Quartertones | Music from the Arab World

On Reclaiming Our Narrative & the Power of Dabke | Zeyne at XP Air

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Zeyne joins Quartertones after her performance at XP Air and discusses her journey from being too shy to share her voice to becoming an artist who finds empowerment in letting her art out. She reflects on the influences of her family who instilled in her a love for music, Arab culture, and the Palestinian cause. Growing up taking vocal and piano lessons Zeyne shares that she only recently started writing lyrics, having previously focused on composing. The conversation delves into the unique power and cultural significance of Dabke, which she considers underrated. She asserts that her generation of Arab artists is more daring and edgy in delivering messages, marking a new wave in Arabic music that is honest and empowering. She speaks about the importance of reclaiming the Arab narrative and using art as a form of social justice. Finally, she shares the story behind her song "Bali" from her album Awda, a track that was intensely personal and helped unlock a creative block.

This episode was recorded on December 4, 2025

Explore XP Air 👉 https://www.instagram.com/xpmusicfutures/

0:00 Introduction

1:35 Sharing Her Voice Pre-COVID

3:27 How An Early Producer Encouraged Her To Write Her Own Music

5:17 From Composer to Lyricist: Finding Her Voice in Writing

6:57 Why She Hid Her Singing Talent Growing Up

7:31 Vocal Lessons as a Holy Place

8:45 Parental Influences: Music, Culture, and the Palestinian Cause

11:22 Dabke: Underrated, Essential, and Rich in Culture

13:42 Reclaiming Our Narrative

14:39 Navigating the Music Industry's Reputation

16:56 Family Support

17:55 Camaraderie and the New Wave of Arab Artists

19:49 The Story Behind "Bali" and the Awda Album

Zeyne first burst onto the music scene in early 2021 with her debut single "Minni Ana" and two years later, her body of work has garnered over 48 million streams. As an ambassador for Equal Arabia, her influence extends beyond music, lighting up Times Square and championing important causes through her artistry and public presence. Her groundbreaking debut on the renowned COLORS show with "Ma Bansak" marked her as the first female artist from the Levant to appear on this global platform. In 2025, she went on The Golden-Hour Run, which included a landmark performance at OffLimits Festival in the UAE, as well as two major stadium appearances as a special guest on Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics Tour in Qatar and Bahrain with a total number of attendees of 65,000.

Connect with Zeyne 👉 https://instagram.com/zeyne

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna

Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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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.
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Harissa Pop and Tunisian Music | Soudeni at XP Air

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 8 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Tunisian artist Soudeni joins Quartertones recorded live at XP Air and talks about her musical journey and the influences that shaped her sound. She introduces the idea of Harissa Pop – her playful way of describing music rooted in Tunisian culture but open to contemporary sounds. The touches on nostalgia, identity, and the challenges Tunisian artists face when trying to be heard beyond their borders.

This episode was recorded on December 4, 2025

Explore XP Air 👉 https://www.instagram.com/xpmusicfutures/

00:00 Introduction

01:06 The Absence of Tunisia in the Music Scene

01:35 The Fairuz of Tunisia: Lotfi Bouchnak

02:30 Nostalgia as a Creative Tool in Music

03:00 Soudeni’s Musical Journey and Influences

09:30 Introducing Harissa Pop

10:56 The Feeling of Forgetting Tunisia

11:35 Breaking the Algorithm with Tunisian Music

16:00 Two Different Artists

17:30 The Story Behind the Name “Soudeni”

Soudeni is a Tunisian musical artist known for her unique musical style often described as "Harissa Pop". She is recognized for blending traditional Tunisian and Arabic music with contemporary genres like disco, funk, electronica, and new wave.

Connect with Soudeni 👉 https://instagram.com/soudenimusic

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna

Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

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Strolling Between Musical Worlds | Kazdoura at XP Air

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 1 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Duo Kazdoura, composed of Syrian vocalist Leen Hamo and Lebanese multi-instrumentalist John Abou Chacra, who have just won the JUNO Award for Global Music Album of the Year, join Quartertones at XP Air and discuss their award-winning music, which blends Arabic lyrics and maqam with psychedelic rock, jazz, funk, and soul. The conversation covers their beginnings at a Beirut explosion fundraiser, their creative process of fusing their diverse musical backgrounds, the evolution of their unique sound through their singles like "Wain" and "Tijara", how they navigate audience expectations about sounding "Arab", and the supportive environment they've experienced as Arab artists in Canada. They also touch upon the nuances of maintaining the integrity of maqam in fusion music, and their upcoming album and performance in Egypt.

This episode was recorded on December 6, 2025

Explore XP Air 👉 https://www.instagram.com/xpmusicfutures/

0:00 Introduction

1:17 The Kazdoura Duo, Their Music & Backgrounds

3:31 Meeting at a Beirut Explosion Fundraiser

5:53 Laying the Groundwork: Educating on Arabic Music

8:00 Finding the Kazdoura Sound With the First Song: "Wain"

12:21 The Evolution of Their Sound: Comparing "Wain" and "Tijara"

14:25 Artistic Inspirations and Musical Influences

16:04 Resisting Audience Pressure to Sound a Specific Way

17:21 On Recognition and Being an Arab Artist in Canada

19:22 The Duos Creative Disagreements and Navigating Maqam Integrity

23:38 Listening to the Song "Hiba"

25:57 Adapting Set Lists for Different Venues

27:06 Upcoming Album and Connecting With the Middle East

Kazdoura—meaning “to stroll” in Levantine Arabic—captures the spirit of movement, discovery, and joyful connection. Founded in Toronto by Syrian vocalist Leen Hamo and Lebanese multi-instrumentalist John Abou Chacra, the project began as a musical experiment and evolved into one of Canada’s most vibrant acts blending Arabic heritage with modern global sounds. Kazdoura’s debut album Ghoyoum, released in 2025, has surpassed one million streams, resonating with audiences across continents. The album’s success led to nominations for Best New Artist at the 2025 Canadian Folk Music Awards and Best Album of the Year at the Ontario Folk Music Awards, where they also took home Best Music Video of the Year.

Connect with Kazdoura 👉 https://instagram.com/kazdouramusic

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna

Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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TootArd's Journey From the Golan Heights | Quoz Arts Fest 2026

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Thu, 5 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Music group TootArd discusses their unique blend of Arabic scales, reggae, hip-hop, metal, and synth music in this conversation at Quoz Arts Fest 2026. The artists explore their musical evolution, from growing up on Arabic classical music to experimenting with Western genres and instruments, and how their roots remain a constant influence. Band members Hasan and Rami Nakhleh, who come from Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, also touch on the political undertones in their fun, danceable music that addresses serious situations while keeping the vibe uplifting. They share the story behind their recent track featuring Lynn Adib and her daughter Sara, a lullaby released during the war in Gaza.

Explore Quoz Arts Fest 👉 https://www.instagram.com/quozartsfest/

01:09 The Golan Heights Reggae Tattoo

04:15 From Arabic Classics to Hip-Hop and Metal

07:37 The Unfinished Business of the Quartertone Guitar

09:30 The Magic Trick of Party Music and Political Subtext

12:00 The Korg PA600 and '90s Wedding Synth Sounds

17:39 The Greats of Arabic Synth Music

20:36 The Lullaby with Lynn Adib and Sara

TootArd is a genre-fluid duo comprising visionary brothers Hasan and Rami Nakhleh, celebrated for their boundless creativity, consistently reshaping their musical landscape with each new release. Their artistry is a fusion of global pop hooks and quarter-tone melodic lines, crafting a distinctive blend of disco and dance music that draws inspiration from the rich musical traditions of SWANA and beyond. The duo effortlessly melds retro funk elements with a contemporary, high-sheen sonic palette, resulting in a captivating and boundary-pushing musical journey. Their music transcends geographical borders, captivating audiences worldwide and solidifying their status as a dynamic force in the global music scene.

Connect with TootArd 👉 https://instagram.com/tootard

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊

https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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Visual Art, Beirut's Soundscape & the Struggle to Create | Nasri Sayegh Jr. at Quoz Arts Fest 2026

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 3 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Visual artist, performer, and DJ Nasri Sayegh Jr. discusses his practice and the profound influence of music on his work and life at Quoz Arts Fest 2026. He opens by sharing the urgent, improvised creation of his installation for the festival, "You Ain't Never Been Blue," which features 100 suns drawn in one night in Beirut. He speaks candidly about the two-year hiatus he took from producing art due to the painful situation in Gaza and Lebanon, exploring the existential question of what art means today. He describes the daily struggle of making the emotional journey from his kitchen to his studio—a distance that felt like "crossing hundreds of kilometers" since October 7. The conversation also delves into his deep connection with music, exemplified by his creation of the community platform radiokarantina during the 2020 pandemic. The platform, named after an area in Beirut, grew from a simple joke among friends to a large party with mixes contributed globally, serving as a vital space for connection during periods of violence and uncertainty in Lebanon and Palestine. Nasri shares the music that shapes his soul, featuring tracks from Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, and the Rahbani Brothers, and reflects on the enduring role of Fairuz in the Lebanese soundscape.

00:09 afikra's Collaboration With Quoz Arts Fest for a Second Year

01:19 Nasri's Improvisational Visual Art

02:23 The Struggle to Create Amidst Pain

04:36 His Mural "You Ain't Never Been Blue"

07:22 Music as Perpetual Presence and Addiction

08:21 radiokarantina: A Pandemic Party and Meeting Place

12:08 Nina Simone and the Power of Mood Indigo

14:23 Billie Holiday: Sublime Voice Over Pain

15:18 Fairuz and Adoration for the Rahbani Brothers

17:30 Yasmine Hamdan and the Birth of Soapkills

Nasri Sayegh approaches his practice as a way to reassemble what resists erasure. A Lebanese visual artist, writer, DJ, embroiderer, and performer, he works across photography, video, embroidery, text, and objects to interrogate the construction and deconstruction of memory. Excavating archives – family, official, and beyond – he composes visual constellations that evoke an atlas or cabinet of memory. Central to this process is embroidery, which Sayegh envisions as both a suture and a queer gesture of reparation, weaving delicately between absence and recollection, amnesia and resistance. His multidisciplinary works propose a fragile museum where text and image, stitch and pixel converge. He's also behind radiokarantina.

Connect with Nasri Sayegh 👉 https://instagram.com/nasrisays

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊

https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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26 Years of Shaping Music & Culture in the Arab World | DAM at Quoz Arts Fest 2026

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Palestinian hip-hop group DAM is often credited as the first rap group in the Arab world. Now 26 years into their career, the band members join us on the Quoz Arts Fest stage to discuss the group's evolution and how they navigate personal expression amidst political tragedy. The conversation covers the mixed emotions of performing while their people are suffering through a genocide, the honor and privilege of presenting Palestinian culture and music to the world, and the delicate balance of prioritizing their artistry versus their Palestinian identity. The artists also share their views on the evolution of Arabic hip-hop, the new generation of Palestinian rappers, and how AI and algorithms affect artists promoting messages of social justice.

Explore Quoz Arts Fest 👉 https://www.instagram.com/quozartsfest/

Follow DAM 👉 https://www.instagram.com/dampalestine/

0:00 Introduction to DAM: Pioneers of Arab Hip-Hop

1:33 The Unique Vibe of Performing as a Group

2:28 Processing Emotions and the Absence of Art During Tragedy

4:47 The Privilege and Mixed Emotions of Performing Amidst Genocide

6:03 The Evolution of the DAM Lineup and Sound

11:00 On the New Generation of Palestinian and Levantine Hip-Hop

13:17 Maysa Daw on Switching Personalities in Solo Work vs. DAM and Kallem

16:31 Navigating Identity: Palestinian First, Artist Second

18:54 Tamer Nafar's New Album and the Price of Spotlight on Palestinian Art

22:44 What to Expect From the Dubai Show

24:26 Future Plans: New Album and Continuing to Make Music

26:09 The Essence of Arabic Rap and Staying Loyal to Lyrics

28:32 Fighting Algorithm Bias and "Algo Tunnels"

31:30 Motivation vs. Discipline in the Creative Process

Tamer Nafar is a Palestinian rapper, actor, screenwriter and social activist, and the founding member of DAM, the first Palestinian hip-hop group. He grew up in Lyd, discovered hip-hop and became the world’s first Palestinian rapper. His lyrics and activities reflect the Palestinian struggle, women’s rights, and the promotion of alternative art within a conservative society. In addition to music, Nafar co-wrote and starred in the award-winning film Junction 48.

Connect with Tamer Nafar 👉 https://instagram.com/tamer_nafar

Mahmood Jrere is a Palestinian hip-hop artist and entrepreneur, and one of the founding members of DAM. He was born and raised in the impoverished city of Lyd, where he witnessed drug-abuse and violence on a daily basis. Along with the two other founding members of DAM, he began putting what they saw outside their window onto paper.

Connect with Mahmood Jrere 👉 https://instagram.com/mahmoodjrere

Maysa Daw is an indie musician, singer-songwriter, and the latest member of DAM and of the band Kallem. Influenced by rock, hip-hop, soul, neo-jazz and more, she fuses different genres, and explores personal, interpersonal and collective experiences, stemming from her own view of reality.

Connect with Maysa Daw 👉 https://instagram.com/maysadaw

DJ Bruno Cruz is a Palestinian musician, electronic DJ and producer living in Haifa City in the north of Palestine. He started his career in music in 1998 and has become one of the most prominent names in the Palestinian underground scene. Bruno is the co-founder of Ministry of Dub-key and the official DJ of DAM, and has been playing his own music infused with his unique style all over the world in festivals such as Fusion Festival in Germany, Glastonbury in the UK and many more.

Connect with DJ Bruno Cruz 👉 https://instagram.com/djbrunocruz

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊

https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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Fusing Carnatic Music & Contemporary R&B | Gayathri Krishnan at Quoz Arts Fest 2026

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

South Asian-American artist Gayathri Krishnan discusses her journey, her unique musical fusion, and her performance at Quoz Arts Fest this year. She delves into the tradition of Carnatic music—a classical form from South India—and how her extensive training in it influences her contemporary R&B and neo-soul sound. She shares her start in music, her influences from Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber to contemporary R&B artists like Cleo Sol and Brandy, and Indian musician and producer Sid Sriram, and the challenge of blending traditional and modern styles. She speaks about her collaborative approach to songwriting, her commitment to the raw, unfiltered experience of a live performance, and her hope to inspire audiences to embrace their truest selves.

Explore Quoz Arts Fest 👉 https://www.instagram.com/quozartsfest/

0:23 Early Musical Background and Obsessions

1:14 What Is Carnatic Music?

