LISTEN: Black Theama - Dakhalna Hemak | بلاك تيما - دخلنا حماك

The colorful folksy Egyptian band Black Theama wants to share the Ramadan celebration with the rest of the  Muslim world, by releasing a track exclusive for this month. They are even asking you to download it free of charge--find the link in the video description box (and always do not do anything illegal)

This is a sweet track from the guys who know how to pour their emotions and keep it in check when needed. This is simple song that celebrates the month and the creator. They also take a tour to those famous Islamic sites this month. They plea with the man upstairs to accept their worship.

I like the beat, it sounds very Black Theama, a watered down musical version of course. This is the standard of those religious songs, that cannot be loud. This track is inspired by the Sufi folklore. Thus the songs comes froma long standing tradition of using sober music as an instrument of worship. 

Black Theama - Dakhalna Hemak | بلاك تيما - دخلنا حماك

This Ramadan Meets Rock Music By 050 Band

Rock music has not ever be used to make a song about the Muslim month of Ramadan. Not until Egyptian band 050 had their new song. Just like most Ramadan songs, the spiritual message is there about faith and find the inner peace

It's certainly a fresh take on this genera, the vocals have a hard time matching the strong beat, but the overall the song by the band has its moment in the sun. Fans of this kind of music would most likely welcome the song, and those who like Ramadan might find something new about this single.

I know I think the vocals could have been sweeter a bit, yelling does not really scream faith to me.

050 Band - Ra7tak fe Emanak || زيروخمسين - راحتك فى إيمانك

The Rapping Mc Gaza - Meen Aja / إم سى غزة - مين أجا

Here's a fresh sounding rap song from the Palestinian Gaza based rapper known as Mc Gaza. Mc Gaza filmed his rap video in Gaza City, consider it a tour of Gaza downtown--everywhere else sucks really. Feel free to spot the rapper filling in for the unknown solider monument. Looking slick and stylish ain't easy in Gaza, but rappers have to have a swag.

I like the graffiti, and the masked man represents something, not sure what it's at the moment--maybe Israeli collaborators. I do not like the smoking bit, it''s really not cool Mc Gaza. The video gets wired toward the middle with the rapper shaking and incredible closeup.

Keep on mind, this is a local production where there is little support for artists, so A for effort.
Mc Gaza - Meen Aja / إم سى غزة - مين أجا

Mado Annoys The Military Establishment in Egypt

He comes across as a singer who has little fear, and he was one of the early voices that has criticized the military and its actions in Egypt. He is no fan of the SCAF and its old school generals with those outdated ideas. So Mado has been making music that many realize only now is timely.

That's the makeup of a visionary. While Mado has little to lose, the army tried to divide and conquer approach. While in general just about every Egyptian has deep rooted respect for their army--most are skeptical of the army's intention and actions.

I am sure the Egyptian army is one awesome army that loves the homeland, but at this point, I am afraid its leadership has been dragging them into the mud and with it most of Egypt. So Mado makes takes one shot after another and he has been increasingly bold.

I think some of the young activists also need to cool it too. However, this thing is not going to be over soon. No one gives away power unless they are forced to.

ya 3askar efham (piano) Mado يا عسكر افهم -بيانو- .. مادو

نفسى.. وائل عامر ومحمد عبد العال (مادو) وسونى (رحاله)

Khaled El Tayeb Soltan Zamany 2012 Album

 Here's an album that one guy had to make, and an album that not many of us will get to hear. I say give it a chance. I know I liked the title song, it does have a lot of cool beats, Greek and Turkish melodies. But Khaled El Tayeb does have a good voice, the kind less educated people can relate to.

This is a good summer album for guys to play in their car, on the beach or right after they have finished their high school exams.

