Mohammed Al Farra D.R Ft. MC Gaza & Big E Hip Hop

Hip Hop is a game for many of those rappers. Gaza rappers are no different. When Mohammed al-Farra takes the stage. He rapped about the Gaza Strip and talked to the audience about the struggles that Palestinians in Gaza face on a daily basis under siege and occupation. Al Farra has generated a large number of followers outside Gaza, he seems to have the business connections all lined up.

Al Farra came from the group Palestinian Rapperz  thought to be the first hip hop group from Gaza. When he takes the stage and demonstrates skills that show he is has what it takes to be on the who is who map of the world’s most talented up and coming artists. His flow, the music, and the content all come together to form a breathtaking show

These were bold words, but in a spectacular show, he showed that this was no idle boast. With his powerful lyrics, his inspiring hope, and his dedication to the plight of Palestine, human rights, and the right of return to Palestine, He touched everyone’s heart, and made everyone in the room rise up and dance. But frankly, this is something that he won't be able to replicate in Gaza.

I do not like the excessive cussing in English but I know why it's there....to attract young confused souls who want to be able to get mad in two languages. I do happen to like the mix of rappers involved with this track. It shows that the local rap scene has now matured and ready for prime time.

Mohammed Al Farra D.R Ft. MC Gaza & Big E - Hip Hop Mal3abe - ElNmr.coM

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

Funnyman Adel Imam Won't Go To Jail, Says Court

Back in February 2012, a lower court in Egypt found the seasoned Egyptian comedic actor Adel Imam guilty of disrespecting religion and being offensive. They have given him a three month jail sentence and a fine of roughly 2 thousand US dollars. He appealed with a higher court and was backed by pretty much everyone with a brain in Egypt.

Today he was cleared of those charges, and the decision is final. The court has found the actor innocent as he did not intend to offend any religion, but he wanted to show some negative manners and behaviors in the Egyptian society.  I think this is a fair trial and did away with all the media wars. Court of laws should be Independent and they have shown as much. All these talking heads need to feel ashamed. And Mr. Asran Mansour, the attorney who have brought the case should stop his senseless attacks on entertainers.

Imam is Arab world's most famous living comic actors. The actor has frequently poked fun at authorities and politicians during a 40-year career, has one month to appeal and will remain free until that process was concluded today. Adel Imam cheered the ruling and have spoke well of both the legal system and the entertainment industry in Egypt

Adel Imam Mout dial dahk

Iraq's National Anthem And Their Soccer Team

Iraq is having a rough road ahead as politicians are not murdering their people and turning in one another. They are also failing to deliver security to their people and have not manged to find a workable solution for their personal differences. Each group seems to seek help from a foreign government. There are those who get a boost from Iran, others get in from the United States, and some look toward Turkey and Saudi Arabia. In the meantime people are dying for no reason, bombs go off and people go to waste.

But there's still some hope at least for those who like soccer and good music. The national anthem--written by a Palestinian who loves all his follow Arabs. See Shatha Hassoun joins the Iraqi soccer team in performing the Iraqi National Anthem in a giant stadium. I adore the little Iraqi girl who makes me hopeful for a better future.  

موطني - النشيد الوطني العراقي مع المنتخب

An Arab Rapper To Like: Black Unit Mohammed Wafi

I met this guy at a checkpoint few years ago, Mohammed Wafi was on his way to Egypt to go to school--his mom is Egyptian making him a Palestinian Egyptian rapper. I remember him having an awesome hair style and someone pointed him to me and said, this guy is a big deal.

I ended up talking to him and listening to his music on his laptop. We had lots of time to kill, so why not? the music was catchy. We talked about his collaboration and the movie Sling Shot Hip Hop that was released a year prior.

Two years later, Wafi and his band Black Unit release this lovely track, with numbers....they count to 48, each number tell a Palestinian story. This is a very Gaza track, that speaks about division and militants in Gaza, but the Israeli gets a great deal in this track. This is very creative way to tell a story and channel that rage.

This time Wafi brings a friend for the track, he featured Alaa Shoblaq. This is a track made by guys who have nothing, but really want to make music--I happen to think they are awesome. Hope you will enjoy the track and the artwork accompanying it.

