Arabic pop

Arabic pop music, or Arab pop music, is a special kind of music that mixes regular pop music with sounds from different parts of the Arabic world. It started mostly in Cairo, Egypt, with Beirut, Lebanon, also helping to make it popular. After the year 2000, places in the Gulf countries began making their own style called Khaleeji pop music.

This music combines pop tunes with traditional Arabic styles, often called ughniyah or "Arabic song" in English. It uses instruments like electric guitars and electronic keyboards, along with traditional Middle Eastern instruments such as the oud and darbukka.

Many Arabic pop songs have a feeling of longing, sadness, or thoughts about love. The growth of Arabic pop was helped a lot by music videos that started to appear in the late 1970s. These videos were shown on television, which helped more people see and enjoy the music, especially younger fans.

Songwriting, recording and distribution formats

The path to becoming a star in Arab pop music is quite different from what you might see in Western music. Usually, a producer creates the whole song, from the music to the words, no matter how talented the singer is. Most music is recorded in studios, just like in Western pop music. But live albums have also been popular, with famous singers like Asalah and the Egyptian legend Umm Kulthum.

Music was first released as single records, then on cassettes, and later on CDs. By the mid-2010s, streaming services became common, allowing songs to be released as singles again. There are no official music charts or awards because the business is informal and many copies are made without permission. In the mid-2000s, ringtone charts were made but were not very accurate because of unlicensed copies. Many artists earn money from ringtone downloads, endorsements, and live shows.

Live performances are often organized by record labels. These can be big concerts or smaller private events like weddings. Music TV channels and shows, such as Arabs Got Talent, are very popular in the Middle East and North Africa. Rotana is a big company that runs many music channels and works with top Arab pop artists.

There are big differences between the Western music business and the Arabic music business. Unlike in the West, there are rarely managers, agents, or PR systems. Record labels are usually huge companies that control music videos, music channels, and distribution, as well as the artists' careers. Aspiring Arab singers create a video demo and send it to satellite channels, and then a record label might sign them.

With the Internet and social media, it has become easier for Arab pop musicians to reach audiences across the region and beyond. Since the 2000s, there has been more focus on brand deals for Arab pop stars. Some people criticize this, saying it takes away from the traditional culture of the music.

Artistic expression and public response

Arab pop music often focuses on love and romance, using words like habibi (my darling) and qalbi (my sweetheart). It rarely talks about topics that are not allowed in Islam, such as alcohol. It also doesn’t often mention politics, though big events like the Gulf War have inspired some songs, like a 1991 hit called "Saddam Saddam" that supported Saddam Hussein.

Music videos in Arab pop are very popular with young people in the Levant and North Africa. Some places, like the Gulf countries, sometimes ban or change videos they think are not right. Countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Tunisia, and Morocco are more relaxed about this. Lebanon is known for being more open to new ideas and often shows how other Arab countries might react to Western music trends.

Even though Arab pop seems modest compared to music in other places, some female singers have faced criticism for their style. Their playful words, outfits, and dancing have upset some people in more traditional areas. Artists like Samira Said, Nancy Ajram, Nawal El Zoghbi, Latifa, Assala, Amal Hijazi, Elissa, and Haifa Wehbe have sometimes been asked not to perform in certain countries. For example, a video by Samira Said in 2002 was not allowed to play in Egypt because some thought it was too bold.

Arab pop music can talk about many different ideas — it might show what it means to be Arab, focus on the country, or talk about love and relationships. Like musicians everywhere, Arab pop stars have also spoken out about important issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently, they have talked about topics like women's rights, domestic violence, and mental health, with artists such as Elissa leading the way.

Empowerment through artistic expression

Many of today’s most influential Arab pop stars are from Lebanon, such as Nancy Ajram, Elissa, Nawal Al Zoghbi, and Haifa Wehbe. Their popularity is partly because they challenge old ideas about gender through their songs and videos. Lebanon’s more open culture helps these artists share new ideas. Over time, beauty ideas have also changed. While some singers look more like styles from Europe, many others, like Nancy Ajram, Haifa, Ruby, and Elissa, celebrate their natural dark hair and use makeup that fits their culture.

These singers help shape what people think about identity and culture in Arab countries. Their music and videos start conversations and, even when they cause debate, they help create a shared feeling of being Arab across many nations. With the help of TV and online services, Arab pop brings together people from different places, helping build a common Arab identity.

Audiences of Arabic pop

The main audience for Arabic pop music is younger people who love music, gaming, and watching television. While it is especially popular with young Arab adults, older fans also enjoy it. Most fans live in the Arab World, but Arabic pop has been popular in Europe since the 1990s, especially in the French Top 20. Fans can also be found in communities of people from Arabic-speaking countries living in places like France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ukraine, Canada, and the United States. Some fans discover Arabic pop through DJs playing it in dance clubs or from Western belly dance enthusiasts.

In Australia, SBS Radio broadcasts Arabic pop on a special radio show called PopAraby. Many artists can speak several languages and perform songs in languages like French and Spanish.

History of Arabic pop

The early days of Arabic pop featured a more traditional style of music. Famous artists like Umm Kulthum helped make it okay for women to sing in public. Songs were often very long, sometimes lasting over 10 to 30 minutes, and were broadcast on the radio.

Later, in the 1950s to 1970s, Arabic pop started to change. Songs became shorter, around 5 to 20 minutes, and artists like Abdel Halim Hafez and Fairuz became very popular. By the 1980s, new artists brought in more Western sounds, mixing them with traditional Arabic music.

In the 1990s and today, Arabic pop grew even more. Artists like Amr Diab and Elissa used modern tools and mixed Arabic and Western music. Recently, a new style called "A-pop" or "Arabizi" has become popular, especially among young people living far from their homeland. This style mixes English and other languages with traditional Arab music and instruments. Artists like Elyanna and Omar Offendum are part of this exciting new trend.