Hanouneh: A New Zion
May 16, 2011
Hanna Cinthio (a.k.a Hanouneh) is a Palestinian-Swede who performs Jamaican-style reggae music better than most die-hard Rastafarians – wrap your head around that. On second thought, don’t bother. Just raise up the volume, sit back and vibe on it…
DETOX: Lebanese Gutter Punks
May 12, 2011
Lebanese gutter punks DETOX were formed from the remnants of the first Lebanese punk rock group, Benzene – which disbanded in the summer of 2006 after Israel invaded their homeland and rendered them refugees. After a short stint in Australia, these die-hard punks returned to the Hamra district of Beirut to do what punks do best – indulge in booze and drugs, thrash three chords and scream at the top of their lungs about dirty cops, militias and the nation’s slow (and sometimes rapid) descent into chaos.
Rayess Bek: Thawra
May 2, 2011
Wael Kodeih (a.k.a Rayess Bek) was born in Southern Lebanon and raised between Beirut and Paris. Renowned for his socially conscious lyrics and clever word play, he raps about Lebanon and its youth’s disillusionment with society and politics. While much of his music is straight hip hop, he sometimes mixes electro, dance and pop elements in his beats. His latest, Thawra, is as much a club banger as it is an anthem for the inspiring revolutions currently sweeping the Arab world.
Chromeo: Night by Night
April 16, 2011
If there’s only room enough for one electrofunk band on your iPod, be sure it’s Chromeo – a dance-crazed duo who’ve jokingly described themselves as “the only successful Arab/Jewish partnership since the dawn of human nature.” Of course, they were being facetious. David Macklovitch (Dave 1) and Patrick Gemayel (P Thugg) hardly ever draw attention to their seemingly incongruent backgrounds. Proving that they’re beyond schtick, these childhood friends rely solely on their talent and skills as musicians to sell their sound – and boy do they sell.
Hana Malhas: Folk the Police
April 15, 2011
Hana Malhas doesn’t play the type of Jordanian folk music your 3amo Majed likes to sing at family weddings. No, this bedouin bombshell combines cafe-scene American folk stylings with an amazing pop sensibility, deep lyrics and one hell of an emotive voice. Together, she captivates on stage and record – always leaving her audience with something new to reflect on.
Zaho: Hold My Hand
April 12, 2011
Zehira (aka Zaho) emigrated from Algeria to Montreal, Canada when she was 18 years old and has since been perusing a career as a R&B singer/songwriter with great success. Her impeccable flow and sensual whisper tones have been featured on hit songs for artists as famous and diverse as Sean Paul to Cheb Mami.
Ayah Marar: The Station Sessions
April 11, 2011
Ayah Marar left Jordan to further her education in England, but wound up establishing herself as a talented singer and songwriter in the UK’s popular drum and bass (d&b) scene. What started off as guest vocals on Apex’s 2007 release “Space Between” has snowballed into a career all its own.
Hanni El Khatib: You Rascal You
April 11, 2011
You’ve gotta love the fact that he didn’t change his name…
Half Palestinian and half Filipino, Hanni El Khatib says he was influenced by American pop culture of the 1950′s and 60′s – though, if you ask me, his sound is more Johnny Cash meets The White Stripes than Elvis Presley or Little Richard. He describes his songs as “knife music… written for anyone who’s ever been shot or hit by a train.”
