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A night of Sufi chanting and live circus performances or a Nancy Agram concert? Poetry readings or Amr Diab crooning live? If you think Arab youth will automatically choose Agram and Diab, think again: With smash hit venues Sakiet El-Sawy and MakAn packing in culturally starved audiences every night, it seems today's listeners and viewers are looking for more than just a catchy dance beat or a pretty face.

Jumping on the bandwagon is Al-Mawred Al-Thaqafy (Cultural Resource) which, after being around for the past two years, has finally cottoned on to the idea of finding itself a popular venue. Audiences suddenly turned around and took notice when Al-Mawred put on Hayy (Live), a two-week intensive cultural program at their newly opened theater, Al-Geneina, at Al-Azhar Park with nightly Sufi chanting events, poetry readings, musical concerts and live street circus performances." Link

The $20 Billion Video Clip Industry!

Would you believe that the Video Clip industry in the Arab World is worth $20 billion in the year 2006! According to an economical study of this industry, it proves to be very profitable! The reason for that is the wide spread of TV music channels & the enthusiasm of singers & production companies alike to go for the video clip option.

As an example, Amr Diab's "We Malu" clip cost around 1 million Egyptian pounds, while Hamid al sha'eri's "Ru7 El samara" cost around 200.000 Egyptian pounds. As for Pascal Mashaalani's "Karabni Minak" it cost 100.000 dollars, and Ahlam's "Batalna N7eb" cost around 150.000 dollars! Link

Amr's ringtones don't come cheap

Texting, ring tones all the rage in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Beep, beep, beep. Then the text comes: "President Bush calls for a timetable for the withdrawal of the Iraqi people from Iraq." It's not a news update. It's Omar Abdul Kareem's relentlessly beeping cell phone - and one of the 20 or so humorous text messages he gets every day from his friends. In a city bereft of entertainment, text messaging and swapping ringtones are all the rage for young Iraqis trying to lighten their lives. Most restaurants, cafes and movies have closed due to the country's security situation ...

Competing with Saddam for the most popular song in Iraq today is Iraqi pop star Hossam al-Rassam - "Ma, I've been stung by a scorpion." Its sensual lyrics challenge widespread conservatism in Iraq by talking about a girl's lips and perfume "that make you live longer." Rasha Tareq, 23, has al-Rassam's ringtone, as well as dozens of others by Lebanese singers. The most expensive ringtones include songs by Egyptian pop star Amr Diab.
"Ah, well, Dad pays for all that," she said. Link