Joseph Attieh Sings, Plays Keyboard and Drum In Beirut

Lebanon is witnessing the creation of a new pop star, the torch of Lebanese pop might be ready to be passed to the latest sensation Joseph Attieh. He has the sweet style of Ramy Ayach and his mannerism on stage combined it with the dance beat and party voice of Faris Karam and only then you begin to understand Joseph Attieh.

Upon leaving the Star Academy reality show few seasons ago, no other star has worked on his talent as much as Joseph has. He performs songs with a great deal of emotions, but he also feel the music, as you can see from his latest concert in Beirut were he brought down the house.

It's impressive to see how real people's love for this star is, they all look in the camera and say he is like a young brother who has been raised well and comes from a good home. Other musicians say this guy is an artist--he also paints. As far as the concert went, Joseph used it to lunch off his new album, a happy and dance inducing one indeed. He performed some of the songs and got to play the keyboard. In his interview below he told of three songs that he composed himself.

Then he offered to do the same for his peers. So he can now add to his resume, keyboard player, singer, composer, and music video director.

جوزف عطية يختتم مهرجانات أعياد بيروت

The World's Most Expensive Car Is In Lebanon?

For those out there who idolize, fantasize and worship cars, there are some good news at last. A Lebanses business man just launched an Arab made car company under the catchy brand name W Mobile. His company will make fancy sport cars by a team of young experts who want to dream.

This project has been seven years in the making, so get excited. Their first car resembles the bat-mobile. The business people sought out other wealth Arabs who share the same passion with them. They made connections in Europe and America, and now they are ready to show of their cars.

They have made 30 cars, 25 of one line and 5 of the other...the cars will be shown in Dubai in December of this year. Those are not your everyday cars, those are made for collectors--diamonds lights.  

لبنان يطلق أغلى سيَّارة في العالم

PHOTO: Anwar El Amir Gives Israel The Middle Finger

Anwar El Amir is a popular singer in Lebanon. He was on a vacation in Greece and saw something from the state of Israel, so he posed next to it and gave it the middle finger. I do not know what's on the back, and I do not think this is an Israeli thing. But the singer did something he felt like doing since he is form Lebanon, a country that has seen and lived the might of the Israeli military.

The singer said he was surrounded by Greek and Jewish tourists and wanted to take the picture. He did not plan it, it just happened. His buddy warned him that it might be misunderstood, but still he wanted to take the picture and he did.

I will not comment further on this picture, love it or hate it. Aside form that the singer has a catch new song out that received a warm welcome in Lebanon and around Arabia, it's below.

   ;انور الامير - شفتك بعيني _ 2011 Anwar El Amir - Sheftek Bi 3ayne.mp4

Super Nancy Album Takes Kids To The Zoo

Nancy Ajram is mushing three songs into one music video, a total of six minutes and a half where Nancy plays cute with kids at he zoo. The clip was filmed in Beirut and Southern Lebanon with tons of kids doing kiddie stuff.

Nancy is just one of the kids. She is releasing her second all kids album--grownups like them too in Mid August in time for Eid El Fiter celebration. This is not the first time collaboration between Nancy Ajram and director Laila Kanaan.

Nancy wears clownish colorful pant. Using 45 kids as props, and using graphics and animations in both China and Canada. About 300 hundred thousand dollars are the reported budget. This is the energizer bunny music video. There are more than one look for Nancy....I like her song for little girls, Nancy has of her own.

Watch the behind the scenes and interviews

NancyAjram 20120803

WATCH: Nancy "Ajram Ya Banat" نانسى عجرم - يا بنات

There's justice in this world. Nancy Ajram has done justice to the female gender. She is releasing a hit song with the title "Girls" about the joy of having girls for children. She has two girls of her own and she wants the world to know she is all about those fun and sweat creatures.

The song is part of the Super Nancy album, an album with with kids in mind, but with a lot of heart. It's a cute songs with girls all over it, it reminds people that having girls is a great thing. the song radiates happy and  assures that Nancy Ajram is here to stay.

The song's promo was released on a TV show few weeks ago and the album is getting quite the buzz on the internet. This is the second song with girls in the title for Nancy in less than two months. The previous song was about how girls think--a fun song but for grownups. Nancy has a large number of women in her life. Her mom is there, her girls and most of her music videos have been directed by other females.

نانسي عجرم يا بنات يا بنات كمله


سيمبل اغنية نانسى عجرم - يا بنات | من الالبوم القادم

Fares Karam Survives A Health Scare/ Cancels Concerts

It seems that his heart will go on. Lebanese singer and party favorite was getting ready for a benefit concert in his home Lebanon when he started feeling uneasy in his chest. He called in the doctor and called off the concert. Word on the street Fares is one of the few singers who neglect visiting with doctors, he does not exercise and probably smokes.

