TOP 10 Songs And Music Videos For This Week

Rotana released its top ten music videos for this week. This is a cool music video on the number ten spot, a party song from the unlikely place of Saudi Arabia, where Elvis makes an appearance. Mashael owned that song and shows so much energy and funk.

Balqees in her wedding song for the mother of the bride, then that hip Iraqi hit about being real is in the 8th place--thank you Waleed Al Shami. Then comes that Iraqi elder Hatem El Iraqi with his old-fashioned music video. He comes in the 7th place. Elissa is still looking in her mirrors and keeping the 6th spot. For the fifth spot you find that Lebanese romantic Wael Kfoury with all his dark charm. In the 4th place, one finds, Amr Diab being as cute and sweet as he has ever been.

The third spot is a comfortable place for Ahmed Gamal's flirty song about laughing with his loved one. Let's make space for the second spot with Tamer Hosny's drama about 180 degrees. He has a beard here and there is so much romance and tragedy. The top honor on this list goes for a lady that I do not know, seriously I do not know her. I should, she is in the top spot. Could it be that Yosra Mahnouch lady from the Voice? This is an Iraqi song that took the number one spot--second Iraqi track on the list.
 

نتائج التصويت وترتيب TOP10 هذا الأسبوع

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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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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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Abdel Fattah El Grini Refuses To Lose His Signature Hair @AbduGrini

Abdel Fattah El Grini did release many hits throughout his music career of ten years. The hip artist has something else heis well-known for-his hair. His Arab Afro is a brand of its own and the star often jokes that he sleeps in one room and his hair in another.

We have not heard from this pop star in a very long time, but it looks he is ready to give us a piece of him and it will be a new song. The awesome news, there will be a big name attached to the song which is Lebanese producer Hadi Sharara. This is great news for fans of this cool Moroccan star whose last gig was to host the Coke Studio show.

Here's the promo for his new single, and its filled with humor and the hair takes center stage. Let's wait to see this hit in the making and thanks Girni for showing a sense of humor about his hair that brings him a lot of questions.  
 

جريني - ده حبيبي - قريباً | Grini - Da Habibi Promo

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It's Spring Time On Planet Latifa (And It's All Good!) @latisol

Spring might v\be over but not in the world of Tunisian diva Latifa. She just released a new music video where love is in the air. The charismatic songstress seems to be filled with energy and joy for her new music video. She has a bike and there are lots of flowers.

It's a simple plot with what appears to be a one location. There is a food good thing about this song, it's a bout someone who realizes life is too short and wants to worry less, do more and enjoy more. It's cute and  the right dose of cheer. No guy model allows the song to focus on Latifa and her spring time persona.  

Not even the new and young pop stars can pull a cute spring time music video, Latifa did that once before with that Nizar Qabbani song (Taloomony) And that was more than 15 years ago. So doing a music video with a similar feel but more casual lyrics still works.

Latifa - Ya Hayati [Official Video] | لطيفة - يا حياتي أنا جانبك

لطيفة - تلومني الدنيا | Latifa - Taloomoni Al Donya

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The Amazing Latifa Does A Music Video For A Cheerful World (Video) @latisol

Iconic Tunisian pop diva Latifa is out with a new promo for an upcoming music video that feels so outdoors perfect. I like the casual feel and the laid back outfit Latifa sports around. She gets to ride on a bike and make it look easy. I asked Roa to watch the promo with me to tell me what she thinks and she was sold. She loved Latifa too. She looks youthful, relaxed and natural. But the song is a winner, we  have heard it in her last album and liked the beat.

We loved the flowers, that drum, and that wedding, the doves and everything else. I think Latifa has a winner here, the music video is about her and about other people, not some model who looks handsome. It's a bout a woman who wants to enjoy life and appreciate the little things like smelling floors. Those butterfly are spectacular...this is music video for those who are happy or those who like to be such.

