Here you'll find information, pictures and links about Arabic music. Most people know Arabic music only through Sting's song Desert Rose but if you enjoyed that, you should listen to more. It really doesn't matter if you don't understand the language. The Arab world is hugely diverse and the music reflects this therefore I have divided the music into different sections. I hope you find this section informative. I felt the need to create it after seeing how few sites or even pages there are on the net about Arabic music.
Popular Egyptian music developed in response to foreign imports. The most succesful star of this genre is Amr Diab whose music is popular throughout the Arab world. The lyrics are fun, sometimes ridiculous and basically the music is nice to dance to. Most but not all of the artists listed here are Egyptian and all artists are male.
Stars
- Amr Diab, Ehab Tawfik, Hakim, Hamid Al Shari, Hisham Abbas, Mohammed Fouad, Mustafa Amar -
Recommended songs
Amr Diab - Ana, Kida ainy ainak, Nour al Ain
Hamid al Shari - Ainy
Hisham Abbas - Habibi dah, Ya leila
Mustafa Amar - As soad ayounak - Tal al leil
The most famous star was Umm Kulthum whose music is known worldwide and is still played frequently in the Arab World. Her music was so popular and she has never been equalled in popularity. Warda is the only artist from this genre who still makes music today, the others died some time ago. My personal favourite artist from this group is the Syrian Farid al Atrache, I'd highly recommend him.
Stars
- Abdel Halim Hafez, Farid Al Atrache, Hani Shakir, Sayed Darwish, Umm Kulthum, Warda -
Recommended songs
Abdel Halim Hafez - Khosara
Farid al Atrache - Gamil gamal, Hebina, Ya habibi ghaybin, Zeina
Hani Shakir - Saaltek
Umm Kulthum - Al atlal, Enta omri
Warda - Harramt ahhebak
Fan sites
Farid al Atrache.com
This genre contains music from the Gulf area of the Arab World namely Saudi Arabia and the smaller countries like the United Arab Emirates. Gulf Arabic has a distinct accent of its own. The most popular star of this genre is the Saudi Abdou
Stars
- Abdel Abdullah Rowshid, Miami Band, Mohammed Abdou -
Recommended songs
Miami Band - Gharamek shey ajeeb
Despite being geographically close to Iran, it doesn't sound at all like Persian music or music from the Gulf either. Kazem is becoming a huge star in the Arab world.
Stars
- Ferqat El Ajrass, Haithem Youssif, Kazem Al Saher -
Recommended songs
Ferqat Al Ajrass - Dabka
Haithem Youssif - Sheyjab bacher, Ya nas
Kazem Al Saher - Baghdad - Ghazal
A small country but an amazing range of music, often with a Palestinian influence. Fairouz is a very succesful Lebanese Christian singer. Haddad and Al Zoughby are extremely popular today.
Stars
- Dania, Diana Haddad, Elissa, Fairouz, Najwa Karam, Nawal Al Zoughby, Ragheb Alama, Wael Kfoury, Ziad Al Rahbani -
Recommended songs
Dania - Leiley
Diana Haddad - Howara, Mani mani, Sakin, Shater
Elissa - Baddy doub, Hilm al ahlam
Fairouz - Dabkeh Lubnan
Nawal Al Zoughby - Bine al barrah wa al youm, Daloona, El mamnou marghoub, Kalam al leil, Malom, Min habibi ana
Ragheb Alama - Bint al sultan, Mogharam ya leil, Yallah
Ziad Al Rahbani - Ya nour inaya
Fan sites
Diana Haddad online
Nawal Al Zoughby site
Khalife's music comes highly recommended, he bases much of his work on the poet Mahmud Darwish.
Stars
- Marcel Khalife, Mustafa Al Kurd -
Recommended songs
Marcel Khalife - A child (Teflun), Jawaz as safar (Passport), Libsou al kafai, Oummi, Poem of the earth, Ya police el esharah
Music from Algerian, very famous in France and hugely popular. Often provactive and political lyrics yet the music is best desribed in the Rough Guide to World Music as 'a melting pot, an evolving mix of sounds from local traditions along with the influences of rock, soul, funk and reggae.'
Stars
- Cheb Hasni, Cheb Mami, Cheikha Remitti, Dahman Al Herrachi, Fadela & Sahrahouai, Faudel, Jerrari, Khaled, Lounes Mahtoub, Natacha Atlas, Rachid Taha -
Recommnded songs
Cheb Mami - Desert rose, H'babi
Dahman Al Herrachi - Ya rayah
Fadela & Sahrahoui - N'sel fik
Faudel - Eray, Lila
Jerrari - Sidi Mansour (the original version!)
Khaled - Abdel Kader, Chebba, Hebou, Sahra, Wahrane wahrane
Natacha Atlas - Yalla chant
Rachid Taha - Bent Sahra, Medina, Menfi,Ya rayah
An excellent introduction to Rai and Arabic music in general is the album 123 Soleils. If there's only one Arabic album you listen to, it should be this one. Bizous and hugz to al ajmalu Amaury for introducing me to this album. ;D
Distinct from Lebanese, Wassouf is very popular.
Stars
George Wassouf
Arabstars.net
Aramusic.com
Demna.com
Oghnia.com
Mazika.com