When we announced the concept of [Electro . Arabian . House] , the series and tie first two parts earlier this month, we received nothing but an amazingly positive reaction…this started from all our listeners and fans, followed by fan pages of Amr Diab / David Guetta / Tamer Hosny / Tiesto and then onto Diab FM, Amr Diab’s official radio station! Then, on the day of that air play….we get this cheeky tweet from Lebanese superstar Nancy Arjram! :)
She asked and we can’t say no!…specially considering that she is my favourite Arab female artist at the moment…
So we got to work… ;)
Considering the Nancy does not do a lot of house / trance songs, we had to chose a genre to go with her slightly faster (in tempo) songs and beats and it had to be DUBSTEP!
This mix will be a first of a kind so keep an eye on the blog next week for some ground breaking heat!
Let me introduce you to Part 3: SKRILLEX VS NANCY
The most elegant lady in Arabic music, Nancy Ajram will soundclash with the King of hard, earth shattering Dubstep Skrillex! The American musical genius who took over this originally UK genre and made it his very own….
All with a Funky Pharaoh flavor!
The best wat to describe this mix is that its like ” a reeeeeaaallly sour Mojito with a super sweet spoon of Syrup and fresh mint leaves on top”
The passing of the superstar Warda ( Warda Al Jazairia) last week sent waves of shock and deep sadness through the world…. and here in Funky Pharaoh Music too!
Even Though she has not given us a lot of music in the recent years, but her presence with us made us feel safe… It made us feel that there is still someone alive, kicking and with us from the most significant and important era of Arabic music ever! When people went to concerts and sat quietly to enjoy a song 30+ minutes long or gathered around the radio for hours tirelessly waiting for their star to appear….
But sadness will not allow us to improve and develop… It will not allow us to continue in her beautiful foot steps!
I always prefer celebrating the lost person’s life and success more than mourn their death and today I will do JUST THAT!
Let me introduce you to “Forever Warda” !
A new medley of my favourite songs from the amazing legend!
Please note: this is not a DJ mix! Its just a medley!
I will soon be sharing the soundcloud link with you.
I hope you enjoy her memory as much as I enjoyed doing this.
Musicians in general … DJ’s specially! We don’t just hear music, we SEE music! We associate our most beautiful melodies and artists with colors, objects and beautiful things in life!
Today, we’ve lost a FLOWER…a ROSE!
A voice full of color, life, melody, beauty and EMOTIONS!! A voice we held with us and heard as she sang to our ears AND hearts! … melodies of love, life, heartbreak and nationalism! She loved us, she loved life, she loved BALEEGH, she loved Algeria, she loved Egypt…and we loved her back with all our hearts!
I type and refuse to hold back my tears as they run down my face!
Today we lost one of the last few remaining GREAT ONES!
We lost the beautiful, amazing, perfect Warda Al Jazaerya!!
Inna Lillah Wa Inna Elayh Raje’oon! We will miss you soooooo much but you will never be forgotten our dear lady! :’( xxx
This is a big step for all of us here at Funky Pharaoh and we would like to share it with you!
We’ve received an amazing response on our “ Guetta Vs Diab ” Mix, which released as part of the [Electro.Arabian.House] Series last week…But this is one of our most exciting testimonials to date!
I am very proud to announce that Diab FM, Amr Diab’s Official online radio will be exclusively featuring our mix on their Tuesday show, Ne’oul Eih presented by Bakry Khaled!
Make sure you tune in at 2pm London time (3pm Cairo Time) and give the mix support and love!!
As promised, this month we will be releasing TWO not one mixtapes!
And here is part two of the [Electro.Arabian.House] Series!
” Guetta Vs Diab “
Is there a lot that we need to say about both these two amazing artists?
David Guetta - The world’s number ONE DJ and producer of the last few years as voted by more than a million people worldwide…with more sell out gigs and number one hits than we could name at this moment in time!
Amr Diab - The king of Arab pop with a career that spends over 20+ years and number one hits in more than 50 countries!