Latifa - Ya Hayati Teaser 2 | 2 لطيفة - إعلان تشويقي يا حياتي أنا جانبك

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The Gorgeous Shayma Helali Brings Out Class, Grace and Charm @shaymahelali

Being cool means the lack of trying. This is why I consider Tunisian pop diva Shayma Helali one of the coolest singers out there. She is a gorgeous artists inside out. But it's her voice that distinguishes her from the pack. Shayma Helali teased us last week with anew music video and a new single, now we have the gift and it really reminds me of the time the late Zikrah sang Khaleeji dialect.

Many wish they could pull off a stunning performance in that difficult to grasp dialect, I think few artists have gotten it, and this list just grew with the name of Shayma Helali whose song hits high marks. Sure, she did other songs before in the Gulf dialect, they were good. This once though she aimed for greatness and she got it.

This is a love poem that's heavy on meaning, emotions and details, complimented by an amazing show of music that transforms the song into a perfect package--we have composer, Talal to think for that. Shayma sports half a dozen of looks and styles for the song and boy does she look like a magician? It's a grownup song that spices up her music career and opens one more door into the talent of this delightful and graceful artist.


I think this has been filmed in Turkey?  The rain, the places, the water and just about ever detail is nothing short of spectacular. The song starts slow, allowing the listener to warm up and then the song picks speed and marches on.

Shayma Helali Clip Ehssasi | شيما هلالي - إحساسي

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The Only Happy Eid Song You Will Ever Need!

The song is not about the Eid day but rather the eve of the Eid, the night filled with expectations and good spirit.spirit. Oum Kalthoud released this song more than fifty years ago and it has become an Arabic classic for that special day.

This time Tunisia pop diva Latifa takes the song and delivers an incredible vocal performance. She did not have to go reinvent the wheel, instead she did a cover song of this classic and that's the one song we will ever need. So celebrate this day and make the most of it with family, friends and loved ones.     

لطيفة تغني يا ليلة العيد

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Tunisian Raper Declared War On Fanatics @SamOnTheRoad @tamhussein @FadilAliriza @trdeghett @tsweden

Guito'n took on rapping in the summer of 2008, his first song was titled "Kalashnikov", and it all went to hell from there. The self-taught rapper turned producer and started on his own studio project. Slowly, he started gaining momentum in Tunis's underground rap scene. His bold raps got him in trouble with the local press, and radio but now he is savoring the hit song she released in  as trong message to extremists.

Guito'n is unafraid and cuts to the chase in his war against fanatics. there are some really scary faces and prophets of hate that have taken on a new kind of war-- a war against their own people. It's a minority and a vocal one that wants to go to heaven by turning out lives into hell. They beat people up, murder them, lash them in public, blow shit up, gave fiery hateful sermons. And this is not an attack on Islam or Islamists. Just the violent minority that targets civilians. This is an angry humanitarian song. It stands for women rights, the rapper feels liberal but in the face of extremists this is not meant to be an insult.

From Revolutionary Arab Rap Blog

On the other hand, Guito'n is one of Tunisia's influential MCs and his credentials as a revolutionary, a political radical, and as a pious Muslim give him real credibility on this issue. Throughout its history, Arabic hip hop has focused its anger on state violence from Arab regimes or from international actors such as America and Israel rather than on Al Qaeda and similar extremist groups.

 The lyrcios for this song are to be found in both Arabic and English here One particular line jumps at me, الجهاد مش في تونس الجهاد في فلسطين "Jihad is in Palestine not in Tunis" which is a common phrase most people use to fend off these crazies.

Guito'n - Ya Mitchaded يا متشدد New 2013

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Beirut International Awards Festival 2015 Happens @BIAFLebanon

 

Beirut International Awards Festival (BIAF) was held few days ago and the themse was to honor the late Lebanese golden girl Sabah. So every celebrity in the region under the sun showed up dressed to impress with their outfits. Held on a famous Beirut Zaytoona bay. There's was lots of fashion, makeup and interesting people.

