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

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

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

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

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

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

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