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

Ayman Zabib Sings For The Lonely And Broke

The sings of a singer who sings unrealistic love songs are many. Had he, or the one who wrote the song even been in a relationship, they would know better. This is why many of the best songwriters tend to be single, it's like any other job. 


Ayman Zabib was the Lebanese man of the year last year, he was on fire and his concerts were all over the Arab world. He has this nice boy looks who has passion and charisma on stage. He also does not seem to have a huge ego either. Thus he tends to open for other singers  or appear next to them--if you prefer.


Here's a song of his where he does a love song, he got nothing but love to give and he cares about little in the world other than his gal. Ayman can now brag about his many fans, he really worked hard on getting them and keeping them happy--no one gave him extra help.

I do like his second song, where is has a realist tone about a guy who cannot afford to get married and have a family and he tells it the way it is. This is our homeland and this is how things work out here. He sounds sweet and seems to take in the song in before he lets it out.

أيمن زبيب - بحبك والله


ايمن زبيب - شو بعملك النسخة الاصلية بدون حقوق

Talal Kontar - Doubles Down In "Yally Ma'y Sayer"

Talal Kontar is lyrical poet, music composer who is kind of a big deal in Lebanese pop. Dozens of A list singers (Fadel Shaker, Fares Karam, Raghib Alamah, UTN1,) take songs from him and he is happy to work with the best of them. But Talal is now doing a lot more singing and as we can see, we have yet another music video of his and he looks and sounds very fine.

Talal mixes really good music, and he seems to have a great influence form many Western school of music where he draws inspiration. So when he sings, you are not sure if he is being serious or if he is joking. The music video is in a bar/lounge.

I like the song story line, where a gorgeous girl approaches him and asks him about a girl--his sister and then he asks his sister for help. I like the ending where is feels European to me.

Talal Kontar - Yally Ma'y Sayer / طلال قنطار - ياللي معي صاير

With Reham Helmy, Egyptian Pop Keeps Trying

Good pop songs are not easy to make, a decent pop song has to be happy with upbeat music and clever and catchy lyrics. Throwaway pop ain't hard to make, just ask Egyptian pop star Reham Helmy, the new fame of girly pop. Reham has made a song for the ladies and girls out there, they would relate to it and better understand it.

Guys do not have much emotions or at least try not to understand things women talk about. For those, here's the song by Rehamd Helmy to give them a taste of what goes inside the mind of one girl. She just made a not so whiny song, that heart and a fine music. Vocally, I think Reham can do better as she is not letting herself break free in that department.   

Reham Helmy - Hanssah / ريهام حلمي - هانساه

See "Super Nancy" Come For Your Arab Kids

Lebanese director Leila Kanaan has shared with the web a sneak peak of the new Nancy Ajram look for her all kids album. The title will be Super Nancy, and that will be a character played by Nancy thought out the album and its promotional material.

It's a sad day when Arab parents let other people teach their kids good lessons. Nancy Ajram is a good mother and a great positive role model for all kids out there, but that does not mean she should replace parenting. I do not think that's her plan, but this is what most Arab parents do when they let outsiders preach to their kids for money.

Aside dorm that, this will be a fun album for all the kids out there. We have already heard a teaser for the upcoming album.

Nancy Ajram - "Super Nancy" Album All Songs (Samples)

A Different Maya Nehme - Enta Ana مايا نعمة - أنت أنا

Maya Nehme known how to dance, and knows how to start up the party. Her performances in Beirut clubs and events are well known. With so much energy, it becomes so hard to find a sober song that allows the singer to exhibit her vocal strength. A nostalgic song about the always good yet distant past.

Something tells me she is trying to do that in her latest single Enta Ana "You Are Me" A love song done in a French style about a lady that loves her man. I do like the music, it's lounge music at best. Maya tries to make the song work to her advantage. I do not know if I am ready for this song, I am not used to Maya being all calm.

But to her credit, she has tried to give the song a different flavor of her voice.

Maya Nehme - Enta Ana مايا نعمة - أنت أنا

The Lebanese Dalida And Her Magic Ring

Let's get one thing off my chest, Dalida is a good looking lady. She does have a a good enough voice to carry a pop song, and her music video is pretty cool if you ask me. I like the funky and bright colors it has. I love the TV bars affect and the way the music video came together.

