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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Behind The Scenes With Mohammed Assaf (Video)

Two months ago, Assaf released a music video that he filmed inside a refugee camp inside Lebanon. It was a good song, and got a lot of people talking about this Arab Idol. He is a talker for sure, he chooses the right words carefully like a seasoned politician. He knew his fancy life should not stop him from connecting with his people in Lebanese and throughout the camps in Palestine. Kids love this guy and so do the masses.

Watch behind the scenes and tell me, you do not see or feel the love....the guy is the man of the people, they love him and they come out for him, he parties with them, posed for pictures, carried their kids, and give them whatever healing he can afford. Sure, he is a business side, but he also does not overlook his people and their dreams.

YA HALALI YA MALI BEHIND THE SCENES SHORT FILM

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"The Idol" New Movie Is A Biography of Assaf (Trailer Video) @MohammedAssaf89

The world-famous Palestinian Arab Idol returns with a new song. And it's the real money where it serves as an amazing vehicle for this plenty talented young artist. This once Assaf did the song he really wanted to do, not the one the studio made him do it. Asaf gave his album and it sold like hotcakes. But now comes the time for him to do the projects that he would be allowed to do.

This song "Mahma Sar"  a song where he unleashes his vocal muscles and sing about the person and the place he misses. While the music video focuses on Gaza and the beautiful face that we seldom see. The song is about love about memories we live. The song is pretty personal and Assaf seems to do his best to be the most passionate voice within him.

The music video shows the destruction in Gaza but the people's faces who have not been broken. This is supposed to be from an upcoming movie project where the lenses of Hany Abu-Assad captured this story. I guess this is the personal history of Mohammed Assaf as a little pop who came to be. I doubt this has filmed in Gaza, it feels like it has been shot inside Lebanon where plenty of the camps fill in for Gaza. There will be images form Gaza throughout he film...
   

محمد عساف - مهما صار | Mohammed Assaf - Mahma Sar


Music Lyricist, Composer and Arranger: Habib Shehadeh Hanna
كلمات وألحان وتوزيع: حبيب شحادة حنا
Mahma Sar – From the movie
The Idol – طير الطاير
Directed by Hany Abu-Assad
Written by: Hany Abu-Assad with Sameh Zoabi

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Here Comes The Book! Dounia Batma In Tkhayaltak Ktheer @DouniaBatmaA

Dounia Batma may have a strange personality, but she has always had this warm voice and graceful demeanor. The young artist from Morocco who almost won Arab Idol's first season more than three years ago, is back with such a wonderful song.

Here song is about being late to realize the importance of your loved one that has moved on. Aside from a warm song that feels a lot classier than any others songs she has done in the past, she is looking stunning. That dresses she is wearing and earrings tell tales of her unrivalled sense of style and her huge finances.

The dialect of choice for the song allows for more people to make sense of this perfectly crafted track that blends romance with the blues. This is certainly a new direction for a talented pop star who is competing with dozens of other talents out there. It feels like a poem sang with beautiful music that moves one's heart.
 

تخيلتك كثير - دنيا بطمة | Tkhayaltak Ktheer - Dounia Batma

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Arab Idol Runner up Ahmed Gamal Back With A New Music Video @IdolAhmedGamal

Ahmed Gamal did great things on the set of Arab Idol more than two years ago. He had that every young Egyptian man look and sounded so good. The young talented even could play the Oud and compose some music. But still he has not shown his potential. The smiling singer does keep his big smile coming and he feels like a seasoned pop artist.

I think this new song and music video fro him will do the trick. He sounds so likable and so flirty. It's a shame he had to whitewash his love interest. And he has put so much makeup on his face to look the part--it's like he is ashamed of his dark Egyptian skin. I have seen this music video storyboard if not a 100 times, a thousand times. So originality is missing here.

When Ahmed Gamal fans look like him, why does he go bring a foreigner to be his love interest? Is this not low self-esteem?  Also while he sings for Egypt and sings how great Egypt is--like his song for the Suez Canal. He felt the urge to go away form Egypt to film this music video. Why everything you see in this clip, you can find in Egypt why did he have to fly to Amsterdam?