5:02 The Setup of a Carnatic Performance

5:39 The Show at Quoz Arts Fest

6:14 Navigating Music Fusion: Honoring Tradition in Modern Sounds

8:00 Feedback on Fusion: The Carnatic Community Response

8:45 Influences and Finding Confidence: Sid Sriram

11:03 The Collaborative Approach to Songwriting

13:02 Live Performance vs. Studio Recording

17:06 The Festival’s Role as a Cultural Melting Pot

17:48 Defining Impact and Seeking Inspiration

19:42 On Spiritual Music and Lyrical Intent

20:56 Upcoming Project: An EP About Family

Gayathri Krishnan is a singer-songwriter and producer from Los Angeles who merges her traditional roots with contemporary flair. Drawing from her upbringing in Carnatic music — the classical South Indian music system — and her exploration of modern R&B influences, Gayathri’s sound, her introspective songwriting, and lush harmonies were evident in her debut EP "Create to Express (2020)," which amassed six million cumulative streams solely as an independent release. On-stage, Gayathri leaves an indelible impression rich in soul, melodic vocals, spirited energy, and fusion in elements of Bharatanatyam — a classical style of Indian dance.

Connect with Gayathri Krishnan 👉 https://instagram.com/gayathriikrishnan

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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What is the Future of Saudi Music & the Arabic Music Industry? | COO of MDLBEAST

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000

We sit down with Ahmed Alammary (otherwise known as DJ Baloo), the Chief Creative Officer of MDLBeast and a leading music figure and thinker in the region. We discuss the origins of MDLBeast and its goals for transforming the music industry in Saudi Arabia and the broader region. MDLBeast was born from a brief for a three-day music festival in 2019. Since then, it has evolved into a multi-layered music brand with an ethos centered on amplifying music culture across various platforms, including events, venues, record labels, radio channels, and music conferences. Given that Saudi Arabia was previously considered a "music desert" with no industry, music education, rights, or dedicated venues, the organization's involvement is seen as having incubated so much value and accelerating the development of a music industry. The conversation also touches on the dramatic shift in how the international community views Saudi music, moving from initial backlash to a point where artists and management companies are now actively seeking collaboration. This change has fostered a significant regional conversation and is credited with fading stereotypes, with Arabs starting to look at each other differently.

0:00 When Restrictions Fuel Creativity: MDLBeast's Genesis

3:50 The Chief Creative Officer’s Role in Shaping Vision

6:03 Saudi Arabia as a "Music Desert" and the Lack of Infrastructure

10:09 The Building Blocks of a Thriving Music Industry

15:03 The Core Difference Between XP and Soundstorm

18:42 Overcoming Domestic (and International) Backlash

20:35 Creating a Regional "Musical Glue"

22:50 The History of the Underground Saudi Music Scene

27:37 The Economic and Professional Focus of the New Industry

30:30 Artistry and Local Palettes: The Role of Record Labels

33:25 Identifying a Unique "Saudi Sound"

35:35 Beyond Electronic Music: Hip-Hop, Indie, and Heavy Metal

37:45 The 10-Year Vision: Saudi As a Music Destination

40:30 Culture Building Over Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

46:37 Navigating Censorship Through Creativity

51:38 Potholes to Avoid: The Double-Edged Sword of Ambition

Ahmed Alammary aka AlBaloo is the Label Head and DJ at Gabu Records and Chief Creative Officer of MDLBeast, and a leading music figures and thinkers in Saudi Arabia.

Connect with Baloo 👉 https://instagram.com/a_baloo

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉

https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

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Huda Asfour With a Performance by Mohamed Abozekry | Habibi Festival 2025

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Oud player, singer and musician Huda Asfour takes the stage on Habibi Festival's fifth and last night of 2025, performing new tracks she wrote during the genocidal campaign on Gaza, and a track called "From the River to the Sea" which she Wrote as a response to the May 18, 2021 strike in Palestine. The Mohamed Abozekry Sextet also take the stage for a second night this festival.

0:00:00 Huda Asfour Takes the Stage With Her Oud

0:09:48 Asfour Introduces a New Track

0:14:10 Asfour Performs More Tracks From She Wrote During the Genocidal Campaign on Gaza

0:31:37 Asfour Performs a Track She Write "From the River to the Sea" As a Response to the May 18, 2021 Strike in Palestine

0:36:19 The Mohamed Abozekry Sextet Takes the Stage for a Second Night This Festival With New Track "Teach Me"

0:49:47 Mohamed Abozekry Celebrates The Sextet's Last Show in Their US Tour and Introduces the Musicians on Stage

0:51:00 The Mohamed Abozekry Sextet Perform Another New Track: "Still Longing"

0:59:08 More Tracks From the Sextet

1:08:22 "Roh El Fouad" Track from the Latest Album With the Same Name

1:23:38 Performance Continues

2:12:00 afikra Quartertones Takes the Stage for a Conversation with Huda Asfour

Huda Asfour is a Palestinian oud and qanun player, composer, educator, social entrepreneur, and engineer. Born into a musical family, she began her formal musical training at 13, and later studied at the National Conservatory of Music in Gaza and the Edward Said Music Conservatory in Ramallah, where she was mentored.

Connect with Huda Asfour 👉 https://instagram.com/hudasmusic

Mohamed Abozekry is a Franco-Egyptian musician who entered the Arabic Oud House in Cairo at a very early age and received his teaching from Naseer Shamma. At the age of fifteen, he became the youngest professor of Oud in the Arab world. He formed several groups, including the Mohamed Abozekry Sextet and received the first prize at the international Oud competition in Damascus in 2009. In 2010 he formed the quartet Heejaz which also includes Guillaume Hogan (guitar), Anne Laure Bourget (percussion) and Hugo Reydet (double bass).

Connect with Mohamed Abozekry 👉 https://instagram.com/m.abozekry

Hosted by Hiba Al-Ashtal

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Mai Elgizouli With a Special Appearance by Alsarah & Performance by Rasha Nahas | Habibi Festival 2025

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 3 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000

On the fourth night of Habibi Festival 2025, Sudanese artist Mai Elgizouli takes the stage with a dynamic, deeply emotional first "serious" show in New York performing a set of acoustic songs that explore themes of sadness, power, and hope, including a deeply personal tribute to her late brother and the strong women of Sudan. She follows with a nuanced and candid conversation with afikra Quarertones, joined by celebrated Sudanese musician Alsarah. They discuss their long-standing friendship and artistic collaboration and delve into May’s journey from visual artist to musician, the unexpected amount of work required for a professional set, and the immense privilege of having a family that provides a space for emotional and artistic expression in a place like Sudan. They also reflect on how being in New York and witnessing the current war has impacted Mai’s work, concluding with a powerful message for the audience: to simply feel their feelings. Palestinian musician Rasha Nahas also takes the stage for a second night in this year's festival.

0:00 Mai Elgizouli Performs a Tribute to Her Brother: "Ba'eed 'an Al Ahzan" (Far From Sorrows)

4:40 Performing "Ramadi" (Gray)

10:47 Mai Introduces Her Band & Performs "Al Gawiyya": a Song for Strong Women & the Sudanese Revolution

17:20 Performing "Bi Darbi Ma Bamshi" (Never Down That Path Again)

23:34 Performing "Shabah" (Ghost)

29:32 Performing "Al Furaq": the First Song She Wrote

37:06 Rasha Nahas Takes the Stage for a Second Night

43:57 Rasha Nahas Introduces the Band & Performs "Desert" From Her First Album

50:09 Rasha Nahas Performs "The Clown"

56:46 Rasha Nahas Performs "Nbeed" (Wine)

1:02:24 Rasha Nahas Performs an Unreleased New Song "Khalas" From an Album Which Will be Out Next Year

1:07:13 Rasha Nahas Performs Her Latest Single "Ghanneeli" (A Song Written During the Genocide in Gaza)

1:14:00 Rasha Nahas Performs Another Unreleased Song: "Once Upon a Time in Palestine"

1:24:20 afikra Quartertones Invites Mai Elgizouli and Special Guest Alsarah on Stage

1:26:05 Alsarah’s Obsession and Mai’s Artistic Mastery

1:29:13 Mai’s First "Serious Show" in New York

1:30:58 Family Support & Surviving Trauma in Sudan

1:33:36 Art, Critique & Dealing With War While in New York

1:37:37 The Message: Feel Your Feelings

Mai Elgizouli is an award-winning film director and multidisciplinary artist born and raised in Omdurman, Khartoum in a family of artists. Her music carries the tenderness of Sudanese Arabic and the nostalgic pulse of Sudan's 1980s sound.

Connect with Mai Elgizouli 👉 https://instagram.com/mai_egizouli

Hosted by Suzanne Gaber 👉

https://instagram.com/suzannegaber

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Maryam Turkey and Mohamed Abozekry | Habibi Festival 2025

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Day 3 at Habibi Festival 2025 brings two boundary-pushing Arab artists: Iraqi-American visual artist-turned-musician Maryam Turkey and Egyptian oud player Mohamed Abozekry. They discuss their artistic journeys, creative transitions, and their unique collaborative processes. Turkey details her move into music in New York, where she found a more playful and collaborative creative space. She discusses her new album, which innovatively revives classical Arabic themes of love and lust by repurposing lyrics from forgotten Iraqi folk music. Abozekry reflects on his rapid musical development starting with Naseer Shamma at Arabic Oud House. He shares the challenges and rewards of evolving from a strictly instrumentalist role to embracing singing and composition, which has allowed for a new phase of creative fun and experimentation in his work. The artists share their conceptual themes, from Turkey's exploration of inspiration and freedom in "Ahlam" to Abozekry's method of refining new compositions through touring.

0:00:00 Performance by Maryam Turkey and Band

0:36:23 afikra Quartertones Invites the Two Musicians on Stage for a Conversation

0:37:24 Maryam Turkey's Childhood in Iraq & Transition from Visual Art to Music

0:39:39 Mohamed Abozekry's Journey with the Oud

0:42:13 The Joy of Creative Collaboration

0:45:26 Maryam's Latest Album: Reusing Iraqi Folk Lyrics

0:48:17 Mohamed's Roh El Fouad Album & Using Touring To Try New Arrangements

0:49:36 Maryam's Ahlam: Conceptual Themes, Freedom & Lust

0:52:20 The Mohamed Abozekry Sextet Takes the Stage

2:07:35 afikra Quartertones Invites the Two Musicians on Stage

Connect with Mohamed Abozekry 👉 https://instagram.com/m.abozekry

Maryam Turkey is an Iraqi-American artist and designer based in Brooklyn, New York. In 2009, she moved with her family as refugees to the United States, where she attended Baltimore School for the Arts high school and learned traditional painting. She continued her art and design education at Pratt Institute, where she earned her Bachelor of Industrial Design in 2017. Shortly after graduation, Turkey was awarded an art residency at Domaine de Boisbuchet where she was mentored by Sabine Marcelis. Turkey’s sculptural practice began then. In 2019 she was awarded an art residency at the Museum of Art and Design, where she developed her ongoing paper clay techniques. She has recently made a transition to a career in music as a singer-songwriter.

Connect with Maryam Turkey 👉 https://instagram.com/maryamturkey

Hosted by Daleelah Saleh

Egyptian-American multi-hyphenate creative, passionate about storytelling at the intersections of culture, activism, and media.

Connect with Daleelah Saleh 👉

https://instagram.com/medialeelah

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Rasha Nahas With a Performance by Maii Waleed | Habibi Festival 2025

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Experience day two of the fifth edition of Habibi Festival, hosted at Joe’s Pub in Brooklyn. The evening begins with the festival co-founders, Yacine Boulares and Meera Dugal, welcoming the audience and reflecting on the festival’s mission of celebrating the living, breathing music, culture, and traditions of the Arab region and actively combating their "museumification." The night features contemporary Egyptian artist Maii Waleed in her second appearance this year, joined by a New York-based band, followed by the critically acclaimed Palestinian rock star, composer, and guitarist Rasha Nahas. Following her powerful performance, Nahas sits down with afikra for a Q&A discussing the impact of the last two years on her creative process, her upcoming bilingual album, and how her multi-generational family history and connection to the land directly influence her music, especially in her unreleased track, "Once Upon a Time in Palestine."

0:00 Welcome to Day 2 of the 5th Habibi Festival at Joe's Pub

0:49 The Mission: Combating the "Museumification" of Arab Culture

1:35 Habibi Festival's Partnership with Celebrate Brooklyn and afikra

3:48 Maii Waleed Takes the Stage with Her All-American Band

12:45 Maii Waleed Performs "Neptune" (On Losing Hope and Silver Lining)

21:04 Maii Waleed Performs "Louloua"

25:22 Maii Waleed Performs "Ehdefini" (Throw Me Out of This System)

30:06 Maii Waleed Performs Her Last Two Tracks

39:53 Rasha Nahas Takes the Stage: How to Survive Whole as a Victim

47:17 Rasha Nahas Performs "Desert" From her Debut Record

52:19 Shukran and Invitation to Dance/Cry

56:34 Rasha Nahas Performs "War"

59:36 Rasha Nahas Performs "Nbeed" (Wine)

1:04:19 Rasha Nahas Performs a New, Unreleased Song

1:09:26 Rasha Nahas Performs "Ghanneeli" (Latest Single)

1:16:39 Rasha Nahas Performs "Once Upon a Time in Palestine" (Unreleased)

1:24:41 Rasha Nahas Performs "The Skies Don't Care" (First Song Written at 17, in Jerusalem)

1:31:06 afikra Quartertones Interviews Rasha Nahas on Stage

1:33:18 Discussing the New Bilingual Album and its Themes

1:34:04 The Multi-Generational Trauma and Shared Story of Palestinians

1:35:46 The Indigenous Connection to Land is Not a Cliché

1:36:40 Rasha Nahas on How the Last Two Years Shattered the Soul and Influenced Art

1:39:41 The Influence of Berlin's Weimar Era Cabaret on Her Music

1:42:30 Recording the Amrat Album in the Occupied Golan Heights

1:44:41 Life in New York City and the New Energy of Her Local Band

1:46:00 Future Goals: Community, Family, Health, and Releasing Soulful Music

Maii Waleed is a singer-songwriter, pianist and guitarist born and raised in Alexandria. She was once a part of Telepoetic, an Electro-Rock Egyptian band performing their first gig on 100live music festival for electronic arts. She dropped her first album, Moga, in 2013 which was produced with Zeid Hamdan. Over the years Maii had collaborated with various artists in her community as well as internationally. In the year 2015 she released tracks with Jordanian electronica trio Zaed Naes. That was later followed by a couple of EPs with Zeid Hamdan within the umbrella of their collaboration project Maii and Zeid.

