The Queen of Arabic music, Samira Saeed, long anticipated release of her fourteenth album, “Aweeny beek”, showed us that there is still much more we can expect from her in the future. Vibrant and with a great deal of energy, Saeed sat down with Insight to discuss life, her career, music and the road ahead. This Moroccan has surprised many with her latest release, not the least her new hair color. It was a great honor to have the opportunity to sit with Saeed at her home in Cairo, where she showed Insight the real Samira. by Joseph S. Mayton & Ola Naguib Aweeny beek Although it had been two years since her “Youm Wara Youm” release, Saeed makes up for any doubts fans may have had with “Aweeny beek.” Reminiscent of American hip-hop stars Outkast, Saeed doesn’t shy away from doing something outside the norm of traditional Arabic pop music. Although she said it was not her intention, this CD has European, particularly Spanish and Portuguese, rhythms and beats written throughout. Drawing from the constantly changing attitudes in music, this album is a beautiful combination of Arabic and Iberian sounds. “People want to see change and I wanted to do something new,” Saeed said. Undoubtedly, she has succeeded in doing such. Her rasping voice is superbly used to give the listener numerous styles, which only she could pull off. From the hit title track, the ballads and upbeat tracks, one cannot but be impressed with the talent of Saeed. The album is so good that it is near impossible to choose which track is the best. It is better not to and just let the entire album play through, over and over. I asked Saeed if she has ever been compared to Shakira, in the way she combines “Western” music and “Arabic” music with her voice that sounds very similar to the Latin American sensation. “No, but Shakira’s voice is beautiful so I don’t mind in the least,” she responded to the compliment. “Fe Khayalee” has the entire trademark Shakira sounds. However, we must keep in mind that Saeed has been around for two decades, so we should probably be comparing Shakira to Saeed instead of the other way around. Despite taking two years to create “Aweeny beek,” the wait was definitely worth it. Both, Westerner and Arab alike will easily enjoy this album. Saeed was open about the influence the West has had on her music saying, “with globalization the same equipment and techniques are used here in Egypt as in Europe, so obviously the sounds will continue to come closer having been influenced by each other,” Saeed said. This is true, because more and more Westerners are using “oriental” sounds in their music, so it is no wonder that Saeed has drawn from the sounds of the world. This is what she refers to as ‘loops.’ These loops are helping create more dynamic sounds in music throughout the globe. Although she is humble at giving credit to others, it is apparent that this album is a drastic change from the usual Arabic music that is being released these days. Very few artists have the talent and credibility to combine such a fusion of sounds Saeed created. She says that in order to maintain creative and popular music an artist must “continue looking for new ideas that surprise people.” She continues on, declaring, “I do not want to stop now. I don’t know where I will go from here, but I am sure to continue to develop new music. Music gives me a thrill.” Saeed says this is the difference from those who are lasting singers in the Arab world. It is easy for artists to come out with a popular song, based on looks or dancing, but she says that the key to staying on top is having a song that has excellent lyrics and a beat that with keep the listener attentive months after the song has been released. It is hard to disagree with her, as her music continues to be played throughout the cafés and restaurants of the Middle East, almost as often as her concerts sell out at any arena she chooses to perform at. Pressing the Issues We discussed her music for a while before I turned to a more serious round of questions about her career and how she sees herself as a musician. Always a hot topic in the Middle East, especially for foreigners is the subject of women in the region. I asked her if she thinks her music can be a source of empowerment for women. Her response was not what I had initially expected. “Music and song can convey strong messages. In the past I would sing about women being able to tell their men that they didn’t want to stay and I think this does help women see that they can have power in their lives. This may have helped to strengthen women and make them more independent. Women change and I may help in my music.” It is obvious that she is an independent woman, which can lead more Arab women to connect with the many messages throughout her music. Asked about her much talked about dispute with Amr Diab, Saeed shows strength. “It was mine,” referring to Lealy Nahary, Diab’s newest hit. However she tells us that even though it was first offered to her, the same composer who does much of Diab’s music wrote it, supposedly offered it to Diab as well. She said she liked it, but when Diab also showed interest in the song, they sat down and discussed whom it would be better for. After she had listened to Diab’s version of the song, Saeed said, “I like Amr’s song and wanted him to do it.” This shows the respect of an experienced artist, something the world rarely witnesses in today’s world. Showing this strength of a great artist, she allowed Diab to release the song, but that did not stop her from taking center-stage with her own release. Always a question on every journalists mind when talking to Arabic music stars is acting. I asked Saeed if she has thought about acting. To my surprise she had already acted. “A long time ago I did (acted) in Morocco, but now I do not really feel like I want to. But I do not feel like it is entirely out of the question,” she said. To be sure, she has received many calls asking for her to act in the myriad films produced in the region, but she was adamant that she is happy with her music career and wants to keep it going, adding