The Coolest Arab Singer Now

Very few Arabic music listeners know much about Darine Hadchiti , she is a young Lebanese star, has been around for about six years now. She enjoyed a number of hits in 2005-2007 and has been trying to stage a solid comeback even sense. Last we heard from her, she recorded a song for Palestine few months ago. Darine is getting ready to release her latest video clip and if the pictures are any indicators, we cannot wait to view her latest music video. What I like about those pictures is the fact that Darine does what she likes in sententious way that has always been her brand. Unlike countless other female singers she does not show skin to get your attention but her girlish charm keeps you close. Her energy is unmatched and hope to see her in concert. Those pictures scream "I do not care, I like my wa" attitude reminds me of many pop culture icons of weights of Madonna and dare i say Lady GAGA

Update, here is the music video from which the pictures were taken...Darine looks a bit different in this clip, but her voice, style and child like playfulness remains unchanged.

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Nancy Loves Those Loving Fans

Nancy Ajram remains on top of the Arabic music charts with her N7 album, that sells like no other album. She rightfully will be up there fore few months more. Of course there is the Nancy fan base, but this time around she has given us an all around amazing album where you can peak at Nancy's heart as the worlds she sings are coming from her heart this time around. I never thought there will be wisdom coming form her lyrics, but this album proofs that she is a smart artist who is highly sensible. I am happy for Nancy, her marriage, and her little daughter, they seem to have give her new meaning in life that add a depth to her music and her lyrics. Einy Alyeek has 15 tacks and all the 15 songs are worth it listen to and worth to live by as Nancy delivers a doss of sober reality with a mix of funk and spunk.

These pictures were taken from her set in southern Lebanon as she is filming her latest music video, for Shaikh Alshabab. while I am sure the music video will be a treat, I am kind of not too impressed by her outfit. But that is made up for her her grace as she greeted her fans and posed for pictures.






[More picture here]

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ToNe Asks, Want To Be A Rapper?

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A new Iraqi rapper all the way from Detroit comes this new upbeat rapper to entertain you. Iraqi Born, Detroit Rapper ToNe Releases“ Want To Be A Rapper” Music Video!

Iraqi Born Detroit raised rapper ToNe has just released the music video to the song “Want To Be A Rapper” the song tells of all the struggles ToNe goes through trying to make it in the music industry and also sheds light on the fact that everyone and their mother wants to be a rapper these days.

On coming up with the song “Want To Be A Rapper” ToNe says
“Just seeing thousands of people on My Space that are rapping but aren’t very good brought it to my attention that everyone thinks they can be a rapper, I was also watching a few reality shows at the time on TV about rappers trying to make it and of coarse most of them had no talent, it made me want to make a song about everyone that was trying to rap, no disrespect to anyone that’s actually good and making music but just to the people that should remain Hip-Hop fans”

Here’s the much anticipated music video for your enjoyment

ToNe and his family moved to Detroit, MI in 1991 barely escaping the gulf war alive, ToNe was only 4 years old at the time, he started rapping at the age of 13 and since then has created quite a buzz working with artists like Young Noble, Sean Kingston and also opening up for artists like Trick-Trick, Kevin Lyttle, and more!

The music video starts with an opening scene with a music executive looking for the next big and along comes charming ToNe with his demo. I do like his use of a demo tape, I thought that was funny and good. I Loved it when ToNe told the music producer “That’s all I can afford right now”. Hope to see ToNe on the cover of Complex Magazine one day becasue he is one hip rapper.

For more information on ToNe visit his MySpace, YouTube and Twitter

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Essam Raji the voice that made your father hip

I first came to hear about Lebanese singer Essam Rajiعصام رجي when I listened to his classic song "Lagitak" covered by Lebanese then up and coming Singer Diana Haddad. I thought it was an original song until Diana gave credit to the Essam Raji original singer. But sadly there is little published on the internet about this fascinating Arab singer who has enriched the Arabic music scene where he continues to influence many new comers.

Many of his songs are now classics in the Arabic music library. Those want to show off their street cred have to perform his songs as a test. Sadly he passed away in 2002 concluding his journey that stated in the 60s of the last century as he collaborated with the biggest players in Arabic music. To name few Sabah, the Rahbani brothers and Fareed Alatrach

It was a surprise to me to learn that Essam Raji is the man behind the all time favorite belly dance song Hizi Ya Nawa'em (vidoe below).

• هزي يا نواعم.
• لا قيتك والدنية ليل.
• يا سمرة يا تمر هندي.
• حبينا دكتورة.
• يومين شهرين.

Lagitik, perhaps the saddest Arabic song on missed connections and missed love opportunities when you are too late.



It's artists like Essam that make me love Lebanon even more and more. Those are the songs that made my father and his generation look hip back in the 70s, and here am I re-discovering those gems and enjoying them to the core. Let's hope more singers cover this under-rated Lebanese legend.

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