Quartertones | Music from the Arab World
Quartertones is a music podcast featuring contemporary Arab musicians from different geographies. Each episode invites guests to discuss their work and share live or recorded performances in three segments. The show covers genres such as pop, rock, hip-hop, electronic, and classical. Listeners discover the music defining the current scene across the Arab world and hear from musicians and musicologists about their craft.
Episodes
Oud & Pushing Back Against Conventions in Arabic Music | Huda Asfour
Breaking conventional boxes is at the core of Palestinian musician, composer, and singer-songwriter Huda Asfour’s artistic identity. This conversation delves into her rich heritage and a multifaceted career that spans from biomedical engineering to intimate live performances with her electro-acoustic oud and a looper pedal. She shares her perspective on transforming classical Arabic music repertoi
Palestinian Jazz: Taking Music Out of the Museum | Wanees Zarour
Starting at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music at age seven, Palestinian composer and multi-instrumentalist Wanees Zarour discusses his musical journey, he details how he fell in love with string instruments like the violin and the buzuq. The conversation explores his original music group, East Loop, and how he blends microtonal music and Arabic tradition into a jazz framework. Additio
Refuge, Rebellion & Resonance | Hamed Sinno
A deep exploration of the shifting relationship between sound, politics, and the visceral search for home with Hamed Sinno. The discussion moves from their childhood in Beirut, where they internalize a sense of being an outsider, to their time at the American University of Beirut (AUB), where they began to understand the expectations of a generation raised for export. Reflecting on the intense col
On Reclaiming Our Narrative & the Power of Dabke | Zeyne at XP Air
Zeyne joins Quartertones after her performance at XP Air and discusses her journey from being too shy to share her voice to becoming an artist who finds empowerment in letting her art out. She reflects on the influences of her family who instilled in her a love for music, Arab culture, and the Palestinian cause. Growing up taking vocal and piano lessons Zeyne shares that she only recently started
Harissa Pop and Tunisian Music | Soudeni at XP Air
Tunisian artist Soudeni joins Quartertones recorded live at XP Air and talks about her musical journey and the influences that shaped her sound. She introduces the idea of Harissa Pop – her playful way of describing music rooted in Tunisian culture but open to contemporary sounds. The touches on nostalgia, identity, and the challenges Tunisian artists face when trying to be heard beyond their bord
Strolling Between Musical Worlds | Kazdoura at XP Air
Duo Kazdoura, composed of Syrian vocalist Leen Hamo and Lebanese multi-instrumentalist John Abou Chacra, who have just won the JUNO Award for Global Music Album of the Year, join Quartertones at XP Air and discuss their award-winning music, which blends Arabic lyrics and maqam with psychedelic rock, jazz, funk, and soul. The conversation covers their beginnings at a Beirut explosion fundraiser, th
TootArd's Journey From the Golan Heights | Quoz Arts Fest 2026
Music group TootArd discusses their unique blend of Arabic scales, reggae, hip-hop, metal, and synth music in this conversation at Quoz Arts Fest 2026. The artists explore their musical evolution, from growing up on Arabic classical music to experimenting with Western genres and instruments, and how their roots remain a constant influence. Band members Hasan and Rami Nakhleh, who come from Majdal
Visual Art, Beirut's Soundscape & the Struggle to Create | Nasri Sayegh Jr. at Quoz Arts Fest 2026
Visual artist, performer, and DJ Nasri Sayegh Jr. discusses his practice and the profound influence of music on his work and life at Quoz Arts Fest 2026. He opens by sharing the urgent, improvised creation of his installation for the festival, "You Ain't Never Been Blue," which features 100 suns drawn in one night in Beirut. He speaks candidly about the two-year hiatus he took from producing art d
26 Years of Shaping Music & Culture in the Arab World | DAM at Quoz Arts Fest 2026
