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؟

How To Let Your Music Video Director To Ruin It?

Simple, let them apply all the ideas they have on your music video. This way they would make your music video a lab rat, a testing ground for all and any of their untested ideas. This way they will surely give you one shitty music video that looks like an overflowing salad bowel loaded with salad dressing and none of the fresh produce.

I guess what my analogy is trying to say, you should be the judge and in the driver seat, don't let some guy with a fancey press release sell you one something that doe snot feel right. You want an example of what I am talking about, look no further than the video below. While the song is hip, the music video disappoints and confuses one's soul.

This is a pop song by Rahma Riad, it was supposed to be a treat, now I feel bad for the star who has shown so much promise. The pictures,m they tried to pain fall flat and the looks do not necessary work well for Raham (what's up with the all black dancers?). And what's sup with that eye mask look? Some bold hair cuts too! Why stop there? Bring the disco ball too!


 كليب رحمه رياض الا اقللهم 2012

Pyramedia: Seham Omar - Ezzay Ya'ny / سهام عمر - إزاي يعني

Pyramedia produces music in Egypt, but it seems to be only working with new comers to the game. Freshman stars enjoy working with Pyramedia that takes a chance on them. But if those make it big, I do not think they sit around and stick with Pyramedia. This might be a good business model as the stars tend to be inexpensive when they are new, but once they hit the big times, they want more.

So that's why we get to hear and see singers like Sehma Omar who has a new music video out. This teen singer who seems to like to do what other teens do is dancing and singing for your entertainment. This clip is taken form all other teen shows, something that seems natural to Seham, cars, kittens, boxing, gym...etc.

The song has turned into a fashion show, I could count at least seven outfits. This song might be a great hit with the youth., I found parts of it to be Yawn-worthy.
Seham Omar - Ezzay Ya'ny / سهام عمر - إزاي يعني

Is Samo Zain Gays' Best Friend In Arabia?

First he did a music video with two dudes dancing and one telling the other...consider me your wife and then people got upset. Then comes a picture for Samo where he is sniffing a red rose and looking all dreamy in a way that gives a gay vibe. I do not think he is gay, but the music he chooses in romance and the way he tries to market himself for women makes him seem so.

Now, watch the latest music video for Samo, he is looking good and the music video is done in a creative way--it really is. First he is a Sultan with dancers trying to cheer him up...then comes the film crew and end the scene.

I love his voice in this song, you can tell he was really laughing or at least smiling as he recorded this song, Samo can be a funny guy and he seems to be able to look that in many of his music videos before. He is a sharp dresser too.

The color red is all over this clip, a red tattoo, a red dress, a red car...etc. The song does get sexula as the girl dances "I Know I'm Sexy". Samo's greatest achievement aside from singing the song is the music where he composed it and did a good job blending Tarab music with cooler musical elements.

El Ward El Ahmar - Samo Zain الورد الاحمر - ساموزين

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

Women, Bikes And Fashion In Lebanese Beirut

Motorcycle bikes are a big deal out here in the States, the American engine roars like no other. Such thrill is coming to Lebanon now with a company goes by the name LAMA. So they put a an exhibit for those who like bikes in Lebanon for haunting, and recreational use. Of course this is the rich man's game. Products of YAMAHA and Harley Davidson--in Lebanon for 60 years. Popular bikes are for the mountains too.

It seems that the promoting company is trying to educate people about safety, last thing they want is death from bike accidents in Lebanon. The company is helping promote the sport, so go ahead be safe and ride on. As long as you are willing to pay up some cash or they would help you with financing. 

انطلاق أول معرض للدراجات النارية في لبنان والمنطقة



But those who like fashion are also welcome to Lebanon, there's a fashion show. Lebanon has been known for fashion for some time now. More than 40 fashion shows have taken part of this show, all labels were present and most models come from all over the universe. Boys and men can also find things to buy, not just the ladies. I would go to Lebanon, but I am looking for something that has less plastic.

عروض للأزياء في وسط أسواق بيروت

Review: Elissa 2012 Album Cover البوم اليسا - أسعد واحدة 2012

(Click on the picture to make it larger)


Aside from that, Elissa made a good album, it gives good and fresh lyrics. Musically it does not do much with the exception of "Haylef W Yerga3ly", "Law A2olak", "As3ad Wa7da". Those are all exciting songs that have a happy tone--something Elissa has not done well in. Aslo such songs will help beef up Elissa's concert presence. Then we see a whole new side of Elissa in at least three other songs, "Motfa'la" where she is hopeful and just a real girl with imperfections. And she doubles down in the super awesome lover who would come to rescue her man in "2alby Hases Feek". In "Kre7tak Ana" Guys won't like it too much, but the nice boys will enjoy it, it  serves as a lesson in what not to do.

