Baloona, Yet Another Lebanese Summer Music Festival

Why not? Nothing beats the heat like the outdoors can, so why not bring the party together and hire local talents to bring it all together and excite the crowd about your town or about your event.

In Baloona, a village in Lebanon, brought together two different singers. Michaella, one female that will attract the young an dthe energized, and  Melhim Barakat, the guy who speaks his mind, but also makes very fine music. She partied with people as she sang. She even gave interviews and spoke about her latest work and events where she will appear.

The moody Melhim Barakat asked people to turn off their cameras and he has banned the singers form filming his performance. And yes, no one has footage of Melhim Barakat.

في بلونة... ميكاييلا تتألَّق وملحم بركات يمنع التصوير

Can "Arab Booking" Revitalize Entertainment Business in Lebanon?

Booking agencies are all over the states, they maintain a large database of talented entertainers, speakers and such who can be hired for a fee. So a Lebanese guy wanted to bring all these stars under one roof....it's not a new idea. But it seems that the guy behind the company means business. He invited a number of A list Lebanese entertainers for a dinner.

For the look of it, it seems they event was very exclusive. It's no secret that entertainers are unable to get gigs in those conditions. So they want all the help they can get...this is why Arab Booking--the name of the company will be a tool for them. Lebanese singers young, old hip and not so all accepted the invitation and joined the ranks.

Weddings, companies and private parties can all hire one of the entertainers to appear at their concert. Let's get real, I think you can get 90 percent of the /Arab stars for under 10 thousand dollars. You just need to be serious and pay up. It seems at this event stars turned out and enjoyed the dinner. Elaph caught up with them and spoke about their plans and their upcoming projects.

I wish Arab Booking the best of luck, if they can make it a success, why not? I do want to applaud the founder of the company for speaking about the high fees stars ask in exchange for their participation in an event. He said, most of the time, such stars give high fees because they really do not want to take part of an event.

Here's what I would do.....

a short video by each of the company's entertainers trying to sell his act. This video would not be public, but rather a promotional material sent to entities considering booking an entertainer. This has to be a business model, not a game. The company needs to make its mark on the business by not getting in the production business but rather the marketing business. Not o be tempted to sing any talent, but also not to let A list celebrities poison the company by claiming some privileged status. This is important in a world with a lot fo egos, each one has to know they are valuable asset.

 نجوم لبنان و العالم العربي في قبضة Arab Booking ElaphVideo

Najwa Karam Rocks Al Ashrafiya Festival!

So what Najwa Karam did not want to talk to annoying street journalists, so what the audio system could not handle the might voice Najwa Karam is well know for. It was still good concert that shows Najwa as a home girl proud of all things Lebanon

Najwa was the star of a local concert part of Al Ashrafiya area, a pocket of Beirut. She sang for an hour and shared the joy with her fellow Lebanese people, it was not a big deal what went wrong and those who talk about it, got nothing else to talk about.

She rocked the purples dress and did what the singer wanted to do, remind people that Lebanon is a safe place to come party at.
هل كان حفل الأشرفيَّة زلَّة قدم لنجوى كرم؟

The Hit Show "The Voice" Gets The Arab Version

or maybe it's the Lebanese version. What has been done right so far, is the judges, the management has picked 4 awesome names in Arabic music who truly can sing and have a reputation for their strong voices and their musical knowledge.  AS far as the business is concerned, the intellectual property rights of the show belong to Talpa Holding, while Sony Pictures Television (STP) Arabia- representing Talpa formats in the region - is the co-production company.

This American show is now landing in Arabia and the masses are unsure what to make of another show that will waste more of people's time to pick talents who might never make it in this world again. MBC is hosting the show in the same format, 4 judges, they hear the voice, not see the person singing and then make their call. The person who likes the voice will be a mentor for the guest.

They already had a press conference about it and people are starting to talk about this high caliber show with big names like of Assi Hallani (Lebanon), Kathem Al Saher (Iraq), Sherine (Egypt) and Saber El Robaei (Tunisia). I would not watch the show, but I will follow its news.

