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Author and music journalist Dany Hajjar says that until recently, Arab music was used by American and European studios and popular media in a “very Oriental” way, using racist metaphors. . But music streaming apps like Spotify and platforms like TikTok have made music more accessible and allowed new Arabic music genres to bloom, Hajjar told PBS NewsHour’s Deema Zain. told.
These platforms are increasingly giving “Arab creators and creators from the region and the diaspora the space to use their music in ways our music has not been used before,” he said. .
What was once relegated to the controversial sampling of Egyptian music on Jay-Z’s track is now being relegated to long-time stars of the Arabic music scene like Nancy Ajram and the song “Sah Sah” by Marshmello and others. It has evolved into a complete collaboration.
Watch the conversation in the player above.
Once reserved for community weddings and cultural events, this music is now everywhere from the World Cup to Coachella, from the underground music scene to Spotify charts and TikTok trends. .
“Now, for example, you’ve got Arab-Americans and Arabic-speaking people who aren’t around as much. They’re trying to do it now. They’re trying to sing it.” Hajar said.
That change is exemplified by the rise of Egyptian artist Weghs. He became the most streamed Arab artist on Spotify in 2022. He also performed at the last World Cup held in Qatar, the first Arab and Muslim country to host the World Cup. To reflect this new reality, Spotify this year signed a deal with Rotana Music, the Middle East’s largest record label, to bring more than 10,000 Arabic songs to its platform.
Especially after September. Hajar said this kind of positive and constructive expression is important. “There was also a certain fear of wanting to be ourselves outside the community,” Hajjar said, adding that with the new movement in Arabic music, “we now have the ability to be completely ourselves and speak a different language.” I feel like I’ve become able to do that a little bit more,” he added. In Arabic, colloquially with people who don’t know the language etc. ”
“Music has the advantage of being music. It’s not speech. It’s not a book. It doesn’t really matter if you understand what’s being said. If you feel it, you feel it. It’s instinctive. “It’s a thing,” said Philip. Manasseh is a Lebanese artist based in Montreal.
However, as Arab music’s profile grows, the artists in the (still small) spotlight are not necessarily representative of the crowds that make up this diverse community. “There was very little space for our community,” Manasseh said. And it’s unfortunate that sometimes places are occupied by people who shouldn’t be there, and they’re just there because of money and power and all sorts of industry structures. ”
Even if artists are able to break out, there are still concerns that their music will be diluted or misappropriated. Manasseh said it was a concern he shared when he learned of Palestinian-Chilean singer-songwriter Elianna’s historic performance at this year’s Coachella, where she performed her entire set in Arabic. She said she hopes she can continue to perform in Arabic and not be forced to write in English to sell more.
“We want the people who are actually involved, the DJs, the producers, the songwriters, whoever is listening, the independent artists, to be involved in the process. “They are certainly at the table in a real sense, not just some kind of token sense,” Hajjar added.
Sampling and collaborations have so far helped highlight Arab music, but having it fully represented and expressed by Arab artists themselves is the next step for this movement.
“It’s about artists from the region showcasing music from the region and talent from the region,” Manasseh said. “We’re taking space. We’re not taking space from anyone. We’re just taking space.” And they’re doing it beautifully.
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