Connect with Maii Waleed 👉 https://instagram.com/maiiwaleeed

Rasha Nahas is a multifaceted Palestinian artist known for her distinctive approach to songwriting, storytelling, and performance. A singer, composer, actress, and instrumentalist, she has a unique sound that is rooted in her early training in classical guitar and her formative years in Haifa's underground music scene. Her genre-defying style weaves the traditional and popular music influences of her homeland with the raw intensity of electric rock. Her 2021 debut album Desert chronicled her journey from Haifa to Berlin. Her second album, Amrat, was released in 2023 via UK label Cooking Vinyl, marking her first foray into Arabic language lyrics, exploring the thematic duality of urban and rural life. Recorded at 67 Studio in the occupied Golan Heights and featuring contributions from leading lights of Palestine's indie scene, its success secured tours across Europe, South America, the UK and West Asia.

Connect with Rasha Nahas 👉 https://instagram.com/rasha_nahas

Hosted by Tarik Zahr

Tarik Zahr is a afikra ambassador, born in Lebanon, raised in the UAE and currently in the US, getting his PhD at Columbia University in Molecular Pharmacology. He works in the Medical Campus' Diabetes Center focusing on fatty liver disease and cholesterol metabolism. He has a huge interest in Arab and SWANA history, food, and music, and is curious about his Druze faith.

Connect with Tarik Zahr 👉 https://instagram.com/adventuresoftartarsauce

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Layale Chaker With a Performance by Maii Waleed | Habibi Festival 2025

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Habibi Festival is back for a fifth year with performances and talks on stage hosted by afikra, which we'll be releasing on our Quartertones series. Day 1 opens with a solo performance by Maii Waleed, an artist from Alexandria, Egypt, in her debut at Joe's Pub. She sings tracks from her previous EP, including "Neptune" and "Sama", and "Fashi" from her upcoming EP. Then violinist Layale Chaker takes the stage with her quintet, including a pianist, a drummer, a cellist and a double-bassist. She opened her set with a piece called "Anatomie of Titus – Fall of Rome". She discussed her album "Radio Afloat", which explores the sacred relationship between people and their land, and the grief and reverence that many Arab artists feel—especially in the diaspora—for this connection. She also mentioned her album "Inner Rhyme" inspired by the 12 meters in classical Arabic poetry. She shared that music, especially instrumental music, serves as a wordless art of suggestion, allowing listeners to attribute their own emotions to it. Chaker also performed a piece called "Southern Sky", inspired by a childhood memory of her village in southern Lebanon, near the border, and the starry nights she experienced there. Her final pieces were "Ocean to Ocean" which was inspired by a long poem by Ounsi el-Hajj, and "Nocturnal Backburn" that talks about native plants regrowing after a controlled fire. The performance is followed by a Q&A with Layale Chaker who explains that the violin was an instrument her mother chose for her, but one that has become an extension of herself.

Every year Habibi Festival takes listeners on a journey of the sounds wafting through the airwaves and living rooms of cities spanning Marrakech to Baghdad. This performing arts festival is a collaboration between the Director of Joe's Pub Alex Knowlton, artist/composer/curator Yacine Boulares, and curator/producer Meera Dugal who are bonded by the goal of creating more joyful spaces for performance, conversation, and storytelling from this part of the world.

Explore Habibi Festival 👉 https://www.instagram.com/habibifestival/?hl=en

0:00 Welcome to Habibi Festival 2025

14:02 Honoring Artists and Their Courage

18:00 Maii Waleed's Joe's Pub Debut

26:13 "Neptune": A Song of Hope

31:19 "Sama": Believing the Sky is Open

43:24 Layale Chaker Performs: Music as a Witness to Resistance

1:02:22 "Southern Sky": A Lebanese Memory

1:35:19 "Ocean to Ocean" and "Nocturnal Backburn"

1:45:25 afikra Q&A With Layale Chaker

1:47:01 Layale's Inspiration: Arabic Poetry and "Inner Rhyme"

1:50:01 "Radio Afloat": People, Land, and Collective Grief

1:52:16 The Wordless Art of Instrumental Music

1:54:10 Her Story With the Violin

Composer and violinist Layale Chaker was raised in Lebanon and is renowned for her beguiling and complex sound that masterfully intersects classical contemporary music, jazz, Arabic music, and improvisation, treating art as a vital crossroads where ancestral and contemporary voices meet. An award-winning artist and Jerome Hill Fellow, Layale released a double portrait album in 2024 on In a Circle Records: Vigil (featuring her classical works with the ETHEL Quartet) and Radio Afloat (with her chamber jazz quintet, Sarafand). These works reflect on the intertwined destinies of people and the natural world, building upon the success of her highly-praised 2019 debut album, Inner Rhyme.

Connect with Layale Chaker 👉 https://instagram.com/layalechaker

Connect with Maii Waleed 👉 https://instagram.com/maiiwaleeed

Hosted by Helena Reyad 👉 https://instagram.com/helanareyad

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊

https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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On the 78-Stringed Instrument | Syrian Qanun Player Maya Youssef

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Musician and composer Maya Youssef takes us on her unique journey with the qanun. Currently based in London, Maya delves into her early musical upbringing in Damascus to challenging traditional perceptions of the 78-stringed Instrument and developing her own innovative approach to composition and teaching. She discusses the profound connection between the qanun and human emotion, and how music became a form of prayer and healing during personal and global turmoil. Maya also delves into the intricacies of Arabic music theory, improvisation, and the importance of embodying music.

0:00 The Expressive Power of the Qanun

0:05 Composing During Wartime: Music as Prayer

0:27 Discovering the Qanun and Defying Expectations

2:00 Musical Upbringing in Damascus

4:04 Early Music Education and Discipline

5:37 The Qanun's Call and a Taxi Driver's Challenge

9:00 Critiquing Traditional Qanun Education

11:59 The Struggle with Improvisation (Taqasim)

15:39 An Illuminating Experience in Aleppo

18:45 Unlearning Theory and Embracing Organic Learning

22:59 Demonstrating Maqam Switches

24:42 Foundational Maqamat and Their Evolution

29:08 Composing "Queen of the Night"

33:37 The Songwriting Process: Music as Healing

38:00 The Emotional Spectrum of the Qanun

40:46 "Samai of Trees" and Orchestral Collaborations

44:51 Unintentional Influences

49:10 Collaboration with Musicians and Sheet Music

51:54 The Qanun's Role and Limitations

53:20 The "Qanun Goats"

54:50 The Search for the Best Qanun Maker

56:05 Connecting with Maya Youssef

Maya Youssef is a qanun player and composer from Damascus now based in the UK. Her music is rooted in the Arabic classical tradition but forges pathways into jazz, Western classical and Latin styles. It explores the emotional and healing qualities of music. Her debut album Syrian Dreams, produced by Joe Boyd, was highly-acclaimed in music press around the world and has led to many awards, performances on prestigious stages. She describes her highest honor to be naming the Year 6 class of Dalmain Primary School in London "Youssef" in recognition of her inspirational work.

Connect with Maya Youssef 👉 https://instagram.com/mayayoussefmusic

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊

https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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Decoding Empires: Akala on Hip Hop & South-South Solidarity

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Rapper, writer, and thought leader Akala joins us on Quartertones live at Sole DXB to talk about his early career steps in London, the city's unique blends due to its history, and his drive to connect with diverse audiences. He shares insights into the impact of colonialism and the importance of embracing shared cultural heritage from Shakespeare to his Jamaican influences. We discuss the significance of South-South solidarity and the changing nature of global power dynamics. Akala reflects on the complexities of identity, privilege, and the evolving cultural landscape in Europe.

This episode was recorded live on the Sole DXB stage in Dubai on December 15, 2024.

00:00 Introduction

01:31 Akala's Early Career and Diverse Influences

02:07 Growing Up in Multicultural London

04:30 The Impact of Shared Struggles

07:27 Exploring Shakespeare and Cultural Ownership

13:16 Challenging Bias and Assumptions

15:28 Embracing Diverse Cultural Influences

16:43 The Unique Perspective of UK Hip Hop

19:35 Navigating Success and Global Perspectives

20:02 South-South Solidarity and Global Power Dynamics

20:51 The Complexity of Human Relationships

22:16 Class and Community: A Personal Reflection

23:36 Global Inequality and Historical Context

27:10 The Future of Global Relations

30:34 Concluding Thoughts on Privilege and Luck

Born Kingslee James McLean Daley in the UK, Akala is a British rapper, writer and activist. His stepfather was a stage manager at the Hackney Empire theatre, and he often visited it before his teens. His older sister is none other than rapper Ms. Dynamite (Niomi Arleen). In 2006, he released his debut album, It's Not a Rumour, which featured the single "Shakespeare" and earned him a hip hop award at the MOBO Awards. The following year, he released a second album, Freedom Lasso, which featured the track "Comedy Tragedy History," also inspired by Shakespeare. Akala's third album, DoubleThink , was released in 2010, followed by a mixtape titled Knowledge Is Power in 2012, and a fourth album, The Thieves Banquet in 2013. He has been included on the annual Powerlist of the 100 most influential Black British people in the UK, most recently making the 2021 edition.

Connect with Akala 👉 https://instagram.com/akalamusic

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna

Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Explore Sole DXB 👉 https://www.instagram.com/soledxb/

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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Palestinian Singer Lina Makoul: Unmuted, Radical & Community-Built

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 6 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Palestinian singer Lina Makoul delves into the responsibility of artists to translate public sentiment, the worsening situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the impact of the 900 new checkpoints added by the occupation on day-to-day Palestinian life. Makoul talks about her journey as an independent artist, her research into Palestinian history, and the challenges faced by Palestinian artists under occupation. The discussion also covers the importance of community and creative collaborations, and the power of art in resistance. Makoul also shares her experiences on international tours and highlights the significance of maintaining genuine artistic expression amidst political and economic pressures.

This episode was recorded on May 19, 2025

00:00 Introduction

02:45 Daily Life and Struggles in Palestine

06:18 Reclaiming Voice and Story

08:06 Challenges for Independent Palestinian Artists

08:26 Historical Context and Cultural Identity

10:13 Art as a Form of Resistance

13:14 Global Perception of Palestine

24:17 Collaborative Creative Projects

32:40 Building a Community-Driven Ecosystem

01:02:55 Navigating Fame and Authenticity

01:09:38 Final Thoughts

Lina Makoul is a Palestinian singer-songwriter and music producer who rose to prominence after winning "The Voice Israel" in 2013. Initially signing with a manager and achieving international chart success with English-language pop, she later chose to become an independent artist in 2020. This shift allowed her to embrace her Palestinian heritage more fully, creating indie-pop music primarily in Arabic and using her platform to advocate for Palestinian artists and narratives. Makoul is known for blending contemporary sounds with cultural influences and actively supports Palestinian talent in her music video productions. She opened for Saint Levant on his 2024 "Deira" tour and is set to release her new EP, "Radical."

Connect with Lina Makoul 👉 https://www.instagram.com/linamakoul

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna

Connect with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/

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Shu Ma Sar: 1 on 1 with Palestinian-Jordanian Singer Dana Salah

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Palestinian-Jordanian singer, songwriter, and producer Dana Salah shares her journey graduating from Duke University to DJing in New York City and writing songs in Jay-Z's studio to transitioning to creating and performing songs in Arabic. She discusses the impact of DJing on her music writing, and the importance of staying connected with her culture. She reflects on her musical influences and the challenges of blending modern and traditional elements in her work. The conversation covers her songwriting process, her response to the current situation with Palestinians, and anecdotes around her tracks "Weino", "Ghazaleh", and "Ya Tal3een", delving into the Palestinian "tarweedeh" style of singing and writing.

00:00 Introduction

01:31 Early Career Struggles and Successes

03:32 DJing and Musical Influences

09:17 Songwriting Process and Inspirations

13:58 Transition to Arabic Music

19:36 Performing and Connecting with Audiences

22:15 Balancing Nostalgia and Cultural Identity

24:04 Strategic Decisions and Creative Process

25:08 Balancing Multiple Roles in the Music Industry

26:55 Discovering and Recovering Palestinian Folk Songs

29:37 Emotional Connection to Music and Family

38:26 Production Techniques and Song Preferences

45:35 Influences and Future Aspirations

Dana Salah is a Palestinian-Jordanian singer and songwriter blending Arabic folk with modern pop. After starting her career in New York as King Deco, she returned to Jordan to embrace her Arab roots. Known for hits like Weino and Rajieen, she’s a leading voice in contemporary Arabic music and was the first female Jordanian artist featured on a Times Square billboard.

Connect with Dana Saleh 👉 https://instagram.com/danasalah

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna

Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊

https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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Palestinian Resistance Music & Cultural Heritage | With Legendary Composer Issa Boulos

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 28 May 2025 15:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Quartertones, we're joined by Palestinian composer and musician, Issa Boulos who tells us about his deep connection to Jerusalem and Palestine, and how his upbringing influenced his approach to music and life. Boulos recounts his unique experiences growing up in a small town, his family's musical traditions, and the cultural life in Ramallah. He delves into the evolution of Palestinian resistance music from 1967 onwards, sharing insights about key musical acts and their impact. He also reflects on his imprisonment, the intricate relationship between music and political resistance, and his subsequent move to the United States, where he pursued his studies in music composition and ethnomusicology, and continued to document the Palestinian narrative through his work. The conversation explores Boulos's bold approach to integrating Middle Eastern musical elements with Western orchestration, emphasizing the importance of cultural authenticity and representation.

00:00 Introduction
00:29 Early Life and Connection to Palestine
02:41 Musical Family and Cultural Influences
07:19 Palestinian Resistance Music and Popular Acts
17:43 Challenges and Political Expression in Music
27:53 Life in the US and Continued Musical Journey
29:03 Returning to College
31:37 The Drive to Compose Music
33:21 Documenting the Palestinian Narrative
34:37 Prison Experience as a Musician
38:16 Musical Reflections from Prison
49:06 Cultural Integration in Music
01:03:03 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Issa Boulos is an internationally recognized composer, lyricist, and ethnomusicologist known for blending traditional instruments with modern composition. His work spans orchestral, chamber, and vocal music, with commissions from major ensembles like the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Silk Road Ensemble. He has composed for films, plays, and musicals, earning acclaim in the US, the Middle East, and Europe. Boulos holds a PhD in ethnomusicology from Leiden University and has taught at the University of Chicago. He co-founded the Qatar Music Academy and currently manages the Harper College Community Music and Arts Center while serving as adjunct music faculty.