Following the exclusive rights to broadcast the international TV show 'The Voice' in the MENA region on MBC1, MBC Group revealed the four star “coaches” of the show:

Kadim Al Sahir, Sherine Abdel Wahab, Saber Al Roba’ei and Assi El Hellani. The program will be hosted by Egyptian actor Mohamed Karim. This is a sing of the great recession that Arabic music have been seeing since the Arab Spring started.


  #MBC1- The Voice

When Wael Kfoury Was Cool Not Pathetic

Remember the 90s? If your answer is Yes, then you will know a cool kid from that not so distant past...Wael Kfoury was the invincible kid of Arabic pop. He was everywhere and he was the guy to listen to from Morocco to Dubai from Syria to Sudan he was on every radio. And we loved him for it because his songs made us happy.

But do you remember a happy and dancey Wael Kfoury hit song in the past 10 years? I do not think that would be easy. He has cornered himself in doing lame romantic songs--some of them are good. But such songs have turned Wael the cool happy singer with passion into a zombie whose fans are limited to older women nostalgic to better times.

He has not released an album in a really long time, and he has found trouble finding a company that wants his album--maybe he asks for too much money. I miss the cool Wael who did happy songs and sounded like a fighter in the ring seeking glory. Wael does not talk to the media and his bodyguards rough up photographers in concerts and there's a talk about his non-secret secret marriage.

the song below was one of his better known songs when every concert and party in Arabia played it at weddings, guys and girls found it a hit. It's not too late for Wael Kfoury to make a song of this magnitude, I just do not feel that he wants to anymore.
وائل كفوري - ما وعدتك بنجوم الليل

Joe Ashkar 015 2012 Album With 15 Tracks

Lebanese pop ain't dude, it's the opposite. Just ask Lebanon's hardest working party show business guru Joe Ashkar. Joe has released a 15 track album which he has cleverly titled 015. He remains one of the sharpest dresser, and the man most men want to copy, he has a signature style with the slim fit suites. He has has a venue in Lebanon's biggest concert venue....at a Casino where he hold weekly concerts that bring the best of the shoebiz.

His album is about romance, fights, breakups and everything in between. I do like Joe's music, he seems to take it seriously, not just a DJ making music for his songs. The mixing and the mastering seems top notch.

The album is made for female consumption, but males who are helpless romantics will find it interesting to listen to and try to copy some of its lines. Frankly, the album is for the grown up romantic. The song who has seen love up close and personal, not  freshman romantic who might not relate to its lyrics.

Romance for the refined soul is what Joe is going for and he does a really good job at it. He also has few playful songs where he has released as singles in the span of three years.  Like his   Dakhel El Ghannouj that has a music video worthy of stations like the European MTV. On that note, Joe has actually received an ward from the Euro MTV.


This Lebanese super star is doing a favor to his other countrymen as he leads the way in pop music and his music video who are both bold and visionary keep things interesting at home and abroad. Joe Ashkar might not appeal to everyone, but he has always shown to be capable of picking new fans and claiming resepct.  With his 15 track songs, you know the album will change moods and beats, which ensures a musical experience for all tastes out there.   

 01.Ta’ai
02.Keda Keda
03.Men Qal
04.Dakhel El Ghannouj
05.El Shab El Arabi
06.Habibet Albe
07.Kezzabi
08.Sayerlou
09.Akh Ya Bouy
10.Yesa’ad Ayamak
11.Ya Oumi
12.Ta’ai [Shear Wa Ghouna]
13.Rjehtella
14.Mili Mili
15.Aa'l Youma

Joe Ashkar - Dakhel El Ghannouj / جو أشقر - داخل الغنوج


Joe Ashkar - Ta3ee جو أشقر - تعي

A Plastic Nation Called Lebanon عمليات التجميل في لبنان

I have never been to Lebanon, but everyone who comes back from there tells many jokes about how this nation is observed with all things plastic surgeries. Just like Texas and California everyone makes a big deal about their bigger, younger and youthful looks.