11 track of pop songs to cool your summer and bring you way some dance energy. This is an album that seems to want to do one thing, launch the career of a singer at home in Egypt so that he can get working gigs

01.Soltan Zamany
02.Andy Leek Amanah
03.Akher Mara Netaabel
04.Ana El Ayam
05.Awel Maareftoh
06.Baa Keda
07.El Ghalta Ghaltety
08.Eah Elly Yemnaa 09.Matehsebhash
10.Salemly Ala Albak
11.El Ayam El Helwa

 Soltan Zamany - Khaled El Taib سلطان زمانى - خالد الطيب

A Tale Of A Citizen By Noha Taha Throwback To Old School Arabic Music

No other Arab county can turn out a new and exciting vocalist every day of the week year around as much as Egypt can. When you are in a country of 90 millions, you can do that. I am always amazed by the talent pool in entertainment Egypt has to offer.

One of the new voices I just stumped upon is named Noha Taha, a female vocalist with a voice that should be wrapped in gold. Noha composed and wrote the lyrics for the song she is performing, a tale of a citizen living under the emergency rule--it has just been lifted. Noha has also taken part of some activism as Egypt undergoes change.

I like the music and I love Eastern feel the song features. This is a song that sounds identical to songs they played in the radios during the 60s and 70s. Noha comes from a Jazz background. For more of her songs please visit here She started her career by writing poetry and she is the daughter of Alexandria-the city by the sea. She is will studied in Arabic, English and French literature. And currently she takes part of two bands. Scorpionism a tribute for scorpions, and S.M.S band that is a mixture between art and life experience.

 حكاية مواطن - نهى طه A Tale Of A Citizen - Noha Taha

The Best Arabic Music Video You Will See This Year!

It takes a women to know what goes on the head of another woman, no guy can figure that out. That's why when you watch this music video you will know exactly what I mean. Rich guys tend to be obnoxious, busy and insensitive. In the video below Fayrouz seems to have married one and she fantasies about payback time. For that she goes all dark shadow on us and she escapes to that dark place to feel herself.

The part in her mind when she feels how her life is is AMAZING! The way the music video transitions from this richy rich into an empty dark room with a creep feel to it is done so well. I am surprised because the singer has also produced the music video...while she did not write the lyrics, she sings as she feels them. The goth feel reminds of a of many of those pictures Tim Burton makes.

The song does not hold bag and runs through a list of things she hates about this guy...I want to stop hating my body when I see the way you look at me, I am sick of your smoking, I want to wear my style and have my own friends. In reality however, she does not say a word and stays with the very same man that she despises.

What a breath of fresh air....welcome Fayrouz!

Fayrouz Karawya - Barra Menny / فيروز كراوية - برَّة منِّي

DOWNLOAD: Ramy Essam 2012 Mini Album مينى البوم رامى عصام - المسلة

As far as Egypt protest music is concerned, Ramy Essam is king of that land. Ramy is an award winging dude with a guitar and a cause. He was one of few singers who did not buy the crap from the army and the propaganda machine. He stood firm and spoke loud. Get ready to hear from this energizer bunny activist singer who has become a big player in indie music in Egypt.

He remains one of the few artists who perform often and compose their music as they go....take the example when he made a song about sexual harassment in Egypt--a big deal. Ramy came to be the most recognizable face of the protest music, he has been given so many rewards and many articles have been published about his work.

It's enough to know this, his election song is like watching a high end political show with all that fine analysis. He is one of the smart ones that analyse what he sees around him in a way worthy of envy by many college professors. So check out his new mini album with six tacks. He is mocking the show the army is putting in Egypt and all the fine sneaky details.

I could not help by fall in love with the artist album cover, this is the soul of an artist all around. Ramy composes his music, plays his own guitar and sings with passion. The lyrics of those songs you hear are of Amjad Al Qahwajy. The lyrics pay a tribute to the Egyptian culture in away that makes the album accessible to a wide audience.