Palestinian hip-hop group DAM is often credited as the first rap group in the Arab world. Now 26 years into their career, the band members join us on the Quoz Arts Fest stage to discuss the group's evolution and how they navigate personal expression amidst political tragedy. The conversation covers the mixed emotions of performing while their people are suffering through a genocide, the honor and
Fusing Carnatic Music & Contemporary R&B | Gayathri Krishnan at Quoz Arts Fest 2026
South Asian-American artist Gayathri Krishnan discusses her journey, her unique musical fusion, and her performance at Quoz Arts Fest this year. She delves into the tradition of Carnatic music—a classical form from South India—and how her extensive training in it influences her contemporary R&B and neo-soul sound. She shares her start in music, her influences from Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber to
What is the Future of Saudi Music & the Arabic Music Industry? | COO of MDLBEAST
We sit down with Ahmed Alammary (otherwise known as DJ Baloo), the Chief Creative Officer of MDLBeast and a leading music figure and thinker in the region. We discuss the origins of MDLBeast and its goals for transforming the music industry in Saudi Arabia and the broader region. MDLBeast was born from a brief for a three-day music festival in 2019. Since then, it has evolved into a multi-layered
Huda Asfour With a Performance by Mohamed Abozekry | Habibi Festival 2025
Oud player, singer and musician Huda Asfour takes the stage on Habibi Festival's fifth and last night of 2025, performing new tracks she wrote during the genocidal campaign on Gaza, and a track called "From the River to the Sea" which she Wrote as a response to the May 18, 2021 strike in Palestine. The Mohamed Abozekry Sextet also take the stage for a second night this festival. 0:00:00 Huda Asfou
Mai Elgizouli With a Special Appearance by Alsarah & Performance by Rasha Nahas | Habibi Festival 2025
On the fourth night of Habibi Festival 2025, Sudanese artist Mai Elgizouli takes the stage with a dynamic, deeply emotional first "serious" show in New York performing a set of acoustic songs that explore themes of sadness, power, and hope, including a deeply personal tribute to her late brother and the strong women of Sudan. She follows with a nuanced and candid conversation with afikra Quarerton
Maryam Turkey and Mohamed Abozekry | Habibi Festival 2025
Day 3 at Habibi Festival 2025 brings two boundary-pushing Arab artists: Iraqi-American visual artist-turned-musician Maryam Turkey and Egyptian oud player Mohamed Abozekry. They discuss their artistic journeys, creative transitions, and their unique collaborative processes. Turkey details her move into music in New York, where she found a more playful and collaborative creative space. She discusse
Rasha Nahas With a Performance by Maii Waleed | Habibi Festival 2025
Experience day two of the fifth edition of Habibi Festival, hosted at Joe’s Pub in Brooklyn. The evening begins with the festival co-founders, Yacine Boulares and Meera Dugal, welcoming the audience and reflecting on the festival’s mission of celebrating the living, breathing music, culture, and traditions of the Arab region and actively combating their "museumification." The night features contem
Layale Chaker With a Performance by Maii Waleed | Habibi Festival 2025
Habibi Festival is back for a fifth year with performances and talks on stage hosted by afikra, which we'll be releasing on our Quartertones series. Day 1 opens with a solo performance by Maii Waleed, an artist from Alexandria, Egypt, in her debut at Joe's Pub. She sings tracks from her previous EP, including "Neptune" and "Sama", and "Fashi" from her upcoming EP. Then violinist Layale Chaker tak
On the 78-Stringed Instrument | Syrian Qanun Player Maya Youssef
Musician and composer Maya Youssef takes us on her unique journey with the qanun. Currently based in London, Maya delves into her early musical upbringing in Damascus to challenging traditional perceptions of the 78-stringed Instrument and developing her own innovative approach to composition and teaching. She discusses the profound connection between the qanun and human emotion, and how music bec
Decoding Empires: Akala on Hip Hop & South-South Solidarity
Rapper, writer, and thought leader Akala joins us on Quartertones live at Sole DXB to talk about his early career steps in London, the city's unique blends due to its history, and his drive to connect with diverse audiences. He shares insights into the impact of colonialism and the importance of embracing shared cultural heritage from Shakespeare to his Jamaican influences. We discuss the signific