Connect with Boulos 👉 https://www.instagram.com/issaboulos/

Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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Dalida's Rise to International Stardom & Her Rootedness in Egypt | Barbara Lebrun

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 15:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Quartertones, we're joined by Barbara Lebrun, the author of "Dalida: Mythe et Mémoire." We explore the remarkable career of Dalida, the iconic singer who rose to fame in the mid-20th century. Born in Cairo to an Italian family, Yolanda Gigliotti's journey to stardom began when she moved to France in 1954. Initially adopting an Italian persona to navigate the complexities of the French music industry, she later embraced her Egyptian roots, becoming a symbol of Franco-Arab friendship. The episode delves into her rise as a Mediterranean sensation, her multi-lingual career spanning various languages including Arabic, and her tragic end in 1987. We also discuss the scholarly perspective on her impact and how her posthumous recognition has evolved over the years.

00:00 Introduction: The Challenges of an Egyptian Artist in France
01:30 Early Life and Career Beginnings
01:46 Rise to Fame in France
03:15 Cultural Identity and Multilingualism
03:48 Personal Tragedies and Their Impact
05:02 Scholarly Interest and Changing Perspectives
06:20 Navigating the French Music Industry
11:06 Embracing Egyptian Roots and Arabic Music
29:29 The Miss Egypt Controversy
34:29 Transnational Success and Limitations
01:05:12 Final Years and Legacy

Barbara Lebrun has been a Senior Lecturer in French Cultural Studies, at the University of Manchester since 2002. Her teaching covers the history, politics and culture of modern and contemporary French society, from the 19th century to the present. Her research is more narrowly focused on French popular music since the 1950s, with special interests in the representation of cultural identities (ethnicity, race, gender, generation...) and their relative commercial success and critical prestige. Her two monographs, "Protest Music in France" (Ashgate 2009; re-ed Routledge 2016) and "Dalida: Mythe et Mémoire" (Le Mot et le reste, 2020), examine contemporary popular music in France from the distinct but complementary perspectives of "alternative" and "mainstream" cultures, with forays into audience research, music festivals, posthumous fame, elitism, and the representation of whiteness, exoticism and cosmopolitanism in metropolitan France. Cautiously, from the self-conscious perspective of white scholarship, she is currently developing a new project on musical representations of racial and other types of diversity in French variétés (mainstream pop), from the 1960s to the late 1980s.

Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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Dreamville Rapper Bas live at XP Music Futures in Riyadh | On Hip Hop, Sudan & J. Cole

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:00:00 +0000

In this special episode of Quartertones in collaboration with XP Air, we sit down with prominent artist Dreamville's Bas, to discuss his journey in the music industry. We talk about the financial challenges of touring, the value of exposure over immediate monetary gain, and the significance of rehearsals and meticulous work ethic exemplified by artists like J. Cole and Drake. Bas reflects on his Sudanese heritage, the cultural pride that comes with it, and how his background influences his music. The conversation also covers Bas’s experiences with evolving music industry trends, including streaming and AI technology, and the importance of artist development and investing in oneself. The episode wraps up with reflections on family involvement in his career, navigating business relationships, and recommendations for fans looking to better understand Bas's musical perspective. Bas also shares exciting news about his upcoming collaboration with the band The Hics from London. Don't miss this insightful conversation packed with behind-the-scenes stories and valuable lessons for aspiring musicians.

00:00 Introduction
00:49 First Impressions of Riyadh
01:37 Crafting the Perfect Festival Set
02:32 Dreamville and the Power of Dreams
03:54 The Journey of Artistic Development
05:31 Investing in Yourself as an Artist
08:33 Global Influences and Musical Evolution
13:21 Sudanese Pride and Cultural Impact
18:15 Family Support and Changing Perspectives
20:10 Navigating Industry Challenges
20:36 The Evolution of Music Revenue
21:30 Adapting to Technological Changes
23:23 Crafting a Unique Narrative
26:14 Balancing Art and Commerce
26:44 The Importance of Touring
30:05 Managing Online Presence
32:19 Working with Family and Friends
36:13 Top Album Recommendations
37:05 Upcoming Projects and Collaborations

Abbas Hamad, known professionally as Bas, is a French-born Sudanese-American rapper born on May 27, 1987, in Paris, France.At the age of eight, he moved with his family to Jamaica, Queens, New York City.Bas is signed to J. Cole's Dreamville Records and Interscope Records.He has released four studio albums: Last Winter (2014), Too High to Riot (2016), Milky Way (2018), and We Only Talk About Real Shit When We're Fucked Up (2023).His music often explores themes related to his Sudanese heritage and personal experiences.

Connect with Bas 👉 https://www.instagram.com/bas

XP Air are podcast conversations that were recorded as part of XP Music Futures in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in December of 2024. XP Music Futures is a one-of-a-kind event that unites people and talent from the music industry through forward-thinking programming. Three days of captivating sessions in various formats, facilitated by diverse speakers, attended by our ever-growing music community.

Stay tuned for more XP Air 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@xpmusicfutures.mdlbeast

Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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Breaking Gender Norms in Music & Creating an All-Female Album | Emel Mathlouthi at Quoz Arts Fest

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 16:00:00 +0000

The inspiring Emel Mathlouthi joins Tanya Khoury on the Quoz Arts Fest stage in Dubai for a riveting discussion on music, cultural roots, and breaking gender norms in the music industry. Emel shares her journey of proving that women can excel in music production, creating her all-female album "MRA," and the significance of connecting with audiences through heart and authenticity.

This special episode of The afikra Podcast was recorded on the Quoz Arts Fest stage at alserkal in Dubai in January, and is one in five episodes which will be published on this podcast or Quartertones. Make sure to check them out!

00:00 Introduction by Big Hass
02:29 Emel Mathlouthi's Performance Insights
04:01 Creating the Album "MRA"
07:02 Global Performances and Cultural Influences
09:39 The Symbolism of the Eye
10:52 Inspiring the Younger Generation
13:49 Collaborations and Inspirations
15:24 Upcoming Performance Highlights
16:57 Literary Inspirations

Emel Mathlouthi is a Tunisian-American singer, songwriter, musician and producer. Her music combines a range of influences — bringing together protest songs, North African percussion, cello, electronic textures and western musical tradition.

Connect with Emel 👉https://www.instagram.com/emelmathlouthi/

Quoz Arts Fest is a neighborhood festival by alserkal, where the freshest contemporary culture and creativity collide in one community event that welcomes young, old, families and pets. It features live performances, exhibitions, food trucks, pop-up shops plus a line-up of hands-on workshops, talks, and film screenings that aim to inspire. Artists transform the alserkal avenue's galleries and public spaces with immersive installations, and you get a close-up on them as well as rising musicians and DJs making waves through conversations on stage.

Follow alserkal 👉 https://www.instagram.com/alserkalavenue

Hosted by:
Tanya Khoury 👉 https://www.instagram.com/p/DEsC6EIxxgh/?img_index=1

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Syrian-American Poet on the Evolving Landscape of Arabic Hip Hop & Intergenerational Connections

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 16:00:00 +0000

DJ amen RA welcomes the talented Syrian-American rapper, poet and longtime friend of afikra, Omar Offendum, to the Quoz Arts Fest stage. Host Tanya Khoury asks Offendum to delve into topics ranging from the impact of war on art and identity, and the significance of maintaining cultural heritage through creative expression, to the evolving landscape of Arabic hip hop. Offendum shares insights on his music projects like "Little Syria," reflects on the timeless relevance of his lyrics, and discusses his aspirations for Syria's future. This conversation also highlights the importance of intergenerational connections, the role of language in shaping identities, and the vitality of cultural resilience.

This special episode of Quartertones was recorded on the Quoz Arts Fest stage at alserkal in Dubai in January, and is one in five episodes which will be published on this podcast or The afikra Podcast. Make sure to check them out!

00:00 Introduction
02:09 A Journey Through Music and Life & The Weight of War and Guilt
03:28 Little Syria: A Theatrical and Musical Experience
05:08 Reflections on Syrian Americana and Timeless Lyrics
09:44 The Importance of Arabic in Music and Family
14:26 Inspiration from Global Hip Hop Artists
19:14 The Hope for Syria and the Power of Art
24:22 Audience Interaction
27:30 Closing Remarks and Personal Reflections

Omar Offendum is a trailblazing Syrian-American rapper and poet based in Los Angeles, known for his seamless blend of hip-hop and Arabic poetry. As an architecture graduate, Offendum has uniquely navigated his path, merging art with activism and engaging diverse global audiences. Offendum's contributions extend beyond music: he's a vocal advocate for humanitarian causes, raising millions for relief efforts, and has collaborated with esteemed academic institutions, museums, and cultural organizations worldwide.

Connect with Omar 👉 https://www.instagram.com/offendum/

Quoz Arts Fest is a neighborhood festival by alserkal, where the freshest contemporary culture and creativity collide in one community event that welcomes young, old, families and pets. It features live performances, exhibitions, food trucks, pop-up shops plus a line-up of hands-on workshops, talks, and film screenings that aim to inspire. Artists transform the alserkal avenue's galleries and public spaces with immersive installations, and you get a close-up on them as well as rising musicians and DJs making waves through conversations on stage.

Follow alserkal 👉 https://www.instagram.com/alserkalavenue
Explore Quoz Arts Fest 👉 https://quozartsfest.alserkal.online/

Hosted by: Tanya Khoury 👉 https://www.instagram.com/p/DEsC6EIxxgh/?img_index=1

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Building Empire Records & Repping Your Community | Live Quartertones With Ghazi Shami & Suhel Nafar at Sole DXB 2024

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

This episode of Quartertones was recorded live on the Sole DXB stage in Dubai on December 13, 2024. Founder of Empire Records Ghazi Shami, and head of Empire Iwana Sohail Nafar explore the challenges and future of the Arab music industry, from Ghazi's connection to Palestinian heritage to Sohail's work with DAM and Empire. They discuss cultural representation, the impact of geopolitics on music, and the potential for Arab music on the global stage, touching on digital distribution, local and global influences, and empowering Arab artists.

00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome
00:43 Ghazi's Reflections on Being in the Arab World
03:49 Suhel's Journey and Impact
07:47 Building a Festival to Save Homes
11:35 The Evolution of Empire Records
12:26 Challenges and Triumphs in the Music Industry
18:50 The Role of Technology in Music Distribution
22:02 Ambition and Inspiration
28:05 Global Interest in Regional Music
28:26 Challenges of Streaming Platforms
29:20 Empire: A Cultural Hub
32:19 Arabic Music's Untapped Potential
32:36 Local vs Global Music
33:59 Exporting Hip Hop and Social Consciousness
36:47 Artist Development and Authenticity
42:40 Future of the Music Industry
51:33 Q&A Session

Ghazi Shami is a Palestinian-American music technologist, record producer, audio engineer, entrepreneur, CEO, and founder of Empire Distribution. Empire Distribution was founded in 2010 in San Francisco, California and now also has offices in New York, Nashville, the UK, and the Middle East.

Connect with Ghazi 👉 https://www.instagram.com/ghazi/?hl=en
Explore Empire 👉 https://www.instagram.com/empire/

Suhel Nafar is the co-founder of Palestinian hip-hop group DAM, which was featured in award-winning documentary Slingshot Hip Hop. Formerly, Nafar was the global lead of Arab music and culture at Spotify and is now the vice president of strategy and market development at Empire Distribution WANA. He is also the music supervisor for Netflix’s show Mo.

Connect with Suhel 👉 https://www.instagram.com/suhelnafar/?hl=en

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu

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Layth Sidiq at Habibi Festival 2024 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 16:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Quartertones, we interview award-winning violinist, composer, and educator Layth Sidiq at Habibi Festival in NYC. He shares his journey in Arabic music, and discusses his upbringing in a musical family, the evolution of his career, and his role as the artistic director of the New York Arabic Orchestra. He also delves into the improvisational nature of Arabic music, his album "Son of Tigris" and performs three captivating interludes, providing deep insights into maqam and melody.

00:00 Welcome
05:52 Introducing Layth Sidiq
07:07 Layth's Musical Journey
10:57 The New York Arabic Orchestra
15:37 Performance: Ala Shawati Dijla
20:03 Exploring Maqam and Arabic Music
25:21 Performance: Eastern Waves
34:23 Melody vs Harmony in Arabic Music
37:15 Teaching and Learning Music by Ear
41:56 Final Interlude and Improvisation
49:12 Quick Q&A Session
56:22 Future of Arabic Music
59:18 Closing Remarks and Recommendations

Layth Sidiq is a violinist, composer, educator, the artistic director at New York Arabic Orchestra, and the director at Center for Arabic Culture Youth Orchestra Program.

Connect with Layth 👉 https://www.instagram.com/kubbara/?hl=en

Habibi Festival is back for another year at Joe's Pub, bringing Arabs, comrades, and lovers of music together in New York in these difficult times that our nations continue to endure. And for another year, afikra was on stage to speak to the musicians and bring their conversations and performances to you on afikra's Quartertones podcast.

Created with the goal of giving a snapshot of contemporary and traditional music of the South West Asia North Africa (SWANA) region, every year Habibi Festival takes listeners on a journey of the sounds wafting through the airwaves and living rooms of cities spanning Marrakech to Baghdad. This performing arts festival (now in its fourth year) is a collaboration between the Director of Joe's Pub Alex Knowlton, artist/composer/curator Yacine Boulares, and curator/producer Meera Dugal who are bonded by the goal of creating more joyful spaces for performance, conversation, and storytelling from this part of the world.

Follow Habibi Festival 👉 https://www.instagram.com/habibifestival

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ahmad Kubbara Gives Us a Masterclass in Music Production

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Scavenging for synthesizers, digital vs analog music, and what it means to be a music producer in the AI era. This episode of Quartertones features Egyptian music producer Kubbara in our studio in Beirut. Known for his jazz-influenced, neo-soul sound, he gives us a master class in music production, from discovering and collaborating with artists to blending sounds and the intricate details of putting a song together. We get into the nitty-gritty history of synths, Kubbara's background as a metalhead, and why music isn't about originality anymore. We also discuss whether Egypt is experiencing a golden age of music right now.

This episode was recorded on July 25, 2024 in our Beirut studio.