 

Celebrities turned out for this event, many good people were in attendance, and certainly the big egos were there as well. They had a drama and some thought the events would be canceled. They only had spots for 600 people, businessmen were also in attendance. 800 people RSVP'd for the event, so they had to apologize as they could not accommodate them. This is sad as this is the 6th time this event is held. An interesting award was horning the Egyptian businessman who is Haifa Wehbe's ex.

 

Interviews by Elaph caught with scores of entertainers and organizers on the red carpet. there was government types present. There was a handful of international icons from Turkey, Spanish and France. Nancy Ajram stole the show, Wael Kfoury was also there. Kuwait was represented by Nawal. Tunis had Saber El Robaei, Algeria had Fulla. Many Lebanese celebrities shows up.        

 

For full list of awardees, please see here

 

ماذا قال نجوم مهرجان "بياف" ٢٠١٥ ومكرّموه لكاميرا "إيلاف"؟

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Tunisian Zohour Gets Her First Song

Musician turned producer Mohamad Dia is introducing a new talent. Tunisian Zohour is collaborating with Egyptian Dia. Zohour is the first artist from a line of young artists Dia is hoping to work with and introduce. Not to overlook that Dia was once married to the lovely Amal Maher whom he helped introduce to pop music.

Zohour is excited to work with such a big name like Dia. The song came out and it was accompanied by a survey where you are asked to rate Zohour's voice and talent. Now we have the music video for this song that hopes to make things right--it's all in the title.

Tunis has many bright young artists--they come with a heavy dose of Western influence. Sure, it's a tiny state, but talented in that land dream big. I think the ladies would find this song of value. While I like Zoghour's voice, this song is not for a grown man to appreciate.

Rad Eatebar - Zohour رد اعتبار - زهور

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Latifa Sucks Up To The Gulf And I Like It

Tunisian Latifa gave an interview timed with the release of her new album, see in 2013 she released two albums one for the gulf that seems to have gone unnoticed, and another general pop album that was great. Latifa spoke about how she loves the Gulf region. She prays for the Gulf, and wants this area to prosper. She is brown nosing them, it's all for a paycheck.

She sang a lot of dialects, but this is not her first Gulf album, she made one years and years ago, then she released a single. She likes the region....it's not a comfortable topic to bring up since it feels awkward....the interviewer really pushed her buttons.

لطيفة لـ"إيلاف": الله يحمي الخليج من كلّ أعداء هذه الأمّة


لطيفة - أتحدى | Latifa - Atahadda

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Saber Rebai Dishes On Music, The Voice, and His Album

Aside from his music, he is known for his ex-wife and his current wife. He is Saber Rebai and he means business and entertainment. A Tunisian who is a rock star and now making the transition into an elder of Arabic music. He is a beloved artist within Rotana who booked every billboard in town. He also occupies a chair on the Voice.

He is a little drama sort of guy. I like to hear him speak, his dialect is pretty special. He has a new album out out and it seems to have landed well. He and the couches on the voice took some heat for not being warm toward Ricky Martin--Saber said they had their mics off that moment. I think Arabs are sucking up to foreign celebrities.

I like how he talked ab out romantic songs--pretty powerful song that shows his quality voice. He has a new music video as well.    

Saber Rebai Interview In Radio Delta صابر الرباعي في راديو دلتا

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The Timelsss Magic of Dhafer Youssef 's Music @DhaferYoussef

Here's a well-hidden Tunisian gem, a best kept secret in that magical Arab country.  The name is Dhafer Youssef and he is a celebrated composer, talented singer and a brilliant oud player. He is the man who stands behind jazz and Islamic music tradition. In between Tunisia, France and Austria he found his own path and came up with a Avant grade world music admired by all.

His career translated into six albums. But he is not the one to sit idle. Dhafer branches out to other cultures as he indicates an affinity for the music of India and Nordic music. He also takes credit for Electric Sufi style, something that draws many Western musicians.

