Shik Shak Shook Ones | Powered by afikra

Navigating Content Saturation and the Critical Need for Authenticity | Shik Shak Shook Ones

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 14 May 2025 15:00:00 +0000

In the season 1 finale of Shik Shak Shook Ones, hosts Deana and Danny are joined by distinguished journalist Menna Shanab, the music editor at YUNG MENA. They delve into content saturation in the music industry, particularly focusing on how it's affecting listeners' perceptions and emotional connections to music in the age of social media. Menna shares her unique journey as an Egyptian-American living in Cairo and her deep connections with the underground music scene. The discussion also covers the growth of the MENA music industry, the potential pitfalls of rapid expansion, and the critical need for authenticity. They explore the role of bands and live music in reconnecting listeners with the human element of music creation. Finally, the episode highlights the importance of giving back to local music scenes and investing in sustainable infrastructure for artists.

00:00 Introduction
03:09 Menna's Journey in the Music Industry
05:41 The Growth of the MENA Music Scene
08:33 Challenges and Sustainability in the Music Industry
11:18 The Need for Authenticity in Music
13:49 The Role of Bands and Live Instruments
17:08 The Future of the Music Industry
26:23 The Shift from Hits to Strategy
26:50 The Role of Marketing and Branding
27:23 The Impact on Music Quality
28:07 Authenticity in Storytelling
28:44 The Value of Live Performances
29:07 Challenges in the Music Industry
32:18 The Need for Genuine Music Journalism
36:24 The Influence of Identity Politics
39:10 The Importance of Local Success
42:30 The Call for Giving Back
47:14 More on Authenticity
50:25 Final Thoughts

Menna Shanab is an Ivy League-educated researcher who tells compelling stories of the Middle East to a global audience and synthesizes cultural narratives with market intelligence. Her narrative flair and research acumen have seen her bylines in leading online publications, resonating with a diverse, global audience. She is also the music editor of YUNG MENA.

Connect with Menna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mennashnb/

Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien https://www.instagram.com/sleimandamien/?hl=en

Hosted by:
Deana Soni 👉 https://www.instagram.com/deana.soni/
& Danny Hajjar 👉 https://www.instagram.com/dannyghajjar/

Deana is a dedicated presenter and journalist with a special focus on highlighting the cultural richness of the MENA region and fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse voices within the community. In 2020, she launched the UK's first Arabic and North African radio show, which showcased and platformed talented artists from the regions and diaspora, before creating her new platform, WASTA, in 2024. Additionally, she was the official host for the Assassin's Creed Mirage podcast, which explored medieval Iraq and its rich history. Deana also created the viral show Musconceptions, which debunked myths about Islam through comedy and garnered over 10 million views on social media.

Danny Hajjar is a music journalist based in Washington, DC writing about the emerging Arabic music scene and the new wave of artists from the Middle East, North Africa, and its diaspora communities. He runs the award-winning digital zine Sa’alouni El Nas, highlighting trends in the Arabic scene, profiling artists, and reviewing music.

FOLLOW & RATE SHIK SHAK SHOOK ONES:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-majlis-museum-podcast/id1763784587
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w4MchHCMQEkjWBKGoveR9
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1056901441

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl4wJ-aikX6XQ-BNv5ph8bq2

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

The Music Industry Needs to Change | Elia Mssawir on Shik Shak Shook Ones

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 5 Mar 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Elia Mssawir is a music industry veteran who has worked with global giants, managing artists and tours and eventually established Big Beards Entertainment. He joins Shik Shak Shook Ones Hosts Danny Hajjar and Deana Soni to offer a candid look at the often unseen aspects of the music industry, covering the hurdles faced by artists, the role of gatekeepers, and the reality of industry contracts. Special segments include discussions about popular artists like Amr Diab and Wegz, as well as the future of streaming platforms. Tune in for a raw episode filled with honest insights and provocative questions.

