Music
The Death of the Maestro
From Al Massrieen to Amr Diab, the composer, producer and bandleader Hany Shenouda helped transform Egyptian music, launching some of the Arab world's biggest stars and creating a soundtrack that continues to resonate far beyond the country that produced it.
Drake, DJ Khaled and the Gaza Test
By invoking Palestine to criticize DJ Khaled, Drake unintentionally exposed more than celebrity hypocrisy. The moment also revealed how Palestine has become a public measure of authenticity, morality and credibility — often at the risk of eclipsing Palestinians themselves.
The Ziad Rahbani Generation
Ziad Rahbani, the recently deceased Lebanese composer and playwright, greatly influenced Arab culture and identity through his unique blend of satirical commentary and musical innovation, shaping how the region was understood.
Shkoon Channels the Pain of Displacement Into Euphoric, Folkloric Electronica
Shkoon, an electronic music duo formed by Syrian refugee Ameen Khayer and German musician Thorben Diekmann, is gaining international attention for blending Syrian folk traditions with modern electronic sounds. The band has become a cultural touchstone for Arab youth navigating identity, alienation and displacement.
Edward Said’s Cultural Universalism and Love of Opera
Edward Said’s writings on opera show a side of the famous Palestinian academic and activist little appreciated today — his enduring belief in cultural universalism. His legacy cannot be captured without taking into account what his lifelong passion for classical music meant to his broader corpus.
As Eurovision 2024 Nears, Israel Is in the Hot Seat
When the European Broadcasting Union rejected two songs Israel submitted for the 2024 Eurovision, saying its references to Oct. 7 were too political, President Isaac Herzog intervened and told the composers to change the lyrics. For 51 years, the song contest has been a critical component of Israel’s public image.
How Rural Music in the Middle East Bypassed Cultural Gatekeepers Using Tech and Weddings
The rise of Middle Eastern rural and folk music in the late 1990s is a fascinating story of a subculture reclaiming its prominence after being marginalized and policed by cultural gatekeepers for decades. This “creeping ruralism” also tracks with significant socioeconomic shifts in rural and suburban areas, reshaping the cultural landscape in unexpected ways.