Here Are The Albums To Be Released In The Eid

1. Hossam Habib is releasing his pop album, this would be hi first since 2008. Hossam has produced the album on his own and has not decided on whom he wants to distribute it. This is an album, I look forward to. It can only go bad if it was produced on the cheap. Not Yes
2. Tamer Ashour is also working on his album, as we come to expect from him, he is working with a team of top talents to bring this album to light. I like how Tamer Ashour takes his work seriously and even though he can work on the album by himself--he prefers to hire people (Tarek Madkour, and Tamer Ali are an example) who might add something to the work. Not Yes
3. Pop star Haitham Shaker who has not put out an album in more than five years is working on is album too and I like the titles of the songs. I like Haitham's voice who really can do happy and dramatic songs very well. Not Yet
4. Lebanese super romantic singer Wael Kfoury will land his album on August 13th and this would be his first in almost five years. The album has ben ready for years now, but Wael did no reach an agreement with his record label on the contract. I am certain the album will have at least 4 songs that we have already listened to as singles--they were either good or average. Done and done
5. Amal Maher will released a music video that is being directed of Dr. Sherif Sabry, the man who remade her image and gave her the best year of her career last year. Not Yet
6. Nicole Saba is also releasing a single and a cool looking music video--the promote is out too. This might be the grown up Nicole Saba song--unlike many of her commercially viable tracks, this one seems her natural style. Not Yet
7. Jannat will have a new album, her first since 2008. The girl got some game and her concerts are often hots tickets in Egypt. She knows how to pick winners and knows how to fire up her fan base.   

Eteaay Rabena Feya - photo - Amal Maher اتقى ربنا فيا - صور - امال ماهر

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

LISTEN: Amr 60 2012 Album Dance And Romance

Pop artists tend to use an interesting strategy over and over again. Bring out a new star,  build his brand up with a young fan base, he will cater to them....these fans grow up, make money and remember their star who was there for them when they were young poor and stupid.

Amr 60 released a pop single two weeks ago, and now comes the promo for his album, he has combined his music promo with his photo shoot--some crisp shots indeed. He does romance songs and light pop songs that will appeal to the easy fan with not too many options or musical experiences. I call them the virgin ears.  I like the promo and I like the beach even more.

It seems that Amr 60 is doing something right, he has already made a buzz online. Why not and he enjoys a great deal of those famous Egyptian look and that jaw. He has a sweet voice, but I think he can do even better, he is listening to his sound engineer too much. Set Amr 60 free....and you will be surprised.

I think the album will sell even though it is not being released on a holiday.

Amr 60 -"Mesafer" Album promo / برومو البوم عمرو ستين

Why I Think #MBCTheVoice Will Suck So Bad

Sure, they hired some of the finest voices in Arabia (Egyptian, Iraqi, Tunisian, and Lebanese), they are a huge network with many viewers and advertisers to pick them up.

Kathem is a good judge of character, but he is a nice guy, he would not deliver the bad news. He has not made a stunning record since 2009, but he knows the business.

Assi shouts a lot and talks even more, he looks strange after what seems to be going under the knife.

Sherine, is a hot head, she gets upset very quick and has highs and lows. Sherine has some personal issues and trying to figure out the business side. The actor turned TV host lacks charisma and charm.

Saber lacks flavor, do not hear much of him in interviews and such. Saber is a sweet guy who does romantic songs, and has not challenged himself enough, not lately.

Those 4 judges are older than 35, nobody in that age group knows anything about twitter, Facebook, so none of the new fans will tune in online. I think they needed a young 25 artists who has a track record. The show pitches that they will make stars, but in reality we live in a time where even stars do not make a living anymore--thanks to the internet and the Arab revolts.

Why would people tune in? Half to these people shin the spotlight and tend not to make waves, they are diplomats. Ratings do matter, and if people have a reason to watch, they will. Watching the excitement about this show, I cannot see if real. It's all about the MBC team trying to shock people into caring about their big show.  