"Sa'at" is a tragicaaly good song about our expectations and how life is different than we plan...this might be the most realistic song in the album, that serves as a wake up call to the dreamy among us....sometimes you have to improvise. This song causes so much pain if you were to hear it and reflect on past experiences. Elissa had to get in a corner and reflect on her life to bring out this masterpiece.

"Ro7tolo" might be the best vehicle for all those Elissa's emotions about true love where she stands by her man when he is down. It plays like a declaration of rights that those who are in a relationship should learn from. The song is about loyalty and being there for better or worse. It's like hearing the inner thought of a very romantic soul who puts her hurts aside to come to the rescue of her love. Whoever wrote this song deserves a shout out, no way a guy cane come up and express such this complex emotions. 

The two cover songs are good, Elissa has performed them before on TV and in concerts which shows her bias toward the two female stars she is paying a tribute to. Salwa Qatrib's "2aloly al-Aid" is a very popular choice from a singer that left a gap in many hearts. "Lola Al-Malama" this song was the reason the album was not released in Egypt right away due to copy right issues that now have been resolved. A good cover with a proper modern twist, I am sure if the late Warda was still with us, she would give her the nod.

The more you listen to this album, the more familiar it feels and the better the songs start to sound. Some songs I had to listen to for three times to start enjoying.

Elissa's 2012 album was relased officially today in Egypt, and minutes later the original CD and its cover work have reached the internet. It's a sad saga to see a well made album gets leaked and losses money. But no one stole the album, someone in the company leaked it....there are always disagreements and fights among people in the business.

Let's talk about the cover

Per definition an album cover is the front of the packaging of a commercially released audio recording product, or album. This is the front-facing panel of a CD package, and, increasingly, the primary image accompanying a digital download of the album, or of its individual tracks. In addition, this also serves as part of the protective sleeve. Not to forget the greater purpose a CD cover serves, marketing! 


But like an amazing album cover can sell an album. If the album cover looks cool, you might just pick up the album. I know this happened to me at least once before.I know people who do not speak the language and if they like an album's cover they are most likely to give it a listen.

Elissa knows this very well and since she tends to make an album once every two years, it's important to have worthy covers that will last for this period. Other stars do too, but most Arabic music albums are focused on the star, not the music or the experience the album offers.

I know this, Elissa does a theme for her photo shoots, it was Alice in Wonderland three years ago, now they went to Turkey to come up with some fresh images and themes. What do you guys think of the images on the album? I think they look good and tend to be safe for Elissa, but also cements her status as a women who is out of this world as she does not live ion this earth or share the worries the rest of us have to deal with. I do not necessarily see a themes in the photographs, but I do like the behind the scenes pictures from the Turkey shoot.

Elissa - sa3at 2012


P.S. Whoever translated the songs into English, should get another job, the translation into English is horrible.
P.S.2 Will someone tell team Elissa to unblock us form Hot Arabic Music twitter? 

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

Karim Mohsen's "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word"

Egyptian pop star and composer Karim Mohsen has been making catchy music for about three years. However, he has made catchy music before but he was behind the scenes. But once, he has launched his album more than two years ago he has bee on fire. Karim is popular with concerts as college kids demand his presence.

He is a stylish pop star with a rock star demeanor. I am a big fan of his songs, I think I would say I have liked 9 out of every 10 songs he recorded. Now, it seems that Karim wants to do something he has not done before. He wants to sing in English. That does two things, one maybe earn him some fans outside Arabia, two earn him some fans in Arabia who think they are too cool to listen to Arabic music.

This is a risky approach, few if any Arabs have succeeded in doing it. Let me tell you, the cover is pretty decent, Karim sounds like he hails from Chicago. He has done a fine job with the accent and the performance. Sure, to some this might be a really good karaoke rendition, still this is has to be a really good start.    
Karim Mohsen - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word

Amer Zayan, The Pretty Boy Who Loves Himself

This is a beautiful and dramatic song that Amer Zayan poured his heart out and thus made it a big hit. But then whoever made the music video for it forget that he was making a music video for a sad song and instead turned the concept into a fashion show, pretty boy shooting a catalog for Banana Republic fashion store.