00:00 Introduction
00:27 Discovering & Collaborating with Nadine El Roubi
02:01 Neo Soul and Jazz Influences
8:26 Interlude 1: Honey Butter
12:46 Musical Journey: From Metalhead to Jazz Enthusiast
23:18 Exploring Synthesizers & Modular Systems
27:04 Interlude 2: Jamming with the 707 Drum Machine
28:20 Analog vs Digital
22:30 707 Drum Machine: Ins and Outs
36:02 Interlude 3: Mesh’arif
39:52 Live Performance & Artist Collaboration
41:27 The Evolution of Music Production
52:16 Is Egypt in a Golden Age of Music?
55:51 The Future of Music and AI
56:59 Interlude 4, Upcoming Project & Recommendations

Ahmad Kubbara is an electronic musician, sound engineer, producer and composer. He completed a bachelors in sound engineering and music production at Birmingham City University and obtained his masters in acoustics at the ISVR, University of Southampton working on the development of DEAP loudspeakers before returning to Cairo. His studio El Warsha is based right next to the Pyramids in Giza, where he works on music, commercial and film productions.

Connect with Kubbara 👉 https://www.instagram.com/kubbara/?hl=en

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu
Track he mentions 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEQpCfvaWrA

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Karim Ziad & Mehdi Nassouli at Habibi Festival 2024 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Karim Ziad and Mehdi Nassouli perform at Habibi Festival 2024 and are joined on stage by Yacine Boulares and other talented musicians for a jazzy performance and a conversation with host Mikey Muhanna who asks Karim and Mehdi about their inspirations, musical journeys, and the experience of working together.

00:00:00 Intro & Performance
01:13:11 Fusion of West & North African Music
01:15:51 Yacine on Learning from Karim
01:16:41 Karim's Listening Habits As a Teen
01:18:40 Themes & Legacy in Karim's Music
01:20:10 Yacine on Habibi Festival with Karim
01:24:10 Karim Meeting Mehdi As a Child
01:24:29 Audience Reaction As a Gift

Karim Ziad is a renowned Algerian singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist who blends North African music—Chaâbi, Gnawa, and Raï—with jazz and electronica. Formerly a hard rock musician in Algiers, he became an acclaimed drummer in Paris, performing with legends like Cheb Mami, Khaled and Idir.

Connect with Karim 👉 https://www.instagram.com/karimziad66/

Mehdi Nassouli is a Moroccan guembri player known for revitalizing Gnawa music and Moroccan traditions. Hailing from Taroudant, he gained acclaim through collaborations with Titi Robin and global icons like Herbie Hancock, blending North African sounds with jazz and world music.

Connect with Mehdi 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mehdi_nassouli/

Yacine Boulares is a French-Tunisian saxophonist and composer who merges African traditions, jazz and soul. A Paris Conservatory graduate and Fulbright scholar, he created innovative projects like AJOYO and Night in Tunisia, and founded NYC’s Habibi Festival spotlighting contemporary Arabic music.

Connect with Yacine 👉 https://www.instagram.com/yacineboulares/

Habibi Festival is back for another year at Joe's Pub, bringing Arabs, comrades, and lovers of music together in New York in these difficult times that our nations continue to endure. And for another year, afikra was on stage to speak to the musicians and bring their conversations and performances to you on afikra's Quartertones podcast.

Created with the goal of giving a snapshot of contemporary and traditional music of the South West Asia North Africa (SWANA) region, every year Habibi Festival takes listeners on a journey of the sounds wafting through the airwaves and living rooms of cities spanning Marrakech to Baghdad. This performing arts festival (now in its fourth year) is a collaboration between the Director of Joe's Pub Alex Knowlton, artist/composer/curator Yacine Boulares, and curator/producer Meera Dugal who are bonded by the goal of creating more joyful spaces for performance, conversation, and storytelling from this part of the world.

Follow Habibi Festival 👉 https://www.instagram.com/habibifestival

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Taktouka at Habibi Festival 2024 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 16:00:00 +0000

After a moving performance at Habibi Festival, we sit down with the members of Taktouka to hear about the band’s journey from vocalist Alia Haju, beginning with how it came together after she fled Beirut with her cousin, Bashar Farran, the ensemble's bassist. The rest of the band—Daro Behroozi (woodwinds/synth), Calvin Lu (keys/synth), and Jesse Chevan (drums)—also share their perspectives, describing Taktouka as a family affair built on years of knowing each other and an ongoing exchange of knowledge and experience. Alia offers a glimpse into their songwriting process and reveals what the band has in store for the future. Together, Taktouka blend their diverse musical influences to create a sound that is undeniably Levantine while capturing the vibrant essence of NYC.

44:57 Reflecting on the Band’s Opening Song, Shift El Qamar
46:44 The Story of Taktouka
50:25 Taktouka's Creative Process
35:15 Blending the Unmistakable Soul of Beirut With the Dynamic Energy of New York
56:57 The Meaning Behind Taktouka’s Name and Upcoming Projects

Taktouka is a band made up of Alia Haju on vocals, Bashar Farran on bass, Daro Behroozi on woodwinds and synth, Calvin Lu on keys and synth and Jesse Chevan on drums – all New Yorkers with wildly different musical backgrounds. They transform Arabic folk music with new ways of singing and performing by challenging some misogynistic lyrics and bringing them to new audiences to make them speak for women’s rights and to the lived experience of oppressed people. Their first album Bassara illuminates the Arab cascade of catastrophes via old songs and tales: people seeking refuge in other countries, the recent revolutions, and grappling with living in two worlds. The work redefines old Arab folk songs to both extend their cultural reach and to establish new and different interpretations.

Follow Taktouka 👉 https://www.instagram.com/taktoukaband/

Habibi Festival is back for another year at Joe's Pub, bringing Arabs, comrades, and lovers of music together in New York in these difficult times that our nations continue to endure. And for another year, afikra was on stage to speak to the musicians and bring their conversations and performances to you on afikra's Quartertones podcast.

Created with the goal of giving a snapshot of contemporary and traditional music of the South West Asia North Africa (SWANA) region, every year Habibi Festival takes listeners on a journey of the sounds wafting through the airwaves and living rooms of cities spanning Marrakech to Baghdad. This performing arts festival (now in its fourth year) is a collaboration between the Director of Joe's Pub Alex Knowlton, artist/composer/curator Yacine Boulares, and curator/producer Meera Dugal who are bonded by the goal of creating more joyful spaces for performance, conversation, and storytelling from this part of the world.

Follow Habibi Festival 👉 https://www.instagram.com/habibifestival

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Narcy at Habibi Festival 2024 With Appearances by Hamed Sinno, Nadine El Roubi, Omar Offendum & Niko | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 6 Nov 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Habibi Festival is back for another year at Joe's Pub, bringing Arabs, comrades, and lovers of music together in New York in these difficult times that our nations continue to endure. And for another year, afikra was on stage to speak to the musicians and bring their conversations and performances to you on afikra's Quartertones podcast.

Who better to kick off the season with than the one and only Iraqi-Canadian rapper, writer and teacher Narcy who's been – for decades – making music about the atrocities and racism that the Arab region and people have endured. Narcy calls on his friends and peers Hamed Sinno, Nadine El Roubi, Omar Offendum & Niko to join him on stage in an evening filled with poetry, music and solidarity.

Narcy shares his journey of grieving the Iraq War and the blessing and importance of community in the ongoing healing process. He also discusses cultural production as a form of resistance, reflecting on when to be silent, when to be loud, and when to amplify one’s voice in protest. He and his wife, Sondos, have embodied these principles through Maktaba, their Montreal-based library dedicated to celebrating Arab culture, which he also speaks on.

0:00 Narcy Intro Performance
10:21 Poetry on Sudan by Nadine El Roubi
13:57 Narcy Invites Niko on Stage to Perform With Him
21:36 Who Cares If Kamala's Black?: Narcy & Omar Offendum Perform Together
25:10 Poetry by Hamed Sinno
29:36 Narcy Joins Hamed Sinno to Perform a Mashrou' Leila Track & Tribute to Narcy's Brother Nawaf
37:41 Mikey Interviews Narcy on Stage

Yassin Alsalman, better known by his stage name Narcy (formerly The Narcicyst), is an Iraqi-Canadian rapper, author, university instructor and actor who has shaped the music and culture of the Arab world. He currently resides in Montreal and has produced albums such as World War Free Now, We Are the Medium, and SpaceTime.

Follow Narcy 👉 https://www.instagram.com/narcynarce

Check out Maktaba 👉 https://www.instagram.com/maktaba.bookshop

Created with the goal of giving a snapshot of contemporary and traditional music of the South West Asia North Africa (SWANA) region, every year Habibi Festival takes listeners on a journey of the sounds wafting through the airwaves and living rooms of cities spanning Marrakech to Baghdad. This performing arts festival (now in its fourth year) is a collaboration between the Director of Joe's Pub Alex Knowlton, artist/composer/curator Yacine Boulares, and curator/producer Meera Dugal who are bonded by the goal of creating more joyful spaces for performance, conversation, and storytelling from this part of the world.

Follow Habibi Festival 👉 https://www.instagram.com/habibifestival

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nai Barghouti | Singing Palestine at the Toronto Palestine Film Festival

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Nai Barghouti joins us for a very special episode of Quartertones ahead of her performance at the Toronto Palestine Film Festival on September 27th which will be her Canadian debut. Speaking from the heart, Nai shares how Palestine underscores the music she makes and performs, her journey to becoming unapologetically Palestinian, and learning the nuanced language of Fairuz's music. She tells us of the raw grief, hope and joy she finds come out of each performance and each audience she connects with, how her flute is her trusted companion on stage, and the step changes that have come for her as a Palestinian musician since October 7th. Mikey also asks her how she maintains integrity, authenticity and fidelity with herself ⁠— especially when it comes to balancing her career.

Catch Nai in Toronto on the 27th September 👉https://www.tpff.ca/events-all/naibarghouti

Nai Barghouti is a Palestinian singer, composer and flute player. At the age of 14, she launched her professional singing career and completed her studies in classical flute performance at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Palestine, where she discovered a passion for composition.

Connect with Nai 👉 https://www.instagram.com/naibarghoutiofficial/?hl=en

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Scoring Films With the Composer of Corvine, Crashing Eid, The Curve & Flight 404 | Suad Bushnaq

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

It's not often that we welcome a film score composer on QuarterTones. So we had a lot to chat about with award-winning composer Suad Bushnaq. We discuss the realities of writing music for cinema, her favorite Arab film scores of all time, and why the best movie soundtracks are those that you don't remember. We quizz Suad on how she chooses a key for her music, what it was like to study at Damascus' Higher Institute of Music after auditioning in front of no-other than the late Solhi al-Wadi, and overcoming one's ego as a creative.

Suad Bushnaq is an award-winning film and concert composer with more than 40 film credits to her name. Described as an "incredible artist" by Hans Zimmer, Suad was born and raised in Amman and studied at the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus, Syria and later at McGill University. Suad received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Original Score at the 10th Canadian Screen Awards in 2022.

Connect with Suad & listen to some of her music 👉 https://www.youtube.com/user/SuadBushnaq

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cheb Mimo | Crate Digging For Lost Raï

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

In this episode of QuarterTones, Cheb Mimo joins us in our podcast studio in Beirut along with his cassette player, turntable, and rare records and tapes, to take us on a tour of North Africa's raï, funk, and disco. With each musical interlude, Cheb Mimo introduces both well-known, niche and sometimes forgotten musicians through the past decades. We get a feel for raï as a transgressive genre that evokes a sense of liberation and rebellion. Cheb Mimo shares insights about playing sets with tapes versus records, how and where he goes hunting for musical treasures, and the transformation of raï over the years.

Cheb Mimo is a DJ, selector and NTS Radio resident, with roots in Algeria and Tunisia and currently based in London.

Connect with Cheb Mimo 👉 https://www.instagram.com/chebmimo_/

Check out Cheb Mimo's Radio Show Shakshouka 👉 https://www.nts.live/shows/cheb-mimo

Special Thanks to The Lick Records 👉 https://www.instagram.com/thelickrecords/

& SHRQ GHRB 👉 https://www.instagram.com/_shrq.ghrb_/

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rayess Bek: Studio Session

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 7 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

We're stoked to finally be launching our live in-studio sessions in our podcast recording studio in Beirut as an extension to Quartertones. The first is with no other than our past guest Rayess Bek (aka Wael Kodeih), the Lebanese music composer, producer, and performer's behind projects such as Love & Revenge, Aks'ser, and Goodbye Schlöndorff. He plays three tracks from recent projects, explaining the background behind the archival cinematic clips that his music accompanies, how he chooses which films to remix, and whose voices he selects to work with. From Mohammed Abdel Wahab's Ya Masafer Wahdak, Saudi Arabia's Ibtisam Lutfi to Mauritania's Horreya Rayess Bek takes us around the Arab world through his music.

Connect with Rayess Bek 👉 https://twitter.com/RayessBek

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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

#QuartertonesPodcast #RayessBek #HipHopHistory #dubstep #LebaneseMusic #MusicEvolution #MauritanianMusic

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Why You Should Invest in Beirut's Music Scene | Sharif Sehnaoui

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 08:00:00 +0000

What makes experimental music…experimental? And what does it take to cultivate a thriving musical scene in the context of the Arab world? In this episode of QuarterTones, Sharif Sehnaoui joins us in our studio in Beirut to talk about the genre in the Arab world, the cultural significance and economic value of music, why his work is in itself an act of resistance, and Lebanon's unique position where the music and creative scenes are considered.

Sharif Sehnaoui is a free improvisation guitarist and the director of "Irtijal" an International festival of experimental music – and the longer running music festival in Beirut. He also runs two record labels: Al Maslakh & Annihaya.

Connect with Sharif 👉 https://x.com/sharifsehnaoui

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

#ArabWorld #MiddleEast #ExperimentalMusic #Beirut #Lebanon

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Reinterpreting Traditional & Popular North African Music | Khalil EPI

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 08:00:00 +0000

This QuarterTones episode is exceptionally in French and is hosted by our Outline host, Sabine Boghossian.

We chat with Khalil Hentati (EPI) a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and essential figure in North Africa's alternative, electronic and contemporary music scenes. He shares the stories behind the origins of his collaborations and dives into the musical traditions of North Africa — namely Aïta and Isawiyya – discussing the disappearance of these oral traditions. Khalil talks about the music that inspired him as a teenager, and how "shaabi" music is perceived and understood today. He finally, reflects on the impact of the Tunisian revolution on politics, culture and music, as well as the state of the musical ecosystem in North Africa today.

