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Amr Diab unites with Ruby's business manager

Prominent Egyptian singer Amr Diab is in the preparation of filming a new music video “Wihkaytak Aih” (What Is Your Story) under the direction of Sharif Sabri, business manager of controversial singer Ruby. Filming of the song is scheduled to begin during May, and complete secrecy surrounds it. The singer and the director refused to reveal any details regarding the clip, stressing they want to keep it a surprise for Amr’s fans. Diab decided to screen his latest music video for the song “Wi Malo” (What If) in cinema houses across Egypt, a precedent for an Arab music video. Amr filmed the clip in London with a budget of over 2 million Egyptian pounds under the direction of two international directors, who directed clips for Sting, also a first for an Arab music video. Critics have described the clip as one of the best in Arabic music history.

Link to full story © 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

Amr & Nancy in Germany

AMR DIAB will be performing in Essen Germany with Nancy Ajram:

Date: Saturday, 27 May 2006
Time: 21:00
Price: from 50-60 Euros
Place: Grugahalle Essen Norbertstrasse 2, 45131 Essen
Tel.: 0201 / 72 44 290 Fax: 0201 / 72 44 500

more info soon

AUC concert rumours

A concert held at the American University in Cairo last week gave rise to a dispute between prominent Egyptian pop star Amr Diab and rising singer Mohammad Hamaqi. Hamaqi was supposed to join Amr in his annual performance on campus, a tradition of Amr to motivate students. Advertisements were made for the concert that announced Hamaqi’s participation, but he refused to sing according to Amr's conditions. Rumors claim that Amr requested Hamaqi lip sync without a band, and he decided to withdraw shortly before the concert. Event sponsor, Shady Majdi, claims Amr never placed any conditions upon Hamaqi’s performance.

Link - Al Bawaba

2006 Billboards in Cairo

These posters are everywhere in the country although this one is definitely the largest one I saw, here photographed from the vantage point of Cairo Tower.

Amr Diab longs for the cinema

Ten years after his last appearance on the big screen, prominent Egyptian pop star Amr Diab signed a contract with scenarist Midhat Al Adel to write a new film especially for him, and has now broken the contract. According to the London based weekly, Sayidaty, Diab had requested that the film revolve around his personal journey throughout his career and how he overcame so many obstacles to reach stardom. Al Adel wrote the script, but instead of having Amr take the role, it was given to young actor Ahmad Al Sakka. Sources claim disputes over Diab’s payment arose.

Amr claims that he was the one who rejected the film because it did not suit him or reflect his real journey, describing the script as “weak.” Amr stated that he is seeking a respectful and dignified film that is well written and reflects his personality and his actual struggle to fame in a realistic manner. He wants to act in a film that matches his stardom and history, and will mark a major milestone in his career, he added.

On a different note, Diab had decided to screen his latest music video for the song “Wi Malo” (What If) in cinema houses around Egypt, a precedent for an Arab music video. Amr filmed the clip in London with a budget of over 2 million Egyptian pounds under the direction of two international directors, who directed clips for Sting, also a first for an Arab music video.
Critics have described the clip as one of the best in Arabic music history. In the past Amr chose touristy locations in Egypt to film his clips; however he felt the new song required a special filming location, in addition to a highly qualified filming crew, that would have been difficult to bring to Egypt.

Diab’s recent album "Kamil Kalamak" (Finish Your Words), featuring ten songs, was chosen as the ‘best album for 2005’ and the song "Kamil Kalamak" was chosen as ‘best song.’ - © 2006 Al Bawaba
Link

Montreal concert

Dandanah

I've just returned from Egypt and, let me tell you, ringtones are "in" and Amr Diab ringtones are among the most coveted on the streets of Cairo, or Salum for that matter. Apologies for not bringing you timely reviews of the North American tour but my own tour of Egypt and the 2006 Total Eclipse took precidence in this case. Give me a few days and I'll try to dig up the concert reviews and definitely upload some Amr Diab street posters. In the meantime, following article follows on the ringtone theme.

MobileCom increases its 'Dandanah' service reach for its customers

MobileCom, part of the Jordan Telecom Group, announced that the company has increased its network's capacity for its 'Dandanah' service after less than eight months from introducing the service for the first time.The move comes to meet its customers' growing demand for the popular service, which allows them to replace their former waiting ring tone with a new collection of special songs and ring tones, the company said. "Committed to offer a unique set of services, MobileCom, since launching 'Dandanah', signed several contracts with the most celebrated Jordanian and Arab singers such as Omar Al Abdullat, Nancy Ajram, Amr Diab, Fadel Shaker, Haiyfa Wahbi and many more.

Full article