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Arabic pop

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arabic pop music
Stylistic origins
Cultural origins1970s, Arabic-speaking countries
Typical instruments
Derivative forms

Arabic pop musicorArab pop musicis asubgenreofpop musicandArabic music.

Arabic pop is mainly produced and originated inCairo,Egypt;withBeirut,Lebanon,as a secondary center. It is an outgrowth of the Arabic film industry (mainlyEgyptianmovies), also predominantly located in Cairo. Since 2000, various locations in theGulf countrieshave been producingKhaleejipop music.

The primary style is a genre that synthetically combines pop melodies with elements of different Arabic regional styles, calledughniyah(Arabic:أغنية) or in English "Arabic song". It uses mainly Western instruments, including electricguitarsor electronickeyboards,as well as traditionalMiddle Easterninstruments like theoudordarbukka.[1]

Another characteristic aspect of Arabic pop is the overall tone and mood of the songs. The majority of the songs are in a minor key, and the lyrics tend to focus on longing, melancholy, strife, and generally love issues.

Songwriting, recording and distribution formats

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The road to Arab stardom is very different from the one in the Western world. Traditionally, a certain producer creates the full song from music to lyrics, no matter the talents of the performer. Most music is recorded in studios as is WesternPop music.But also severallive albumshave been popular, such as with Asalah andEgyptianlegendUmm Kulthum.

Music has been released as singlerecords,later replaced withcassettesin thealbumformat, and by the late 1990s, and 2000s, additionally onCDs.Singles were not released separately, but just airplay is common. By the mid 2010s, they have been increasingly released on streaming services which allowed singles to be released again as soon as they become available.

There are no official charts or certifications due to the informal nature of the business and bootlegging.

In the mid 2000s,Ringtonecharts were occasionally made, but due to bootlegging, they were supposedly highly inaccurate. There are several awards in different countries awarded in different ways according to their organizations.[citation needed]In fact, bootlegging is so common that most bootleggers have their own brands. They are so bold that they usually put contact info on the front of the CDs. Bootlegging is such a major problem that most artists cannot rely on royalties for income.[2]Most of the actual musical income came from ringtone downloads, which was more prevalent than in the West. Other income comes from endorsement deals and live performances.

Live performances are mainly brokered through the record label. This includes public concerts, such as at arenas or major media events. However, performances at weddings and private parties are common and well paid, no matter the artist's level of fame.

Music TV channels and music shows such asArabs Got Talent[3]are popular in theMiddle EastandNorth Africa,where some 40 Arab music channels exist.[4]Rotanais the most popular company, running six TV channels, a record label, and a roster of more than 100 of the top Arab pop artists.

The business side

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There are vast differences between the Western Music business and the Arabic Music business.

Unlike in the West, there are rarelymanagers,agentsorPR systems.Record labelsare usually mega corporations that controlmusic videos,music channels, anddistributionas well as the artists' careers, such as endorsement deals or booking gigs. Music videos generally are similar to videos in the Western world, often with a storyline and dance scenes. Producers, songwriters and composers are usually affiliated with certain labels. An aspiring Arab singer creates a video demo and sends them to satellite channels that specialize in that area. It is then up to a record label to see them on such a program and sign them.[5][6]

By means of the Internet and social media, regional cooperation between Arab pop musicians, producers and studios has become more feasible than ever before. Thus, Arab pop or evenunderground musicianscan reach their audiences across the region and beyond.[7]

Artistic expression and public response

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Most Arab pop concentrates on romantic themes, hence the frequent use of words likehabibi(my darling) andqalbi(my sweetheart). Explicit references to sexuality and topics forbidden byIslam,includingalcohol,are rare. So is the overt mention of politics, reflecting the limited democratic rights in the region, but international conflicts such as theGulf Warsometimes inspire songs such as "Saddam Saddam", a 1991 hit in support ofSaddam Hussein.[citation needed]

Arab pop music videos are most popular among local youth in theLevantandNorth Africa.TheGulf countriesare well-known to ban or censor music videos they deem inappropriate.Lebanon,Jordan,Syria,Tunisia,andMoroccoshow the least tendency to censor or ban music videos, whileEgypthas been known to ban overtly sexual and explicit music videos.[citation needed]

Although tame by Western standards, female Arab popstars have been known to cause controversy with their sexuality. Playful lyrics, skimpy costumes, and dancing have led to quite a bit of criticism in the more conservative Islamic circles. Artists such asLydia Canaan,Samira Said,Nancy Ajram,Nawal El Zoghbi,Latifa,Assala,Amal HijaziandHaifa Wehbehave all come under fire at one time or another for the use of sexualinnuendosin their music. This has led to bans on their music and performances in certain countries; particularly in Haifa's case.Lydia Canaan's provocative costumes made her asex symbol.The Daily Starwrote: "On stage, with her daring looks and style, Canaan became a role model".[8]In 2002, a video bySamira Saidcalled "Youm Wara Youm" was banned by theEgyptian Parliamentfor being 'too sexy', similar toNancy Ajram's music video "Akhasmak Ah". In additionAmal Hijazi's music video of "Baya al Ward"was heavily criticised and banned on a few music channels. Such extremes are rare, but such kinds of censorship are not uncommon for Arab female popstars.[5]