Khalil EPI is a composer and multi-instrumentalist, and an essential figure in the electronic and contemporary effort in reinterpreting traditional and popular North African music, he has been collaborating for years with artists such as N3rdistan, Frigya, Dhamma, Deena Abdelwahed, and Arabstazy. He is also the manager of French-Tunisian label Shouka. (via Bandcamp)

Connect with Khalil 👉 https://www.instagram.com/khalilepi/

Hosted by:

Sabine Boghossian 👉 https://www.instagram.com/sabineboghossian

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

#ElectronicMusic #NorthAfrica #NorthAfricanMusic #AlternativeMusic

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How JadaL Pioneered Arabic Rock From Jordan

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 3 Jul 2024 08:00:00 +0000

In this episode of QuarterTones, we're joined by the frontman of pioneering Jordanian rock band, JadaL. Mahmoud Radaideh tells us about how the band popularized the genre in the Arab world, reflecting on his journey as a musician, and the shifting moment when an artist realizes that their work no longer belongs to them solely – but to their audience even more so. With each musical interlude, we hear about the stories behind some of JadaL's best known tracks, learn more about Jordan's music scene, and the short but rich history of Arabic rock.

Mahmoud Radaideh is a Jordanian songwriter, guitarist, music producer and vocalist, and the frontman and founder of Jordanian rock band JadaL.

Connect with Mahmoud 👉https://www.instagram.com/mahmoud_radaideh

JadaL is a Jordanian Arabic Rock Band formed in 2003 by Mahmoud Radaideh. To date, the band has released four albums. Their most recent album was La Tlou' El Daw.

Discover JadaL 👉https://www.instagram.com/jadalband/

Discover JadaL's music 👉https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRgg-xikydVXprYmlVjmqEg

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

#ArabicRock #ArabRock #ArabMusic #MiddleEasternMusic

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Is There a Sound That's Unique to Arab America? | Ronnie Malley

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Multi-instrumentalist musician and musicologist Ronnie Malley shares his immense knowledge of Arabic classical music, touring us through the fundamentals of the musical canon and the sounds, songs and rhythms that define it. He tells us about his early exposure to Arabic music in Chicago playing for his father's bands, through thousands of wedding performances, to building a career alongside some of the biggest names in Arabic music. We learn about the history of Arabic music from Al-Andalus, the Ottoman Empire and all the way to India, and how Ronnie seeks to bring these sounds together in his own Arab-American context. To round the interview off, he shares some of the best Arab musicians that we should all be listening to.

Ronnie Malley is a Palestinian-American multi-instrumentalist musician on oud, guitar, keys, and percussion, a music producer, theater maker, and educator. He is also executive director of Intercultural Music Production. Malley’s professional work and academic research focuses on cultures and various musical styles from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and medieval Spain.

Connect with Ronnie 👉https://www.instagram.com/ronniemalley/

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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Behind the Scenes: Alternative Music in Beirut | Fadi Tabbal

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 5 Jun 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Fadi Tabbal is a hidden giant of Beirut's alternative music scene. He joins us in our studio in Beirut to talk about the music he's produced over the years, the independent musicians on the rise, and the work that his studio – Tunefork studios – is doing. He compares the music scenes in Beirut, Cairo and Dubai, and explains how there are no records or archives of the alternative music that came before the last decade. He takes us on a journey through the 70s to the 2000s and 2010s, talks about music in the internet age, and tells us how Red Bull shaped the music scene in Lebanon for a period of time.

Fadi Tabbal is a Lebanese musician, producer and sound engineer often referred to as "the hardest-working man in Lebanon's alternative music scene." He established Tunefork Studios in 2006 and has produced and recorded some of the most renowned Lebanese and international acts in the contemporary music scene in Lebanon today.

Connect with Fadi 👉 https://kr-music.com/

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

#AlternativeMusic #Beirut #Lebanon #ArabMusic

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Palestinian Hip-Hop Artist The Synaptik | Quitting Ritalin & Making Music

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 22 May 2024 08:00:00 +0000

From medic to musician, Amman to Palestine, and quitting Ritalin, The Synaptik is a multifaceted musician who has grown out of change and transition. In this QuarterTones episode filmed live in afikra's studio in Beirut, The Synaptik tells us about his adolescence in Jordan defined by frustration and Ritalin, which was prescribed to him at a young age. He shares how the drug impacted him and how his life changed as he weaned off it; what he learnt about himself through music; and why he chose to build his career in Palestine.

Laith Hasan, better known as The Synaptik, is a Celebrated Palestinian-Jordanian rapper and hip-hop artist with shows selling out worldwide. He started writing music since he was 17 and living in Jordan and finally moved to Palestine where he currently resides. His albums include Al Qamar Wal Moheet, Ma Qabl Al Tawafan, and Om Al Mawjat.

Connect with The Synaptik 👉 https://www.instagram.com/thesynaptik/?hl=en

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

#HipHop #RapMusic #PalestinianRap #PalestineMusic

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Kareem Roustom | Defining Classical Arabic Music with the Emmy-Nominated Composer

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 8 May 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Emmy-nominated composer Kareem Roustom joins us on Quartertones to discuss all things Arabic music. With musical interludes from across his albums, we talk about the origins of Arabic Classical Music, current and previous perceptions around it, and the pioneers of the genre including Sayed Darwish and Sabah Fakhri. We get to grips with what defines Arabic music, hear about what it's like to get an Emmy nomination, and whether it was fun to work with Shakira and Tina Turner.

Check out what Kareem Roustom's been listening to lately 👉 https://www.afikra.com/daftarjournal/kareem-roustom

Kareem Roustom is a Syrian-American composer whose genre-crossing collaborations include music commissioned by conductor Daniel Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, the Kronos Quartet, arrangements for pop icons Shakira and Tina Turner, as well as a recent collaboration with acclaimed British choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh. A musically bilingual composer, Roustom is rooted in the music of the Arab near-east but his music often expresses beyond the confines of tradition. The themes of a number of his works often touch issues of those affected by war and instability.

Connect with Kareem 👉 https://kr-music.com/

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

#ClassicalArabicMusic #Composer #Composition #EmmyNominated

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Best Buzuq Players of All Time | Farah Kaddour

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Buzq player and musicologist Farah Kaddour, joins us in the afikra studio in Beirut to give us a tour of her music and her instrument. Alongside musical interludes and live performances, we talk about the specific sound and identity of the Buzq and Farah's individual performance style. She tells us about how she experiments with the sound she's able to create with the Buzq and how playing this traditional instrument is in itself a form of political resistance. Finally she tells us about her first solo project — Badā — which consists of a mix of composed and improvised music.

Farah Kaddour is a Beirut-based musician and researcher. She holds a master’s degree in Musicology from the Antonine University. She works mainly in the field of folk and classical Arabic music, and attempts to rediscover and experiment with the sound of the Buzq by shedding light on the intersection between the identity of its sound, and the identity of a new, yet rooted music she presents both as a soloist, and active member on a range of diverse collaborations. As a Buzq player and composer, she is a part of TILT and SANAM. In the summer of 2023, she released with SANAM their first debut album “Aykathani Malakon” on UK-based label Mais Um. She is releasing her first solo album “Badā” on Canadian label Asadun Alay.

Connect with Farah 👉 https://www.instagram.com/farah.kad/?hl=en

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

#ClassicalArabicMusic #Maqam #Buzuq #Buzq

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Palestinian Hip Hop From Lydda to the World | DAM

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

We sat down with Maysa Daw and Tamer Nafar from Palestinian Hip-Hop group DAM for a live recording of Quartertones at Sole DXB in December 2023. We play short clips of music from their albums and talk about representing their home city of Lydda through rap, working with Israeli musicians in “co-resistance” and writing music that goes beyond the occupation as Palestinian musicians.

DAM is a Palestinian hip-hop group founded in 1999 by brothers Tamer and Suheil Nafar. Maysa Daw joined in 2015.

Connect with DAM 👉 https://www.instagram.com/dampalestine/?hl=en

Connect with Tamer 👉 https://www.instagram.com/tamer_nafar/?hl=en

Connect with Maysa 👉 https://www.instagram.com/maysadaw/?hl=en

Sole DXB is an annual footwear, music, art, and lifestyle festival that takes place in the Dubai Design District in Dubai, UAE. It launched in 2011 as a modest gathering for sneaker enthusiasts and has since grown into a regional platform that brings global brands and performers to Dubai.

afikra partnered with Sole DXB in December 2023 to facilitate and moderate some talks as part of the festival.

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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Third Culture Music: Belonging Beyond Geographies | Oddisee

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

At Sole DXB in December 2023, Oddisee joined afikra on stage for a live episode of Quartertones. Using his music as an entryway, this conversation journeys from D.C. to NYC all the way to Sudan. We learn about Oddisee's musical influences and how he blends soundscapes from iconic musical eras and his own heritage.

With each musical interlude, we dive deeper into Oddisee's creative process, the inspiration and stories behind his music, and how he seeks to explore questions of identity, whiteness, racism and hypocrisy through rap. He shares anecdotes of "being too Sudanese to perform at the Whitehouse" and yet "too American to perform in Amman" post October 7th, as well as instances of other facets of his identity "excusing" his blackness in the USA. This is a captivating discussion that touches on themes of colonialism, cross-culture commonalities and difference, and finding one's place and position in what, ultimately, is a very small world.

ODDISEE (Amir Mohamed el Khalifa), is a half Black American and half Sudanese rapper and record producer from Washington, D.C. He is one third of the rap trio Diamond District. He was also part of the Low Budget Crew.

Connect with ODDISEE 👉 https://www.instagram.com/oddisee/?hl=en

afikra partnered with Sole DXB in December 2023 to facilitate and moderate some talks as part of the festival.

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf

» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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Can Beirut's Haunted Buildings Help It Heal From Its Civil War? | Mayssa Jallad

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 16:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Quartertones, musician, architect and urban researcher Mayssa Jallad joins us in the afikra studio in Beirut to talk about her latest, deeply researched work “Marjaa: Battle of the Hotels”. The album brings together her passion for music and her background in urban research and architectural history.

She recounts her interest in buildings and her relationship to her city, Beirut. She shares how the album was born out of her Historic Preservation master’s thesis, and gives the critical historical context to the “Battle of the Hotels” after which the album is named: a five-month long battle that took place in Beirut between Oct 1975 and March 1976, and the world’s first “urban battle”.

Maysaa Jallad is a Lebanese singer, songwriter and urban researcher based in Beirut.

Connect with Mayssa 👉https://www.instagram.com/mayssajallad/?hl=en

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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

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From Aks'ser to Rayess Bek | Rayess Bek

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 6 Mar 2024 16:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Quartertones podcast, we sat down with Rayess Bek (aka Wael Kodeih) to talk about his varied and vibrant musical career. As we traverse his music projects, personas and styles from over the years, the conversation explores the Lebanese music composer, producer, and performer's relationship with Lebanon, hip hop, history, war and colonialism. We listen to tracks from his beginnings with Aks'ser, his audiovisual performance Goodbye Schlöndorff which brings together audio tapes, musical composition and film sequences, and finally his solo endeavors as Rayess Bek.

Connect with Rayess Bek 👉https://twitter.com/RayessBek

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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

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Arabic Music in the Age of Digital Distribution | Ghaliaa

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

On this episode of Quartertones, up-and-coming musician Ghaliaa discusses her love for music, career to date, and finding inspiration in non-fiction. She talks about her childhood, how she came to be so multi-instrumental, and who her Arabic music inspirations are. Ghaliaa also reflects on the influence of TikTok and other social media on the music industry today and what it means to her to write music in Arabic.

Ghaliaa is a Syrian, multi-instrumental and multilingual singer, songwriter and composer whose music blends RNB, hiphop, electro pop, indie and jazz influences.

Connect with Ghaliaa 👉https://www.instagram.com/ghaliaaofficial/?hl=en

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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

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A Journey Through Arabic Percussion | Karim Nagi

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Quartertone, Karim Nagi takes us on a journey into the world of Arabic percussion and rhythm. He talks about his experience as a musician and how the arts – and percussion in particular – have helped him embrace and grow into his own Arab identity. He shares his advice for musicians who are just embarking on their own journeys, and his top recommendations for albums and musicians to listen to.

Karim gives us a fascinating lesson on various aspects of Arab music, walking us through the different iqa’at’, maqamat and taqaseem, and explaining the four levels of mastery of the daff or riq. Finally, he gives us a preview of his latest album Karama which celebrates different styles of music from the Arab world.

Karim Nagi is an Egyptian musician, composer, folk dance artist and DJ. His music is influenced by both Arabic traditions and contemporary music from around the globe. He specializes in Arabic hand percussion and music ensemble performance. In 2001, he launched the Arabiqa program which educates children and adults on Arabic culture through music and arts rather than through religion and politics.

Connect with Karim 👉https://www.instagram.com/mrkarimnagi/

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sofiane Saidi & Nesrine at Habibi Festival 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

We partnered with Habibi Festival for a six-night celebration of ancient + contemporary sounds from Lebanon, Tunisia, Syria, Morocco, Palestine, Algeria and more! It all took place from October 1-7 at Joe's Pub in NYC.

Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is the last of six featuring a conversation with and performance by Yacine Boulares and Sofiane Saidi along with snaps from a performance by Nesrine at Joe's pub.

Yacine Boulares is a French-Tunisian saxophonist, clarinetist and composer based in New York. His music explores North & West African rhythms as well as Jazz. He founded the Shems Record label and Habibi Festival in 2020.

Sofiane Saidi "the King of Rai 2.0", is an Algerian raï musician who has had a multifaceted musical career to date. Born in the heartland of Rai music, Saidi moved to France in the 90s. His music rethinks and revolutionizes Rai music as we know it.

Nesrine Bolmokh is a Franco-Algerian singer, cellist and songwriter who brings the Mediterranean together with North Africa in her music.

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

QuarterTones is afikra’s music podcast which hosts current Arab musicians from different geographies who play contemporary and modern music, including alternative scene or hip-hop, electronic, classical music, among other genres. The guests are invited to talk about their work and play their music – whether live or recorded – in three segments. The audience gets a chance to listen to some of the most interesting work from across the region and genres, and understand the music that these musicians and musicologists perform or study.

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg2zwxYLPXg&list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Clarissa Bitar & Sofiane Saidi at Habibi Festival 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 7 Feb 2024 16:10:37 +0000

Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is the fifth of six, featuring a conversation with and performance by Clarissa Bitar, along with snaps from a performance by Sofiane Saidi at Joe's pub.