Fares Karam is the guy who did a song about smoking hookahs and such. Fares has been really busy lately with concerts all over Lebanon in a number of music festivals. The 37 years old have received well wishes from her peers who took on the social media to share their thoughts on Fares.

His personal guard has been making the media rounds and assuring everyone that Fares Karam is safe and recovering. He did call of few other concerts. He will submit to a number of exams to make sure his heart is stable and that he does not need any serious procedures.

I wish the story ends there, a journalist publishes a press release where he claims Fares Karam did not have any health scare, he was overheard telling his crew he is not feeling well and thus he did not want to perform in the concert--according to the Journalist. The person behind the release resides Dubai and goes by the name Waleed El Husnyah. Further people say they have spotted Fares walking out of the hospital looking fine. I am not a doctor but why did team Fares Karam released sophisticated images of the star inside the hospital. How about some privacy?    

fares karam 2010 2011 New Ritanee Nargele

Jay Sean Gives Lebanon A Night To Remember

Jay Sean, is a British singer-songwriter, rapper, beatboxer and record producer who likes the club scene. Lebanese like anyone who likes the club scene to they invited him to party with them at home. He brought the party to Lebanon and the video will show you as much.

Locals and tourists flocked the concert to enjoy what Jay ha sin store for them. The song of a Punjabi Sikh immigrant in the always evolving city of London. Jay was never meant to be a singer, he was in medicine school before he dropped out to sing professionally.

They added the fashion show to his concerts and those Lebanese party goers who like a drink and a good beat. I checked out some of his tracks, the go makes good club mix and he has a likable personality. See the story from his concert and the interviews with the folks who are among his biggest fans.

 Jay Sean يلهب ليل مدينة جبيل

The Sheikh Who Listens To Metal Also Wants To Ban Elissa, Haifa, and Nancy

One religious Sheikh took to Twitter to attack some ladies who like to sing and made a career out of entertainment. Meet Fadel Suliman, a preacher who spreads the message of Islam took an interesting turn when he attacked three lead pop stars. (The story can be read here in Arabic)

Mr. Fadel admitted to liking Hard Metal in his youth he would go to concerts to enjoy this kind of heavy metal rock. However Heavy Metal Rock has a crappy name in Arabia as many marry it to devil worshiping. So the sheikh defended heavy metal and argued that going to concert for Elissa, Hiafa, and Nancy Ajram is closer thing to worshiping Satan.

The religious figure disagrees with people who want to ban Heavy Metal like the calls in Egypt now as some calls have been made to cancel concerts at the El Sawy Culture Wheel (more here). He defends his favorite kind of music yet attacks people for going to female concerts. Fadel belongs to the Muslim brotherhood and has made similar calls in the past about certain female singers. He has even doubled down and attacked other Lebanese songstress like Marwa and Nicole Saba.

Fafel Suliman is a Muslim preacher who comes to the United States and talks about Islam, he has authored a number of books on his religion of choice.

Why is making this case now and why is he only picking on entertainers form Lebanon are my questions.

إسلاموفوبيا - الإسلام انتشر بالسيف (بدون موسيقى)

Wael Kfoury Plays Tennis And Lunches His Tournament

Singers like sports, but very few of them excel at it. While most go to the gym and workout, one guy loves a sport so much that he launched his own tournament. Of course, I am speaking about Wael Kfoury and his love of Tennis.

Many in Lebanon know that the singer is a big fan of this game where he has practiced the game for years now. But most recently, he has kicked of the first tennis tournament that he has sponsored in Lebanon. The tournament included a number of categories including one for males, females and older than 40.

 The winner was awarded 3000 dollars. The total amounts that were awarded added up to 12 thousand US dollars. Again, this is an elitist game for the people with a lot of money, but to his credit Wael is doing his country a favor for a guy who shuns the spotlight, this is a major event.

وائل كفوري وهو يلعب التنس

As Always, Magida El Roumi Stays Classy

Lebanese composer Melhim Barakat was reported to have been feeling not too happy about his song not being made the lead song of the album. His song was made the lead song, it's the number one song in the album and yes, it's a great song where the composer does an incredible job.

But in Mr. Barakat's world, he wanted the song to be the promo song--the one all radios will play to drum up marketing for the new album. Magida has maintained her position of respect love and appreciation for this composer. She was asked about the feud and has taken the high road. She has akways made classy music and that was personal because she is a classy lady.

This is a great album that did not had a perfect release date due to the ongoing ever changing Arab world. Watch this report about her concert in Lebanon, she attended the press conference for the Batroun International Music Festival. Go forth Magida and keep your head high, you make good music and let those critics who want to make names for themselves by bashing you.