Ahmed Gamal, you are a big talent, two words for you....do not let people use you and do not forget your talent, you can do pop but also other serious songs, be the male Amal Maher.
 

Edhaky - Ahmed Gamal إضحكى - احمد جمال

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Khaleeji Girls Who Rock, Meet Henan Redha @HananRedhasays

Hanan Redha is a native to the Kingdome of Bahrain, but she resides in Kuwait. She does reside though in the hearts and minds of many of her young fans who met her three years ago on Arab Idol. The young artists who's prolific on the social media department just released a cute music video about her love story with this luck handsome man.

It's a sweet song that feels and sounds cute. The brilliant young singer shows fascination with Japanese culture. But she plays the girl in love very well. She is confident in a place where women are supposed to be shy. Hanan Redha will meet a lot of success in her career and I know she is made for it. In the past Khaleeji artists who do pop songs that travel well outside the region, tend to stick around for a long time.

I think the Khaleej is changing and it's young people like Hanan who are making this happen. For change, we are seeing singers play a love story and a marriage on camera. Traditionally, a singer form Khaleej would refuse to act the love store but not Hanan she is not average. More and more artists are doing such songs and living their life as they see it and not as they are permitted to.

I like her voice and her song.

سمو عليه ( كليب ) - حنان رضا | Samo Alaih ( Clip ) - Hanan Redha

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Arab Idol Ahmed Gamal Celebrates The Sham New Suez Canal

Ahmed Gamal did great things on Arab Idol, he was the runner up for Mohammed Assaf on the program. People loved him and appreciated his talent. Even those who voted Assaf, could see the quality man Ahmed Gamal is.

But two years later and Gamal is still trying to find his own voice. He did couple of songs for TV dramas and a music video for a decent single he released. But now comes his new challenge. A song he recorded for the new Suez canal. The song makes two countries out of Egypt. One for violent general Sisi minions and another for everyone else--he calls them traitors.

This is a political porn as the song's music is the work of Amr Moustafa who still thinks Mubarak is God's gift to mankind and hates the January 25th revolution. Not sure what Ahmed Gamal is doing by pairing himself with that useless idiot. Perhaps he wants to get paid and get access too.

Enjoy the new canal, dictators love celebrations and fake landmarks. I hope when this is all over, those who brown nose dictators will find a place to take them.

أحمد جمال - بسم الله | Ahmed Gamal - Bism Allah

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Trash Man Finds Love With Dounia Batma

Dounia Batma is celebrating the release of one more music video for her. A song with a catchy title and perhaps a fresh beat. Dounia Batma'a love interest is a trash man, a busboy and more. She is also singing for Bahrain, UAE, Saudi, Kuwait Egypt and Oman. He is a good looking guy for sure. I like some of the looks Dounia Batma appeared in. I must say, she is not one of my favorite persons.

It's a cheesy music video mean for people with a silly mindset and who spend a great time of deal watching soap-operas. Dounia of this month is doing much better the one from few months ago. Now she seems more focused on her music and less with her dramas and distractions.

The title makes one thinks it's a Moroccan song, but in fact the song is Khaleeji. It's meant for a different generation and so far in one week, it surpassed a million view.  She leaves behind Qatar! This is a big slap on the face.    

مزيان واعر ( كليب ) - دنيا بطمه | Maziane Waer ( Clip ) - Dounia Batma

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He is Back! @AbdelKarimhmdan The Arab Idol In A New Single

I was worried that had Mohamed Assaf not win the title for Arab Idol, Syrian Abdelkarim Hamdan was gonna take it home. But for some unknown person the Syrian vocalist was sent him in the final rounds and Assaf went on to win the title. Abdelkarim Hamdan was so talented, so mature that I worried he would be the winner.

Two and a half years years later, we get to hear a new single by Hamdan and it's worthy of this guys's superstar status as one gifted and flexible entertainer. It's such a perfect treat from this quiet singer. The song is full of nostalgia about love tale like very few. It pays to revisit the past and appreciate the enjoyable moments--even if that love never phased out.

