Arabic Pop Music - Essay Example

? Arabic Pop Music Introduction It is often said that music has no language. This is because of the fact that music usually communicates through its tune and rhythm rather than the language in which it is written. Music and noise are evoking different feelings even though both are different forms of sound. Music is a form of sound, presented in a structured manner whereas noise is a sound which is presented in an unstructured manner. That is why music is enjoyable and noises are disturbing to all. Like most of the other countries, music has significant role in Arab life. “The music of the Arab world is diverse; and includes several types of genres ranging from the classical tradition to the pop culture and from the sacred to the secular. While Arab music is an independent style of music with a distinct sound, it has a long history of interaction with different styles and genres of music” (Michigan Arab Orchestra, 2013). Pop music is extremely popular in Arab world at present. In fact, Arabs were able to develop a unique genre; Arabic Pop Music. Arabic pop music is popular in the Arab world since it is composed in Arabic language. Moreover, the composers of Arabic pop music consider the Arab cultural traits while composing it. Thus, Arabic pop music is more enjoyable to Arab people than other types of pop music since it is composed in their own language. This paper analyses various dimensions of Arabic Pop music. Definition of Arabic Pop Music Arabic Pop music is the form of pop music in the Arab World. It includes several genres and styles of music ranging from pop music to classical music. It contains secular as well as sacred music themes. “Arabic music, while independent and very alive, has a long history of interaction with many other regional musical styles and genres”(Arabic music, 2013). Such interactions with other music styles caused the evolution of different music styles in the Arab world. The interactions with the pop music helped the Arab world to formulate Arab form of pop music which is known as Arabic Pop Music now. Arabic pop singers The latter part of twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty first century have witnessed many changes in the Arabic Pop Music. Plenty of unique styles and rhythms were used in Arabic Pop Music during this period. Some of the prominent musicians and singers who contributed heavily to the development of Arabic Pop Music in recent times are; Sabah, Warda Al-Jazairia, Magida El Roumi, Nawal El Kuwaiti, Latifa, Samira Said, Angham, Asalah Nasri, Thekra, Kadhem Al Saher, Amr Diab, Diana Haddad, Najwa Karam, Nawal Al Zoghbi, Ehab Tawfik, Hisham Abbas, Wael Kfoury, Amal Hijazi, Elissa, Nancy Ajram, Haifa Wehbe, Maria Tekdep, Aldo (musician) and Natacha Atlas(Arabic Music Overview, 2010). Origin and Development of Arabic Pop Music In the 20th century, Egypt was the first in a series of Arab countries to experience a sudden emergence of nationalism, as it became independent after 2000 years of foreign rule. Turkish music, popular during the rule of the Ottoman Empire in the region, was replaced by national music. Cairo became a center for musical innovation (Arabic Music Overview, 2010). The 2000 years of foreign rule helped Egypt to get proper awareness about foreign culture. In other words, the life styles, cultural traits and the behaviors of the foreigners have caused huge changes in traditional Egyptian life styles. It should be noted that pop music was one of the favorite musical forms for the foreigners, while they were ruling Egypt. As a result of that locals in Egypt got plenty of awareness about the pop music composing and they started to blend pop music with their local music. The outcome was the evolution of a new music form in Arab world; Arabic Pop Music. Unlike traditional Arabic music, Arabic pop music composers started to compose music in a secular manner. The major theme of all traditional Arabic music was religion, customs and beliefs. However, the entry of pop music forced Arabic musicians to change the traditional norms of composing Arabic music. “One of the first female musicians to take a secular approach was Umm Kulthum quickly followed by Fairuz. Both have been extremely popular through the decades that followed and both are considered "Arabic Music Legends"” (Arabic Music Overview, 2010). During the 1950s and the 1960s Arabic music began to take on a more Western tone with such artists as Dalida paving the way. By the 1970s several other singers had followed suit and a strand of Arabic pop was born. Arabic pop usually consists of Western styled songs with Arabic instruments and lyrics. Melodies are often a mix between Eastern