ماجدة الرومي: هذا هو ردِّي على ملحم بركات

Samira Tawfik's Best Hit Songs Are Here

I call her the dark pearl of Lebanese songs, the lady of Lebanon's other people, the line that rocked hard and  the original mountain side vocalist, and the legendary singer who continues to inspire the career of dozens of young Lebanese singers

Samira was not the hottest girl in the room, but what she might have lacked in good looks made up for in confidence and attitude that moved generations. Samira did not have a chance in making it in her home, so she made a habit of singing in Jordan and Syria where she has made a huge name for herself and then came back home and was treated as an iconic lady. Then she made movies too and did well then. Her first songs were recorded in Jordan using the Jordanian Bedouin style

Her career took her to all those fine places where the Lebanese expats live (In Australia she performed in front of Queen Elizabeth, in Mexico she performed too, in Venezuela she performed and was given an ward by the Parliament, she has also performed in France, London and Africa)

Samira is still alive with us, living at home but struggling with a number of health issues that come with age. She has made a lot of people happy and for that the people are grateful. A collection of her best and most famous songs is below

اجمل اغاني سميرة توفيق

BUY: Mayez Bayaa 2012 Pop Romance Album

The Lebanese romance singer who makes songs like a man would is making a comeback with his latest album "A'azak" or "I favor you" I listened to the entire album and I was glad to have had the chance to give an underrated album a listen. I am a fan of Mayez, always have been. He was the cool dude in the 90s and his pop songs were among my favorite growing up. His sweet voice material allows listeners to connect with him and express themselves.

This is an album one does not make in a year or two, this is the product of years of emotional depth and musical maturity entertainers like Mayez have acquired through the years. Mayez Bayaa continues to be a big player in Lebanese music, he is a fixture of concerts in the local scene. He does have a pan Arab name recognition. Perhaps among his biggest fans, are the heavy listener--the people who are hard to please. Mayez hit all the right notes with them.

I like the mixture of songs he makes, the happy one, the ultimate romantic one, the sad and heartbroken one. But he never fails to keep the song interesting. Like you never hear a Mayez song and feel dull--not even once. Not sure why more people do not know about Mayez and his career, he is a rock star that has a cross gender appeal. He is a sweeter version of Raghib Alama, a romantic hit-maker like those made by Kathem Al Sahir. Mayez has also included a song in the Gulf dialect to show that he has what it teaks to break into new music markets.

This is one album I recommend people get their hands on and enjoy, please find it at music stores nearby.  

اعزك


حبك ردلي الروح

TV Host Nishan Should Shut His Face!

When you host a prime time TV show, you must know that there are kids out there watching your show. When your show films in Ramadan, you must at least show some respect at you ask questions form your guests. But clearly popular TV personality Nishan did not get the memo.

As he interviewed one of the most provocative pop songstresses  Myriam Faris, the TV host got comfortable and thought he was sitting in a bar and in a private session, not on TV. So the might Nishan fires up a question to Myriam....here's the question?

"Are you comfortable with people looking at your ass (buttocks)? as they are always impressed by it" "They always try to sneak a peace at your moneymaker, how do you feel?" To proof that he is an idiot the host wishes his viewers a happy Ramadan as he talks about butts. This is the kind of shitty mentality that men come up to and sadly few women play along out of fear or not being cool.

Not sure what was on his mind, to ask such a question. But again when you invite guests like that, you will not be talking about Mozart or global warming. The guest did not seem bothered by the question and seems to enjoy acting like she is tired, she seems overjoyed to talk about that part of hers. What talents does he really have? Great hair, check! A Smile, Check! A brain? We will get back to you on that one

Watch the exchange below as Nishan almost gets to blow some steam as he talks up the rare bit. Nishan should explain his question and apologize to his viewers--I am not one of them and never will.

نيشان يسال ميريام فارس عن سر جمال خلفيتها - انا والعسل

WATCH: Elissa Concert أجواء حفل إليسا بنادي استاد الهوكي Par Ouailitto

So Elissa goes to Egypt, and headlines a massive concert where she brought her best hits to the country of 90 millions.  She appeared in that country's hockey stadium (an attachment to the Cairo staduim), people were dazzled, and the Lebanese diva is marking a great comeback concert that follows her smashing successful concert in her home--Lebanon

Elissa wore a modest yet gorgeous dress, orange dress! The stage seems to have been made just right for this mega concert where the fans finished the songs of Elissa before she started them. The concert was well organized and seems to have been a lot of fun where the songstress gave the concert goers a great time.