The song surpasses five minutes, which is accomplishment for any young artist. Hamdan has a winner, a song feels authentic and real. The song of Aleppo did not want to do politics on Arab Idol, he did not event want to be with or against anyone, he just wanted to sing. But at the time things were tricky. Hamdan does do opera and he also does sing in Turkish as well as Arabic.  He is a student of Arabic literature, he reads for Nizar Qabbani and Mahmoud Darwich. He also does write his own material and do songs in English. Among his idols? Sabah Fakhri, Pavarotti 

عبد الكريم حمدان - وتذكري (حصرياً) | (Abdelkarim Hamdan - Wtzakari (EXSLUSIVE

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Mohammed Assaf Flirts With Egypt In New Music Video #AywaHaghani

There have been many Egyptians who did songs for Palestine. Many and countless did sing for Palestine from Egypt and outside of it. For once, we get a Palestinian singer doing a sweet love song for Egypt. It feels nice to have one of our own doing a song for Egypt at those dark hour.

What I think cool is that Assaf did the song in a real street and people had no idea what to make of it. It appears that few appearing  in the music video did spot him and knew he is the Arab Idol in the flesh. It's pretty a near concept to explore. While it's true that all Arabs loved Assaf and voted for him due to his symbolic rise to fame and also to his bright talent.

The song itself was released on Assaf's debut album and it made some waves for him in Egypt with his fan base. But Assaf filmed a story from the heart of that country and from its streets among it's people. He lived the lifestyle at least for a day. After all Assaf did visit Egypt right before he auditioned to the Arab Idol that made him the mega star and ambassador he is. Assaf ditches the cool things and enjoys the simple lifestyle and walks among the people.

The Palestinian artists might be pitching in to help boost Egypt tourism efforts by telling stories and projecting what we often forget in the midst of all the political madness. The song offers some wisdom on life and some lessons on people. I like the cafe scene and how people got into it to sing along with Assaf. And then comes the Nile cruise with its well-known parties.  

محمد عساف - كليب ايوه هغني | Mohammed Assaf - Aywa Haghani music video

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Fares Karam (Rotana) vs. Mohammed Assaf (Platinum Records)

Two mega music companies are prepping for new releases for some of the hottest music videos. The first is a young Palestinian Arab Idol doing an Egyptian song. The other is for a Lebanese hit-maker who has consistently releases a summer dance hit every summer for the past 15 years.

Not sure what these two songs have in common with another, but they will be sort of important in the pop music scene. We sort of miss Mohammed Assaf, he has now to do great things to get our attention, mediocre songs do not work. Sure we are proud of him and what he has accomplished but if he wants to be a big number in pop music, he has to play by the rules and own it.

Fares Karam needs no introduction, The Lebanese bro and pro hit-maker released a mini album almost a week before Ramadan and now he is back marketing his two album songs with a music videos. Fares knows how to make a summer hit--somehow the music and energy stays the same the lyrics and topic vary. He is playing stalker for his music video--not cool anywhere but in the Middle East.   

 

محمد عساف - أيوه هغني - قريباً | Mohammed Assaf - Aywa Haghany - Coming Soon

Fares Karam ... Aal Tayeb - Clip Promo | فارس كرم ... عالطيب - برومو الكليب

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Jean Chahid From Singing Competition To The Sluggish Music Industry

Jean Chahid has almost everything, young good looking, talented and lives in the city of Beirut. His place of residence allowed the young singer to take part of Arab Idol, Star Academy. Jean found some local music talents to work with him, and this is why he keeps making music with the help of the young and hip in the Lebanese capital.

Checkout the sound engineer or producer are locked in the studio next to him giving him pointers. He is back singing about love and other buttery things to the ladies. He is here to tell his loved one, that he no longer is able to tell her from what she used to be.

Jean Chahid Mech Enti جان شهيد مش انت

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Salma Rachid Wants To Hear Your Heartbeat in "Sama3ni Nabdak" @salma_rachid9

 

Salma Rachid was the youngest person on the Arab Idol second season's finalists--the best season yet. She was liked by everyone and had it not been for the phenomenal rise of Assaf, Ahmad Gamal, Zaid Khoury--she would have taken home the title. The judges have told her as much--you are still young and you have a lot of opportunities.