But in between, Star Academy, Arabs Got Talent and Arab Idol, there is so much noise and so little star making. Too many empty suits and too few real artists.

I am sure people will watch the show, but it might be very difficult to sustain this success post season one.

#MBC1 - #MBCTheVoice قريبا

LIKE This: Karim Mohsen - Bahlam Bik / كريم محسن - بحلم بيك قريباً

Karim Mohsen can be a miracle worker to Egyptian pop, he is one of the most creative young forces in the pop scene at the moment. While his career seems to have taking off as a singer too, he performs in a number of colleges and universities around Egypt. His latest work included a hit song with Syrian diva Asala.

But in the meantime, he is giving his fans a teaser for a song he will be releasing soon, a love song where he is confessing about dreaming about his loved one. A cute way to get a girl's attention. I am in for the music portion of the song.

I have always liked the hint of sadness Karim's voice has, it gives a nice balance to his sweet and funky side. I am certain comes this Eid--Karim will be performing in a number of events. Too bad his old buddy Tamer Hosny cannot say the same.

Karim Mohsen - Bahlam Bik Soon / كريم محسن - بحلم بيك قريباً

Tamer Ashour Gives His Fans A Taste of His 2013 Album

Tamer Ashour composes stellar songs, he also sings awesome ones too. In my book, he is one of the smartest composers out there. Why? he hires different people to compose his songs, even though he can express them musically. He does that to ensure diversity in his album, to offer a different vision that might be fresh. Many of those composers who can sing fall into this trap, they think they are the best there is, so they write music for their entire album--more often than not this makes one lame album

You will fully understand this, once you hear the new Tamer Ashour sample for one of the songs he will feature in his 2013 album--I think he may release it in time for the end of year. Tamer knows that working with others one stays relevant, this way he can focus on writing music for other singers.

So far he has let out only one minute of the song, which will be shared with us later this year to get the conversation rolling about this album--again, I love the music here and this sounds like a happy song with a lot of optimism and a reason to live.

 سيمبل اغنية تامر عاشور مش سهلة من الالبوم القادم 2013

Simple Lahzet Da3f - Moustafa Amar / جزء من اغنية لحظة ضعف - مصطفى قمر

Moustafa Amar is back with a new movie, the movie will not screen in the Eid season, this is his first movie since 2010--his last movie did not do so well. Moustafa Amar was a box office sensation in the mid 2000, but then things changed and he has not manged (or found) a movie that will make top dollars. Due to conflicting sechduels and maybe tough competition the movie has been delayed until further notice.

"Lahzet Da'ef" is the film's title. I am hoping this latest movie of his will do the trick. The plot seems a bit dated, Amar runs an advertising company and then he finds himself caught in a murder, so he runs for his life and tries to proof his innocence. The movie did start to film in October 2011, but due to a number of production issues, the movie was not finished this May 2012.

We got a teaser of the movies' main song, it carries the title of the movie as well and seems to put Moustafa back in the zone.

Simple Lahzet Da3f - Moustafa Amar / جزء من اغنية لحظة ضعف - مصطفى قمر

البوم محمد حماقى - من قلبى بغنى 2012 Listen: Hamaki's New album

I call him, the cool kid who dresses well and does good pop songs. He is the guy you play his music in the club and the kids get crazy for his music. While his voice is comforting, his choices of songs tend to be either happy and lovey-dovey, or sad and heartbreaking. He does not do middle ground.

He flew all the way to London to take awesome cover art pictures for the album, he made the music in Egypt and worked with his buddies and close musicians. A lot has changed since Hamaki released his last album, almost three years ago. Egypt has a new president with a new direction, Hamaki is a married man now, and  the music market has tanked for the past 4 years.

The promo makes the album sound like am mixture of pop house and funk music--something he is too familiar with. The album is due to land any minute now. Give those 16 seconds promo a listen and please hold off the criticism or praises until we see the final product. This can be a dud, but it can also be something we wanted to celebrate.