that she wants to make it stronger and better than ever. Inspiration “My friends and family have helped me throughout my musical career,” Saeed commented about the inspirations in her life. It is hard to think that she has needed much inspiration in her career, but she is a regular human being like any of us. People standing by to guide and support us are always welcome. She said that no person in particular was the inspiration for her musical career, “but obviously Abdel el Haleem had a great influence on me,” Saeed reveals. Haleem, one of the icons of Arabic music, discovered Saeed in Morocco and brought her to Cairo where she hasn’t looked back since, creating album after album to please the entire region. “I still stand on real ground, like anyone in the world,” she said. This belief that she is no different from the average person who listens to her music is inspiring. Surprisingly this is exactly the perception I had as I walked out of her home; this woman is for real; there is no outer crust that has to be broken away to see into the real person behind the star. She is a star that more “up and coming” artists should emulate. Unlike the majority of music stars in the world, Saeed is a combination of star and reality that makes you feel you aren’t talking with someone who has produced fourteen amazing albums which has made her a household name throughout the entire Middle East. As a Western journalist it amazed me the ease she was able to openly discuss issues relating to her music. I did not sense a hint of arrogance in her personality. She has ample reason to show off, but her best quality is probably the way she allows her music to speak for itself. It appeared that she was very happy, a trait hard to find in the world of music today. Her ability to continue to put out great music year after year, is not only bewildering, but knowing how difficult it is to change in the music business, it reveals that no matter how beautiful an artist may be, which Saeed certainly is, you have to have the talent and abilities necessary if you are to make it to the top and maintain that position over years, let alone decades which Saeed has accomplished. It is difficult to predict what is in store for Saeed in the coming years, after two amazing albums have made certain she has no plans to exit the music stage any time soon. In an ever-changing business, Saeed deserves all the credit she has received. After beginning her career in Morocco, she has persevered throughout the years, giving the Arabic music world great album after great album. Saeed is a testament to the power of music in the Middle East. While her latest release, “Aweeny beek,” is an amazing fusion of her many talents, I can only hope she doesn’t take two more years to release a new album. Her talent will continue to carry her to new heights, bringing Arabic music more and more exquisite sounds. If you don’t go out and buy Saeed’s album you are truly missing one of the best Arabic music records produced in recent years. Not since her “Youm Wara Youm” album has the Middle East witnessed a display of talent shown in Saeed’s, “Aweeny beek.”
The arabic proverb says: The chick drills only the eye of his brother!! This conforms on u! It is not me or u who guarantee Samira's value! Ask legend of world music!!! Any way, It seems that Samira will cry under your door so that you admit of her art after the great names of arabic music & after 35 years of success!! I'm really wrong 2 enter this forum!!!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/26/2005 03:49 by arbouch.
Dear arbouch, I really have nothing but respect for your taste in music, but I really did not mean to disqualify your taste, I’m however surprise that anyone in the world would talk about this singer as a Diva. Divas are people who reach the summit the way only Umkalthoum Allah yerherma has done, everybody else is of a very different level, much lower than that of the real and only Diva Umkalthum. I do not see what you mean by the example you gave above; do you mean that we have to love her because she's from morocco? In that case, I agree with you, I’ll go for that, but if what you want is an honest judgment of talent, I'm sorry, she's nowhere to be found. Cheers,
And no, you're not wrong to enter this forum, you are amongst friends here.
You nominate her as diva, may be you exaggerate a little bit.
Of course, taste is a subjective matter and it’s hardly difficult to give a universal judgment. Two years ago, I bought her CD because of the song that make with chab mami and beyond this I really don’t appreciate the other songs.
Honestly, I’m not fond of her and that doesn’t mean that she’s a bad singer. It’s not my intention.
In addition, I don’t understand Egyptian’s language which complicates certainly my judgment about her.
The lion asked the mule who is ur father? He answered, I'm the nephew of the horse! The horse is my uncle!! He didn't want 2 say that his father is the ass!!!!!! Ur problem, that u consider art as a simple animation or a personal taste!! While art is a culture of the people, is a coutry's civilization! I didn't speak about Oum Kalsoum, and I didn't make any comparison between "kawkab al sharq" and Samira Saeed & I challenge u if u like oum Kalsoum + than me! My article was about a Moroccan vitrine, who was able to put a foot on the Arabic artistic scene and was able 2 impose herself in a hard scene Full of thistles! The article is limited by a name, Samira realizes successes in everywhere!! U r free 2 love her or no!! 2 respect her or no! Each is free, but u can not cover the sun by a sieve. The truth it's that Samira Saeed was able 2 resist, she continues her successes, she was able 2 attract millions of fans for her and she gave a beautiful image in favour of the Moroccan artists & She acquired the challenge!!!! Ahmad Zewil, Nobel prize, is never attended in a concert and he made in Samira Saeed's concert! he felt that Samira expresses himself!! Then it is his taste as u have ur tastes!!!!
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/27/2005 12:45 by arbouch.