Clarissa Bitar is a Palestinian oud musician and composer born, raised, and based in Los Angeles, California. They graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in Music and an emphasis in Ethnomusicology. As a student, Clarissa won multiple awards for excellence in performance in Ethnomusicology and had the privilege of playing around California with the UC Santa Barbara Middle East Ensemble. To further their studies, Clarissa sought out and learned from prominent Arab oudists including Simon Shaheen, Charbel Rouhana, and Bassam Saba.

Sofiane Saidi "the king of Rai 2.0", is an Algerian raï musician who has had a multifaceted musical career to date. Born in the heartland of Rai music, Saidi moved to France in the 90s. His music rethinks and revolutionises Rai music as we know it.

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg2zwxYLPXg&list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nesrine & Bab L' Bluz at Habibi Festival 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

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

Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is the fourth of six, featuring a conversation with and performance by Nesrine Belmokh, along with more snaps from a performance by Bab L'Bluz at Joe's pub.

Nesrine Bolmokh is a Franco-Algerian singer, cellist and songwriter who brings the Mediterranean together with North Africa in her music.

Bab L'Bluz is a Moroccan-French rock band that was formed in Marrakesh in 2018 by Yousra Mansour and Brice Bottin. Their music takes inspiration from Gnawa music, blues, Chaâbi and Afrobeat and is born out of the "Nayda" movement which seeks to honor local culture and heritage.

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg2zwxYLPXg&list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bab L' Bluz, Tarek Yamani & Yacine Boulares at Habibi Fest 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is the third of six, featuring a conversation with and performance by Bab L'Bluz's Yousra Mansour and Brice Bottin, along with snaps from a performance by Tarek Yamani and the the Yacine Boulares Quartet at Joe's pub.

Tarek Yamani is a Lebanese jazz-pianist, composer, producer and educator. Through his music, he explores the relationship between African-American jazz and Classical Arabic music.

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg2zwxYLPXg&list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Amal Murkus & Firas Zreik at Habibi Fest 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is the second of six, featuring a conversation with mother-son duo Firas Zreik – who has previously joined us on Quartertones – and Amal Murkus, as well as snaps from their performances at Joe's Pub.

Amal Murkus is a Palestinian singer, actress, producer, TV & Radio host. Born and raised in Kufer Yasef in the Galilee, her career has been dedicated to the promotion, preservation and enrichment of Palestinian music and culture around the world. Her music is pioneering in its creation of a post-modern musical style that brings different Mediterranean influences together.

Firas Zreik is an artist, composer, lyricist and educator. A Palestine-born New Yorker, Zreik has revolutionized global perceptions of the Kanun instrument. While still preserving its identity as a vital part of the Maqam tradition, Zreik has "stretched its potential as a cultural chameleon enhancing a range of fresh, evolving sounds." He has collaborated with a number of leaders including Roger Waters, Simon Shaheen, Amir ElSaffar, Fabrizio Cassol and his internationally-renowned mother and frequent artistic partner Amal Murkus, for who he works as musical director.

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg2zwxYLPXg&list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Omar Offendum & Hadi Eldebek at Habibi Fest 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is one in six, and features a conversation with Hadi Eldebek and Omar Offendum – both of whom have been on Quartertones so make sure to go and check out those podcast episodes – as well as snaps from their performances at Joe's Pub.

Omar Offendum is a Syrian-American rapper and spoken word artist living in Los Angeles. An Architecture graduate, he was able to carve a distinct path for himself as a thoughtful entertainer and activist able to speak to a multitude of relevant issues and a diverse global audience over the course of a decade-long career. Offendum was named a Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Fellow for 2018/2019. Known for his unique blend of Hip-Hop & Arabic poetry, he’s been featured on prominent world news outlets, lectured at a number of prestigious academic institutions, collaborated with major museums & cultural organizations, and helped raise millions of dollars for various humanitarian relief groups.

Hadi Eldebek is a musician, educator and entrepreneur based in New York City. He has collaborated with prominent figures and institutions in the Arts, culture, and education sectors, including Yo-Yo Ma's Silkroad Ensemble, Harvard Graduate School of Education, The Kennedy Center, TED, and Disney World Imagineering. His piece for Oud & String Quartet, Istimrar, was played at Farkas Hall in Cambridge, MA featuring Yo-Yo Ma on Cello. In addition, Hadi has founded several cultural startups, including grantPA and Circle World Arts. His TED talk, discussing the importance of funding the arts and artists, has gone viral with over 1.25 million views.

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg2zwxYLPXg&list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Producing for Arab Pop Stars: Metrics & Mental Health | Sleiman Damien

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

With a vast discography featuring both emerging artists and some of the biggest names in Arabic music, Sleiman Damien is completely tapped into the region’s pop genre. We asked him what he thinks of the phrase “Arab pop fusion”, which metrics actually matter to him, and why he thinks legacy superstars have more sticking power in today’s fickle industry.

We reflect on the role of ego in the region’s music industry, comparing the “old guard” to emerging musicians and their approach to collaboration. Sleiman also talks about his experience working as a ghost producer and how he reacts emotionally to his own work.

He also shares his mental health journey, especially when it comes to the emphasis placed on performance metrics and an obsession with knowing how people feel about his own creations.

Sleiman Damien is a music producer, DJ and audio engineer from Beirut, Lebanon. Much of his work is focussed on the Arab pop genre.

He has worked with music talents from across the region such as Georges Wassouf, Nassif Zeytoun, Haifa Wehbe, Assi Hallani, Ragheb Alama, Abeer Nehme, Dana Hourani, Maritta Hallani, Adonis, Zef and many more.

Theme music: "Peninsular", Tarek Yamani

👉: https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

🔊: https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna, afikra Founder & Executive Director

👉: https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/

**** ABOUT THE SERIES ****

Quartertones is a music show. It is an opportunity to listen to music, across genres, from musicians of and from the Arab world. This series is similar to NPR’s All Songs Considered that is focused on the Arab world. afikra will be inviting musicians of all genres, as well as music historians, to help better understand the music that they perform or study. In this series, the guests will be invited to talk about their work and play their music, whether live or recorded, in three segments. The series will host current musicians who play contemporary and modern, including alternative scene or hip-hop, electronic, classical music, among other genres. The musicians will also be from different geographies.

Join the live audience:

https://www.afikra.com/rsvp

Watch all afikra Conversations:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

****** 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.

🖥️ Live Events & Conversations hosted on Zoom http://afikra.com/rsvp

📍 Local Events in 30 locations worldwide (17 in MENA, 7 in Europe, 6 in Americas) http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New Podcasts + Videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work http://afikra.com/support

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

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

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

*******

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Chromeo: From Beirut to Planet Funk | P-Thugg

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 5 Sep 2023 07:45:00 +0000

P-Thugg, one half of music duo Chromeo, shares the secrets to a successful and long-term musical collaboration. On set with us in Beirut, he talks about the experiences that led to his discovering funk and hip hop, growing up between Lebanon and Canada and his changing relationship with the former, and what it’s like attending the VMAs. He tells us of Chromeo’s early days when he and David “Dave 1” Macklovitch met and started making music together. We also reflect on how the craft of making music videos has changed and how important humor, honesty and musical knowledge are. P-Thugg also talks about the origins of his online marketplace “Ya Habibi Market” and names his all-time-favorite dance artists. P-Thugg, also known as Patrick Gemayel, is a Lebanese musician and one half of the electro-funk duo Chromeo. He’s also the founder of Ya Habibi Market, a collective of multidisciplinary MENA creatives, artists and designers from around the world.

Theme music: "Peninsular", Tarek Yamani

👉: https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

🔊: https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna, afikra Founder & Executive Director

👉: https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/

**** ABOUT THE SERIES ****

Join the live audience:

https://www.afikra.com/rsvp

Watch all afikra Conversations:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

****** 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.

🖥️ Live Events & Conversations hosted on Zoom http://afikra.com/rsvp

📍 Local Events in 30 locations worldwide (17 in MENA, 7 in Europe, 6 in Americas) http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New Podcasts + Videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Support our work http://afikra.com/support

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

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

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

*******

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

DJing in the Middle of Nowhere | Nooriyah Qais

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 9 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

DJ Nooriyah’s iconic Boiler room set with her Baba on the oud, growing up between Saudi, Japan and London, and her beloved CDJ 2000s Pioneer decks. We sat down with Nooriyah Qais to talk about everything DJing, her guide to safeguarding yourself in the club industry, and how she transforms a sample into an infectious dance track.

We also touch on the community she’s built with her curated event and party series “Middle of Nowhere”, how she’s bringing SWANA music into the mainstream, and her favorite Arab cities to play.

Nooriyah Qais is a radio host, producer, DJ and journalist. Through her work as a DJ and audio producer, she champions music from the Arab region and diaspora, founding “Middle of Nowhere” which is a “SWANA focused collaborative in London”. Her iconic Boiler Room set reached over 1 million streams in the first 3 months. Nooriyah has performed at global dance festivals including Glastonbury.

Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra

Edited by: Ramzi Ramman

Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

About Quartertones:

QuarterTones is a music show. It is an opportunity to listen to music, across genres, from musicians of and from the Arab world. This series is similar to NPR’s All Songs Considered that is focused on the Arab world. afikra will be inviting musicians of all genres, as well as music historians, to help better understand the music that they perform or study. In this series, the guests will be invited to talk about their work and play their music, whether live or recorded, in three segments. The series will host current musicians who play contemporary and modern, including alternative scene or hip-hop, electronic, classical music, among other genres. The musicians will also be from different geographies.

Join the live audience: https://www.afikra.com/rsvp

Follow

Youtube - Instagram (@afikra_) - Facebook -Twitter

Support

www.afikra.com/support

About afikra:‎

afikra 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.
Read more about us on afikra.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Co-founding DAM | Suhel Nafar

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

The early days of Palestinian hip-hop group DAM, growing up in Lydda, and working with artists across the region and from the diaspora: Suhel Nafar joins us on QuarterTones to discuss his colorful and accomplished musical career to date. We talk about his family’s ‘Bootleg Jackson 5’ group, Palestinian hip hop and his departure from DAM.

Suhel Nafar is the co-founder of Palestinian hip-hop group DAM, which was featured in award-winning documentary Slingshot Hip Hop. Formerly, Nafar was the global lead of Arab music and culture at Spotify and is now the vice president of strategy and market development at Empire Distribution WANA. He is also the music supervisor for Netflix’s show ‘Mo’.

Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra

Edited by: Ramzi Ramman

Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

About Quartertones:

Join the live audience: https://www.afikra.com/rsvp

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Jordanian Grunge | Akher Zapheer

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Akher Zapheer’s front-man and longest standing member, Basem Sayej, talks to us about Amman as his muse and a misunderstood city, the Arab rock scene, and his favorite places to perform round the world.

We listen to three of Akher Zapheer’s songs from across their albums and get an insight into how Basem approaches song-writing. Finally, Basem shares his personal mixtape for the best alternative bands from around the Middle East.

Basem Sayej is the frontman, guitarist and vocalist of Akher Zapheer, a Jordanian grunge Arabic rock band from Amman. The band’s name literally translates to ‘last exhale’.

Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra

Edited by: Ramzi Ramman

Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

About Quartertones:

Join the live audience: https://www.afikra.com/rsvp

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Hip Hop, the Lahme Song & Making Beats From Old Syrian Vinyls | Thanks Joey

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Quartertones, Thanks Joey takes us on a journey through hip hop, Brooklyn music, and his Syrian grandfather’s old records. We talk about working with Omar Offendum and Narcy, his music making process, and what inspired his Lahme song.

He gives us a sneak preview of unreleased tracks, tours us round his sampler, and reflects on infusing his music with his heritage.

Thanks Joey is a musician, producer, and engineer, and all-round music aficionado. He specialises in producing unique culture sounds in hip-hop, R&B, Reggaeton, and Afropop and is the Founder of Colors of The Culture label.

Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra

Edited by: Ramzi Ramman

Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

About Quartertones:

Join the live audience: https://www.afikra.com/rsvp

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About afikra:‎

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JOHN BAKHOS | Progressive Metal | Quartertones

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 24 May 2023 05:00:00 +0000

John Bakhos talks about forming his metal band, Anuryzm, and the progression of its music throughout the years. In this Quartertones episode, John plays three songs: Cosmos, Neo Luddite, and Ruby Demon.

John Bakhos is a Lebanese musician, guitarist, and the founder of the progressive metal band Anuryzm. Born in Beirut, Bakhos started playing the guitar at a young age and was heavily influenced by bands such as Dream Theater, Metallica, and Iron Maiden.

Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra

Edited by: Ramzi Ramman

Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

About Quartertones:

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Blu Fiefer | Independent Hip Hop from Lebanon to the World

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Blu Fiefer plays three of her songs: Sharaf, Nazele Big Champagne, and Sint El Ew. She talks about her contribution to hip-hop in Lebanon and how she uses storytelling in her music.

Blu Fiefer is a Lebanese-Mexican artist, music producer and director, approaching her art as a multi-faceted platform. Today, Fiefer readies her debut album 'Villain Bala Cause' inspired by the traditions of story-telling and testimony captured in hip-hop while paying tribute to Arabic music. The record will come out on Mafi Budget, her independent label based in Lebanon that’s focused on the Arabic Hip Hop scene emerging from the MENA region.

Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra

Edited by: Ramzi Ramman

Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

About Quartertones:

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Tunisian Classics Reimagined Through Jazz | Omar El Ouaer

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 08:17:49 +0000

Omar El Ouaer plays three of his songs: Alif Ya Soltani, Aziza, and Mana3ref Win. He tells us about Tunisian music and how he discovered Jazz.

Omar el Ouaer, a Tunisian jazz musician. He started his music education at the age of 11, studying Arabic music at the conservatory, and later discovered jazz and modern piano. He participated in various jazz workshops and played concerts with local and international musicians, including the JCT Bigband project under the direction of renowned musicians from the New York Vangard Jazz Orchestra. He is currently touring with his own project "Another Perspective" in a quartet and teaches jazz piano at the Higher Institute of Music in Tunis.

Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra

Edited by: Ramzi Ramman

Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

About Quartertones:

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Zeid Hamdan | Indie Music in Lebanon & Beyond

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 09:58:18 +0000

Zeid Hamdan introduces us to the Indie music scene in the Arab region. We listened together to songs he produced: Herzan by Soapkills and Zamel by Bedouin Burger, which he forms with Lynn Adib.