00:00 Introduction
03:39 Music Industry Insights and Personal Experiences
06:10 Discussion on Current Music Trends and Artists
17:02 Challenges and Realities of the Music Industry
34:25 Navigating the Arab Music Industry
35:28 The Impact of Streaming Platforms
36:37 The Role of Major Labels
37:43 The Power of Independent Artists
39:01 The Digital Era and Music Consumption
42:17 Challenges in the MENA Music Market
47:05 The Importance of Accurate Data
01:03:51 Advice for Aspiring Artists
01:07:20 The Need for Industry Knowledge
01:12:56 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Elia Mssawir is a Lebanese music industry veteran who has worked with industry giants like Snoop Dogg and Tinie Tempah while also nurturing emerging Middle Eastern talents. He founded a UK-based music company, booked tours for Middle Eastern artists, and later established Big Beards Entertainment in the UAE. Elia's exceptional contributions earned him the title of Entertainment Manager of the Year in 2019. He led the music for Expo 2020's opening ceremony and launched GXR Records in 2022, where he currently serves as CEO. Elia's journey showcases his passion, expertise, and dedication to talent development.

Connect with Elia 👉 https://www.instagram.com/eliamssawir/

Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien https://www.instagram.com/sleimandamien/?hl=en

Curious about Elia Mssawir's episode on 963 podcast that's mentioned in the episode? 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On8K3vJm6to

Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien https://www.instagram.com/sleimandamien/?hl=en

Behind the Music: Label Support vs Independent Hustle | Shik Shak Shook Ones

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 16:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Shik Shak Shook Ones, hosts Danny Hajjar and Deana Soni dive deep into the challenges and dynamics of being an independent artist versus having a label backing you. They're joined by artist and producer Rita L'Oujdia, and talent manager Tarek El Mendelek from MDLBEAST Records. The discussion covers the importance of mental health for creativity, managing multiple social media platforms, and the misconceptions about the music industry. The guests share their experiences, including the reality of balancing side jobs and the importance of collaboration and support. They also touch on the cultural divide between North African artists and the rest of the Arab region, and how egos affect the industry. The episode emphasizes the need for more honest conversations about the struggles and true nature of the music industry.

00:00 Introduction: Meet the Guests
01:52 Current Music Trends and Personal Favorites
05:39 The Reality of Being an Independent Artist
09:42 Navigating the Music Industry: Labels vs Independence
21:01 Red Flags on Both Sides: Labels & Artists
31:36 Regional Differences in the Music Industry
37:03 Final Thoughts and Industry Insights

Rita L’Oujdia is a Moroccan-French singer-songwriter and producer who blends cultural influences with multilingual artistry. Born in Oujda, Morocco and raised in Lyon, France, she incorporates Moroccan Darija, French, Spanish, English, and Portuguese into her music. Now based in London, her repertoire spans various genres, including breezy lo-fi and upbeat reggaeton, exemplified in tracks like LFM and Trop Tard that draw on her heritage, contributing to Morocco's growing global music scene.

Connect with Rita 👉 https://www.instagram.com/ritaloujdia/?hl=en

Tarek El Mendelek is a music executive with expertise in artist management, A&R, and touring. He interned at Live Nation in Los Angeles and worked as an artist manager at Grass Fed Music, managing talents like Gavin Haley, August 08, and offrami who has over 110M streams. Returning to the region in 2020, he co-created Music For Beirut, a fundraiser for the Children’s Cancer Center, broadcast by VICE’s NOISEY and supported by Google. In 2021, Tarek joined TikTok as Label & Artist Partnerships Manager, contributing to projects like DJ Snake’s “Disco Maghreb.” As of October 2023, he is Artist Manager at MDLBEAST Records.

Connect with Tarek 👉 https://www.instagram.com/callmetyro/?hl=en

Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien https://www.instagram.com/sleimandamien/?hl=en

2024 Recap | Shik Shak Shook Ones

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Shik Shak Shook Ones hosts Deana Soni and Danny Hajjar bring us a year-end music review of the Arab music scene. From bangers to blunders they highlight their favorite tracks and albums, artists who surprised them (both positively and negatively), overrated and underrated music, memorable collaborations, and predictions for the music scene in 2025.

00:00 Introduction
01:06 Recap of the Year in Music
02:03 Current Music Obsessions
03:03 Debate on Music Remixes
05:27 Favorite Songs of the Year
15:01 Favorite EPs & Albums
23:26 Overrated Albums & Tracks
25:51 Underrated Albums & Tracks
29:59 Artists That Surprised Us
35:42 Favorite Collaborations
38:57 Non-Arabic Music Highlights
42:17 Predictions for 2025
44:32 Conclusion & Farewell

Listen to Danny and Deana's mixtape for 2024:
Spotify 👉 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6C4R7BoVnNbM3LAtZa6Syl?si=f28a20a8bb4a4543
Anghami 👉 https://open.anghami.com/9fzreZ9sMPb

Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien https://www.instagram.com/sleimandamien/?hl=en

Should We Critique Our Communities? | Shik Shak Shook Ones

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Shik Shak Shook Ones, Danny Hajjar and Deana Soni are joined by Alya Mooro, author of The Greater Freedom and co-founder of Zola Studios. They delve into the nuances of critiquing art from marginalized and underrepresented communities, particularly within the burgeoning Arabic music scene. Discussing the balance between authentic self-expression and the pressures of representation, the trio explores personal experiences, the impact of cultural and historical contexts, and the evolution of artistic responsibility. Alya shares her journey from music journalism to producing content that reflects the true essence of the SWANA community, shedding light on the importance of honest storytelling amidst external perceptions.

00:00 Introduction
03:21 Music Preferences & Affirmations
07:16 Responsibility in the Critique of Underrepresented Communities
17:50 Countering Dehumanization Through Honest Representation
21:46 Authenticity in Art
29:09 Navigating Identity in Art & Media
37:14 The Role of Criticism Locally & in the Diaspora
47:29 Honest Storytelling vs Commodification of Culture
57:54 Outro & Final Thoughts

Alya Mooro is an Egyptian-born, London-raised writer, producer, and bestselling author of The Greater Freedom: Life as a Middle Eastern Woman Outside the Stereotypes. Her acclaimed debut explores the nuanced experiences of Middle Eastern women in the diaspora, earning her recognition as a “Nu-Gen Feminist to know” by Glamour. Alya contributes to publications like VICE and The Telegraph, runs the cult newsletter The Greater Conversation, and uses her platform to amplify diverse voices. With a BA in Sociology and Psychology and a Masters in Journalism, she blends sociological insight with storytelling. She’s currently working on her second book and new TV projects.

Connect with Alya 👉 https://www.instagram.com/alyamooro/
Alya on Substack 👉 https://substack.com/@thegreaterconversation
Explore Zola Studios 👉 https://www.zola-studios.com/

The playlist Alya mentions 👉 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0Kzv3BwQAD3EtwILaXxSI6?si=7XuRZDqPSQGfBxmtF5IalQ

Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien https://www.instagram.com/sleimandamien/?hl=en

Hosted by:
Deana Soni 👉 https://www.instagram.com/deana.soni/
& Danny Hajjar 👉 https://www.instagram.com/dannyghajjar/

Deana is a dedicated presenter and journalist with a special focus on highlighting the cultural richness of the MENA region and fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse voices within the community. In 2020, she launched the UK's first Arabic and North African radio show, which showcased and platformed talented artists from the regions and diaspora, before creating her new platform, WASTA, in 2024. Additionally, she was the official host for the Assassin's Creed Mirage podcast, which explored medieval Iraq and its rich history. Deana also created the viral show Musconceptions, which debunked myths about Islam through comedy and garnered over 10 million views on social media.

Danny Hajjar is a music journalist based in Washington, DC writing about the emerging Arabic music scene and the new wave of artists from the Middle East, North Africa, and its diaspora communities. He runs the award-winning digital zine Sa’alouni El Nas, highlighting trends in the Arabic scene, profiling artists, and reviewing music.

FOLLOW & RATE SHIK SHAK SHOOK ONES:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-majlis-museum-podcast/id1763784587
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w4MchHCMQEkjWBKGoveR9
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1056901441

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl4wJ-aikX6XQ-BNv5ph8bq2

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

#AlyaMooro #ShikShakShookOnes #ArabMusicians #ArabicMusic

Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien https://www.instagram.com/sleimandamien/?hl=en

How We Consume Arabic Music | Shik Shak Shook Ones

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 4 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Shik Shak Shook Ones, hosts Danny Hajjar and Deana Soni delve into the listening habits of Arabic music fans across the diaspora and the Middle East and North Africa region. Joined by Salam Kmeid, Head of Content Marketing at Anghami, who brings 12 years of industry experience, the discussion covers popular artists, the impact of geography on music preferences, and the unique challenges faced by diaspora artists trying to break into the MENA market. They explore artists like Saint Levant, Elyanna, Amr Diab, Wegz, and talk about how music consumption varies across different regions. Salam also provides insights into major initiatives by Anghami to support emerging talents. Tune in to get a comprehensive look at the Arabic music scene both within and outside the MENA region.

