The Rise of Middle Eastern Pop Music
The rise of Middle Eastern pop music has been a long time coming. From its humble beginnings in the underground clubs of Cairo to the international stage, the genre has come to represent the region’s rich culture and history.
Now, with the help of social media and streaming platforms, Middle Eastern pop music is reaching new audiences all over the world. If you’re looking to discover the best of what the genre has to offer, look no further than this list of essential artists.
The Beginnings
In the late 1990s, a new style of pop music emerged from the Middle East. Called Raï, the music was a fusion of traditional Arab music and Western styles such as rock and hip-hop. The rise of Raï was made possible by the spread of cassette tapes and, later, the Internet.
Ancient Egyptian music and its influence
Ancient Egyptian music was highly influential in the development of Middle Eastern pop music. Egyptian musicians used a variety of instruments, including harps, lutes, flutes, drums, and cymbals. They were also skilled in vocal techniques, such as chanting and harmonizing.
Egyptian music was a significant influence on the development of Arabic music. Arab musicians began to incorporate elements of Ancient Egyptian music into their own compositions. This process was called “tarab.” Tarab allowed Arabic musicians to create new musical styles that blended ancient and modern influences.
Today, many popular Arabic singers and bands incorporate elements of Ancient Egyptian music into their sound. This fusion of sounds creates a unique and distinctive form of pop music that is enjoyed by people all over the world.
The influence of Arabic music in the Middle Ages
The rise of Middle Eastern pop music can be traced back to the Arab world in the Medieval period. By the 13th century, Arabic music had spread to Spain, North Africa and the Middle East. The music was characterized by its use of intricate melodies and rhythms. In the 14th century, a new style of music called Sufi music emerged. This type of music was based on religious texts and was often used in religious ceremonies. Over time, Sufi music began to influence other genres of Arabic music. In the 19th century, Western classical music began to influence Arabic music. This can be seen in the work of composers such as Cairo-born Muhammed Abd al-Wahhab (1873-1932). His work combined elements of both Western and Eastern music. By the early 20th century, Cairo had become a hub for Arab musicians and composers. The city was home to a number of orchestras and musical groups that played a mix of Western and Eastern styles.
The Modern Era
Nowadays, people all around the world can enjoy the pulsing beats and sultry lyrics of Pop music emanating from the Middle East. This form of popular music has its origins in Egypt and Lebanon in the early 20th century, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that Middle Eastern Pop music began to gain international recognition. The rise of Middle Eastern Pop music can be attributed to a number of factors, including the increasing popularity of Arabic music in the West, the growing number of Arabic-speaking immigrants in Western countries, and the increasing political and cultural importance of the Middle East.
The rise of popular music in the 20th century
The earliest form of popular music in the 20th century was stage songs, or what we would now call show tunes. These were songs from Broadway musicals or Hollywood films that were designed to be performed live on stage. The first major star of this form of popular music was Al Jolson, who is best known for his performance of “Swanee” in the film The Jazz Singer (1927).
The popularity of stage songs began to decline in the 1930s with the rise of radio. Radio allowed people to listen to music in their homes, and it quickly became the most popular way to consume music. The first major star of radio was Bing Crosby, who helped to make crooning a popular style of singing.
The commercialization of rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s brought about a new form of popular music that was aimed at a younger audience. The first major stars of rock ‘n’ roll were Elvis Presley and Bill Haley & His Comets. Rock ‘n’ roll quickly became the dominant form of popular music in the United States, and it remained so for the next few decades.
In the 1970s, disco became a popular form of dance music. The Bee Gees, Donna Summer, and Chic were among the most successful disco acts. Disco fell out of favor in the early 1980s, but it has experienced something of a revival in recent years.
Middle Eastern pop music began to gain popularity in the West in the 21st century with artists such as Hussain Al Jassmi, Tamer Hosny, Nancy Ajram, and Amr Diab becoming some of the most successful singers in the world.
The influence of American and European music
The modern era of Middle Eastern pop music began in the 1970s and 1980s, with the rise of singers like Um Kulthum and Fairuz in Egypt, and Wadih El Safi and Majida El Roumi in Lebanon. These artists blended traditional Arabic music with Western styles like jazz and classical, paving the way for a new generation of performers.
In the 1990s and 2000s, American and European pop music had a profound impact on Middle Eastern artists. The globalization of the music industry led to the rise of stars like Amr Diab, an Egyptian singer who blended Western pop with traditional Egyptian rhythms. Diab was so successful that he was nicknamed “the King of Egyptian pop.”