Zeid Hamdan is a Lebanese music composer. For the last 2 decades, he's been producing some of the most interesting bands of the Lebanese and regional indie music scene such as Soapkills, The New Government, Hiba Mansouri, Kanjha Kora, Maryam Saleh, Maii Waleed and his own songs under the band name "Zeid and the Wings".

Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra

Edited by: Ramzi Ramman

Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

About Quartertones:

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From Morocco to the World: the Art of Making Borderless Music | Malika Zarra

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Malika Zarra takes us on a musical journey to discover Moroccan music. She tells about her newest album "RWA (The Essence)" and about who inspires her the most, from Moroccan Hajja Hamdaouia to Lebanese Farid Al-Atrash and Algerian Warda.

Malika is a singer and composer who was born in Southern Morocco and raised in a suburb of Paris. Her musical background is a blend of French and Moroccan influences, with jazz and Arabic music being the most prominent. Her breakthrough came when she started singing in Arabic and writing new lyrics for jazz standards, which evoked a strong emotional response from her audience. In 2004, she relocated to New York City, where she developed her unique repertoire, combining Berber, Gnawa, Chaabi, French pop, and jazz music. With the release of "Berber taxi" in 2011, Malika took her place as a prominent world-jazz artist in New York's multicultural music scene.

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Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

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Expanding the Contemporary Nubian Songbook | Nesma Herky

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

On this episode of Quartertones we're talking with Nubian-rooted Egyptian singer Nesma Herky who takes us to the origins of her interest in singing. We then listen to her work starting with Amary, continuing with Ne3eesh Be3eed, and end with her rendition of Mohamed Mounir's Ya Marakby.

Nesma Herky is a marvelous Nubian rooted Egyptian singer and a skillful music composer, who is taking steady steps toward the limelight of the music scene in Egypt.

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The Music of Jewish Women in North Africa | Vanessa Paloma Elbaz

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 1 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Vanessa Paloma Elbaz talked about her research in Jewish music. We listened to Chant Juif pour la Naissance by Mme. Azeroual, Habibi Lawel by Habiba Messika, and La Llorona by Chavela Vargas.

Vanessa Paloma Duncan-Elbaz has a Ph.D. from the Sorbonne’s CERMOM research group of the INALCO (Center for Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Studies of the National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilization). Her dissertation “Contemporary Jewish Women’s Songs from Northern Morocco: Core Role and Function of a Forgotten Repertoire.” which received “félicitations du jury” was nominated for the best dissertation of the year of INALCO for 2018.

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Zeid Hamdan & Lynn Adib at Habibi Festival 2022 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 15:01:22 +0000

In this Quartertones event in collaboration with Habibi Festival held at Joe's Pub, we talked to Bedouin Burger duo artists Lynn Adib and Zeid Hamdan.

ABOUT HABIBI FESTIVAL

Created with the goal of giving a snapshot of contemporary and traditional musics of the SWANA (South West Asia North Africa) region, Habibi Festival aims to take listeners on a journey of the sounds wafting through the airwaves and living rooms of cities spanning Marrakech to Baghdad to Brooklyn. This new performing arts festival is a collaboration between the Director of Joe's Pub at the Public Theater Alex Knowlton, artist/composer/curator Yacine Boulares, and curator/producer Meera Dugal who are bonded by the goal of creating more joyful spaces for performance, conversation, and storytelling from this part of the world. Learn more at www.habibi-festival.com.

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Hatim Belyamani & Mehdi WMD at Habibi Festival 2022 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 09:12:01 +0000

In this Quartertones event in collaboration with Habibi Festival held at Joe's Pub, we talked to classical pianist Hatim Belyamani and rapper Mehdi WMD.

ABOUT HABIBI FESTIVAL

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Hosted by Meera Dugal, Habibi Festival

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Firas Zreik at Habibi Festival 2022 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 13:00:32 +0000

In this Quartertones event in collaboration with Habibi Festival held at Joe's Pub, we talked to Kanun player and composer Firas Zreik.

ABOUT HABIBI FESTIVAL

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Zahra AlZubaidi at Habibi Festival 2022 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 12:59:58 +0000

In this Quartertones event in collaboration with Habibi Festival held at Joe's Pub, we talked to maqamat and awtaar vocalist Zahra Alzubaidi.

ABOUT HABIBI FESTIVAL

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Noura Mint Seymali & Matthew Tinari at Habibi Festival 2022 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 12:59:19 +0000

In this Quartertones event in collaboration with Habibi Festival held at Joe's Pub, we talked to Mauritanian griot and singer Noura Mint Seymali and Mauritania/Senegal-based producer and musician Matthew Tinari.

ABOUT HABIBI FESTIVAL

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Nadine El Roubi | Sudanese Rap

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 11:51:22 +0000

Nadine performed three of her songs and spoke about her musical career.

Nadine El Roubi is a Sudanese artist who grew up in Virginia, she hopes to expand the understanding of what it means, and looks like, to be Arab Muslim woman. She takes inspiration from icons like Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and more. She debuted in 2018, with her first solo single “gr8ful”. She has performed in Sudan, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the UK. She will be releasing her debut EP “Triplicity” in October 2022.

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The Clarinet in Arabic Music | Kinan Azmeh

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Thu, 6 Oct 2022 11:20:55 +0000

Kinan performed three musical pieces and spoke about his work as a composer.

Originally from Damascus, Syria Kinan Azmeh is a soloist, composer, and improvisor. He has performed in places such as the Opera Bastille, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, Damascus Opera House, and more. Kinan’s compositions include several works for solo, chamber, and orchestral music, as well as music for film, live illustration, and electronics. His resent works were commissioned by The New York Philharmonic, The Seattle Symphony, The Knights Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Elbphilharmonie, etc. He has appeared as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic, the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Orchestra, the Dusseldorf Symphony, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, the Qatar Philharmonic and the Syrian Symphony Orchestra among others, and has shared the stage with such musical luminaries as Yo-Yo Ma, Daniel Barenboim, Marcel Khalife, John McLaughlin, Francois Rabbath Aynur and Jivan Gasparian. Kinan Azmeh is a graduate of New York’s Juilliard School as a student of Charles Neidich, and of both the Damascus High institute of Music where he studied with Shukry Sahwki, Nicolay Viovanof and Anatoly Moratof, and Damascus University’s School of Electrical Engineering. Kinan earned his doctorate degree in music from the City University of New York in 2013.

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Oud With Two-time Grammy-nominated Iraqi Virtuoso | Rahim AlHaj

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 11:25:17 +0000

Rahim performed 3 pieces from his work and spoke about his work as a composer and musician.

Rahim AlHaj has performed all over the world, on tour with Munir Bashir, his teacher, as well as solo and with his string quartet project, including numerous concerts in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, and France and hundreds of concerts in the United States. He has released several recordings such as The Second Baghdad, Iraqi Music in a Time of War, and Friendship His When the Soul is Settled: Music of Iraq (which was nominated for a Grammy). AlHaj's music delicately combines traditional Iraqi maqams with contemporary styling and influence. His compositions are about the experience of exile from his homeland and of new beginnings in his adopted country. He is one of the true oud masters from Iraq. AlHaj says that "my music invites the listener to discover the true spirit of the musician." His compositions are about loss, hope, freedom, and longing. His songs establish new concepts without altering the foundation of the traditional Iraqi School of oud based in Baghdad. AlHaj wrote and performed the music for the award-winning short documentary, The Rest of My Life: Stories of Trauma Survivors.

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Producing Arabic Series & Music | Firas Abou Fakher

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 5 Sep 2022 07:21:29 +0000

Firas performed three songs, spoke about starting Last Floor Productions, and his work in movie/TV composition.

Firas Abou Fakher is a Lebanese composer, producer, and writer. While attending the American University of Beirut (AUB), he co-founded Mashrou' Leila with Hamed Sinno, Haig Papazian and Carl Gerges and is the band's composer, guitarist, and keyboardist. He also co-founded Last Floor Productions with two longtime friends, writer and Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts screenwriting professor Daniel Habib and writer Nasri Atallah, and it focuses on genre film and television. The company's first production, Al Shak (Doubt), was written, shot and released during the early phase of the COVID lockdown of 2020. It was produced as a Shahid Original for the leading streaming service launched by MBC Group. Last Floor Productions second series, Fixer, was released later the same year. Both series were co-created, co-executive produced and scored by Abou Fakher.

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Lynn Adib | Exploring Arabic Music and Improvisation Through Jazz

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:28:20 +0000

Lynn Adib performed three musical pieces: Youmma, Taht El Ward & Autruche followed by a discussion.

Born and raised in Damascus, Syria. Lynn Adib is a singer, composer who has been exploring Arabic music and improvisation through Jazz music that she discovered around the age if 19 after spending years in the Choir if Joy in and learning classical flute at the National Conservatory, both in her hometown. After moving to Paris in 2009 and since the release of her Debut Album « Youmma » in 2018, Lynn has been collaborating with artists from all around the world giving birth to several projects such as « Bedouin Burger », « Yalla Queen », and preparing to release a duo album with French musician Marc Buronfosse. Lynn has a degree in Jazz studies from Paris conservatory and Pharmacy degree with masters in medical biology, she lives in Paris, France.

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The Sounds of Saudi Hip Hop | Big Hass

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:27:50 +0000

Big Hass performed four musical pieces: Iraq Cypher, Arab Femcee Cypher, Sudan Cypher & Khadsha followed by a discussion.

Hassane Dennaoui, aka “Big Hass" is the host of Saudi Arabia's first and only FM hip-hop radio show Laish Hip-Hop? and is also founder of Re-Volt Blog and Re-Volt Magazine. He hosted the radio show Spitter with Big Hass at Sole DXB 2019.

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Arabic Musicology | Youmna Saba

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:27:25 +0000

Youmna Saba performed three pieces: Al Sobh (الصبح), Madd W Jazr (مد وجزر) & Hubut (هبوط), followed by a discussion.

Youmna Saba (Beirut, 1984) is a musician and musicologist whose current research focuses on the musical dimension(s) of the Arabic language, as a tool to generate new methods of working with electronics. She released 4 albums to this day and collaborated with musicians of different backgrounds, like Kamilya Jubran (PL), Mike Cooper (GB), Jean Marc Montera (FR), Floy Krouchi (FR), Kyungso Park (SK), among others. She took part in international programs and residencies (Hwaeom Residency, South Korea 2017, Sound Development City, 2016, Gyeonggi Creation Center, South Korea 2013...) and is a 3-time laureate of the music residency program at La Cité Internationale des Arts, in Paris (2020-2021). Youmna holds a master’s degree in Musicology, focusing mainly on the parallels between classical Arabic music and Arabic visual art.

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TootArd | West Asian Disco

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:27:04 +0000

Toot Ard performed three musical pieces: Moonlight, Trouble Watan & Wanderlust.

TootArd, Arabic for "Strawberry", was formed in 2010 by brothers Hasan and Rami Nakhleh. All band members grew up in Majdal Shams. The band started by performing in the Golan Heights, later travelling to Jerusalem, Palestine and Europe. The band's style is mixed. Their first album, Nuri Andaburi, is heavily inspired by reggae music. Their second album, Laissez Passer, combines Tuareg style with psychedelic rock. In general, the band refers to their style as "mountain rock reggae", in reference to their limestone mountainside hometown.

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Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

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Saxophone & Arabic Rhythms | Basel Rajoub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:26:43 +0000

Basel Rajoub performed three musical pieces: Tashkent, duclar improvisation & Devil's Whistle.

Basel Rajoub is a worldwide known saxophonist and composer. His music can be described as contemporary tradition-based music inspired by Middle Eastern rhythms, melodic modes and jazz.

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Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

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Andalusian Form Muwashah & the Traditional Arabic Music of the 19th & 20th Century | Rima Khcheich

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:26:23 +0000

Rima Khcheich performed three musical pieces: Al Sama'a wel Rah, Harram El Noum & Washwishni.

Rima Khcheich is well renowned for having given its rebirth to the Andalusian form Muwashah, as well as to the traditional Arabic repertoire of the 19th and 20th Century that she both teaches and explores.

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Le Trio Joubran & Oud-making | Adnan Joubran

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:26:00 +0000

In this Quartertones event, we listened to Adnan Joubran as he performed three musical pieces followed by a discussion.

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Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

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Playing the Qanun | Firas Zreik

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:25:34 +0000

In this Quartertones event, we listened to Firas Zreik as he performed three musical pieces: Taksim, Zawraq & Refractions.

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Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

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Yacine Boulares, Meera Dugal, Kinan Azmeh & Alex Knowlton at Habibi Fest 2021 | Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:25:10 +0000

In this Quartertones event in collaboration with Habibi Festival held at Joe's Pub, we talked to Festival Co-Founder and Musical Director Yacine Boulares, Festival Co-Founder Meera Dugal, clarinet player Kinan Azmeh, and Joe's Pub Director Alex Knowlton about the ethos of the festival and opening night performance featuring AJOYO. Learn more at www.habibi-festival.com.

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Esraa Warda at Habibi Festival 2021 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:24:35 +0000

In this Quartertones event in collaboration with Habibi Festival held at Joe's Pub, we talked to North African dancer and educator Esraa Warda.

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Innov Gnawa at Habibi Festival 2021 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:23:35 +0000

In this Quartertones event in collaboration with Habibi Festival held at Joe's Pub, we talked to musicians of the Moroccan band Innov Gnawa.

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Alsarah & Haig Papazian at Habibi Festival 2021 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:23:16 +0000

In this Quartertones event in collaboration with Habibi Festival held at Joe's Pub, we talked to Sudanese musician Alsarah from Alsarah & The Nubatones and violinist Haig Papazian.

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Hip-hop in Lebanon, Syria & Palestine | Chyno

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:22:49 +0000

In this Quartertones event, we listened to Chyno as he performed three musical pieces: 2020 Vision, Kayfouni & Fresh Money.

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Narcy | Hip Hop & IRAQ-A-FELLA

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:22:25 +0000

In this Quartertones event, we listened to Narcy as he performed three musical pieces; SPACE, The Tribe Called Red, and Thoughts and Prayers.

Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra

Edited by: Ramzi Ramman

Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

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Composing on Oud | Clarissa Bitar

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:21:57 +0000

In this Quartertones event, we listened to Clarissa Bitar as she performed three musical pieces; taqasim, bayari & al-mizan.

Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra

Edited by: Ramzi Ramman

Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/a

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Violin & Maqam | Layth Sidiq

mikey@afikra.com (afikra) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:21:18 +0000

In this Quartertones event, we listened to Layth Sidiq as he performed three musical pieces, of which two are composed by him and talked to him about these pieces.

Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra

Edited by: Ramzi Ramman

Theme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/

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