5 (Arabic) Music Videos I watched Lately!
My.Kali‘s music fanatic, Zaid Bawab takes us through the last 5 Arabic music videos he watched. What he noticed, what he loved/hated, and what he has to say about them is all up to him!
.
By Zaid Bawab
Edited by Omar El-Rayyes
You know that friend of yours you call or text to ask about the name of that song you can’t remember its name, or that singer’s video from yesteryears? Well, that’s me! Better than Shazam! I am a 20-something wander luster with a huge music library and brain cells that relates years to songs, albums and videos. Throughout the years, many things have changed about me except for my love to pop music, especially the pop culture of the Arab world. Whether its a new single, an album of years back, or a bubbling music video, I would most probably have something to say about it and obtain facts you didn’t know of. For now, please check my latest watches.
.
Pascale Machalani – Ya Mdagdag باسكال مشعلاني – يا مدقدق
Ya Mdagdag is the 1st music video released from Pascal’s Gulf 2015 Album and it’s certainly the right choice to choose for the remake of Samira Tawfiq’s Jordanian Folklore song “Ya Mdagdag” and one of the album’s highlights. It’s not the first time that Pascale sings Jordanian Floklore as she has already sung a part of the Jordanian Folklore song “Ya Jadda” in her 2005 album “Akbar Kedba” album. “Ya Mdagdag” could be considered Pascal’s biggest hit in years and is getting the radio play it deserves. The music video, which includes a dedication to Samira Tawfiq in the end, is directed by Hasan Ghaddar, who is a new promising Lebanese director who is currently involved in Wael Kfoui’s first music video after 10 years of being absent from the music video world. The colorful, feel good video was shot in the same village that the classic Lebanese film “Safer Barlek” famous qas shot at starring Icon Fairuz, and does not fail to meet what the song needs which is a simple folkloric video with a cinematography similar to mid 2000s music videos directed by Salim Al Turk and a straight forward storyline that follows Pascal, a villager and their affection during a day that starts in a bus to the village and ends in a small evening party, with three suitable looks and wardrobe from Pascal, that could have chosen (or her make up artist or art director) a better color for the lipstick at times or an older model other than Dani Eid who has already starred in Dina Hayek’s Taa La Albi.
Follow Pascale Machalani on Facebook (here)
.
.
Myriam Fares – Nifsi Aoulhalak ميريام فارس – نفسي أقولهالك
If you liked this product-placement filled video then you are most likely a hardcore Myriam fan (or shall I say, one of the Myriamees) as the least that could be said about this video is that it is a disappointment. With only a couple of good shots of Myriam jumping during a photoshoot while someone flips through the photoshoot pictures on a laptop screen and a couple of good moves on stage, Myriam doesn’t seem to impress with the second video from her “Aman” album (which was released in early 2015). And after the GoPro camera shot “real” footage from her honeymoon music video for the Gulf-wedding hit “Deggo Al Tobool”, she presents her second music video for the smash hit Egyptian song “Nifsi Aoulhalak” which is definitely the highlight of her album. “The Queen of stage” is moving like she always does, but that is exactly the problem, she is moving like she always does, nearly all her stage moves and choreography are recycled; whether in concert or throw back music videos. Not to mention gulf dance moves and “hairography” strangely displayed on an upbeat Egyptian song. The lack of proper choreography is unusual from “TinkerBell” (as her mystery husband calls her). The song will be a big hit and the video will play everywhere but this does not mean that a “Waheshni Eh”-standard video wasn’t expected from “Al Mashmoosh” (another nickname her husband calls her by) who dazzled audiences with her choreography. It seems Myriam should have taken some notes from Carmen Sulieman’s remix for “Habibi Mosh Habeebi” to make a more believable setting for performing a song of such a genre in a music video.
Follow Myriam Fares on Facebook (here)
.
.
Yara – Ma Baaref – Official Video Clip / يارا – ما بعرف
Ending with a beautiful shot of a ringed finger, Yara’s new music video for the emotional ballad “Ma Baaref” is definitely one of the most awaited videos of the year; ever since she announced that Adel Karam himself is going to guest star alongside her during her interview in the first episode of this season of the TV program “Hayda Haki” (presented by Adel himself). Since then, there have been rumors about the couple getting engaged, which Yara seems to be enjoying as she did not deny or confirm anything during a recent interview with Aghani Aghani. The video is definitely not another breathtaking work of Nadine Labaki’s, considering that Adel (who may I state, doesn’t look good with a beanie) is out of his comfort zone: comedy, but it is not as TV has predicted, considering it’s the first official music video to be directed by Nassir Faqih (which could explain the arguably pointless text in the beginning/end of the video) who happens to be Adel Karam’s friend and long term collaborator since the “La Yomal” days. Although the storyline could be considered a bit cheesy–in my opinion–the video is not less than what Yara (who nearly shows her dancing skills for the first time in a video) has managed to deliver image-wise during her career so far, although it might not be as unique as her previous works such as “A’yesh Bi Oyooni”.
Follow Yara on Facebook (here)
.
.
Shayma Helali – Ya Nahar (Official Music Video) / شيما هلالي – يا نهار
This is not the first collaboration between Shaymaa and Fadi Haddad and like their previous videos it does not fail to impress. It seems that Shayma pushes Quantum directors who tend to repeat themselves like Fadi Haddad and Waleed Naseef a step further as they seem to give her the best they can offer each time while making rushed projects with some other artists. This could be because of the big support Shayma is getting from the producing label she has signed with (Lifestylez studios) or Ammar Ltaif’s (who is rumored to be in a relationship with her) clever management. It’s enough to see Shayma’s name calligraphy to know that this is an artist to keep an eye on and one that is here to stay. She is the full package with Shania Twain-ish looks, smart diverse song choices, and most importantly a voice and talent that could also appeal to older generations. The flawless yet not very glamorous video follows Shaymaa as she arrives for what seems to be a vacation in Egypt’s Aswan during which she meets her love interest in the video (Mr. Lebanon 2014 Rabih El Zein) whose appearance in a music video is certainly not his first. Shaymaa looks great and classy as always with her nice conservative wardrobe and dimples, and it is always appreciated to see a video that goes along with the song’s atmosphere which this video is a perfect example of. The song got fair radio airplay even before its video was released and is Shaymaa’s most fun and radio-friendly song to date. It’s positive that there is a fairly new artist who is still tackling this industry in the traditional way, releasing a new music video every now or then from an album which was released over a year ago, instead of moving on to new material without older material ever garnering the success it deserves.
Follow Shayma Helali on Facebook (here)
.
.
Ma3 Nafsi – Amar مع نفسي – قمر
For some reason, I can’t really say for sure that the audience would miss Amar or that people would be talking about her if she was not making any new material, but no one can deny how huge and well produced this new 8 minute video of her new song, Ma’ Nafsi, nor ignore the facts expressed in her lyrics regarding the comfort of being alone; single and in love with herself. Yet the video ends with her surrendering to the male model! (Schizophrenic much?) Mohsen Jaber, the head of Mazzika, did not seem to set a penny aside when they produced this Said Al Marouq dream come to life (again) CG-filled video. Regardless of Said’s obsession with ‘queen of the world figure’ (Maya Diab in “Shaklak Ma Btaaref” and now Amar) and the “Dark horse” feeling, this video, while certainly enjoyable, is overwhelming. The CG feels too much at times and the image seems a bit too dark sometimes with no contrast. It could come off confusing and make the story hard to understand.
Follow Amar on Facebook (here)
.
.
Check Zaid’s saddest TV moments in the Arab wold (here)