She was full of grace and has not spoke too much to the media, this is why she is liked by everyone. She is a smart young woman who is out with anew music video. And does she own the romance brand? Yes and then some. Her choice is a new song about wanting to be close by the one she loves--she wants to be close enough to hear his heartbeat.

Emmad Taleb wrote those lovely lyrics and the music is the work od the dup of Humam FM & Mohammed Alshareef. The music arrangement is by Amir Ansari and production went to Takarub Tel & New Music. That famous Salam smile is back in full swing--sure the dialect is vague Khaleej.

This is about a love story told best in a red dress. This is Salma's first song and she knows her voice, she just needs to find what's her comfort with the style. I know her fans are electrified to see and hear her back on the saddle. I know her fans are all over the Arab world, but I know the ones in Morocco and Palestine think the world of her.

 

Salma Rachid - Sama'ni Nabdak ( Clip 2015 ) سمعني نبضك -سلمى رشيد 2015

- Salma Rachid - Sama3ni Nabdak Video Clip سلمى رشيد - سمعني نبضك

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This Syrian Pretty Boy Can Really Sing Hazem Sharif @HazemSharifpage

The third season for Arab Idol has a lot of expectations since the second one was such a global hit. The winner of the title was the young and stylish Syrian Hazem Sharif. There was a lot of things expected from this young man and a lot of ideas on who he should be.

Hazem took few months off, did a north America tour and finally he released his new single last month. Now comes this music video for the song. The handsome devil sounds so refined in his debut song. Naturally, he went with a romantic song about his special lady.

I wish him well, he is a good boy with a warm voice, and a lot of potential. the song reminds me of many of the early 90s pop songs from Lebanon. It's a sweet love song much about the nostalgia, it allowed the young artist to chill and relax and find his center. The music video has a lot of football, rock looks, soft drink and cellphones. I think they just went with what's hip. And all of sudden Hazem throws a concert under his woman's balcony to win her over--I like the tux.

This is a good start and I hope Hazem keep up the same line.
 

حازم شريف - شوعاملي | Hazem Sharif - Shou Amli

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Carmen Suleiman One on One

She is everyone's favorite new comer, she was the first Arab Idol, and she likes to talk to Egyptian media and perform for the Gulf market. Carmen Suleiman joined an exclusive club when she released an album before becoming 20 years of age.

She said a lot in her interview with Fil Fan website, and she looked her finest as she took the answers from the interviewer who seem to love her as much as her music. Her album took two years to see the light of day--she has a high school to finish. Now, she seems to be set on her way to establish her own brand. 12 tracks came in her album.

كارمن سليمان: سأصنع بصمتي بصوتي.. و"أخباري" أقل هدية أقدمها لفنان العرب


كارمن سليمان تتحدث عن ألبومها الأول "أخباري" قريبا على FilFan.com
)

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The Syrian Arab Idol Is About To Break Out! Hazem Sharif...Soon

The shy and good-looking young Syrian man who bagged the title for Arab Idol third season is about to release a new music video with a new song. Hazem Sharif just toured North America in a humble tour, but he has no original song to his name. He is about ti change that in a romantic song that is landing to planet earth soon.

Sure Syria is a mess right now, but it does not mean life has to stop inside it or outside. I like the one second we get to hear part of the song. Hazem is talented, he just needs to speak up and push himself a bit. Maybe this song will make him a star and maybe it won't. Hazem is no machine, but he has the voice to please your soul. The persona has yet to be defined, so let's wait and see.

حازم شريف - شوعاملي - قريباً | Hazem Sharif

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The Shy Mouhanad Al Marsoumi Reemerges @MohanadMarsoomy

He was the shiest person on Arab Idol more than two years ago. He also seemed the least interesting young talent on the program, and perhaps the least charismatic one.  But when it came to pure talent and a stand along voice Mouhanad Al Marsoumi does well.

Thins would have been different if this was the radio age when what mattered is the voice solely. Mouhanad Al Marsoumi did not takes home the title to his country Iraq, but he earned millions of fans. For those who liked him, comes a new single form this talent. His new single is meant for the Iraqi music fans who live beyond that shattered country.