Wafi does interior design--something he studied in college
 
Mohammed wafi from black unit band - 48 numbers ft. alaa shoblaq

Hell Team Has A Message To The Egyptian President

Hell Team is one hell of rap team. This is an underground rap band that is breaking out with message to the youth of Egypt and most recently to the new president of Egypt--President Morsi. This is a bold track with a lot of heart and sober messages I wish more people would adopt that kind of tone.

The rap goes, I might not have chose you, I may not have voted for you, but I ask you to impalement your promises of reform and your plan to bring the country back. Hell Team is a band made out of young Egyptian rappers who have a lot of rage and frustration to channel. The band members are as follows  H-DEVIL / Sir Medo / Mc Amgad / Hell Man

Per their Facebook

The Team Started in 2008 Which produced the first album in 2009 entitled "T7ya Masr"And then start working with the public reactionThe team is now processing the next albumWe hope you like it

They list Eminem and Tupac among their musical influenced. As far as raps goes, Hell Team does have all the right tools to this game. They have also manged to score some poetic lyrics. Next bit step is to go mainstream by getting booked on a music network. They can claim they speak for the youth in the streets of Egypt, this would sell big in the West.  

هيل تيم - رسالة إلي الرئيس | Hell Team - Message To President


هيل تيم - الموت المفاجئ | Hell Team - Sudden death

Arab Singers: Police, Bodyguards And Motorcades

Here are few stories about Arab singers and the security arrangement's that accompanies their visit to any place. I mean we all have known about the bodyguards (beefcakes who have no brains and lots of muscles) who shove people around. But here are more details about the role played by police department in making such entertainers feel secure and feel important.

1. When Elissa performed in Algeria in the summer of 2012, there were more than 500 police officer present to secure her appearance. The singer met a lot of opposition and online protests, but it seems her concert went well. At the airport she was received with tight security who wanted to make sure nobody harms her. Not to mention that her hotel was surrounded by many many police officers.
2. Lebanon's Blonde singer Madeline Mattar performed in a Baghdad concert and there she was bused around town in a presidential motorcade. Her concert was to celebrate Arab press, but ti seems the Iraqi press assailed this security measures. She has dozens of police officer around her at all time, and she seems to have ruffled some features by revealing a lot of skin.
3. Myriam Faris was in Algeria too and there she had more than 150 officer who came from the police department, security companies and volunteers to protest this Lebanese golden girl of pop and dance. Myriam's appearance was not without criticism or protests.    
4. Haifa Wahbe did a concert in Ankara, Turkey where she was jetted by a private plane, received the city mayor and a dozen government officials--she tweeted about it too. While there a seasoned police unit was with Haifa the entire duration of the trip. Haifa was a choice to help promote Arab tourism to this gorgeous city.   

ميريام فارس لاول مرة في مهرجان تيمقاد بالجزائر

FUNNY: Mohamed Abu Hamid Sings Politics أغنية ابو حامد

He is no singer, he is a politician who has one agenda for him, bring an end to the rule of Muslim parties in Egypt. He has no love for them and he has befriended those who despise them. There are rumors that he has traveled to Lebanon to seek advise on how to combat them.

He is a guy that most of Egypt hates, and few love him, but those who love him are mad about him and would stand behind them to chant and fight off thugs who do not like their ideas or their methods.
Mohamed Abu Hamid is being bullied in some circles, and when he shows up to a protest, some men appear from nowhere and try to intimidate him.

I like some of his opinions, but he must realize that some out there are using him as a tool. The guy loves Egypt for sure, but things are changing rapidly, and he might be some collateral damage--something I hate to see. He is speaking his mind.

See him lead the chant against the brotherhood and their elders. I think they should be free to speak up without fear, they should also give the new president a chance to implement his reform.
أغنية ابو حامد ضد مرشد الاخوان والشاطر 

Take Two: The Army In Lebanon Likes To Party

They recruited the big names for their big bash party, a guy who thins he is the shit--Nishan. They had a concert for the Eid, and star studded song followed. There has been never as many egos as this song has packed.

I love how cute, romantic, and spunky singers all looking tough and wearing army uniforms. I normally would think this is a disrespect for the uniform, but who are we kidding? The moment people star waving flags, some see pride, some see love, some see patriotism. Let me ask this, how many of those people on the stage singing for the army have a second citizenship?

What is the army trying to accomplish with those songs? Pop music does not make though people, it makes awesome dancers, if you want an army of awesome dancers, you got one. The army is tough and it should be made of real talent both men and women not some dudes who are too pretty or too dumb to get a visa to Canada.