الأن بالاسواق - البوم حماقي الجديد - من قلبي بغني



قريبا - حماقي "من قلبي بغَني" 2012

Child Star Hala Al Turk Is Bored, Not Us Though

The most popular kid on Arab TV is Hala Turk, the little girl form Bahrain that almost won the title for Arabs Got Talent. Despite her not winning, she has scored the largest contracts in the business. She has already released an album, filmed dozens of commercials and appeared on numerous TV shows.

But she is just getting warmed up, as she is gearing up for a song--a teaser is below, where she is feeling bored at home, I do like the bright colors and the kiddish Hala. Girls grow so fast, she is way taller than I remember her when we met hear more than a year ago.

She is still so cute and so fun to look at, I hate how people in the comment sections telling her parents to have her memorize the Koran instead--like you cannot do both. I do not like mean people who are turning the comments into a negative Nancy blog. She is a young girl, she makes songs for the kids--not you overgrown idiots out there.

 حلا الترك - زهقانة - قريباً | Hala Al Turk - Zahgana - Soon

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

HOT: Assala - Kabrtak Ala Sedak / أصالة - كبرتك علي سيدك 2012 Album Promo

Syrian singer Assala is having the year of her live, she has been rocking this summer music festivals, keeping political blogs active and interested in her opinions and jetting around the world for concerts and engagements.  Then she would release singles, she released three of them so far. And host that popular TV shows of her where she gets to sing with her buddy singers. A duet with Ramy Sabry and a dozen of interviews.

But she has also been working on an album, and we have a stare of art comeback album, her first since 2008--she has released at least on other album but that was in the Gulf Dialect. This upcoming album of hers will have romance, and will have both Egyptian and Lebanese dialect songs--the ones that made her a pop star in the first place. The kind of songs that radiates happy

The album will have ten tracks. Her husband company Star Gate is producing the album and Pyramdia will distribute it around the world. By looking the list of musicians and composers she has worked with, one cannot help but realize hoe serious Assala is about this album of hers. This is the Assalah we love and this is the kind of songs that make the world a better place.

In other news, I just learned that one of the youngest and most promising composers Karim Mohsin composed this song. I knew I was a fan of his songs, but I am no certain that I like his music work too.

Assala - Kabrtak Ala Sedak / أصالة - كبرتك علي سيدك



Assala " Shakhsya Aneeda " Album Promo | برومو ألبوم " شخصية عنيدة " أصالة

LISTEN: Wael Kfoury 2012 Album وائل كفوري حصرياً

Rotana has made nice with Wael Kfoury and they are about to release his new album next week. This is his first in more than four years. The romantic Lebanese singer did not mind the wait, he seemed not to really car much for new albums--he was still busy with concerts and tennis.

But finally the money is here, and we get to hear the first new song on his album, it's a romance for sure and its his genre. The interest has embraced the album and went crazy about the thought of a new Wael Kfoury album. I know the ladies are his biggest fans.

There's a whole new look for the handsome romance wonder, he is going for the beard. Something of a conquistador look with bling, and a thick hair. I think a lot has changed in those four years, and some young people might have missed the Wael boat, not sure how the timing of the release, a week prior to the end of Ramadan would play out.

enjoy the new single

Wael Kfoury - Ya Dalli Ya Rouhi / وائل كفوري - يا ضلّي يا روحي

Lian Bazlamit To Perform in Jordan Ramadan Concert

If you was wondering where has pop up and coming Lian Bazlamit has gone, worry no more. She has a concert in Amman this summer, in time for the month of Ramadan--I would have chosen the Eid time.  celebration. It seems she is the headline of a big Amman bash with three other performers in three separate concerts.

August 2, 2012 alongside Syrian pop star Samer Cairo
August 9, 2012 alongside Lebanese heartthrob Josef Attieh
August 16, 2012 alongside Lebanese power horse Adam

The venue is at a place well know in Amman, Action Target is bringing the young songstress, Lian is set to perform in all concerts. I am sure her fans cannot wait to see their starlet who is making a good use of her summer.