Palestinian Singer Lina Makoul: Unmuted, Radical & Community-Built
Palestinian singer Lina Makoul delves into the responsibility of artists to translate public sentiment, the worsening situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the impact of the 900 new checkpoints added by the occupation on day-to-day Palestinian life. Makoul talks about her journey as an independent artist, her research into Palestinian history, and the challenges faced by Palestinian artists und
Shu Ma Sar: 1 on 1 with Palestinian-Jordanian Singer Dana Salah
Palestinian-Jordanian singer, songwriter, and producer Dana Salah shares her journey graduating from Duke University to DJing in New York City and writing songs in Jay-Z's studio to transitioning to creating and performing songs in Arabic. She discusses the impact of DJing on her music writing, and the importance of staying connected with her culture. She reflects on her musical influences and the
Palestinian Resistance Music & Cultural Heritage | With Legendary Composer Issa Boulos
In this episode of Quartertones, we're joined by Palestinian composer and musician, Issa Boulos who tells us about his deep connection to Jerusalem and Palestine, and how his upbringing influenced his approach to music and life. Boulos recounts his unique experiences growing up in a small town, his family's musical traditions, and the cultural life in Ramallah. He delves into the evolution of Pale
Dalida's Rise to International Stardom & Her Rootedness in Egypt | Barbara Lebrun
In this episode of Quartertones, we're joined by Barbara Lebrun, the author of "Dalida: Mythe et Mémoire." We explore the remarkable career of Dalida, the iconic singer who rose to fame in the mid-20th century. Born in Cairo to an Italian family, Yolanda Gigliotti's journey to stardom began when she moved to France in 1954. Initially adopting an Italian persona to navigate the complexities of the
Dreamville Rapper Bas live at XP Music Futures in Riyadh | On Hip Hop, Sudan & J. Cole
In this special episode of Quartertones in collaboration with XP Air, we sit down with prominent artist Dreamville's Bas, to discuss his journey in the music industry. We talk about the financial challenges of touring, the value of exposure over immediate monetary gain, and the significance of rehearsals and meticulous work ethic exemplified by artists like J. Cole and Drake. Bas reflects on his S
Breaking Gender Norms in Music & Creating an All-Female Album | Emel Mathlouthi at Quoz Arts Fest
The inspiring Emel Mathlouthi joins Tanya Khoury on the Quoz Arts Fest stage in Dubai for a riveting discussion on music, cultural roots, and breaking gender norms in the music industry. Emel shares her journey of proving that women can excel in music production, creating her all-female album "MRA," and the significance of connecting with audiences through heart and authenticity. This special epis
The Syrian-American Poet on the Evolving Landscape of Arabic Hip Hop & Intergenerational Connections
DJ amen RA welcomes the talented Syrian-American rapper, poet and longtime friend of afikra, Omar Offendum, to the Quoz Arts Fest stage. Host Tanya Khoury asks Offendum to delve into topics ranging from the impact of war on art and identity, and the significance of maintaining cultural heritage through creative expression, to the evolving landscape of Arabic hip hop. Offendum shares insights on hi
Building Empire Records & Repping Your Community | Live Quartertones With Ghazi Shami & Suhel Nafar at Sole DXB 2024
This episode of Quartertones was recorded live on the Sole DXB stage in Dubai on December 13, 2024. Founder of Empire Records Ghazi Shami, and head of Empire Iwana Sohail Nafar explore the challenges and future of the Arab music industry, from Ghazi's connection to Palestinian heritage to Sohail's work with DAM and Empire. They discuss cultural representation, the impact of geopolitics on music, a
Layth Sidiq at Habibi Festival 2024 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub
In this episode of Quartertones, we interview award-winning violinist, composer, and educator Layth Sidiq at Habibi Festival in NYC. He shares his journey in Arabic music, and discusses his upbringing in a musical family, the evolution of his career, and his role as the artistic director of the New York Arabic Orchestra. He also delves into the improvisational nature of Arabic music, his album "So