 01.Action Tany Mara
02.E3meli Bta2a
03.El Masala
04.Tartoor
05.Mal3oon
06.E3meli Bta2a Acoustic

Ramy Essam - Elections 2012 رامى عصام - ملعون يا نظام الانتخابات


Ramy Essam Movie Tour Album 2011 - 2012 | Manshourat

Uss W Laz2 Band فرقة قص و لزق Flies Under The Radar

Hany Adel is the cool kid of indie music, the composer singer is lending his voice and his talent to a hot band that is making it to large concert halls around Egypt. The name of the band is Uss W Laz2, translating to Cut and Paste. It's driven from a game band members used to play as kids--think scrapbooking, where one brings various things together in under a catchy theme.

Therefore, the band does that by mixing different kinds of music together and playing more than one Genre, sometimes more than one Genre in the same song. That's refreshing. The Band participated in various events and music festivals including "The International Music Festival",-"El Sawy Underground Music Festival",-"Maadi Revolution Festival",-"The International Day for Forgiveness"

So if you want to tune in to "Uss W LaZ2", you will be getting a healthy dose of original songs is played using different kinds of music on Arabic lyrics that talks about our social life in everyday Egypt. The band is made out of friends who seem to get along on camera and behind it. See their performance with Hany Adel

Uss W Laz2 Feat. Hany Adel - Daya3ty 3omrek

Hopefull Hany Adel - Dawar Benafsak هاني عادل - دور بنفسك

Hany Adel is one of the main driving forces behind the indie music scene in Egypt. He is one of those brainy yet charming talented musicians who know how to get things done. Even though Hany has his won band, he lends his voice to a number of bands on stage to bring more attention to some of those bands.

Hany released a song literary few minutes after Mubarak was made quit his presidency. The song exploded everywhere. That's why people got excited when they learned he is releasing a new single about hope and the new down. It's tough to be hopful at the moment but the song urges people to dream on. A timely song indeed that has the word indie inscripted all over it.

Hany is also an actor, his last movie role was in Asma'a a movie about an HIV infected young Egyptian women. Hany produced the music that was written by a City Band member. "Search For Yourself" is the title of this indie gem.

Hany Adel - Dawar Benafsak | هاني عادل - دور بنفسك

DOWNLOAD: CairoKee Wana Maa Nafsi 2012 Album البوم فريق كايروكى - وانا مع نفسى قاعد

If any Westerner wanted to hear rock music from the Arab world, they will sure have to check out this album from Cairokee 2012 who have just released their freshest album. Now Arabs  will also enjoy the different yet pleasant music. These guys can get their guitar to dance the way they want it to and make it seems effortless.

As far as the lyrics go, those lyrics represent a fresh take on indie music, personal stories that is heavy on self exploring. So this is the personal album one need to hear as they try to figure out what to do next or how to make sense of Egypt at the moment.

So you know when you go to a gym in the Arab world, and they play western music to pump people up? Now, gym operators can pump people and give them something different like that music Cairokee makes. Yet someone this album, is meant for the thinking man as well, promising you one thing, the sun will come out tomorrow and you will have hope.

Enjoy the tend tracks on the album, Cairokee and its lead challenge themselves and come up with what might be the first serious attempt at giving the Arab world, a real rock and roll album. I like the simplified Arabic the band uses.

This is band made for live experiences, they make the music as they go. I think I am ready to say it, Cairokee is the band to watch! They are sitting up the bar so high which makes other similar bands look band. Too bad the government in Egypt has repeatedly denied them a permit to hold a concert.

01.El Malek
02.Kol Yoom Mmkn Ykoon Bedaya
03.Bokra El Shams Tetlaa
04.Wanaa Maa Nafsy Aaed
05.Law Kan Andy Guitar
06.Souty
07.Basaal Aleaki
08.Tayeh
09.Lakn Ehsasy Msh Kfaia
10.Mestany

كايروكي - وانا مع نفسي قاعد Cairokee - Wana Maa Nafsy Aed

Cairokee New Album - ألبوم كايروكي الجديد حالياً بألأسواق

WATCH: كايروكي - وانا مع نفسي قاعد Cairokee - Wana Maa Nafsy Aed

Cairokee might as well be Egypt's most real band, their music is so heavenly good and their lyrics are loaded with meanings and beauty. Their second album is due soon, and they have a music video to get their fans and they are an excited.