I do not love the song, but I am fine with it. Many comments on the video come from chauvinistic pigs who are calling this clip soft core porn. I beg to differ. This is a Lebanese singer who is doing a song in the Gulf Dialect and thus she tends to get gigs to perform in concerts in places like Kuwait.  

 Dalida - Khatem Sehry / داليدا - خاتم سحري

البوم تامر على - ألاسلام الحقيقى Tamer Ali and The Real Islam Album

For a guy who spends a great deal of his time talking about love and romance, Tamer Ali is pretty out of his comfort zone with his Muslim themed album. He titled is the real Islam. Again Tamer is a dude who earns his money making music for romantic songs and music.

This Ramadan he is releasing a 6 track album all about the real Islam. While this is a great effort on his part, I think this is hardly an album. I like his take on the religions, it's personal. But I'm afraid the title is a little bit of a loaded term. It's a big deal to make music and call the collection, the real Islam. It might offend some people and it might not even resonate well with most people.

Having said that, I must say, I was never a big fan of Tamer's voice, but this album has me in his converts aisle. He shows real talent and a big heart as he approaches those songs. In the past Tamer has done covers of songs he composes the music for, but none of them has even registered with me. This time I feel the singer sounds very mature. Check out the samples below.

1-Yarab Matsbnesh
2- El'slam El7e'y
3- Ana Nadman
4- Alem Belly Feya
5- Ahdeny Ya Alah
6- Enta El Amal

سيمبلات البوم تامر علي - الاسلام الحقيقي 2012

Men 2idy 2012 The Bad Nay 2012 / نايا - من ايدي HQ

Naya makes good pop songs, but with one problem. Her manager is a schmuck, a jerk and classless bastard. Why? He is using Naya's talent to get back at his wife and he has always made that clear. Naya is a tented star and she need a ruthless manger to help get her gigs and songs. What Naya does not need is to get caught in a family feud.

She is a star on her own not a younger version of Nawal Al Zoghby, the divorcee of Naya's manger who I won't mention his name. Naya has a sweet voice that makes her a great candidate for breakup pop songs, but her latest do not seems o live up to Naya's earlier work (check out tizkar).

Men Eidy is a pop song made for clubs, you cannot do a sad song to a party music, it just takes away from the fine crafted lyrics. It's what it's a good song with loud music
Naya - Men 2idy 2012 / نايا - من ايدي HQ

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

Karl Wolf Is Big Deal, Just Ask Sandy

Pop is always looking for new ways it can stay relevant and stay kin business. Duets tend to work well that way. While most singers hope for a duet with another singer who speaks their language, that's not always the case.

Canadian singer Karl Wolf is working on a new song and music video with an Egyptian singer--who happens to also be an eye candy and goes by the name Sandy. I am looking at behind the scenes footage and I see a full bar with bubbly. The music video is bring filmed in Dubai where Sandy's favorite director is based.

Keep on mind, Karl is based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He has been a singer, songwriter and producer since 2001. He is very proud of his Lebanese heritage. Apparently, there's a scene where Sandy is putting her makeup on in the bathroom and Karl is surrounding be females yet he is still looking for love.

It seems that Karl really likes Sandy as they are planning a number of concerts together. I think this is a healthy collaboration, Karl need Egypt and Sandy is the ticket there. Sandy needs to prop up her resume in Lebanon and outside, Karl might help

MAKING OF SANDY FT KARL WOLF

Sherine's Divorce And Her Best Song Ever

Five years ago she got married, and two kids later, the marriage is over. This was a surprise move, no one really knows a thing about it. he news just broke and Sherine is not married anymore, but she still keeps a friendship with her ex now. I think, it's timely to play this song of hers about moving forward and forgetting the past. Her ex composer husband Mohammed Mostafa. Both have closed of their cellphone and so has Sherine's manager.

The year was 2005 and Sherine made the jump from a B list pop singer to the A list all around singer who is well versed in all musical styles. While Sherine have had a beautiful career so far and she keeps rocking it with making great music and dazzling concert performances....I happen to think the song of hers-below was her greatest song to date.