I really do love Lebanon and want nothing but the best to that country and its people, but the reality is this Lebanon is not what you see on TV, it's so much more.

أوبريت جيش لبنان ع المسرح - حفلة البيال 2012

In The Aftermath Of The Rafah Massacre, Gaza Sends Egypt Some Love

While many in Egypt are upset with the people in Palestine and in Gaza particularly, most of Gaza has stayed mum on the matter. They oped funeral homes to commiserate with the people of Egypt, they have called the fallen men heroes--a rightful title.  

Few things to remember, people in Gaza are also Egyptians at least 20 percent of them are citizens of that land. While the people who murdered the soldiers are Egyptians--unless we know otherwise. The false and extreme theology they subscribe to is resented in Gaza. The same ideas that allow those thugs to murder follow Muslims, allowed them to terrorize people in Gaza.

Fact, many in Egypt want to embarrass the current government and they can only do that if they claim that the attackers are from Gaza. This way, they can tell their people, we are all Egyptians, and those bad Palestinians need to stop. Fact, they have desecrated the Palestinian flag and the Kuffyah in Egypt.

Yes, most Palestinians have chosen not to react in hate, you do not win over hateful people with more hate.
A group of young Gazans made this video and sported the Egyptian flag and showed love, and appreciation for that country---they have also condemned those crimes in Rafah.        

رسالة من غزة إلى مصر

Selling Out: Stars, Celebrities And Politicians

This is the Arabic edition of what star sang for what leader/dictator/president/king. This is tricky business because one day, the song subject might be popular, the next day he is a murder. I think it's really hard to figure out the reality. We change and people change, stars are people and sometimes they do songs for money, access and protection.

1. Oum Kalthoum sang for the last King of Egypt, She also sang for the guy who overthrew him too. Sabah, Mohammed Abdel Wahab, Abdel Halim Hafiz have all sang for leaders and politicians. Other stars of the golden age have also sucked up to the power holders.
2.  Najwa Karam Sang for Bashar Al Assad--days after he took office in 2000. She was not the only one to do so. Assi Al Hallani did too and so have done 3 out of five Lebanese singers.
3. George Wassouf have sang not to one leader, but to two of them. He did sing for Bashar Al Assad, and also for the Tunisian dictator Ben Ali and his lovely money hugging wife. 
4. Kathem Al Saher, Tamer Hosny, Latifah (to name few) have all sang while Ben Ali and his regime was present. 
5. Ruoida Attiah have also took part of a music event where Bashar was also present. 
6. Hussein Al Jasmi have snag for Qaddafi and attended one his many celebrations on the day he took over the country. Amr Diab, Fadel Shaker, Assi Hallani and Myraim Faris have all taken part of this celebration in different years.
7. Amr Diab And Sherine have all sang for Mubarak and celebrated his regime. Sherine has sang a song for him in 2010 after his surgery in Germany. Amr Moustafa remains one of those artists who are loyal to the former president Mubarak. 
8. Julia Butrous have sang for Hezbollah in the wake of the 2006 year war where Hezbollah scored big moral victory over Israel. Her song was timely and came in the wake of a war that rocked everyone in Lebanon. Assi Hallani sang for Hariri after his assassination, Melhim Barkat did a song for Emil Lahoud after he won the election.  
9. Susan Attieh, Lutfi Boushnaq, Samira Said, and Samira Tawfik have also came to Iraq and celebrated with Saddam.
10. Assi Hallani have sang for everyone in Arabia, including Qaddafi, Assad, King of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh of the UAE and his horses too.  

Again, this is just a sample, there are many more singers who have brown nosed the regime and certain leaders. What I think is this, artists have a choice: either sing, make money and get a concert or don't and people will not remember you for long. Above all those voices, Fayrouz, she has never taken the side of a politican or a leader....she is the artist for the people. 

Fadl Shaker - Ma Asadeq Teaser / فضل شاكر - ما أصدق

Fadel Shaker has told us he will quit singing, but sol far he has not. We know he does not like Bashar and we also know that he sill performs live. He also goes o prayer and takes pictures with fans there. He has also moved to Qatar with his family where he lives

Since he is now in the Gulf, it's a master of time that he would release a Gulf song, poets in that part of the world pay top dollars for singers to turn their songs into poems. So, it's no surprise that a song by Fadel Shaker is being promoted at the moment.