Ahmad Kubbara Gives Us a Masterclass in Music Production
Scavenging for synthesizers, digital vs analog music, and what it means to be a music producer in the AI era. This episode of Quartertones features Egyptian music producer Kubbara in our studio in Beirut. Known for his jazz-influenced, neo-soul sound, he gives us a master class in music production, from discovering and collaborating with artists to blending sounds and the intricate details of putt
Karim Ziad & Mehdi Nassouli at Habibi Festival 2024 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub
Karim Ziad and Mehdi Nassouli perform at Habibi Festival 2024 and are joined on stage by Yacine Boulares and other talented musicians for a jazzy performance and a conversation with host Mikey Muhanna who asks Karim and Mehdi about their inspirations, musical journeys, and the experience of working together.00:00:00 Intro & Performance01:13:11 Fusion of West & North African Music01:15:51 Yacine on
Taktouka at Habibi Festival 2024 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub
After a moving performance at Habibi Festival, we sit down with the members of Taktouka to hear about the band’s journey from vocalist Alia Haju, beginning with how it came together after she fled Beirut with her cousin, Bashar Farran, the ensemble's bassist. The rest of the band—Daro Behroozi (woodwinds/synth), Calvin Lu (keys/synth), and Jesse Chevan (drums)—also share their perspectives, descri
Narcy at Habibi Festival 2024 With Appearances by Hamed Sinno, Nadine El Roubi, Omar Offendum & Niko | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub
Habibi Festival is back for another year at Joe's Pub, bringing Arabs, comrades, and lovers of music together in New York in these difficult times that our nations continue to endure. And for another year, afikra was on stage to speak to the musicians and bring their conversations and performances to you on afikra's Quartertones podcast.Who better to kick off the season with than the one and only
Nai Barghouti | Singing Palestine at the Toronto Palestine Film Festival
Nai Barghouti joins us for a very special episode of Quartertones ahead of her performance at the Toronto Palestine Film Festival on September 27th which will be her Canadian debut. Speaking from the heart, Nai shares how Palestine underscores the music she makes and performs, her journey to becoming unapologetically Palestinian, and learning the nuanced language of Fairuz's music. She tells us of
Scoring Films With the Composer of Corvine, Crashing Eid, The Curve & Flight 404 | Suad Bushnaq
It's not often that we welcome a film score composer on QuarterTones. So we had a lot to chat about with award-winning composer Suad Bushnaq. We discuss the realities of writing music for cinema, her favorite Arab film scores of all time, and why the best movie soundtracks are those that you don't remember. We quizz Suad on how she chooses a key for her music, what it was like to study at Damascus
Cheb Mimo | Crate Digging For Lost Raï
In this episode of QuarterTones, Cheb Mimo joins us in our podcast studio in Beirut along with his cassette player, turntable, and rare records and tapes, to take us on a tour of North Africa's raï, funk, and disco. With each musical interlude, Cheb Mimo introduces both well-known, niche and sometimes forgotten musicians through the past decades. We get a feel for raï as a transgressive genre that
Rayess Bek: Studio Session
We're stoked to finally be launching our live in-studio sessions in our podcast recording studio in Beirut as an extension to Quartertones. The first is with no other than our past guest Rayess Bek (aka Wael Kodeih), the Lebanese music composer, producer, and performer's behind projects such as Love & Revenge, Aks'ser, and Goodbye Schlöndorff. He plays three tracks from recent projects, explaining
Why You Should Invest in Beirut's Music Scene | Sharif Sehnaoui
What makes experimental music…experimental? And what does it take to cultivate a thriving musical scene in the context of the Arab world? In this episode of QuarterTones, Sharif Sehnaoui joins us in our studio in Beirut to talk about the genre in the Arab world, the cultural significance and economic value of music, why his work is in itself an act of resistance, and Lebanon's unique position wher
Reinterpreting Traditional & Popular North African Music | Khalil EPI