Today, Middle Eastern pop music is more popular than ever, thanks to the internet and social media. Platforms like YouTube have given rise to a new generation of performers, including Mohamad Alsafadi from Lebanon and Nasser Alattar from Syria. These artists are fusing traditional Arabic music with contemporary sounds from all over the world, creating a truly unique style of Middle Eastern pop.
The New Wave
The rise of Middle Eastern pop music in the 21st century
The past two decades have seen a dramatic rise in the popularity of Middle Eastern pop music, with artists from across the region finding success both at home and abroad.
One of the biggest factors in this growth has been the increasing availability of streaming services and social media platforms, which have allowed audiences to discover new artists and follow their favourite ones with ease.
This has led to a more globalised sound, as artists look to appeal to fans beyond their traditional markets. Singers such as Tamer Hosny, Nancy Ajram and Mohamad Fouad have all found considerable success by adopting a more international sound and image.
The growing popularity of Middle Eastern pop music has also been boosted by the rise of cross-border collaborations. These have not only helped to introduce new audiences to different artists, but have also created an entirely new genre of music known as ‘Arab EDM’.
So far, the 21st century has been a hugely successful one for Middle Eastern pop music, and there is every indication that this trend will continue in the years to come.
The rise of social media has been instrumental in the success of Middle Eastern pop music. Platforms like YouTube and Spotify have given artists from the region a global audience, and the growing popularity of streaming services has made it easier for people to discover new music from around the world.
The influence of social media can be seen in the success of artists like Hassan Shafie, a Kuwaiti singer-songwriter who found fame after his songs went viral on YouTube. Shafie’s online popularity led to him being signed by a major label, and he has since released several successful albums.
Other artists who have benefited from social media include Omar Suleiman, an Egyptian singer who uses YouTube to reach fans outside of his homeland, and Assala Nasri, a Syrian singer who has built a large following on Instagram.
The popularity of Middle Eastern pop music is also due in part to the region’s rich musical history. For centuries, Arabic music has been an important part of the culture, and many contemporary artists are drawing on this rich tradition while adding their own modern twist. This fusion of old and new is one of the things that makes Middle Eastern pop music so unique and appealing to listeners around the world.
The Future of Middle Eastern Pop Music
The past few years have seen a surge in the popularity of Middle Eastern pop music, also known as “MEPop.” Artists like Tamer Hosny, Nancy Ajram, and Mohamed Hamaki have found crossover success in Europe and the Americas, and the genre shows no signs of slowing down. With the rise of streaming services, MEPop is more accessible than ever before. So what does the future hold for this burgeoning genre?
The continued rise of popularity
The continued rise of popularity for Middle Eastern pop music can be attributed to a number of factors. Firstly, the increased accessibility to music streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music has meant that artists from all over the globe can easily reach new audiences. Secondly, the globalized nature of the music industry means that there is an increasing appetite for music from different cultures. Finally, the rise of social media has allowed artists to connect directly with their fans, which has helped to build a devoted fanbase for manyMiddle Eastern pop stars.
As the popularity of Middle Eastern pop music continues to grow, it is likely that we will see more artists breaking through into the mainstream. This could lead to a more diverse range of sounds and styles being heard on radio stations and in clubs around the world, which can only be a good thing for music lovers everywhere.
The influence of Western music
In recent years, there has been a growing trend of young people in the Middle East listening to pop music from the West. This is due to the increasing popularity of Western music in the region, as well as the rise of social media and streaming platforms such as YouTube and Spotify.
There are a number of factors that have contributed to the popularity of Western music in the Middle East. One of the most important is the growing number of young people in the region who are exposed to Western culture through social media and the internet. This has led to a greater interest in Western music, which is often seen as being more modern and progressive than traditional Arabic music.
Another factor that has contributed to the popularity of Western music in the Middle East is the increasing number of refugees from conflict-ridden countries such as Syria and Iraq. These refugees often bring with them a love for Western pop music, which they listen to as a way of coping with their trauma and homesickness.
The rise of Western pop music in the Middle East is having a significant impact on the region’s musical landscape. A number of Arabic pop stars are now incorporating elements of Western pop into their music, which is helping to create a new genre known as ‘Middle Eastern Pop’. This genre is becoming increasingly popular with young people in the region, who are eager to embrace a new sound that reflects their own cultures and experiences.
