DOWNLOAD: Cheb Khaled 2012 Album البوم ملك الراى الشاب خالد - C'est La Vie

The most globally recognized Arab singer is hands down Cheb Khaled, the Algeria Rai singer who is well known around the globe with his too many hits to count. The son of the land that has given a million fallen man and women in their pursuit of freedom is not done yet, he has released a hot album that goes from Arabic, into Algerian Arabic into French For his latest album, you will be glad to hear about the musical guests both behind the microphone and in the mixing room. This is an upbeat album with a lot of energy, excitement that crossover boundaries.

This is his comeback album that rests in top of the charts in Europe as well as most Arab countries. This is his first album in more than 3 years. France is excited and so is Sweden. I am proud of Khaled and his approach of reaching a bigger market by giving them a taste of a very local music. This is the smartest way to make it big, you do not want to change your roots, instead you make your roots change other people perception 

Khaled has always reached to bigger and bigger audience with his vocals and his dazzling songs. I am going to say this is an album that will be blazed around Europe in their clubs and cafes. It can also be played in your head as you race. Khaled is growing older here, but his spirit is still strong and his music is supercharged. Redone, the famed European Arab music producer adds his magic touched to the track. The title song is bilingual, with the main text in Algerian Arabic and the refrain in French. The catchy dance song repeats the phrase. The track speaks about Spain, Arabia and France, the regions Arabic obssess about, like falling in love with a lady from the old Andalusia.

01 - Shou Bt3ml Bel Nas
02 - Sodfa Ghareiba
03 - El Ward
04 - 3alama
05 - Kol Ma Bashofak
06 - Waga3 El Zekrayat
07 - Ray7een Betna
08 - Fareq El Amor
09 - Ma Bahab
10 - Ya Kol El Denya
11 - Bostak

 Khaled Feat Redone - C'est La Vie 2012

Michel Fadel, Lebanon's Hottest Pianist Pays Homage To Warda

Michel is an artist popular among those who like classical music--both Western and Eastern ones. Michel is loved by the majority of Lebanon's pop and romance singers because he gives them his heart through his music. Elissa loved the guy and shows up to his concerts and so does many other celebrities.

In his latest concert the pianist composer paid tribute to the late Algerian iconic diva Warda. In the piano he played some of her most famous songs. Michel makes grownup concerts embraced by the elite and the intelligentsia.

He was later joined by a celebrated violinist Dana Dabbous, together they made one wonderful live musical experience. Not sure hoe common is the writing on the piano, most classical artists do not decorate their pianos, but Michel did it to promote his beloved country as its name is all over the instrument.

Tribute to Warda - Michel Fadel Concert 3al Lebneneh in Beirut Holidays 2012

Dana Dabbous performing with Michel Fadel in A3yad Beirut 2012

Saad Ramadan Sings Like A Star, Talks Like A Drug Junkie

I like his music but I love to hate the way he talks. It might be the Lebanese thing, why do people like Saad Ramadan talk like they have been given some kind of drug? The guy is hot, the guy is smart, and he makes good music. He had half a dozen of concerts this summer and his biggest were in Algeria--a country he did not know he was known in.

So he sat down with Elaph and talk about his success and his hard work. I do not like the bit when he talks about his plans and activities, he should stick to music and romance. His talking pattern might alienate some people. His new album should be dropping by soon.

سعد رمضان نجاح ممتد من الجزائر الى الجنوب اللبناني

Lebanese Saad Ramadan Performs In Algeria's Music Festivals

The lovely country of Algeria is busy celebrating their independence this year with music festivals all over the Republic. To make the occasion extra special, they brought in who is who in Arabic entertainment. The most recent addition of stars who have performed in Algeria is the hot Lebanese singer Saad Ramadan. Saad took his romantic and heartache songs to Africa.

This is a new territory for Saad whose songs have made it all across the universe, and now he is ready for prime time. He performed not in one concert but in three different music festivals (مهرجان قذيف ومهرجان الجميلة ومهرجان قسنطينة). Saad made sure to compliment the late Warda and how she will be missed.

