MUSIC

There are differing Islamic views on whether music is permissible; which musical instruments can be used; who can use them; and under what circumstances.  Nonetheless, music was part of pre-Islamic Arabia, was evident in the history of the Muslim empire, and is part of contemporary Arab culture.  

To many Arabs,  Umm Koulthoum, Abdel-Wahab abd Abdel-Halim are ingrained in the Arab psyche. 

Umm Koulthoum particularly held a very unique place among all Arabs and was dubbed the  "Planet of the East" and "Lady of Arabic Singing". At a time when television was  not accessible, her concerts were aired on radio once a month and were an epic event across the Arab world. Her vocal range was unique: and microphones were  placed away from her due to the power of her voice. Umm Kolthoum was admired  internationally as well by the likes of Bob Dylan, Maria Callas and Charles De Gaulle to name a few. Her enduring career and character led to a funeral attended  by millions and music that is constantly being remixed.

Songs by these icons, and classical music, featured traditional instruments such as the oud, the qanoon, tabla and nai. These classical hits have been remixed both locally and internationally. For example, the American song Big Pimpin' by Jay Z borrowed from Abdel-Halim's Khosara. 

Classical music by Umm Kalthoum and Abdel-Halim has become a backdrop for Egypt and features in films about Egypt by Egyptians and non-Egyptians alike. A recent example is the film called Cairo Time by the Canadian director Ruba Nadda released in 2009. 

Lebanese and Gulf singers, previously limited to their borders, gained regional popularity in the 80s and 90s with many flocking to Cairo to build their careers. The 90s also saw the explosion of Algerian "rai music" with Cheb Khaled's mega hit Didi. Algerian music was greatly welcomed across the region due to its unique beats.

FEATURED SONGS

Featured,  with permission, are videos by  Cairokee & Zap Tharwat, who were part of the Egyptian underground scene before gaining mainstream success. Click on captions for the subtitles when available on the YouTube Clip. You can visit the Sing Along section where I have added some lyrics.

Also featured are two  performances by Australian-Iraqi musician Nawres Alfreh.   In this solo Nawres plays the  Joza (or Kamancheh) which was developed for him by an Australian instrument maker called Peter Biffin. The  Joza is  similar to the Upper Egyptian Rababah. Nawres also featured at the Al-Mutannabi Poetry reading we held at the University of Queensland in 2015. 

SING ALONG

CAIROKEE

ZAP THARWAT

NAWRES ALFREH