and Western (Arabic Music Overview, 2010). The present Arabic Pop Music is the blend of music culture in the East and West. Arabic Pop Music borrowed western styles and composed blended such styles carefully with the local music. It should be noted that the accent and the way of singing in the western world and the eastern world are entirely different. It was difficult for the Arabic singers to imitate or follow the western styles completely while singing pop music. They forced to make some changes in the traditional way of singing of Pop Music. They blended Arabic traditions and way of singing carefully with the pop music. The outcome was the emergence of an entirely new stream of music; The Arabic Pop Music. Traditional Pop music is capable of creating a pleasant mood. In western culture, the aim of music is enjoyment. They use music for singing and dancing. On the other hand, in eastern culture the aim of music is much more than the enjoyment factor. The overall tone and mood of the songs are extremely important in Arabic Pop Music. Desires, wishes, sorrow, trouble, and love issues are some of the major themes of Arabic Pop Music. In other words, Arabic Pop Music is capable of portraying the human life in its true spirit and sense. It never goes after enjoyment factor alone. For Arabs, music is a medium to express their moods. They wanted to convey the ideas, thinking and opinions with the help of music. Arabic Pop Music has the capacity to affect the moods and emotions of the listener because of its rhythm and theme. Western Pop music is usually written in short-to-medium length songs. Song is the most important element of music in Arabic Pop music. It should be noted that the rhythm or tune is the most important element of western pop music. In fact, the musicians or the person who provides tunes to Arabic pop music has less significant role than the actual composer or the person who wrote the lines of a song. Arabic pop music usually described in the names of the singer or the lyricist rather than the composer. “In Arabic musical tradition there is hardly any music without song. Music and poetry are so closely woven together that to this day it is difficult to discover the names of the composers of classical Arabic music” (Taufiq, 2011). Cairo and Beirut are the two major centres in which Arab Pop Music is produced. Arabic Pop Music is currently growing along with the Arabic film industry since pop songs are essential parts of Arabic films. Another important feature of Arabic Pop Music is its ability to grow beyond the boundaries of the Arab world. Even though Arabic language knowledge is extremely less for the Europeans, Arabic Pop Music is currently popular in all major European countries, especially in France. Plenty of Arabs are currently staying in France and other European countries. They usually hear Arabic Pop Music. As a result of that Europeans get plenty of exposure to Arabic Pop Music. “A popular form of West meets East style of music, similar in many respects to modern Arabic Pop. This blend of western and eastern music was popularized as Franco-Arabic music by artists such as Dalida(Egypt), Sammy Clarke (Lebanon) and Aldo (musician) from Australia” (Arabic Music Overview, 2010). Conclusions Music is an important element of Arab’s life. Arabic music has plenty of genres and Arab Pop Music is one among them. Arab Pop Music was originated in Egypt during the 50’s. Egyptians were ruled by the westerners for 2000 years. The lengthy interactions with the westerners helped Egyptians to develop a unique style of music in the form of Arabic Pop Music. The purpose of pop music is to make the listener happy all the time. In other words, enjoyment factor is prominent in traditional pop music. On the other hand, the purpose of Arabic Pop Music is to make the listener aware of the realities of life. Both pleasant and unpleasant moods are created by Arabic Pop Music because of its effort to portray human life in its real form. Arab Pop Music is extremely popular not only in the Arab world but also in the European countries. References Arabic music. 2013. [Online] Available at: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Arabic%20Music [Accessed 02 December 2013] Arabic Music Overview, 2010. [Online] Available at: http://www.traditionalarabicmusic.com/arabic_music_overview.html [Accessed 02 December 2013] Michigan Arab Orchestra, 2013. Arab music. [Online] Available at: http://www.michiganaraborchestra.org/arab-music/ [Accessed 02 December 2013] Taufiq, S. 2011. Arabic Music and Its Development An Overview. [Online] Available at: http://www.goethe.de/ges/phi/prj/ffs/the/a96/en8626486.htm [Accessed 02 December 2013] Read More