Put the two together with DJ Funky Pharaoh’s twist and you’ll get to see how amazing they could both sound in ONE mix!
The announcement of the [Electro.Arabian.House] series a few weeks back has brought a lot of excitement to us and all our fans, readers and listeners alike :)
It is finally time for us and all of you who love the way we blend Electro music and Arabian music to have a titled genre specific to us and for us to work on it and make it bigger… We will watch it grow and grow with it :)
It is our pleasure to now introduce you to the first part of the series, titled ” Tiesto Vs Tamer “
In this mix, you will hear DJ Funky Pharaoh blend some of Tiesto’s most thumping and dance floor filling beats seamlessly blended and remixed with Egyptian Star, Tamer Hosny’s gorgeous Melodies!
Since The Funky Pharaoh music team lead by myself, DJ Funky Pharaoh entered the music scene, we released a wide variety of mixes, remixes and Mash-ups…most of which focused on blending the best in Arabian Music with the best in the Electronic Dance Music world (EDM). This has allowed us to fine-tune our sound until it became a signature of our very own… a Sub-genre instantly recognisable by all our friends, fans and listeners and one that can never be undermined! Just like Dubstep, Electro, Dirty Dutch…etc our genre has finally been labelled (by our very own SamiSam) and it is time to put a name to the the sound!
Let me introduce you to the world of [Electro . Arabian . House]
Those of you who follow us on twitter would have noticed that I tweeted this interesting name a few times! …and to celebrate this monumental step, I will introduce you to our brand new series of Mixtapes…. The [ELECTRO . ARABIAN . HOUSE] SERIES!
To celebrate the sound and introduce it to a bigger audience, we shall release a series of mixtapes that SoundClash an amazing artist from the Middle East with another from the Electro dance world to produce a unique sound only achievable by us…one that even they did not know was possible!
This May we will release TWO of these mixes!
PART ONE : Tiesto Vs Tamer
The first part of the series will see us blend the best of Tiesto, the dutch Electro music master who took over dance floors worldwide and made thousands party and jump in unity, with the best of Tamer Hosny, one of the greatest Egyptian pop singers of this generation! Can you imagine what this will sound like??
PART TWO: Guetta Vs Diab
David Guetta - The world’s number one selling Electro dance DJ and producer and the pioneer of bringing Electro music to the pop culture masses.
Amr Diab - The King of Middle-Eastern pop with more number one hits than anyone else in his generation. TWO-time winner of the prestigious World Music Awards and the first Arabic artist to introduce House influences into his music!
Now…can you possibly imagine the product of putting the two together???
Be ready to experience Arabic and Electro music in a way that you have not heard before!
Let me welcome you and welcome the exciting month of may with a trip to the world of [ELECTRO . ARABIAN . HOUSE] !!!
In bid to keep his fans, win some new ones and reach his aim of world wide musical domination, Superstar Tamer Hosny announces yet another amazing collaboration with Hip Hop veteran and West Coast Godfather, Snoop Dogg!
The single, titled “Si L Sayed” was being filmed in Hollywood a few weeks back and today we just got to see the teaser from behind the scenes.
We all do remember that Tamer’s collaboration with Shaggy did not get the best of responses but I honestly hope this one is better and wish him all the best….
If you’ve ever left in Egypt, during the 90’s … This one is for you!
If you are an Arabic 80’s baby and 90’s child … This one is for you!
If you ever liked Arabic music at its best … This one is for you!
If you like Tabla, Maqsoom and pure Egyptian dancing … This one is for you!
If you remember having fun with walkmans, cassettes, and the SIMPLE ANALOGUE LIFE … this one if for you!
…and if you are of ANY AGE or background and want to educate your ears about one of the most monumental periods in Arabic music …. THIS ONE IS FOR YOU!!!
This mix has been one of the toughest for me to make for a few reasons… I don’t generally make Arabic only mixes; There’s so much beautiful music to chose from that it was painful removing some off; and the styles and tempos very sooooo much! but some how we managed to give you one of the most memories and nostalgia inducing mixes there is!