The music video is pretty clever and presents something we rarely see in Arabic music video, personal struggle with demons. People with masks, the video does have a French feel to it and so does the get go music. This is a change for the band whose last songs were political and social, this time they are going for personal and life.

I have three cheers here, the first and the second go to the director of the picture, the same person who also wrote the lyrics--Amir Eid who chose the Egyptian city of Maadi to film his music video.
 كايروكي - وانا مع نفسي قاعد Cairokee - Wana Maa Nafsy Aed. And of course the cheer for music goes to Ciarokee for crafting this gem.

Consider this a song about the world famous hamster wheel and the dull routine that most of us live through on daily basis. Cannot wait to check out the album, I only wish Cairokee was given a permission to perform in the stadium as they had planned. I do not think the SCAF, that runs Egypt at the moment likes them very much.

This video was directed by Amir Eid in 2012 and was filmed in streets of Maadi. Music video by Cairokee. (C) 2012 Cairokee Productions. DOP Mahmoud Gawish Art Director Layla Omar El Farouk Cairokee Adam El Alfy-Bass Guitar Sherif Hawary-Electric Guitar Tamer Hashem-Drums Sherif Mostafa-Keyboard Amir Eid-Vocal & Acoustic Guitar Music By Cairokee Lyrics By Amir Eid

Grab Your Guitar, Cairokee Will Teach You To Play It

For a hit song from a hot band to take time showing their fans online how to play one of their songs is fresh. In the video below he will show you the way to tease your guitar so that you can recreate Ethbat Makanak. Not too many musicians will teach you how to play their songs. Amir Eid, the closest thing Egypt has to a cool rock star will lead the way.

Sometimes, I wish I can play the guitar, but I cannot. Chords are the codes composers used to map out a given song. I am not sure if this translates in other languages, but it's a cool way to connect with fans, more than 13 thousand have already viewed the video. Think about getting a free guitar lesson from your idol. So jam away

Chords for Ethbat Makanak

Egypt At Night is Something Else! I've Seen It

Every city does offer a different vibe at night than it does in the morning. The workers leave town at sunset and those who want to party and enjoy the nightlife descend on the city. A more relaxed city emerges. Sure little good comes out of it, but people make a living out of those few hours when tourists and affluent come to the city.

Egypt comes to life at night, when the stressed go home, the other people show up escaping the heat of the day and seeking pleasures. I have visited Egypt many times, and I can say it's different at night too. A local band known as the voice "sound" of the street wrote and produced a song about their magical city just to celebrate it and not to politicize it.

It's a good song with a decent performance, nothing especially vocally, but the beat accompanying the band members delivers a good song.

Masr Blel Video Clip ( فيديو كليب مصر بليل - فرقة ( صوت الشارع

Mike Massy, The Lebanese Hipster Musician

Mike Massy is one class act, he composes, and performs in Lebanon and elsewhere. But unlike his peers he is well versed in music. He knows it through and through, thus he is no impostor. So upon the release of his latest album, singers, stars, celebrities and intellects were lining up to snag a signed copy of his album.

While producers are not racing to make music video for this gifted musician, he keeps to himself and works on his music. Think of him as the dude from your college days, the one who had a guitar seemed to be sincere and smart at the same time. I think Mike would be a cool guy to chat with about life and music, I am certain he hold his own ground. Just like those indie musicians living in New York City--they have the talent, but they do not want to sell out or perhaps unable to figure the business side of things.

See this performance of his in a very intimate setting.

Mike Massy مايك ماسي - Ya Zaman - Live

Morsy Or Shafik? Either Way Most Get The Shaft

The title is inspired by the song below, by Mado and Wael Amar, the boldest indie singers in post Mubarak Egypt. I have always liked them because they seem free spirited and tend to be ahead of the curve when it comes to politics in their home Egypt.