It's a safe song for Fadel, but from the teaser, the song might be lacking. But it could be that we are only hearing seconds of it. There's a female lady in the music video, and some tourist stuff, but the song seems romantic and poetic. What I do not think it has is energy or originality. But it's too soon to fully know that.

Fadl Shaker - Ma Asadeq Teaser 2 / فضل شاكر - ما أصدق


Fadl Shaker - Ma Asadeq Teaser 1 / فضل شاكر - ما أصدق

Ahmed Magdy, People Of The Intranet HATE Your New Music Video

I think Ahmed Magdy is a well meaning Egyptian singer, his new song about Cairo 2012 and new elections is timely, but I am not sure what's up with the politics. Ahmed starts the song asleep as the TV goes off with interviews from Tahrir and people fired up---he seems to be part of the couch movement.

Magdy seems to be frustrated with all the politics he sees and nothing on TV but politics and debate. So he titled his song "I am not in the mood". A humorous song about most people in Egypt, they are no revolutionary, only some are. Magdy is cynical and I can see that...but it seems the net don't like his new song.

See the part where he is trying to take a leak. This is the anti-activist song, a song for those indifferent among us who want to be back their old routines.

Ahmed Magdy - Mesh Fel Mood / أحمد مجدي - مش فى المود

Palestine Undivided-Rap Song احنا - فلسطين لواحد

The old ones might not care enough to take a stand, Palestine is one. The young ones might be idealistic enough to take a stand in which they say the truth...there's only one Palestine. There's no Gaza and there's no Ramallah. There's just one place called Palestine to which the folks are aspiring to build.

I like this tune, it sounds too simplistic and it sounds scrappy as it has been recorded in some basement....with no money but with a lot of passion. I have enjoyed the different voices who tell different stories that makes up the Palestinian tapestry.

 احنا - فلسطين لواحد - Falsten la Wa7d

Majida/Magida El Roumi Really Loves Lebanon

There's no other person in Lebanon who can have a candid and informed conversation with the Lebanese nation as much as Magida El Roumi can. She is one of those voices that you know has her country Lebanon in her heart and mind. She does not do politics, but rather speak common sense to politicians who are either incompetent or focused on their own interests. 

Magida has delivered a speech once before about the frustrations she sees and lives at home, everyone talk notice of her words and cheered her when she was done. It looks like Magida is not done and will never stop caring about Lebanon. She has delivered yet another speech in a place packed with the suites, who stood there as she spoke truth to them

The venue looks like a church building, but it was really at the American University in Beirut where Magida was receiving an award. There, it seems Magida has people's attentions, many beautifully dressed children line behind her....but right before the event finishes, Magida sang. Elaph caught up with a number of music producers who expressed their opinions about the album and the homeland

كلمة نارية للرومي خلال تكريمها بالجامعة الأميركية

The Hardcore Guitarist And Wisconsin Sikh Temple Shooter

Some people make a killing in music, some musicians just flat out kill people. Most people who play music are the ones who like to promote peace and understanding, but not this one guy. He used his music for hatred  While the facts are all being sorted out, but the Sunday shooting in Wisconsin at a Sikh Temple where at least 7 people have lost their lives--including the gunman, now we learning something interesting;

Per Gawker 

Wade Michael Page, the 40-year-old Army veteran who allegedly killed seven on Sunday at a Sikh Temple in suburban Milwaukee, was a member of white-power hardcore band End Apathy, according to The Southern Poverty Law Center. Some biographical details match: Page was born in Colorado and was stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina; in an interview with the band's label, the Wade Page of End Apathy says that he's lived in North Carolina and Colorado.

Per the NYT
Page is the leader of a racist white-power band.”They said Mr. Wade played guitar and sang vocals for a band started in 2005 called End Apathy.“This guy was in the thick of the white supremacist music scene and, in fact, played with some of the best known racist bands in the country,” said Mark Potok, a senior fellow at the center. “The music that comes from these bands is incredibly violent and it talks about murdering Jews, black people, gay people and a whole host of other enemies. It is music that could not be sold over the counter around the country.

There goes that argument that musicians are artists as artists are supposed to be fragile and delicate, this man if true was a monster. I wonder what kind of music he was into and I also wonder since he has a 9/11 tattoo if he thought he was gunning down those poor Sikhs thinking they were Muslims.