There's no shame in that, the same kicks in when it becomes a phobia! That's when even good looking people think they are not good enough. This is not just a thing for women now, guys also wants to keep up to they go under the knife too. Show biz is a bitch and people want to stay in it for as long as it takes. As younger people break into the business, other older stars freak out and run to the nearest plastic surgeon. But it turns out even politicians seek help tucking their bellies.

I love this video where they talk about Haifa Wahbe's nose and Elissa's lips are popular. WE all know dozens of celebrities who went for plastic surgeries. I think it's something if you need it, then go for it, but it you have a choice, you better think again. It makes sense why many world known surgeons call Lebanon home--phobia pays.

عمليات التجميل في لبنان: عندما يصبح الجمال فوبيا

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

Assala's "Awel Aid Milad" Song 4 Her Twins Birthday

Why do celebrities expect us to care about their kids? Do we really care that much or do we even have time to tune in? I mean some celebrities are shameless in trying to talk about their kids. Just look at the clips from the hospital room where Assalah is showing us where it all went down, the moment they were born and then them growing up.

This is really strange, do the kids have a say in this matter? Why do celebrities bring their kids to the spotlight? Has not not ruined so many lives before? Assalah does have kids from her previous marriage, and onlive TV she has exchanged kisses (on the mouth) with Tarik.

Aside from this, this should be a family song, not a song release for the masses--keep in mine Assalah has a jerk ex husband who speaks ill of her every chance he get. The song features her husband Tarik--a music producer and her two twins Adam and Ali. Then Assalah gives her mother a sincere shout out who has helpled her in each step along the way. She sends a prayer to her late father.

Again, this is a great song, I have to admit. my issue is with the images of the little kids. Do you notice the minimal makeup? It's kind of a star in a different light.   

Exclusive.Assala-Awel Aid Milad / حصريا.أصاله - أول عيد ميلاد

Some Pop Songs Are Nothing But Audio Porn

While pop songs are meant to be happy and catchy, some singers mistake pop songs for something else. Singers singing and using that seducing voice and making all those noises associated with sexual acts. I have first heard those songs here in the States. But such have been crossing over to other parts of the world including Arabia.

It starts when a untalented singer (a lazy artist with no ideas also) and a horny consumer. Such songs exist in both Lebanon and Egypt and both males and females have used them. But in general, female Lebanese singers and Egyptian male singers have song such songs. I do not care to name names, but those songs are all around us. I have a dozen names of artists who have dabbled into songs of this nature, where there are sexually suggestive language.

I find Lebanese pop filled with such songs, and Egyptian Sha'abi music as well. The artist is not the only one to blame, listeners should also get the blame. But ultimately, it's the fault of the company and the network that promotes such flits that can only comes form lazy and people who have expired artistically.

enta ba2a (dance crew) "master team"
  

Dina & Saad | دلع يا دلع - دينا و سعد الصغير



Haaya- Shway Sexy | هايا - شوي سكسي

Feel Free To Hate That Shithead Tamer Hosny

I cannot help it, but I still cannot stomach this guy anymore. He might have recorded some big songs--in his world, but he is still a tiny little guy. He traveled to Hollywood trying to get the attention of people around the Arab World, no body seemed to tune in.

Now he has a concert in Morocco, where he saw a big and warm reception. I will not argue with that, he is a star but those who got no education and those who are glued to their TV screens. He did hold a pres conference while there. Remember the old Tamer would never talk to anybody and he would never take questions. He now has to blame the humble boy game.

He danced on the stage and tried to pretend everything is ok. Here's the sad reality, he will not sell a big concert in Egypt. He won't, he might pack it with his buddies and friends for free, but few would pay a dime to see him. His concert was free for the masses in Morocco. He even went to Jordan for another concert and spoke to the pres.

It looks like the uni-brows are back this summer. Some journalist actually said something pretty cool. "I wish you have not made your movies" Tamer tried to play it cool and saying he made money! This is not about art anymore, he is all about the money, little misguided teenagers and zombies.     