The lyrics tell of a story of betrayal, a hard working man falls in love with a girl. The girl loves money and leaves him because she would not want to wait for him till he makes it. Instead, we get two good looking people who spend their time equally on the mirror checking themselves out and sending kisses to none but to themselves.

Again, the couple seems to live in a mansion, not in some small house. Wait, the weird gets weirder, this hard working man Amer takes a shower in his clothes looking sexy when he was supposed to look heartbroken. Then he has dance parties too. He spends his time in bars, not in some dark factory.

Congratulation Amer, you made a music video as a guy, that has only been made be female entertainers.

Amer Zayan "Ana Chab W 3am 2assis 7ali"-{official music video} -عامر زيان

Esam Karika, Egyptian Sleaze Seeking To Please

Esam Karika is fine with you not loving him. Karika is the Egyptian answer to rap music, but with local twist. He likes loose clothes, he also likes to surround himself with plenty of women and when he sings, he works hard to make sure you do not understand what the hell he is talking about.

I have embedded a music video of his where the outfits, the dancers make up the bulk of the music video, not the song. He titled his song, high heels in reference to women wearing them and seducing him--or his little mind. In Karika's world, women dance on top of his cars, and try to get his attention. His music video tend to offer some humor and some sleaze, but no originality.

El Kaab El Aali - Esam Karika الكعب العالى - عصام كاريكا

MJK Teaser! The Pop That Only Haifa Can Make

Haifa is a cool cat, and that has served her well, but she is no dummy. She has shown that she is a smart business women with a lot of strong opinions, but as an artist she has an image and that image works well for her. She makes it look effortless and the fans--young and old appreciate that about her. Her new album, titles MJK abbreviation in Arabic for Malikat Jamal Alkoon--Miss Universe. Something about glamor, youth and dazzle that attracts Haifa to this business, it's a creative title.

 It brings back memories with the queen of Arab pop, she is good at what she does, and her team is mindful of who she is and what style first her best. Haifa was largely missing last year, but it seems the sabbatical has helped her refocus and regroup. Now comes her big album that offers a Haifa style entertainment. The pop with gillie feel to it, there's an art that Haifa has mastered which is make songs that appeal to both kids and grownups. Sure there are those who think they can see through her, but that never stops half a dozen of other wannabe Haifas out there form copying her style or trying too.

I have liked songs in the past from Haifa, the are the light ones that can be easily classified as cute songs, that way they are light, catchy and hot. She has released dozens of those songs and those are always popular in her concerts. Say what you say about Haifa, but she is no elitist, she comes across as the girl next door. She answers when people call her Hiafa, she doe snot want to be a diva, it's enough that she is popular and adored.

 Haifa MJK Teaser #3 - Bokra Bfarjik / هيفا وهبي - بكرا بفرجيك

Nayomi, Arab Business Selling Sleepwear Fashion

As a business, I love the concept of Nayomi, the all Arab company that is selling lingerie, sleepwear and such for Arab women. It turn out that the Arab gulf is a huge market for lingerie....billions of dollars have been spent on fancy underwear that makes women feel good.

The reason I love Nayomi is because they are doing something few could pull off. Instead of sending Arab money to some already rich Westerner, they can do it all locally. That means, they will also be aware of the cultural sensitivity, making products that sells, not testing products.

Yara, the Lebanese singer is their spokeswomen, they has received lots of money for the endorsement. If Fadel Shaker is right about her, Yara is all about getting paid. I like that the owner of the company is an old guy, not some gorgeous model like the ones you see walking down the aisle in Alice in the wonderland.

Yara_20120409.mp4

The Highest Fashion Show Might Be In Dubai

Emirati fashionista wanted to do something different, something only she can do. Throw a fashion show high in the sky in Dubai where the world's tallest building rests. She brought together conservative outfits that is popular with the local people, models did the cat walk so high.

Hind Mittawie spoke about her fashion show and the things she is trying to accomplish with her show. They are trying to set a world record, officials from the Guinness Book of world's records were invited to the show.

Hind's work focuses on reinventing the traditional women garb--Abaya. She is keeping it conservative yet fresh and colorful. I like how much freedom Dubai has given to their female population. They are competing and thriving under this rule.


إماراتيَّة نحو موسوعة غينيس ... بأعلى عرض أزياء