I can see that you're not happy because we do not share your opinion, it's ok to disagree, and there's no need to tell jokes about horses, mules or even mosquitoes. The only issue I see in your post is the name Diva, it's a name despite my love for singers like Najat Essaghirah, Fayrouz and Wardah, I will hesitate to give them that name, I feel no one deserve it but Umkalthum. Don’t be mad nor unhappy with our choices, it's just that we see art in a very different way, and that's OK, I'm sure that our age difference also has lot to do with it. May be I'm from what they call THE OLD SCHOOL.
Firstly i'd like 2 tell u that I believe in difference of opinions and each has the right 2 express freely, but there r some conditions of logic, reason, justice & honesty which command us.. I don't c that the taste is related 2 the age!!I love Oum Kalthoum, Abdel Halim since my childhood where my friends loved other names the one like Michal Jackson, the other like Bob Marley and we are all friends of the same age!! I'm 30 years old now & i like Samira since 1983.. Any way i'm not sad because of u but I don't c that u respected my point Whether it's u or the other (elcapone) which I c that he doesn't sharing ur taste!! I don't know but that is what I noticed!! Best regards et veuillez agréer mes sincères salutations! Merci!
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/28/2005 04:42 by arbouch.
<<< "The lion asked the mule who is ur father? He answered, I'm the nephew of the horse! The horse is my uncle!! He didn't want 2 say that his father is the ass!!!!!! >>>
I think the mule has got a good response. I tend to consider him close to politician, very clever and always give you the right answer which has no link with the question.
<<< Ur problem, that u consider art as a simple animation or a personal taste!! While art is a culture of the people, is a coutry's civilization! I didn't speak about Oum Kalsoum, and I didn't make any comparison between "kawkab al sharq" and Samira Saeed & I challenge u if u like oum Kalsoum + than me!>>>
Some kind of art contributes to improve art civilization but Saeed is product of business entertainment and nothing else. You must to be very realistic my friend. Saeed is only one parameter to sell business music of multinational company.
<<<“My article was about a Moroccan vitrine, who was able to put a foot on the Arabic artistic scene and was able 2 impose herself in a hard scene Full of thistles! The article is limited by a name, Samira realizes successes in everywhere!! U r free 2 love her or no!! 2 respect her or no! Each is free, but u can not cover the sun by a sieve. The truth it's that Samira Saeed was able 2 resist, she continues her successes, she was able 2 attract millions of fans for her and she gave a beautiful image in favour of the Moroccan artists & She acquired the challenge!!!!>>>
It’s true, but what do you win behind this success? However, how can you measure the positive impact on morocco’s image? Do you believe that chab mami has got a positive image to Algeria? For me, no!!!
<<"Ahmad Zewil, Nobel prize, is never attended in a concert and he made in Samira Saeed's concert! he felt that Samira expresses himself!! Then it is his taste as u have ur tastes!!!!">>
What is commonly known as a question of the taste. Believe me my friend.
Well my friend, I'll agree with u that Samira doesn't represent moroccan song, she doesn't represent moroccan art but we can't ignore that she represents Morocco as a Moroccan and she represents the image of the Moroccan artists. everybody expresses his admiration 2 this Moroccan who imposed herself and fought against this big number of artists in middle east!!! It'sn't easy that a singer wins bbc award or Monaco award and Samira is the "only" Arabic singer who take them! It's true that Samira works 4 herself and her business as everybody, but generally, she is an artist who presents an art 2 the public, it's the culture, sure that she won't satisfy all, but what's sure that she was able 2 impose her art in a vaster scene... U r talking about Cheb Mami, yes he represents Algeria not Algerian art, as Zine eddine Zidane, he is playing in France and in favour of French selection, but Algerians encourages him and supports him coz they estimate that Zidane represents a nation called Algeria!! This way doesn't need philosophy 2 prove it!!! It's the life!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/28/2005 02:23 by arbouch.
Hi everyone, Well, I would like to thank brother Arbouch for all what he wrote about Samira. I would like to tell you all to rethink and try to see how samira made us moroccans proud, because she is moroccan. You should see how they treat Samira in Egypt or any other contry, they treat her as a big diva, so us moroccans need to be proud of her and admit her success and power, not trash her just because she is successful. This is jeoulousy, sorry but that what seems to me. Tarik.
Well Tarik, thnq 2 support me. I c that some people must really change their mentalities.. Samira makes efforts and works 2 raise the Moroccan flag, and I think that all Moroccans have 2 be proud of their stars or their representatives who managed 2 remain on the top! Samira is successful & she proved her capacity of adaptation, 2 be flexible with changes, and to face difficulties!! Samira doesn't need our justification coz she is on the road of success since + than 30 years, and she deserves the respect & appreciation instead of being assaulted from this or other... Sure, every successful collides in some prblms from who want 2 put the stick in the wheel, but with Samira's capacity they.... I'm really sorry! Any way, my last news it's that Samira now is in Morocco & i hope that u can meet her & plz don't 4get 2 pass her my warm greetings! Best regards & thnq.
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