek, the Lebanese star has never been a huge commercial success like many of her country leading female singers. Not sure why she has not been able to pull one huge mega sing.
At least since 2005 and her Katabtlak song, we have not seen her shine again. I know her past has few botched plastic surgeries and public feuds, but I really dig Dina and her style. She never felt the urge to take off her clothes and reveal much of her body beauty. Instead Dina Hayek opted to let you in for a tour of her inner beauty and her rather cute dance moves.
Abu El Zelouf is her latest; it's an old school song that all Shami (Lebanon, Syria and Palestine) know too well. Her cover of the song, her music video is just fine. I also enjoyed the outfits she appeared in the music video in, she does have a style. The male model was a good choice as he seems to really like the starlet where their chemistry is obvious, making the music video a fun to view.
Again with Abou El Zelouf, Dina plays it safe sticking to her strength, the Lebanese style that made her star and introduced her to us the fans. Great job Dina and keep up the good work. I know I am looking forward for an album from you, or at least mini album.
A rather odd news story appeared today.
Maryam Faris, possibly the hottest Lebanese star of the year won’t be coming to America this month. Maryam was supposed to perform In Las Vegas concert this Saturday, but that won’t be happening she had visa issues. Maryam was not able to get work visa to cover her and her bands to entertain you here in America. I am certain this is not an unusual thing and many other stars have had issues getting work visas to perform legally in America. Yes, this could also be a PR spin to cover for the real story, maybe she is not being paid enough or not treated right by the promoters.
But I think the issue here is if the visa denial or delays are real, we need a change and we need it now. I know some might have been intimated by her curvy dance moves–the kind that terrorizes you. She also makes akilling in the show biz since the productions of her concerts been daubed as a blast. But I am sure none of that was going thought the States Department’s officer’s head as he denied them their visas and just like millions of Americans, Maryam is out of a job. So there you have it, Maryam and her band won’t be stimulating the Las Vegas economy.
Maryam Faris was part of the concert in which Amr Diab will be the headliner. Amr Diab, the biggest and perhaps most popular singer in the Arab world will be performing in Las Vegas this October 16th in the Grand Arena at MGM. This concert has been in the works for several months now and many fans have already bought their tickets for the concert to see their star live. I am guessing Amr Diab will do just fine to electrify his fans who will be coming from all over the West Coast to see him. The concert promoters might even be able find a plan b replacement to save the day, it has been done before.
It’s not like she moonlights as a terrorist! As for her band members, what a better cover for an Al-Qaeda (the base) extremists than to be a Al-Qaeda (base) player performing in the sin city for an risque intoxicated and buzzed crowd!
would you have given Maryam a visa?
A Lebanese Josh Groban?
Per Wikipedia, the band was founded by Shant Garabedian and Artin Haroutiounian who are of Iraqi Armenian descent. They were later joined by Hassan Ali Al-Falluji , Akhlad Raof and Nadeem Hamid, who left the group in 2009 for personal reasons.
I like the look, the lyrics and the entire atmosphere of their recent song. So give these guys a listen, you may find something to appreciate. Tet’thakkareen “do you remember?” is the name of the music video and it’s the name of their recently released album. Gives these guys a listen and remember nowadays to make Arabic music is easy, but to make good Arabic music while being Iraqi has to be tough. I am just glad to have discovered them to finally see a truly talented Arab band, not just a cute boy band which the Arab world is not short on. And maybe one day UTN1 can change their name to become known.
UTN1 – Tet’thakkareen /
Share