Saad was impressed by his first visit to Algeria, and its people whom he called heroic and people who appreciate and memorize good songs. He wished them well on their 50th anniversary of independence. I am very surprised by the success of those festivals in Algeria, they have manged to secure the biggest names of Arabic pop and beyond.

Saad Ramadan - Msabbe3 El Karat {Original}

OMG! Lebanese Singer Yara Smokes In Ramadan

Yara has always told us to stay classy, her songs often look for the classy look and the classy lyrics. She has won the hearts of her fans for good reasons. But here's a story that will make you wonder about this lovely songstress. A story 

In Algeria, after doing a concert part of Jamaila Al Araby Music Festival, she took a cab back to her hotel room. Inside the taxi she lit a cigarette in the day. The driver told her not and asked her to put it out. She was reported to have refused to do so.

The driver then stopped near a traffic stop and informed the officers of the situations. The officers have asked Yara to stop smoking and respect that fact she is in a Muslims country. I am sure Yara will issue a press release about the incident.

Religion aside, smoking in cars is so third world country. Nothing classy about smoking in closed spaces. Let's see if this story has legs.    

The Egyptian Opera Warda Tribute With Khaled Selim

In a wonderful tribute night for the late Algerian diva Warda, the Algerian embassy and Egyptian singers planned this night to walk us through memory lane as the late singer's music came to life with the voices of a host of Arab singers who have nothing but love and respect for this diva.

One of the stars of the evening was Egyptian singer Khaled Selim who has actually appeared with Warda on a TV show few years back when they acted. Khaled spoke for a minute about what Warda means for him and then chose one of her songs to cover.

Khaled has one of the most flexible and capable voices in Egypt nowadays. He transitions from pop to classics in a heartbeat and pull a stunning act each time. This why he is one of the youngest singers to frequent the Egyptian opera--they know he won't disappoint.

Khaled Selm Layalina/ خالد سليم ليالينا

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

Algeria Does't Mind The Annoying Enrico Macias Visiting

Enrico Macias is French, Jewish and Algerian and has made a fuss about not being allowed to visit what he calls his home. He tried in 2000, but was denied an invitation due to local protest but civil society groups due to Macias' support for Israels' policies in the occupied Palestinians Territories.

Macias tried again ib 2007 but he was denied again. Now he thinks he is being denied the right to go visit his homeland--welcome to the club asshole, I and several million Palestinians cannot do that either. Then the Minister of Telecommunication in Algeria, Nasir Mahl spoke up revealing that Macias is the one who backed down on the visit and changed his mind.

Macias is enjoying this as he has been speaking about this "ban". The Minister did a fine job explaining the case on an Algerian radio that airs in Paris. "No one denied this guy entry, all the French people who want to visit Algeria are welcome to do so, Macias is one of them" said Nasir Mahl. The French singer has been talking about Algeria being a bad friend of France and using his talking points to discredit yet another Arab country.

I love the bit when Nasir said in the interview, "In Algeria, we try to be silent on such matters, for for 10 years now, as part of the government I can assure you that Macias is a lair."

Supposedly Macias tried to be part of of the official delegation to France in a visit to Algeria, accompanying another lovely Jewish guy named Nicolas Sarkozy. But this did not happen after a protest from a government official who has declared Macias  persona non grata. However later in a State dinner in Paris, Macias was present and met a number of government officials--he sat on the same table as the Algerian Minister of Housing. 

There is a local story from the people who live in the same town where Macias claims his heritage, Qosntinah where Macias grandfather was reported to have taken a leak in the local mosque (I chose not to believe this story.) Needless to say one of Macias better known songs in Arabic promote alcoholism.

This is not a an anti-French effort this is someone who had controversial opinions and often incites hatred toward the Arab people. Again, America does this and so does the rest of Europe. Macias had voiced support to Israeli Cast Lead assault where Israel murdered close to 1500 Palestinians including my girl cousin Amal who was making tea that day. 