In the track below, you will hear sounds like you would hear them climbing a remote mountain, the music is only a background and his strong yet subtle vocals lead the way. This is a lot like natural music, perfect for movie's sound tracks.   Dhafer's music is like a crossings where there is harmony by combining Sufi tradition, world, mystical, and jazz influences with Arabic lyricism

So get cozy and let this legend take you to your happy place, yes, his music is a lot like therapy it invites you to explore inward.

Dhafer Youssef - Soupir Eternel

Dhafer Youssef " Dance of the invisible dervishes" at Festival international de Carthage, Tunisia Dhafer Youssef Oud, Vocal Eivind Aarset, Guitar Husnu Senlendirici, Clarinet

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When This Tunisian Sings To Libya, It's So Sweet!

Here's a short song by Tunisian diva Latifa. Songs in the Libyan dialects are so rare and songs with this dialect by A list artists are almost never heard of. But since Tunisia hearts Libya, comes this song from a lady who is familiar with the culture and has performed there on many occasions.

This sounds a lot like a folklore song and in fact it's a really good one. It sounds like a song my own grandma would have sang in Palestine. Well-done Latifa, do more of these songs....
لطيفة تغرد لليبيا - شوق ذبلنا شوق

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Shayma Helali Showcases The Other Side Of Egypt! #Ya_Nahar

Girls just want to have fun. Just ask Shayma Helali whose fancy ride breaks down in the middle of the desert, but she is not broken down. She manages to turn it into a party. Tune in, see her take on Egypt and its Nile River. This is a nice music video from Egypt at those very dark times.

Not sure who her love interest looks like. She is flirting with her man in this song. I like it when ladies are unafraid to share how they feel.  I love the exotic location--many other music videos were filmed there before. I like the local people and how they like to party and have a good time. Shayma keeps her radiant persona as she sports a number of looks. It's a cute song with a catchy beat.

Have fun...for a Fady Haddad directed picture, this one is simple and not over the top. I've noted that part of the music video has been sponsored by a travel agency.
  

Shayma Helali - Ya Nahar (Official Music Video) / شيما هلالي - يا نهار

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The Brightest Pop Star Teases Her Fans With Ya Nhar @shaymahelali

The crisis in Arabic music started in 2009 with the financial crisis and music producers and TV networks not investing money into them as much as they did just few years ago. In 2011, the industry took another hit due to the Arab Spring and the instability. And with faster internet (and smarter phones) going almost to all corners of the Arab World, piracy is an issue.

One artist stood tall among her peers and weathered the storm well, I am speaking of Shayma Helali who hails from Tunis (where the Arab Spring started) but she kept her upbeat persona and kept making good songs and stunning music videos. She really kept busy and she made a number of hits that rival her A list peers.

Shayma Helali is a gorgeous lady who rocks and strives to find good work wherever it may be. Like her upcoming music video which she filmed on the Nile river. This is amazing because her son is in Egyptian dialect. And the song uses an well-known catch phrase "Hell of a morning!" She pulls the tourist look so well and I cannot wait to see her latest.

In the last two years, Shayma Helali  sang in more dialect than most artists can do. She did this without losing people or coming across as something who is trying too hard.

Shayma Helali - Ya Nhar Teaser Soon | شيما هلالي - برومو كليب يا نهار قريبا من ميلودي

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WATCH: Carole Samaha - El Shark El Azim. The Mighty East Song

The Global Network for Rights and Development (GNRD) wanted to share a message with the frustrated masses in the Near East, so they produced a music video, it's an epic song with a lady who cares about the well-being of the human in this part of the world.

Carole Samaha often is the first lady to join such initiatives. In Tunis, they assembled a team of more than 80 experts and technicians to produce this song--most of them volunteered to bring to light a song that offers hope and a glimmer of light in the sea of darkness one sees.

Dr. Loai Deeb had this vision and he shared it with the GNRD once he produced it. LDC, LBC, CBC have been airing this song. The song tells the story of the countless whose life was robbed from them to unite the region. The song is about the things people can do when they overlook, race gender, and religion. Working toward a common goal can do wonders. But to be blunt, in the Middle East right now, they are unable to reach that level--too much money are invested to keep that from happening. For starter, do not blame a third party, look in the nearest mirror and see the party to blame.