Nicole Saba - Hafdal Ahlam Teaser - نيكول سابا - هفضل أحلم برومو

This Eid we will all stand in line for the new music video form Nicole Saba where she plays herself not some gal you want to see. That means dreamy shots with closeups and flowers. We know the new clip for Hfdal Ahlam plays like those famous ads for shampoo/soap and nature.

She is due for a comeback, she does have a popular show on TV. But she has been a bit lazy in music videos front. But I feel this clip will make her fans giddy all over again.

Nicole Saba might be up to somthing nice this time around and she won't offend us a bit. Egypt awaits Nicole music video as for many she is one of their own.

Nicole Saba - Hafdal Ahlam Teaser - نيكول سابا - هفضل أحلم برومو

WATCH: The Lebanese Army Song By Lebanon's Finest أغنية الجيش - نوال الزغبي - نانسي - وائل كفوري - عاصي

The army is supposed to be made out of the country's finest people, but in the case of Lebanon the jury is still out on this matter. In the meantime, Lebanon's finest pop singers have joined forces to do a song for this army that has not seen a good day in a really long time. The army is proud yet they seem to get no respect around the country--singers and writers would like to think people should respect the army, but most think of them as a farce.

So the army did the next best thing to try to get its name out there, hiring a volunteer singer squad to d a song for them while dressed in army gear. Nancy Ajram singed up, so has Nawal El Zoghby, Wael Kfoury, Assi Hallani, composer Samir Sfir's name is also attached to the project. Nizar Francis wrote the lyrics

The official clip is yet to be released, but we have the audio track and some of the behind the scenes images with the artists who have taken part of this grand project. The song will be released int he Lebanese army day of celebration.

In fairness, even the American army does these kind of songs and material to promote their work, so there's no shame in doing that that. What I do not like, is how people who have never served in the army--maybe Wael did are pretending to be all tough by wearing the army gear. Najwa Karam has done a song three years a go with the help of the army where she featured some of their officers.

نانسي ونوال، عاصي ووائل: معاً لجيش لبنان


أغنية الجيش - نوال الزغبي - نانسي - وائل كفوري - عاصي NEW 2012



نجوم لبنانيون يؤكِّدون: الجيش خط أحمر وضمانة للشعب

"بالشرق كان الليل عمرو سنين

ولبنان كان بعتمتو غرقان

إلاّ ولمع سيفك يا فخرالدين

وبديت حكاية اسمها لبنان

كان صعب العيش والناس خيفانة

صار عنا جيش والجيش لبناني

وصاروا رجال الدار جيش الحما وأهلا

وصرنا كبار صغار نهتفلن أهلاً

The Hit Show "The Voice" Gets The Arab Version

or maybe it's the Lebanese version. What has been done right so far, is the judges, the management has picked 4 awesome names in Arabic music who truly can sing and have a reputation for their strong voices and their musical knowledge.  AS far as the business is concerned, the intellectual property rights of the show belong to Talpa Holding, while Sony Pictures Television (STP) Arabia- representing Talpa formats in the region - is the co-production company.

This American show is now landing in Arabia and the masses are unsure what to make of another show that will waste more of people's time to pick talents who might never make it in this world again. MBC is hosting the show in the same format, 4 judges, they hear the voice, not see the person singing and then make their call. The person who likes the voice will be a mentor for the guest.

They already had a press conference about it and people are starting to talk about this high caliber show with big names like of Assi Hallani (Lebanon), Kathem Al Saher (Iraq), Sherine (Egypt) and Saber El Robaei (Tunisia). I would not watch the show, but I will follow its news.

Following the exclusive rights to broadcast the international TV show 'The Voice' in the MENA region on MBC1, MBC Group revealed the four star “coaches” of the show:

Kadim Al Sahir, Sherine Abdel Wahab, Saber Al Roba’ei and Assi El Hellani. The program will be hosted by Egyptian actor Mohamed Karim. This is a sing of the great recession that Arabic music have been seeing since the Arab Spring started.


  #MBC1- The Voice

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)

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

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