This is Elissa's first concert in post Mubarak Egypt, the venue fits 30 thousand people, three police units were in charge of protecting Elissa in addition of her personal guards who had to fight off many fans and admirers. Fun facts, Elissa lost one of her diamond earning as she was performing--she did not realize it till later. Some fan messed around with a laser pointer something that Elissa asked him to stop doing--she cut off the song to do that. Elissa was also caught off guard reading the lyrics to one of her songs on stage.

elissa أجواء حفل إليسا بنادي استاد الهوكي par ouailitto

Elissa And Her Lovely Boys Live On Stage

You have heard that Elissa is very close to her buddy Lebanese singer Wael Kfoury. They have performed together, appeared together in a number of events and media appearances. Some have even them linked romantically, so there you have it. Elissa has a concert recently in Beruit where Wael Kafoury was in attendance. She tried to get him to sing along her side by doing one of his songs--which they have performed together before. The crowd wanted him too, but Wael did not seem to be in the mode.

Wael polity apologized, Elissa played it cool, and told him as he wishes. She did not finish the song, but she tried to still tease the singer. Later that night, she performed with another young and charming singer who has composed one of her latest songs Ziad Bourji who with love performed a duet with Elissa and both seemed to enjoy their time.

It was a very entertaining concert where Elissa was much more fun and less awkward than people have gotten to be used to. It was her moment in the spotlight after not a great start for the year. Note, the change of outfits by the singer.

Elissa sings for Wael Kfoury / اليسا تغني ل وائل كفوري


Elissa and Ziad Bourji - Krehtak Ana / اليسا و زياد برجي - كرهتك انا

Rawad Saab Is Looking For A Wife And He Needs Your Help

Rawad likes brand names, he is driving a Mercedes, wearing cool trendy gear, all to declare his intentions. He wants to get married and he is asking you folks to introduce him to her. He wants a sweet girl whom his parents would approve of. He does not have many pictures of his floating around the net--he should look into that.

Good manners, good looks, you gotta go with the Lebanese Rawad sings. Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Morocco all get a shout out in the song. Then the Arab Gulf gets its shout out too. Just marry an Arab girl that's the song if you could not find the Lebanese one It's a clever song to break into the show business. Arabs are suckers for such songs.

Rawad is a young and good looking lad, he would not find it hard to find a lady.

Rawad Saab - Baddi Etjawaz / رواد صعب - بدى إتجوز

The Cute Shatha Hassoun And Elissa Feud

Elissa might have the heart of a child, Shatha Hassoun has that Iraqi bold boiling through her veins. When they cross paths, the world collide. We have heard the story about the two starlets staying in the same hotel--one had many fans out waiting for her, the other did not. The media caught win of the story, they made it a big deal.

In a Beirut concert, the media caught up with the Iraqi singer Shatha and spoke to her about her projects and upcoming events. Shatha is a talented singer with one of the most committed fans out there. Unlike many singers, she can claim two big Arab countries as her home...both Iraq and Morocco.

She is no fans of Elissa's and thinks that she has seen the history of that singer since she seems to pick fights with others. Shatha refused to say anything about the Elissa's new album--even though she has criticized the album cover before. I like both singers, they seem to do similar songs--Shatha does a bigger variety of songs than Elissa, but Elissa has a well established brand

Elissa remains silent on this matter, but Shatha is also smart, she said she likes some of Elissa's songs, not all of them. Keep in mind, both songstress work under the same Rotana label. Shatha and Elissa might not be the best friends out there, but whatever competition they have might help make their music better and their songs more real.

شذى حسون: أليسا أثارت دمِّي العراقي

Beirut Got Religion With Sami Yusuf Concert سامي يوسف في بيروت

This might sound silly a bit when it starts as the British Muslim rocker tries to make music out of his audience in his latest Beirut Appearance. I have no idea that the city of Beirut cared for Sami or his music--sure there are people who are non Muslim who enjoy the cool music Sami Yusuf makes, but his concert in Lebanon was a nice surprise.

Sami is a great musician with a heart of gold, he has made his fame all over the world with his music. His success has lead to the creation of many copy cats, but he remains the guy who did it first and made it possible for all the others to follow.

His concert was packed and the fans do memorize his songs, he has a great sense of humor when he teased the men of Lebanon. He dazzled the concert goers with his music and his persona. Props to Beirut for bringing out Sami to ring in the Muslim Eid.

Sami Yusuf in Beirut Holidays 2012 / سامي يوسف في بيروت

Misho or Michel Azzi Has A Catchy Debka Wedding Song

Michel Azzi wants to part with us this summer, so he releases a cool dance/summer song for fans of the Lebanese song. It's catchy, and his voice works well for this choice. I like and  have enjoyed this wedding song from the new comer/ local celebrity. His passionate love song about wanting to scare all the otehrs from thinking about making a move.

Does not Michel look very familiar, he does look like another young, Lebanese singer who does a similar style. Can you name his look alike?

جديد ميشال قزى (وصلت لحدا ) +الكلمات woslit la 7adda michel azzi

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