I really hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it!
Here’s the track listing:
1. Ihab Tawfeek - Allemy
2. Ihab Taefeek - Dani
3. Mostafa Amar - Albi Ma’aki
4. Mostafa Amar - Zaina
5. Mohamed Adaweyya - Zahma
6. Mohamed Fouad - Sad’at
7. Hassan El Asmar - El Waad El Gin
8. Hakim - Hena w Henaak
9. Hamid El Shaeri’s Group - El Bent Baida
10. Hamid El Shaeri’s Group - Edallaa’ Ya Rasheedi
12. Hakim - El Wad Da Helw
13. Amr Diab - El Maadi
14. Hisham Abbas - Wana A’mel Aih
15. Mohamed Henaidi Ft Tarek Lotfi & Ahmed El Saqqa - Kajweloo
In the summer of 2012, the whole world will gather in our beautiful city of London to celebrate a certain global sporting and cultural event! ;) the world’s longest running tournament, the only event capable of traversing borders, overcoming barriers and uniting people of the world in one place.
In the short space of two weeks when the festivities are in full swing, people will watch and support their favorite teams, explore different cultures and move to their favorite ANTHEM! All in perfect harmony! One Beat, One Groove, ONE SOUND!
This anthem will be supplied by no other than THE FUNKY PHARAOH himself!
We are pleased to announce to you this summer’s hottest musical phenomenon, “THE GLOBAL MASH UP PROJECT”
brace yourself to embark on a journey along with DJ Funky Pharaoh around the world in 300 seconds!
Listen to the Mix… Watch the Video… Live the adventure…
Stay connected with us: Details to follow. COMING SOON - SUMMER 2012
(for more information and sponsorship opportunities please contact Funky Pharaoh Music LTD: info@funkypharaoh.com)
The glory of albums, remixes, Levis 501’s, big hair, game boys, leather jackets, police sunglasses, 7Up and Fido Dido, Boomboxes and Cassette Tapes???
What about Arabic music in the 90’s? Hamid El Shaeri and his band, Amr Diab and his ever changing and always amazing looks, Mostafa Amar, Ragheb Alama and the signature Mostash, Samir Saeid and a lot more….
Arabic music of the 90’s has to be some of the most influential to ever arrive in our modern times and probably the most influential when it comes to myself and the rest of the Funky Pharaoh team. After all we were all children of the 90’s and every single song, style, beat, sound, and musical trend has left a beautiful little mark in our hearts and musical minds and helped shape who we are.
Let me introduce you to the brand new Funky Pharaoh Mixtape and the first ALL ARABIC mix in a very long time…. ” Cairo Cassette Culture “
This mix has been an idea in our minds for months and we finally got around to doing it. Its a major mash up of the best and most successful Arabic hits as well as some hidden gyms of that beautiful era, mixed and brought to you in a brand new style and light!
The mix will debut on our Radio Show, “Funky’s Record Box” fourth Episode “Remember the 90’s” which will be on the Egypt Talks airways and then on our Funky Pharaoh Mixcloud… and then with you all on Monday 2nd.April.2012!
Get ready to take a ride and travel back in time with me and enjoy a culture that you may or may not remember!!!!
The scene is set! Its the evening in a typical Arab home across the world on a Friday or Saturday night. Dad is back from work and had successfully managed to change to his Pyjamas and read three lines of the paper before the standard argument broke out with mum…. or even worse, he’s been at home all day shouting orders…. asking for the music to be turned down, the homework to be completed and someone to come down from the third floor to pass him the remote control which is right next to his feet so he can watch Al Jazeera or Al Arabia and give his “valuable, well informed” opinion about the political situation in Fiji!!!
Mum on the other hand has been delivering a constant Intravenous highly concentrated dose of moaning from the moment you are awake until you get to sleep… You can even hear the moaning in your dreams!!!! “Tidy your room”, “Turn off this stupid blaystation and do some work, it might eventually helb you”, “why is there gizam (shoes) everrryyyywhereeeee????”, “Who you on the phone to?????? SOME BOYYYY???”