Directed by Carole's French pal who directs all of her songs. Now, really a song about the great East directed by someone who comes from the West? Then they brag about all the foreign technologies and expertise that helped bring this song to life.

No doubt this is a huge production. There were more than a 100 extras, and ten editors who worked on it for two months. But the music is the dream of Marwan Khoury and the music production went by Michael Fadil. Tons of animations and backstories to process.

About GNRD The GNRD Head Office is situated in Stavanger, Norway and its branches are located in Austria, Belgium, Jordan, Spain, Sudan, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Zambia. Dr. Deeb has a PhD in International Law. 15 years of activities in the field of human rights. Member of many lawyers associations, such as in Cairo, Paris, London. Fellow of the Academy of European Law in Germany. Member of the Union for the ICC in Lahaye “Den Haag”.

Carole Samaha - El Shark El Azim / كارول سماحة - الشرق العظيم

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Nostalgia! This Was Beirut International Award Festival (BIAF) 2013

Entertainers like to be seen, they even create  award events and ceremonies so that they can feel good about their choice of career. BIAF takes place in Lebanon each year, the best Arab talents from music, TV, publication, movies and other professions gather to celebrate one another. Of course, they dress like a million dollar and chase cameras to give interviews and statements....

This is Beirut International Award Festival, an award ceremony that dubs itself as a place where distinguished personalities and figures that have had a special and unique mark in communities and fields all over the world. The committee of BIAF is selected from all disciplines, and that is done for the important purpose of collecting and merging those individuals' significant experiences in their respective fields. The goal of this committee is to honor people who deserve special recognition, and to shed light on their career, history and heritage. This superior committee represents a large segment of people seeking to honor the best.

While the event is Lebanon focused, but a large group of Arab entertainers also attend, I spotted Tunisian Latifa and Lutfi Bouchnaq,, and Emarti Hussein Jassmi and Egyptian Ezzat El Alayly, Yosra. Too bad Arab scientist cannot be this cool. I do not see any non-Arabs turning out for this supposedly international event

Official site


إيلاف في كواليس مهرجان BIAF 2013 لتكريم المبدعين

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This Lady's Voice Makes Me Smile! Tunisian Diva Oulaya

About ten years ago, Syrian Hit-maker and diva Asalah did a song I love so much, I mistakenly thought this was her own song. The song was performed as a duet with Tunisian Saber El Robai, it was a lovely song that pierces one's heart. 'Aly Jara was that song!

Then just today I learned this song was a cover of an older song for a little known Tunisian lady Oulaya. She is certainly big at home and well-known among her generation, but I fear I have either failed to find out about her or have not looked hard enough. Though I know one of her other songs but have never knew her name Jary Ya Hamouda song.

Let's meet Oulaya,

She started to sing a the tender age of 14, in 1957 due to the Independence of Tunisia and forming the national broadcasting agency, she got a head start and shot to fame at home. She sang during an Umm Kalthoum singer when she came to Tunis for a concert in 1968. The legendary Egyptian loved her voices and invited her to come to Egypt. Oulya moved to Cairo and took part of a number of concerts and was the headliner of Tunisian cultural nights in Egypt. She would stay there for 12 years, then went home.

Her father insisted she get married, and she did marry a much older guy who had three kids with her. She sang in most cities in Morocco, Algeria, Lebanon, Kuwait. She married again to Egyptian composer Hilmi Baker who wrote her the song.  She died relatively young at age 54 in 1990 at home where she was buried.

I will always remember her by her song that talks about homesickness, love and long distance relationships. There is simply no other Arabic songs that covers this topi with so much passion as Oulya did.

For More about her, please visit


Oulaya - 3alli gara(original) عليا التونسية علي جرى الأصلية



Oulaya - Alli Gara (Live) علية التونسية - علّي جرى


علية التونسية - جاري يا حمّودة

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