Enrico Macias - Habibi Ya Aini

Good Times With Warda Al-Jazairi

It's hard to imagine, that Warda is gone forever. She would take a break from now and then, but at the end of day, we think she is out there, working on something new. No more, she has passed away. This brings an amazing era to an end....the golden era of Arabic classical music would end with Warda who was a witness to history.

Her death brought generations closer as a song would listen to his mother's stories about the time when Warda ruled the airwaves.

Many new listeners are now rediscovering her and learning her importance. This moment will live on, and I am sure we will remember it years from now, every time we hear one of his beloved songs. Please enjoy this short clip where you will see Warda on a number of concerts how much she loved the fans. She was a diva....not the stiff kind. She earned the love of her listeners and their loyalty.

 Warda El Habbouba - وردة الحبوبة

Arabs Love Perfume So Does Fulla!

Have you noticed that 2 out of every three bottles of perfume or fragrance you see at the department store, has Arabic written in it. They only right Arabic and English. This is because Arabs love good smells, they care about it and they buy so much of it, why? Most Arabs live in a hot climate, and no one wants to smell awful. The hopes that fragrance would cover up the bad smells never get old. This is one of the reasons why big names companies hire Arab celebrities to market their scents to the people of Arabia.

The latest to join the lineup of stars selling perfume is Algerian Fulla. A lady that can sing, but now she is entering into the fashion business as she she based in Beirut. In a recent press conference she just had, she was very honest talking about the business and less about the art. She has a concert in Morocco. Fulla's name or Folla is the name of a flower that is beloved in Egypt. So there will be a line of fragrance.

 فلَّة تستعد لإطلاق عطرٍ بإسمها

Fulla Speaks About Music, Soccer and News

Few people understand who Fulla is, but for those who know, she is Algerian, and has been singing for ages. Egyptian government does not like her and have banned her from entertain their country. The Gulf adores her, and know that she can mesmerize them with her songs.

Now, she does not have a production company, but that won't stop her. She gives her fans something ever now and then. Last year she did a popular song for Egypt. Now she is working on yet another single. I like her voice and have been a fan since 2001 son with Walid Tawfic when she sang in French.

She has also a new song for the Lebanese soccer team to cheer them as their compete for the world cup.
فلة تخص إيلاف بجديدها ضيعتني وتؤكد من ظلمني في السجن

Dahmane El Harrachi, The Godfather Of Algerian Music

Dahmane El Harrachi (دحمان الحراشي (الاسم الحقيقي هو عبد الرحمن عمراني) is a well regarded name in Algeria. He is the most original voice in that country, and responsible for more hits than any can afford to. The young voices of Algeria still draw from his archive and cover his oldies. He had many hits thought out his career, but the song that the world came to immortalize is his Ya Raee'h, the most covered Algerian song.

He was born in 1925 and took up singing as a career, he was the folk music guy in the Algerian capital. His songs focused on the lyrics that address real issues that faced his people back then. his father was the call to prayer in the mosque (Moa din) His song was about criticizing the drove of Algerian men leaving their country for Europe.

But then those same immigrants took his music to new land and established a great musical influence to be heard around the globe. Dhamane himself moved to France in 1949 and made a big name for himself playing music in the various Algerian cafes there.

He passed away in 1980 in car accident, but his music will remain her we pass it to the coming generations.
Dahmane El Harrachi موسيقى جزائرية: دحمان الحراشي: يا الرايح وين مسافر

Amel Bouchoucha Remakes An Algerian Classic

Algeria is a big country with a lot of a long history of proud people and a longer tradition of originality. One of those who strive to find excellence and originality at home is singer actress Amel Bouchoucha.

While Algeria has one foot in France and the other foot in Arabia, the talents in that country seem to have made a big name for themselves in those two places. While Amel is cultured and knows the French ways, she chooses to be on the Arab side in her acting and in her singing.

Amel came to lead generations of Algerians who needed a local response to all that Egyptian and Lebanese pop. Good looks are a must too, thus enter the phase of Amel whose all Algerian beauty and pride are hard to miss.

Amel Bouchoucha - Ya Rayeh ( Master ) .. ( أمل بوشوشة - يا رايح ( ماستر