Somehow, through what seems to be an intense war zone, everybody makes it in front of the TV at 9pm to watch………the brand new episode of the brand new Arab talent show!!!! In the last few years, we’ve obviously seen a few! Arab Superstar, Arab Idol, Arab X Factor, Arabs Got Talent, Star Academy and the list goes on and on and on……
Everyone is staring intensely at the young budding hopefuls as they get put through a pretty much McDonald’s style formula of selection / Mini selection / Micro Selection and then live shows. There will always a kind judge, a mean one, a rather confused (and often pointless) one… and the contestants? Someone who can sing old school, someone copying Amr Diab, another copying Wael Kfouri (or any other Lebanese male heartthrob), a girl who can sing but not loveable, another who can’t sing and forgets half her clothes in the cupboard and so on and so forth…..
These are generally the thoughts that run through the heads of every single member of that tense family glued in front of the TV and acting like its the first time they’ve seen it! Sighs / whoops / nail biting and all….
When the episode finishes the first person to speak is generally baba…. “What is this ZIFT (rubbish) ??” …. “What made me watch it again?” …. “I should’ve watched Alam El Hayawaan (The world of animals) instead” !
But the fun and games do really start when Baba says “Oh this girl is good, I hope she wins” or Mama says “Esmallah, this boy has a nice voice” !!!! Get the shibshib (slippers) ready, fire, LETS GOOOOO!!! Mum will start by saying “You only like zis girl because she is half naked every week. You want leave me and marry Haifa????Go Go Go!!!!” or Dad will say “Nice boy???? Are you out your mind ya Agooza (old hag) ??? He is bloody *** or does he remind you of Marzook, The uni love!!!!! Ellit ADAB!!!!!!!!!” and this could sometimes end with “ENTI TAAAALLLLLEEEKKKK (let’s get divorced) “
The above is a slightly exaggerated and comical description of what happens when these shows are on TV…. but switching the conversation back to reality, I firstly want to say that we are by no means mocking these shows or anyone who decides to involve themselves in them. Each to their own I suppose.
What does irritate a lot of people, myself included however is the severe lack of originality. These shows generally feature a lot of contestants that range in age from 10 to 66 years old apparently.
My questions about them are: why does it always seem that the shows are about producing great TV moments rather than great lasting talents? These TV moments are not generally created by talents but rather by displaying ones who cannot sing or perform to the correct standard placed in a comical setting or by creating highly intense (and generally rather fake) dramatic moments that quite frankly do not need to be there.
The second and more important question is why do the winners of these shows never achieve as much success as the artists who make it on their own without the help of votes, tears, screams and T-shirts? Is it because the audience feel that the credibility of the person is heavily compromised when they are involved in such shows? Or is it that the standards of the talents are not actually that high? That said though, I would like to mention two positive things that came out of these shows! Firstly, the biggest talent and the rightful winner of the first Arab talent show (Arab Superstar), Milhem Zein. This amazing voice was introduced to us through this show, and even though somehow he was questionably eliminated at third place, he had gone further than any other person in these shows and the video below should just show us why.
The second is the superstar Ragheb Alama. He is in my opinion the most charismatic and amazing thing about the latest Arab reality TV craze, Arab Idol. The show managed to display his unsurpassed musical talent, smartness and kindness in a great way….
My only say is pleeeeeeeease make the next craze original and about the voices! Arabic music is the greatest in the world and we have the best voices on the planet! Let’s see those PLEASE!
As you can see, this blog post is not news or a review, its just a bunch of my thoughts put together…. What’s yours? Let me know… :D
Funky Pharaoh Music is London's hottest urban and Arabic music movement...
We make music and play music because we LOVE music.
We are London's hottest urban record label, Arabic and urban DJ's, sickest producers, remixers and song writters...and very soon freshest clothing line!
For information and bookings, email us:
INFO@FUNKYPHARAOH.COM