There has never been a sweeter song about being sweet when things are bitter than this Sherine gem. Not only do the lyrics deliver one hell of an emotional roller coaster, the acting Sherine is worthy of an award. Back then Sheirne was single and her songs were alive, this picture of hers will be part of her legacy, something she will give to her kids after her.

I adore the music video and the simple nature, a girl, a cause and a chair. Nothing too elaborate just a well acted story of heart breakup. Back then Sherine was with Nasr Mahrous, man who knows how to produce a hit and create stars. Nasr and Sheirnge no longer work together....and Sherine has also announced she is leaving Rotana and producing for herself.

شيرين لازم اعيش

Guys In Beirut Too Gay Says Mohamed Eskander محمد إسكندر - ضد العنف

God loves a man like Mohamed Eskander, he is a whistle blower on all gross things he sees. In his first hit, he professed his love, in the second one he spoke of gross bosses who harass female employees, then he spoke ill of those plastic surgeries and beauty fads.

But his next song, music video is his boldest yet. Gay men in Beirut will bring the end to humanity says the song. Boys playing with dolls and makeup, then they are wearing their mothers shoes. Years later, they are checking themselves out in the mirror in self love. So, here's the takeaway, let your boy play with other boys in the street.

Using lotion and moisturizing. The results are creepy, guys do not look at women anymore. and leave them alone on the dance floor to go have an encounter in the restroom with some other dude. He has the looks of a guy, but the gestures and manners of a women...says the song. Gyms do not help either.

I do not think, this song is anti gay, it's about manning up a little. Beirut can use a bit of that, everything has become so PC and guys are told to be cool and not jealous. Watch the clip and let me know your thoughts. On a personal side, I had a lot of American women tell me about soft Arab men in Beirut and in closet gay Arab men.
    
I don't know why Eskander keeps tackling big social issues in his songs, but he sure seems undeterred.  It might be a blessing that most of his songs are written by his own song, Fares. Farie is a well known lyricists in Lebanon whose work is celebrated by the A list entertainers.  On a clever note, titling the song "Against Violence" might curb some attacks on this song. No one is calling for violence against anymore, this is an issue of great importance for many people.

 Mohamed Eskandar - Dodd Al Ounf / محمد إسكندر - ضد العنف

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

Girls Tales by Nancy Ajram نانسي عجرم - أغنية سكك البنات من مسلسل حكايات البنات

This Ramadan there,s a show that will take everyone by storm, a lighthearted comedy about being a girl. Who knows best than Nancy Ajram, a young singer who made it big when she was younger than 20, she is the mother of two girls and the daughter of a strong and young at hear woman.

Nancy has made it cool to be a girl, perhaps less awkward maybe. The spunky years are important and it seems Nancy is happy to always be a young girl in the inside and outside. That's why she was the voice for the new comedy about girls. She has sang the main song for the show and so far it seems to be a great choice.

People now want to tune in to this show as the great Nancy who is a Huge star and has the highest likability rating in Arabic pop. I might not like the show because it seems to be going for "Friends" or any other American show. It seems to be about being a city girl who likes to think she is modern and stuff. The sad part, it was a guy who wrote the lyrics, not a woman. As far as we can tell the lyricist likes women too. 

But as for the song, its spot on cute, and accurate too. So take notes guys, do not screw up and if you do, there's a right way to handle it and a wrong one...Nancy Ajram will show you the way. 

نانسي عجرم - أغنية سكك البنات من مسلسل حكايات البنات 

Will One Direction Malik Zayn Be Fasting This Ramadan?

I was wondering being a Muslim, will the One Direction band member and super awesome dude Malik Zayn (Zayn Jaweed Malik) be observing the Muslim Month of Ramadan. I mean will be be fasting? If not because of his faith, it might be due to his respect to his heritage.

The net seems to be going crazy about his faith, some American loon have even accused him of "pimping Islam". I think people like that and others who do not thing he is a good Muslim miss the point.

He is a British Pakistani But, give me a break, here's what online commentarot had to say about Malik's being a lousy Muslim:

He is by name but he doesn't follow the guidelines of Islam. Islam prohibits smoking, drinking, dating and such and he has, unfortunately, strayed and gone and done those things. It's sad to see such a good person go off like that but it is what it is. May Allah guide him and show him the Light.

