Najah Salem, One More Underrated Lebanese Diva

 Najah called Egypt a home and never forgotten that Egypt opened its arms to this lady when she needed a place to live away form the wars. Najah Salam is a Lebanese singer and actress. Born in Beirut on March 13 1931, the daughter of a prominent poet and lutenist, known throughout the Arab world. Like many of her peers Najah started singing in school choirs until 1948, when her father embarked in Cairo to present her to the likes of Oum Kalthoum, Farid Al Atrash, Asmahan.

Her first works came in 1949, as she performed in Ramallah, Baghdad, and Damascus etc. She returned in 1950 to Lebanon to record on Lebanese television some new songs which are Ala Masrahika Ya Dunia, and to also play in several films such as Ala kifek, Ibnu Duat, Alchab Al Asmar, Al Dunia LamaTadhak. She is a Lebanese singer who has masted various styles of singing including the Lebanese folklore songs. .
But Najah's rise to fame came to light in 1956 when her love of pan-Arabism brought her many fans and she traveled to places like Tunisia and Algeria. In 1956 she has also appeared in Cannes where she brought her film to the festival goers.

It wasn't until between 1970 and 1974, when Najah visited each single Arab country and performed there. Her Lebanese songs are far more famous than the ones she did, even though most of her other songs were inspired by Oum Kalthoum. One of the many titled Najah has earned is the one closest to her heart-- Ashikat Masr, the one who swooned by Egypt.

She left Lebanon for years during the war years, and only returned toward the end of her career where she did her country proud and helped enrich the music scene. Najah Salem's musical adventures stand as a testament to our life of live and love of all things gorgeous.
  بالسلامة يا حبيبي بالسلامة


نجاح سلام _ ميل يا غزيل najah salam - mayel ya ghzayel

Algeria Does't Mind The Annoying Enrico Macias Visiting

Enrico Macias is French, Jewish and Algerian and has made a fuss about not being allowed to visit what he calls his home. He tried in 2000, but was denied an invitation due to local protest but civil society groups due to Macias' support for Israels' policies in the occupied Palestinians Territories.

Macias tried again ib 2007 but he was denied again. Now he thinks he is being denied the right to go visit his homeland--welcome to the club asshole, I and several million Palestinians cannot do that either. Then the Minister of Telecommunication in Algeria, Nasir Mahl spoke up revealing that Macias is the one who backed down on the visit and changed his mind.

Macias is enjoying this as he has been speaking about this "ban". The Minister did a fine job explaining the case on an Algerian radio that airs in Paris. "No one denied this guy entry, all the French people who want to visit Algeria are welcome to do so, Macias is one of them" said Nasir Mahl. The French singer has been talking about Algeria being a bad friend of France and using his talking points to discredit yet another Arab country.

I love the bit when Nasir said in the interview, "In Algeria, we try to be silent on such matters, for for 10 years now, as part of the government I can assure you that Macias is a lair."

Supposedly Macias tried to be part of of the official delegation to France in a visit to Algeria, accompanying another lovely Jewish guy named Nicolas Sarkozy. But this did not happen after a protest from a government official who has declared Macias  persona non grata. However later in a State dinner in Paris, Macias was present and met a number of government officials--he sat on the same table as the Algerian Minister of Housing. 

There is a local story from the people who live in the same town where Macias claims his heritage, Qosntinah where Macias grandfather was reported to have taken a leak in the local mosque (I chose not to believe this story.) Needless to say one of Macias better known songs in Arabic promote alcoholism.

This is not a an anti-French effort this is someone who had controversial opinions and often incites hatred toward the Arab people. Again, America does this and so does the rest of Europe. Macias had voiced support to Israeli Cast Lead assault where Israel murdered close to 1500 Palestinians including my girl cousin Amal who was making tea that day. 

Enrico Macias - Habibi Ya Aini

Good Times With Warda Al-Jazairi

It's hard to imagine, that Warda is gone forever. She would take a break from now and then, but at the end of day, we think she is out there, working on something new. No more, she has passed away. This brings an amazing era to an end....the golden era of Arabic classical music would end with Warda who was a witness to history.

Her death brought generations closer as a song would listen to his mother's stories about the time when Warda ruled the airwaves.

Many new listeners are now rediscovering her and learning her importance. This moment will live on, and I am sure we will remember it years from now, every time we hear one of his beloved songs. Please enjoy this short clip where you will see Warda on a number of concerts how much she loved the fans. She was a diva....not the stiff kind. She earned the love of her listeners and their loyalty.

 Warda El Habbouba - وردة الحبوبة

Algerian Warda Comes Home

Algeria's presidential plane landed home in Algeria last night, there's was a welcome home reception at the airport. Something only have been reserved for heroes and leaders. Few have done to benefit Algeria as much as Warda has done throughout her career.

Leaders, fans and family were at the airport to take her to their burial ground. The coffin is wrapped in the Algerian flag. This is a sad day in Algeria, she is literary the most famous import from that country. She has more recognition than any other Algerian.

Rest in peace Warda, for long you have made so many happy, few can say they have did the same to you. Algeria buries one of its most famous celebrities. A grandmother, a mother, and a world class entertainer.
 Warda - وردة الجزائرية - وصول جثمانها الطاهر إلى الجزائر

Cheb Khaled's DIDI Alive and Well In Egypt

Didi is the kind of song that make sit big and no one knows what it means. Living in America for as long as I did, one comes to terms with this random phenomena. But the late 90s in Arabia were all about experimental music as satellite TV had so much cash to burn, artists had a lot of reasons to sing.