تامر حسني: أعذر من يشكِّك بمحبِّة النَّاس لي

Myriam Atallah, The Syrian Pop Princess

Syrian pop sensation Myriam Atallah is keeping a busy schedule as she stays in Lebanon to be near the media center. She has been doing a lot more interviews lately and with those comes a song or two. This blogs like Myriam and have followed her career with passion. That's why we present one of her recent songs produced for LBC.

A single is the most we can wish for giving those troubling times. Not sure if the dance moves work well for the song, but this sounds like a decent pop song from the Syrian songstress. I do not think this song was recorded live, it does not look like it form the video. I like the camera work, but I wish if there was an audience to make the song sound better instead of making this slightly awkwardness.

I think Myriam can do better, at this point it does not seem that any Arab star is delivering the good stuff they once could--things are shaky.  

   بعيد عني جديد ميريام عطا الله 2012 جودة عالية / حصريا من Lbc

Said El Marouk And Maya Diab To Make Sexy Clips

There's a new pop diva in Lebanon, and her name is Maya Diab. Think of her as the dark horse of Arabic pop who dances, sings and show more skin than most would. She has at least two different TV shows, and now she is hot for concerts where she open for other acts.

The news story reads, she is to released three singles and collaborate with one of the boldest--some can say kinkiest music video directors in Lebanon. Maya has been know for her sexy legs and babe personality. Few years ago she was just a cool chick on TV, now it seems she is building an empire. Well whatever it takes to keep those dollars rolling in.

Just see how she dances and the dudes seem to dig it. I think she should stick to pop and sexy stuff and leave the classics untouched by her.

مايا دياب تتعاون مع الماروق وتطلق ثلاث أغانٍ جديدةٍ

Elissar Or As The Lebanses Queen of The Dance

The prelude to the music video is so cheesy and so forced, what follows may disappoint some. But when it comes to belly dancers in Lebanon, Elissar is the go to belly dancer of the stars. She does dance in private clubs in some of those artist (shady) parts of town.

Elissar who was born in Lebanon, spent a great deal of her life living in the UK and the USa due to the civil war at home. Elissar's father did not want her to get into dancing, but she did anyway. She dances to Western and Arabic music with the same level of excitement and energy. Elissar is making a bold move at a career many Arab women have little interest in anymore.

I do like the effort of building a theme for the music video where the dancer moving along and the actors appear to be from a distant era. The cheap graphic in the background takes away from the experience, but overall watching the clip I am left with one question: what do they put in Elissar's coffee to get her to move with such energy?


Elissar - The Queen of The Dance

Massari Or Shitty Losers Who Make It Big In Lebanon

Sari Abboud or as you know him Massari is a Lebanese Canadian R&B, pop, and hip hop singer who grew up in Canada. Massari means "money" in colloquial Arabic. I do not know one thing about him until Arab entertainers started talking about him like they would about Michael Jackson. For some reasons, desperate Arab singers wanted to inject some pizzazz into their careers by using the name of an unknown singer and playing him up. Here's what one commentator had to say about the Canadian savior of Lebanese music

.i hate everything about him his style his stupid songs his looks !!

I don't really like Massari,his music isn't my type

Massari has found some traction in Lebanon where he organizes concerts and now he is bringing a Canadian treat to share the stage with him Mia Martina. I do not like their style of music and I feel it's at least 5 years behind that on the American music. One last thing, I am proud of Arabs who do well and succeed, I just do not think we should worship people who are not worthy of that attention. ماساري لـ"إيلاف": تِرشرش أغنيتني اللبنانيَّة المفضَّلة

Massari - Body Body [ OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO ]

Motorcycles And Men With Small Private Parts

Men obsessed about things that cover for their mistakes and shortcoming. In Lebanon the fever of bikes and models have gained traction as a local dealer tries to get the locals excited about the bikes, so what's a better idea than hiring models with top line fashions riding on the back of a bike with a leather sporting dude

The dealers of Harley Davidson hired fashion designer Ronald Abdallah to put on a good show and bring horny men to buy some bikes. Needless to say, this event caters to men with some cash and those who think bikes can make them stand out.