It feels like a real Iraqi song, sure the music is what's hip now, but the style and performance remind me of older Iraqi songs that seem more like a conversation than a yelling match, I like it and wish Mouhanad would make more songs--easier said than done.  

Mouhanad Al Marsoumi - Dakhilak / مهند المرسومي - دخيلك

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Arab Idol Haitham Khalaily Brings Out The Magic In North America (Video) @HaithamKhalaily

Haitham Khalaily is a talented young man with a strong voice and a good style. He also have a huge fan base that showers him with love and support. They are so proud of him and his songs, they should be. Haitham is also cursed as he tries to tell people he is not Assaf and Assaf is not him. So do not compare him.

If you had your own doubts about Haitham's skills, watch this live video from one of his concerts on his US and Canada tour. Haitham went with one of the hardest Arabic songs to fake, an old classic by the legendary one and the only Um Kalthoum. Al Atalal or the ruins, a song about a past romance. It's like taking a stroll down memory lane that's riddled with ruins of the past.

Haitham feels like an old soul coming from the golden years of Arabic Tarab music to remind us of the good times. He also comes package in a hip fashion that makes the social media falls in love with him as he makes out his path.  

I think he brings a rich texture to the Palestinian voice. Haitham comes from an unconventional background to win the hearts and minds of the Arab community. We need a bit of good news to face the flood of bad news coming from the area, Haitham's arrival to our shores may offer that breath of fresh air that reminds it, home can also brings smiles to our faces.

Will he stop in Washington, DC, I know I would love to interview him and see him perform live.
 

Haitham khalaily - هيثم خلايلة /Al Atlal -الاطلال/Arab Idol 2015 Canada and U.S.A Tour

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The Almost Arab Idols Come To North America For Tour

The handsome and shy Syrian kid who won Arab Idol last year is coming to North America in a tour. But he is not coming alone. Along with him comes the popular and charismatic Arab Idol runner up from the same season Palestinian Haitham Khalaily.

I think the idea of pairing them together is a clever one. They have huge fan bases and play to different audiences. I do not think either of them is exciting all by themselves in terms of marketing, but together they may do well. America and Canada have huge Arab communities who come from all sort of countries. Everyone likes people form their country for sure. So this makes sense too. Even Assaf shared the stage on his US tour with a lovely Syrian and Lebanese. Sure he was the headliner, but the others make the event like a good investment. It's not like the second season of Arab Idol when Assaf win and blew away some many people. These are both young and promising artists who good voices. I think what would help them better is having a female Arab Idol--it's perfect this way.

I think it would be a good idea to watch them live and perfect their craft. I do not know if there will be a huge success for the tour, but if they are good and if people know, then I can see them sell well and most of all entertain more.

Update: I really do like the artists I mention here, I do not compare, I think Haitham is a great singer, and so is Hazem, I was just making the point that the early bird gets the warm, the second has to try a little bit harder. I wish them all well. I welcome both Haitham and Hazem into North America. Their fans need them and if asked I will work as hard to help get the word out on their concerts.
 

حازم شريف وهيثم خلايله - جولة أمريكا وكندا

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Arab Idol Farah Yousef Dedicates A Song For Mothers of The Fallen #Syria

Arab Idol runner up Farah Yousef wooed people with her sweet and strong voice. She is a powerhouse when it comes to classical Arabic songs. It comes easy to them Syrian vocalists. Farah Yousef did not have great last six months. I hardly heard of her news.

She returns with a new single on Mother's Day with what seems like a homage song for all them mothers of the world. It's a good song, because of two things Farah's warmth and the soothing piano. This one Farah dedicates the song to all Syrian mothers and mothers of the fallen in Syria. I am sensing, Farah is going the Asalah route, (do you hear it?)

I wish there were more lyrics, but it may have served the song not to be about anything specific. It's a bold choice for Farah to talk about the mothers of the fallen in Syria. Many have accused her of being pro-regime not down with the revolution. Not sure if this is true, but it certainly did not help her with the Gulf crowds.  
فرح يوسف -- ماما

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