When popular and hip Algerian Rai singer Cheb Khaled had a song, it was an instant hit. I have no idea what the lyrics say or mean, but I know this was a bizarre song that everyone happened to love and enjoy all the same time.  It was a sign that Arabs can be united, a song that makes no sense in most Arabic countries, came from the western Arab world and went viral.

The music video for it was even funkier that any Arab entertainer was willing to go, it lived on for ages and it placed Rai music in the center of the Arab world
صحرا - دي دي


The original
CHEBE KHALED DIDI الشاب خالد دي دي

Sahara is the name of the band appeared in the music videos....they have mean covers of other beloved classics صحرا - سهران وياكي

Little Know Facts About The Late Warda

Warda is no longer with us. Little know facts about her...maybe her soul rests in peace. Her fans did a hasty funeral arrangement in Cairo before the official arrangements in Algeria. Her song Riad who is on his way to Cairo to pick the body has agreed to those Cairo arrangements. She death came as a shock to many of her fans, who until days ago where speaking of how youthful Warda looks.

 Rotana, the music production company that produced her last album has added a black strip on screen.  Warda give her best to her fans and many many Arabc males and females remember the days when she sang those classics and they were youngsters at the time.

1. Born in France, with the name Warda Footoky 
2. She born either in 1932, 1933, 1939, or 1940. It seems that there is no agreement.
3. Her mother is Lebanese, she first lived in Lebanon and sang there
4. Came to Egypt in 1960 to star in a movie. 
5. She used to give money to the Algerian resistance fighters via her office in Lebanon. 
6. Her start with music was in France when she did cover songs
7. Mother of two Widad and Riad
8. She has quit singing for few years after her married, but in 1972 she was asked to sing for Algeria, she did and made a comeback
9. She has always performed on the anniversaries of Algeria's Independence.  
10. Her last words were, "I want to go to Algeria, I do not want to wait" and she collapsed. 

 LBCI News-Reports-وفاة الفنانة وردة الجزائرية

BREAKING NEWS: Algerian Diva Warda Dead In Egypt

The well know Algerian legendary singer Warda (Warda Al Jazairia) has just passed away in a Cairo hospital as a result of a heart attack. She was at home when that happened, then she was transported to a nearby hospital. She is 72 years old.  Born on the 17th of June 1940. She was born in France for an Algerian father and a Lebanese mother. Her first songs were cover of other Arabic legends such as Asmahan and Oum Kalthom.

Later Warda would come to Cairo at a young age to be discovered. Her fame has exploded in movies and songs. Warda's latest album came late last year and manged to offer fresh material and something of classical hits. She married to famed Egyptian composer Baligh Hamdi. Her stage birth was in 1979 when she performed Awqaty bit'hlau, a said Makawy song which Oum Kalthom had wanted to perform but passed away in 1975 before she could.

In the past few months, many singers have called on her to quit. But she would not. She had something to give and we are happy to have her, may her soul finds peace. Her body will be transported to Algeria for funeral arrangement. A special airline will be dispatched by the government of Algeria to bring the body home.

The last music video of hers--two months old reveals Warda being bothered by such critics and luckily she had one other singer there to celebrate her and honor her memory. The song speaks of Warda not finding herself in this time.

 Zaman Maho Zamany - Warda ft.
Abady زمن ماهو زمانى - ورده وعبادى

Nay Soliman - Enta Amary Gorgeous and Dazzling Music Video

If you ever wanted a lively music video that bursts with colors, crisp images and scenic views, I have the music video for you. I am serious, this music video might have cost a fortune to make, the affects and the cinematography are nothing short of amazing.  The music video for Nay Soliman is feat for the eye and those who seek visual appeal.

I do not know who Nay is, but I know she has the most awesome music video I have seen in Arabia for at least three years. I know she is young and full of life, as for the song it's impressive. It's not about great vocal performance, it's catchy love / pop song with solid lyrics and beautiful music. 

Nay Soliman is going places, I think she should try hosting a Fawazeer show--game shows with riddles and dances. She does have a pleasant voice and good look to go with that. Nay Sleiman produced her own music video, and it was a surprise to learn that Nay is Algerian--Lebanese was my first thought.

I must give a shoutout to director of the music video, Rindala Kodeih, she should get more gigs. 

Nay Soliman - Enta Amary / ناي سليمان - إنت قمري

Arabs Love Perfume So Does Fulla!

Have you noticed that 2 out of every three bottles of perfume or fragrance you see at the department store, has Arabic written in it. They only right Arabic and English. This is because Arabs love good smells, they care about it and they buy so much of it, why? Most Arabs live in a hot climate, and no one wants to smell awful. The hopes that fragrance would cover up the bad smells never get old. This is one of the reasons why big names companies hire Arab celebrities to market their scents to the people of Arabia.

The latest to join the lineup of stars selling perfume is Algerian Fulla. A lady that can sing, but now she is entering into the fashion business as she she based in Beirut. In a recent press conference she just had, she was very honest talking about the business and less about the art. She has a concert in Morocco. Fulla's name or Folla is the name of a flower that is beloved in Egypt. So there will be a line of fragrance.

 فلَّة تستعد لإطلاق عطرٍ بإسمها