00:00 Introduction to Regional Artists
00:35 Meet the Hosts and Guest
01:42 Diving into Listening Habits
02:43 Salam's Musical Preferences
06:19 Impact of Diaspora on Music
11:43 Top Artists in the Region
14:46 New Wave of Popular Artists
22:55 Diaspora Fans and Language Barriers
23:47 Elyanna's Impact and Diaspora Connection
24:16 Challenges for Non-Arabic Speaking Artists
25:12 Success Stories: Anees and Others
25:43 Audience Demographics and Listening Habits
26:44 Funny Story About Elyanna's Cover
27:58 European vs US Success for Artists
31:16 Focus on Local vs Diaspora Artists
32:04 Initiatives to Support Local Talents
33:25 Breakthrough Artists and Their Impact
41:13 Upcoming Projects and Initiatives
43:24 Closing Remarks and Gratitude

Salam is the Head of Content Marketing at Anghami. With over 12 years in the music industry, she has led major campaigns, including exclusive deals with global icons like Amr Diab, while championing emerging talents through initiatives like Sawt Jdeed. Salam also spearheaded impactful projects like reintroducing Rotana's catalog and Anghami’s mental health-focused Sukoon campaign.

Connect with Salam 👉 https://www.instagram.com/salamkmeid/

#Anghami #SalamKmeid #ShikShakShookOnes #ArabMusicians #ArabicMusic #AmrDiab #Elyanna #SaintLevant #ArabAmericans #Diaspora

Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien https://www.instagram.com/sleimandamien/?hl=en

Processing Music in Times of Crisis | Shik Shak Shook Ones

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0000

This episode of Shik Shak Shook Ones is an emotionally charged venting session and an appeal for more thoughtful engagement with culture in times of hardship. Hosts Danny and Deana vent their frustrations, share their experiences, and tackle the responsibilities of artists and journalists in reflecting and responding to political and humanitarian events, highlighting the difficulties of detaching politics from music. As people in the music industry, our hosts try to navigate their social and cultural responsibilities, reflecting on their struggle to engage in music amidst the ongoing war on the Palestinian, Lebanese and Sudanese people. They call out artists and labels who claim the importance of their Arab identity in their journey for their perceived silence, criticizing them for exploiting cultural identities without truly supporting their communities. They emphasize the importance of authenticity and genuine activism from artists, and shine the light on music entities and artists who are using their platforms for positive impact and have been as loud as ever about the struggles of people in the region.

00:45 Introduction and Context
01:35 Impact of Current Events on Music
03:35 Frustrations with the Music Industry
08:32 The Responsibilities of Artists vs Public Image
14:49 Personal Reflections and Accountability
30:24 Shoutouts and Positive Examples
35:30 Closing Thoughts and Community Engagement

Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien https://www.instagram.com/sleimandamien/?hl=en

Hosted by:
Deana Soni 👉 https://www.instagram.com/deana.soni/
& Danny Hajjar 👉 https://www.instagram.com/dannyghajjar/

Deana is a dedicated presenter and journalist with a special focus on highlighting the cultural richness of the MENA region and fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse voices within the community. In 2020, she launched the UK's first Arabic and North African radio show, which showcased and platformed talented artists from the regions and diaspora, before creating her new platform, WASTA, in 2024. Additionally, she was the official host for the Assassin's Creed Mirage podcast, which explored medieval Iraq and its rich history. Deana also created the viral show Musconceptions, which debunked myths about Islam through comedy and garnered over 10 million views on social media.

Danny Hajjar is a music journalist based in Washington, DC writing about the emerging Arabic music scene and the new wave of artists from the Middle East, North Africa, and its diaspora communities. He runs the award-winning digital zine Sa’alouni El Nas, highlighting trends in the Arabic scene, profiling artists, and reviewing music.

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl4wJ-aikX6XQ-BNv5ph8bq2

FOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-majlis-museum-podcast/id1763784587
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w4MchHCMQEkjWBKGoveR9
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1056901441

Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien https://www.instagram.com/sleimandamien/?hl=en

Shout Out to Local Arab Music Scenes | Shik Shak Shook Ones

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Who are the best up-and-coming Arab artists we don't know about? In this episode of Shik Shak Shook Ones, hosts Danny Hajjar and Deana Soni drop all of the names you should be listening to. We get to know our two hosts a little better as they share their origin stories, their OG favorites (spoiler: a lot of Shakira), all the emerging artists they've got their eyes on, and where to find them.