This is not an ordinary song, it's a humorous one. In these song, they apologize to the president and tell him we did not mean to take you out and those who have been murdered are nothing but Photoshop. Mado and Wael have collaborated before, but this song of theirs seems to be the most sarcastic to date. Not only do they pick on Mubarak, but also on the Muslim Brotherhood candidate Morsy.

I am afraid that these two guys are right on the money, but the reality is there seems to be little chances anything will change. Either one guy who's part of the old guard or another guy who might have too many skeletons in his closet. The guitar and the clip seems to be rushed as protesters go back in the streets asking for Shafik to be shown the door.

مادو.. وائل عامر .. حكاية مرسي وشفيق الممنوعة من العرض

Egyptian Karim Naguib And His Arabic 3D Song

3D pictures are so 2009, but they have landed in Arabia a year ago. Few have attempted at using them in Arabic music videos, but those were lame attempts, as the technology is not ready in Arabic market--they are not still completely ready here either. But the level of awareness on this technology is higher here for sure. Now comes a hip and a bold Egyptian singer/rapper who gave the technology a shot

Filming in Europe does the trick. At least we get to see some cool scenes as the artists walks around town followed by a camera. This is cool song that sounds fresh in terms of the flow and lyrics. It's a stand alone song rich with meaningful lyrics from a guy whose critics are many.

To his credit, his music video is a smart move, plus London looks good in 3D
Karim Naguib - Hayah Mn Gheir Malameh In 3D / كريم نجيب - حياة من غير

"Jadal" and Barakah Two More Indie Bands In Egypt

Jadal is a rock band from Jordan, they have perform din Egypt in a music festival for indie bands from the Arab world. This was a night for original and different Arabic music, it's night to rock out. The song of choice for this band was to turn a beloved Arabic classic into a rock song, or give a classic the rock treatment.

This is a smart move to get the audience to tune in, sometimes you can have original music, but if your lyrics are experimental you might not connect with audience. Vocally speaking the song leaves a lot to be desired but the music is pretty awesome.

 جدل - التوبة Next is a grage band from Egypt who want to grill the next president for their country. I love the vocal variety the band showcases, the male and the female vocalists are super charged. The lyrics are of theirs. Barakah, mocked the jail sytem where the big wigs have been hosted, they call it prions, we call is a resort. There were more than a dozen of bands, who offered their music to a hungry crowd. Needless to say, some bands were more refined than others. بركة - ماله الريس

Cairokee Teases The Hell Out Of You 2012 Album

Guitar obsessed indie band Cairokee is working on their new album, it should be released this year and maybe this summer. Cairokee came to be the hottest, and most energized band in the post Mubarak era, they sell the most records, they appear on the most popular shows and their online present is worthy of stars with global fellowship.

The thing about this band is they make it all about the music. They really spend hours jamming together to come up with something fresh and original. There are many bands in Egypt at the moment, but serious ones are hard to come by. Cairokee has all their ducks lined up and I like their personality and their work. I was saddened when their last concert was postponed and then canceled by the Military rulers due to security concerns--it might also be that the band does not play ball.

Here's their teaser for their upcoming album. The album is titled "Wa Ana Ma'a Nafsi Qaa'ed", when I am sitting by myself....

Cairokee New Album Teaser

Baraka Band @ The Sawy Cultural Wheel

If it's raw music what you are after, then you must check out this video from Baraka Band who made an appearance and brought their experimental music and stores to the stage. The lead female vocalists have a strong voice and a presentable personality on stage.

I like the music, but something tell me Baraka band has not been around for a long time or have not played much together. I have not seen or heard of them before, but I would surely enjoy some of their renditions of old Egyptian classics as they have done in the past. They have performed on the most covted stage in Egypt at the moment, the Sawy Cultural Wheel.

See their jamming session...

 فرقة بركة - موايل الهوا