Fear and Outrage in Wisconsin After 6 Killed at Sikh Temple; Gunman ID'd as White Supremacist Vet

About The Shooting Of Egyptian Officers In Rafah

Shooting in Rafah border, and the death of more than 15 Egyptian officers, I do not know who is behind this. Certainly most Palestinians would have no clear MOTIVE committing this senseless act of murder. I am now hearing and seeing more rage in Egypt that has been directed toward Gaza Strip and the Palestinians, some even want to see Egypt bomb Gaza.

I certainly understand the rage in Egypt, those fallen men are hero even in Palestine. And most people who work in the border are both Egyptians and Palestinians. The reality is, we do not knows many things, I happen to believe five things to be true:

1. Egypt has ignored the Sinai desert--as they are also limited to what they can do due to the Camp David treaty.  
2. In marginalized communities, extremists Muslims group (Jihad, Qaeda) thrive. And there are Palestinians reside in Egypt's border areas. 
3. The current government of Egypt is Gaza's best friend in the world--they promise to east the siege and allow for freedom of movement. Why would Gaza want to crap where they eat? Plus, the government in Gaza and the one in Egypt stem from the same theological schools
4. Israel/certain political groups in Egypt are not too happy about the government of Egypt acts of kindness toward Gaza.  
5. The underground tunnels between Gaza and Egypt need to be demolished, there is simply no need for them and they have served their purpose until the siege was made lighter late last year. Now, they are used for greed and people who bring in weird people and illegal merchandise.

Having said that, I stand firmly behind the government to f Egypt as they try to figure out what really happened and wish people would just refrain from jumping to conclusions. I would also ask the government in Gaza not to give the one in Egypt a hug of death. They are not in office to make Gaza a better place, they cannot do that until Egypt is back to speed.

May the officers now rest in peace

Sham (Syria) Gets Some Love From Indie Music

Eskenderlla is busy this Ramadan season with concerts as they had a night of music on August 4th and they sang for Syria or Sham. I love this style of songs, you get a poem performed by one vocalist and then the music joins in and pick up the speed.

Not sure where this style originates from, but it might have come from Egypt or the Sufi school of music. It's nice that one of the most popular indie bands in post Mubarak Egypt would sing for Syria and the resilience of its people.

أسكندريلا - حيوا أهل الشام

اوبريت - جيش لبنان / WATCH: Operetta - Lebanon Army 2012

The music video that kept the Lebanese army for weeks is finally out and it seems all the actors and singers involved in the project feel strongly about it and about its production. This is not the first music video made for/by the army, but it might be the biggest project to memory as it comes at a critical moment when Lebanese troops are being shot in the streets of Beirut by thugs.

I think this is a good PR job needed by the army now. I salut to the biggest names who have joined the lineup for this song, Nawal Zoghby, Wael Kfoury, Assi Hallani, Nancy Ajram and Sameer Sfier--composing and singing. This is an all Lebanese song--with the mawal and everything. Not sure wha the reviews are, but a good song is a good song.

There are half dozen well known actors also appear in the project. This is a clip that well make the army once again buy few patriots who wanted to make this project out of good faith. I know most armies accomplish things before they can enter the PR game, I am not aware of any major accomplishment for this particular army.

For the record, it's not the army that made Lebanon a great nation, the people have with their can do attitude and top notch customer service skills--culinary skills and fashion are a bonus

P.S. By the way, why is Nishan is part of this music video? Nawal and Assi need to dial it down with all the botox.

 اوبريت - جيش لبنان / Operetta - Lebanon Army 2012

Operate Jaysh Lebnan Original Copy - أوبريت جيش لبنان النسخة الأصلية

Naughty Or Nice? Palestinian President Attends Wedding

President Mahmoud Abbas took the time to attend a local wedding, he brought his band, and his groupies with him for this big bash. I like the idea of politicians pandering to local people and I think that people of Silwad wanted to be there, he seems likes a nice guy.

But I would do away with the guy brown nosing the president. I do not like the tradition of sucking up to the politicians, if I like a guy then he earns my silence and occasional cheers. I like the old ladies bit when the are doing old school Palestinian Zaghal or Hahe.

 I do not know if I live in this world or not, but I think I mixed on this, I think it's good and I also can see how it can be also used for something bad. I love the fact that his wife was there with the ladies--she is no politician.

 مشاركة السيد الرئيس ابو مازن اهالي سلواد العرس الجماعي