Zayn Malik is a Muslim British Pakistani and he is proud of his religion view. Malik once tweeted ""La ila ha ill allaho muhammed door rasoolalah" which means he believes in Allah and Muhammad.

In Ramadan of 2011, he was reported to have fasted. He has a good personality as a muslim. In the first day of Ramadhan he tweeted in his Twitter account "First day, who's fasting?". Those are evidances that Zayn Malik is Muslim, not that he has anything to proof to anyone. Religion should not be put on public display.

For skeptics of Malik's faith, here are few things to consider:

1. Malik Zayn is young, and full of life
2. He has an image to protect. His business image does not have to his personal life.
3. He is the son of a different culture, so his practice does not have to be a carbon cop of what some guy in Pakistan calls "proper Islam"
4. Some of his fans, don't care about his religion and in exchange he should not try to preach to them about his personal life and his faith.

Malik is not famous because of his religion, but because of his music and personality. So, I say keep on keeping on...and your religion is your business.

Zayn Malik with family in BRADFORD [ @zaynmalikarmy ]

Soltan Zamany - Khaled El Taib سلطان زمانى - خالد الطيب

Funky songs are back with Khaled El Taib new single. I ADORE the music for the clip, but I am not too crazy about the music video filmed in some mall in Jordan and parking lot. I look the trendy singer whose funk look and movements make him the one to keep an eye on.

I do like the flow and the beat, and the simplistic lyrics. It's hard to fake cool, so I think Khalid has made it look easy. I also like the title of his song....the Sultan of my time! I like happy, funky songs when they are well made, and I think we have one here.

Soltan Zamany - Khaled El Taib سلطان زمانى - خالد الطيب

Egypt's Taxi Driver Will Love Mohammed Abd Elmonim 2012 Album

 Mohammed Abd Elmonim is a homeboy and he is the guy you would want to appear in your movie if your movie has a block party and belly dancer. This young composer and charming singer knows how to kick off a street party. In his title song he swears by the name of the Lord about how excited he is about this girl.

Mohammed might be the next best thing to happen to this Sha'abi music or as it has now been called festivals. Saad Al Soghyar is getting too old for this and Mohammed seems to be a protegee of that singer as he has appeared along his side in a recent movie. So if you are tourist in Egypt, you might want to get familiar with such taste of music because I know your cabbies will be playing it on your ride.

God and women is how poor people live, Mohammed brings the best of both worlds and put it all on a nice soundtrack for everyone to see and hear. The good news is as follows, Abd Elmonim is a decent looking guy--unlike most of singers in the Sh'abi circles. So, here is his new album, I dub it as the party album where we now have a physical proof how poor people like to party it up.

So if you are a guy you would love the songs, and if your a women whose sole concern is men interest and looking good, you will also like this song. But if you want more out of life, this song might not be meant for you.

 النسخة الأصلية لألبوم محمد عبد المنعم وربنا المعبود 01.

01. Kol Ma Aghamad Einaya
02.Wrabena Elmaboud
03.Amlt Elly Alya
04.Ana Mo'gab Beek
05.Taiheen Dai'een
06.Keed El Nessa
07.Men Youm Ma Sebtk
08.Elly Ma Shafsh El Dounya


 09.Foash محمد عبد المنعم - وربنا المعبود


محمد عبد المنعم - وربنا المعبود

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

Two Forgettable Songs For Your Viewing Displeasure

What do you do when you have the looks and your hear your mommy telling you that you should start singing? I do not know, but lately it seems that at least one company in Egypt will work with you and make you a music video shot in one of the private villas owned by the company's founder Richard El Hajj

I come bearing two songs that are so karaoke like and tell a very expired love story. The music videos below will make the state of Wisconsin jealous of the amount of cheese featured. In fairness the songs are fun for exactly five seconds and then it all goes away.

Again, I think Ahmed Galal is working for his money and really wants the fame, the other guy is misguided and thinks by playing prince charming he will get a contract. Galal might be a fun opening act, he seems like a cool dude to have a coffee with--an iced coffee. He just need not to wear any of his flashy clothes

Motayam - Malak / متيم - ملاك


Ahmed Galal - Warrina Dehketak / أحمد جلال - ورينا ضحكتك