As in other countries, Arab pop stars also have been engaged in social issues, for example during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[9]

Audiences of Arabic pop

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Though particularly popular among the youth and young adult Arab population, Arabic pop has found an audience with older fans as well. Most fans of Arabic pop live in theArab World,but Arabic pop has also continually charted inEuropesince the 1990s, especially in theFrenchTop 20.[10]Arabic pop has fans in communities of immigrants from Arabic speaking countries, particularly inFrance,theUnited Kingdom,Australia, Ukraine, Canada, and theUnited States.Further fan bases come from DJs playing Arabic pop in dance venues[11]or from Westernbelly dancefans.

InAustralia,SBS Radioplays Arab pop on a radio format calledPopAraby.[12]Many artists speak several languages and have songs in various languages, especiallyFrenchandSpanish.[citation needed]

History of Arabic pop

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Early days: 19th-early 20th century

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The early days of Arabic pop featured a more traditional style of music. Artists such asUmm Kulthum,who is now considered an Arabic music legend, made it acceptable for female singers to perform in public.

In some cases, the performers wrote their own lyrics, but the music was written by others. Both lyrics and music were in characteristic Arabic styles, and songs tended to last well over 10–30 minutes. Several of Umm Kulthum's songs were measured in hours. Performances were broadcast over the radio, and live tours were organized. The songs could have been compared to WesternJazzfor their improvisation and toOperafor their traditional elements and length.[citation needed]

Modernization: 1950s–1970s

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During this period, Arabic pop began to emerge, although the older style of the early days was still extremely popular. Songs began to become more westernized in sound and length (now around 5–20 minutes). Artists such asAbdel Halim Hafezor the Lebanese superstarFairuzrose to fame during this period.

1970s–1980s

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In the 1970s with the rise of Western artists such asABBAand the death of the early artists such asUmm Kulthum,Arabic pop began to take shape. By the early 1980s artists such as the arabic iconAziza Jalal,[13]Mohamed Mounir,Majida El Roumi,Samira SaidandLaila Ghofranrose to fame with their Western sounding Arabic pop.

1990s–present

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By the mid to late 1990s, a new style of Arabic pop stars became popular, defining the genre as it is known today. Artists such asAmr Diab,Mohamed Fouad,Angham,Elissa,[14]Sherine,Nawal Al Zoghbi,Wael Kfoury,Assi El Hallani,Diana Haddad,Kadim Al Sahir,Nancy AjramandHaifa Wehberose to fame, using modern marketing, both Arabic and Western electronic instruments, as well as catchy melodies.

See also

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References

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  1. ^Hong, Y. Euny (2005-06-03)."In the Arab World, Pop Stardom Can Be A Touchy Subject article".The Washington Post.
  2. ^Hong, Y. Euny (2005-06-03)."In the Arab World, Pop Stardom Can Be A Touchy Subject".The Washington Post.
  3. ^"'Arabs Got Talent': Why the finale will be a crowd-pleaser, whoever wins ".The National.23 April 2019.Retrieved2020-04-18.
  4. ^Usher, Sebastian (2007-05-21)."Arab youth revel in pop revolution".BBC News.
  5. ^abHong, Y. Euny (2005-06-03)."In the Arab World, Pop Stardom Can Be A Touchy Subject".The Washington Post.
  6. ^Several artists have also risen to fame via other forms of exposure — either having a famous parent musician (such asAsalah) or having been famous in some other area (such as 'Miss Lebanon'Haifa Wehbe).
  7. ^"Ambassador of Cairos Underground | norient".norient-beta.Retrieved2020-04-18.
  8. ^Jinan Jubayli,The Daily Star,No.10,735, March 18, 2002
  9. ^"From Najwa Karam to Elissa: how Arab pop-stars are playing their part in the fight against the coronavirus".The National.23 March 2020.Retrieved2020-04-18.
  10. ^Hong, Y. Euny (2005-06-03)."In the Arab World, Pop Stardom Can Be A Touchy Subject".The Washington Post.
  11. ^Pedram, Arno (2019-11-15)."Middle Eastern and North African DJs Create Space in Brooklyn Nightlife".BKLYNER.Retrieved2020-04-18.
  12. ^"Programs".
  13. ^Legendary singer Aziza Jalal dazzles crowds at Saudi Arabia’s Tantora festival
  14. ^Karam, Zeina."Lebanese diva breaks taboo with clip announcing cancer fight".Associated Press. Archived fromthe originalon 2018-08-10.Retrieved2022-09-26.

Literature

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  • Andrew Hammond.Pop Culture Arab World!: Media, Arts, and Lifestyle.— ABC-CLIO, 2005. — 393 p. —ISBN9781851094493.
  • Robert A. Stebbins.Work and Leisure in the Middle East: The Common Ground of Two Separate Worlds.— Routledge, 2017. — 227 p. —ISBN9781351471060.
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