The dealers opened the show with a 2.5 million dollar cash investment.

نعومة الأزياء تلتقي مع درَّاجات الهارلي ديفدسون

The Arab Kim Kardashian Is Also A Walking Billboard

Maya Diab is a celebrity, but unlike Kim she has done something with her life other than an adult tape. Maya hosts TV shows, sings (decent songs). Now she is collecting a paycheck for endorsing a product, a makeup company called Make Up For Ever, launched a line with Maya, water based makeup is a big deal for many. Maya will do well selling products for the masses.

Maya has her own makeup bag too, and a complete line of makeup that Maya swears by. The company made a promotional video for their event where Maya is looking gorgeous with that makeup, you can see loads of ladies waiting to snag some of those products and sure there is a number of makeup artists who are ready to convince women that they need this product of that. Everyone wants a piece of the glamour business.

Aside from that, Maya talked shop about her reaction to summer albums, she seems to love Elissa's album and she also seems not to have taken the time to congratulate Haifa Wahbe on her smashing album MJK. I like the bit when Maya said she forget to go to this big gala in Lebanon.

مايا دياب: نسيت موعد الموريكس ولم أهنئ هيفا

Vintage Videos: Najwa Karam Folklore 1986

People who know what Mawal is, tend to enjoy life. It's essentially a showcase of a singer's vocals where she makes everything longer and louder without major help form music as he or she lead the song. Men and women have performed songs of this nature. The prelude for a song is often Mawal that introduces the song.

Lebanese have mastered this art and so have the Syrians. It's the one element that can show who is a real singer and who is a faker. Najwa Karam, the voice of the mount of Lebanon has perfected this art, we all know this now, but see back in 198 Najawa was nobody outside of Lebanon, she only made is big in the early 90s.

Look at this video and see that little has changed, she had the same stage mannerism now, and the same style, but she has that funny 80s look and hair. This was taken for a live performance at home with a packed hall, keep in mind, Lebanon was still dealing with the civil war.

najwa karam folklore 1986

Joe Ashkar Back In The Zone With "Ta'y تعي"

Joe Ashkar, the boy wonder of sexy Lebanese pop brings it all back in his latest music video (Ta'y) and soon to be released album. Think of him as the Usher of Lebanese pop. They both love the ladies, they are both hot commodities and they are both business men as well as seasoned celebrities. And not to forget, they are both sharp dressers.

Look no further that the large number of product placement in Joe's latest music video, the jewelry, watches, real estate, cars and more. Joe produces for himself and manged himself so he has to do business relationships with other brands. I respect the business side.

This is a new challenge for Joe who is doing a serious song for change where few are dancing naked around him. It seems like he wanted to make a personal song about a relationship that has taken a wrong turn somewhere. I do like the music video, it does have an artsy feel without being too weird.

 Joe Ashkar - Ta'y / جو أشقر - تعي

12 Years of Lebanese Murex D'Or Red Carpet 2012

 Murex D'Or, the rich and famous of the Arab world gathered in Lebanon for a night of glamour and celebrity infested event. It was the place to be seen and the place to look your finest. An award for all Arab entertainers, film/TV and Music. If you invite an artist to the  Murex D'Or they will show up looking snazzy.

These people got no sense of what happens around them and if they do, they care more for themselves and how a certain clothes item make them look. Of course, they work hard too and of course they entertain us as well. But they also get paid a big check for that. Now comes trophy time and they will turn out.

Watch the clip from Elaph who interviewed some stars and go some shots of other looking good on the red carpet. Assi Hallani did find time to talk about his ego, Kathim spoke about the event. Saber El Robaei spoke about his success. Others spoke about their work and awards. Sabine spoke about her new found fame and she was animated to be there. Lebanese Mike Massy was also invited and given an ward.

Look for ugly older men who are chasing their young trophy wives, together they are attending an event for no reason other than having money.

Murex D'Or Awards 2012