P.S. Don't hold back! Drop us some comments with your favorite recommendations 👇

Discover 👉 @rap_shar3

Hosted by:

Deana Soni 👉 https://www.instagram.com/deana.soni/

& Danny Hajjar 👉 https://www.instagram.com/dannyghajjar/

Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien https://www.instagram.com/sleimandamien/?hl=en

Deana is a dedicated presenter and journalist with a special focus on highlighting the cultural richness of the MENA region and fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse voices within the community. In 2020, she launched the UK's first Arabic and North African radio show, which showcased and platformed talented artists from the regions and diaspora, before creating her new platform, WASTA, in 2024. Additionally, she was the official host for the Assassin's Creed Mirage podcast, which explored medieval Iraq and its rich history. Deana also created the viral show Musconceptions, which debunked myths about Islam through comedy and garnered over 10 million views on social media.

Danny Hajjar is a music journalist based in Washington, DC writing about the emerging Arabic music scene and the new wave of artists from the Middle East, North Africa, and its diaspora communities. He runs the award-winning digital zine Sa’alouni El Nas, highlighting trends in the Arabic scene, profiling artists, and reviewing music.

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl4wJ-aikX6XQ-BNv5ph8bq2

ABOUT AFIKRA

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien https://www.instagram.com/sleimandamien/?hl=en

Breaking Down Rolling Stone's Best Arabic Pop Songs of the 21st Century | ⁠Shik Shak Shook Ones

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 4 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

The Rolling Stone's 50 Best Arabic Pop Songs of the 21st Century was a big and a controversial ranking to put together. Luckily, Shik Shak Shook One's very own Danny Hajjar was up to the task and will break down the logic behind his choices for the ranking. Joined by special guest Alya Fetyani who's done loads for the Arabic music industry while at Spotify, and his co-host Deana Soni, he rewinds to tell us about what it was like putting this ranking together. Danny reveals how he, along with 15 panelists (including both Deana and Alya), defined what makes a song "Arabic" and on what basis they chose the songs that made it onto the list. Not without heated conversations and a bit of backlash, Danny shares his favorite reactions to the list so far and the conversations it has sparked. Plus, bonus mentions to some of the up-and-coming artists that he says he would definitely include if he repeated the process in ten year's time.

Check out the ranking on Rolling Stone 👉https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-arabic-pop-songs-1235000979/abdul-majeed-abdullah-mn-methlak-1235002041/

Hosted by:

Deana Soni 👉 https://www.instagram.com/deana.soni/

& Danny Hajjar 👉 https://www.instagram.com/dannyghajjar/

Alya Fetyani is a Saudi-American professional who has worked in the global music industry for over a decade. She is the founder of I Made You A Mixtape, a crowdsourcing project for music discovery. She has also worked at Tidal and Spotify as a marketing coordinator and data Curator respectively. She is currently working as a global music strategy and cultural consultant.

Alya Fetyani 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mixtape.media/

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl4wJ-aikX6XQ-BNv5ph8bq2

ABOUT AFIKRA

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien https://www.instagram.com/sleimandamien/?hl=en

Getting Streams at What Cost? | Shik Shak Shook Ones

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Are some Arab musicians really self-orientalizing for the sake of getting streams?

afikra is excited to introduce a new music series to our podcast network! For a full season, Shik Shak Shook Ones will be your go-to podcast for a constructive take on current Arabic music and musicians from the region. In this first episode, co-hosts Danny Hajjar and Deana Soni dig right into the topic of self-orientalization and the perpetuation of stereotypes by Arab artists themselves for the sake of streams. Taking "ARABI" by Mohamed Ramadan, Massari and FUTURE as a prime example, Danny and Deana deconstruct the song, its music video and its fall out with their quick quips and biting analysis. They tackle themes of "representation", musicians who try to represent an entire culture but who wind up parodying themselves instead, and why Arab artists fall into the trap of self-orientalizing to please the eyes and ears of Western audiences.

ARABI music video 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s3F1GkfZIU

Hosted by:

Deana Soni 👉 https://www.instagram.com/deana.soni/

& Danny Hajjar 👉 https://www.instagram.com/dannyghajjar/

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl4wJ-aikX6XQ-BNv5ph8bq2

ABOUT AFIKRA

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien https://www.instagram.com/sleimandamien/?hl=en