This QuarterTones episode is exceptionally in French and is hosted by our Outline host, Sabine Boghossian.We chat with Khalil Hentati (EPI) a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and essential figure in North Africa's alternative, electronic and contemporary music scenes. He shares the stories behind the origins of his collaborations and dives into the musical traditions of North Africa — namely Aïta
How JadaL Pioneered Arabic Rock From Jordan
In this episode of QuarterTones, we're joined by the frontman of pioneering Jordanian rock band, JadaL. Mahmoud Radaideh tells us about how the band popularized the genre in the Arab world, reflecting on his journey as a musician, and the shifting moment when an artist realizes that their work no longer belongs to them solely – but to their audience even more so. With each musical interlude, we he
Is There a Sound That's Unique to Arab America? | Ronnie Malley
Multi-instrumentalist musician and musicologist Ronnie Malley shares his immense knowledge of Arabic classical music, touring us through the fundamentals of the musical canon and the sounds, songs and rhythms that define it. He tells us about his early exposure to Arabic music in Chicago playing for his father's bands, through thousands of wedding performances, to building a career alongside some
Behind the Scenes: Alternative Music in Beirut | Fadi Tabbal
Fadi Tabbal is a hidden giant of Beirut's alternative music scene. He joins us in our studio in Beirut to talk about the music he's produced over the years, the independent musicians on the rise, and the work that his studio – Tunefork studios – is doing. He compares the music scenes in Beirut, Cairo and Dubai, and explains how there are no records or archives of the alternative music that came be
Palestinian Hip-Hop Artist The Synaptik | Quitting Ritalin & Making Music
From medic to musician, Amman to Palestine, and quitting Ritalin, The Synaptik is a multifaceted musician who has grown out of change and transition. In this QuarterTones episode filmed live in afikra's studio in Beirut, The Synaptik tells us about his adolescence in Jordan defined by frustration and Ritalin, which was prescribed to him at a young age. He shares how the drug impacted him and how h
Kareem Roustom | Defining Classical Arabic Music with the Emmy-Nominated Composer
Emmy-nominated composer Kareem Roustom joins us on Quartertones to discuss all things Arabic music. With musical interludes from across his albums, we talk about the origins of Arabic Classical Music, current and previous perceptions around it, and the pioneers of the genre including Sayed Darwish and Sabah Fakhri. We get to grips with what defines Arabic music, hear about what it's like to get an
Best Buzuq Players of All Time | Farah Kaddour
Buzq player and musicologist Farah Kaddour, joins us in the afikra studio in Beirut to give us a tour of her music and her instrument. Alongside musical interludes and live performances, we talk about the specific sound and identity of the Buzq and Farah's individual performance style. She tells us about how she experiments with the sound she's able to create with the Buzq and how playing this tra
Palestinian Hip Hop From Lydda to the World | DAM
We sat down with Maysa Daw and Tamer Nafar from Palestinian Hip-Hop group DAM for a live recording of Quartertones at Sole DXB in December 2023. We play short clips of music from their albums and talk about representing their home city of Lydda through rap, working with Israeli musicians in “co-resistance” and writing music that goes beyond the occupation as Palestinian musicians. DAM is a Palesti
Third Culture Music: Belonging Beyond Geographies | Oddisee
At Sole DXB in December 2023, Oddisee joined afikra on stage for a live episode of Quartertones. Using his music as an entryway, this conversation journeys from D.C. to NYC all the way to Sudan. We learn about Oddisee's musical influences and how he blends soundscapes from iconic musical eras and his own heritage.With each musical interlude, we dive deeper into Oddisee's creative process, the insp
Can Beirut's Haunted Buildings Help It Heal From Its Civil War? | Mayssa Jallad
In this episode of Quartertones, musician, architect and urban researcher Mayssa Jallad joins us in the afikra studio in Beirut to talk about her latest, deeply researched work “Marjaa: Battle of the Hotels”. The album brings together her passion for music and her background in urban research and architectural history. She recounts her interest in buildings and her relationship to her city, Beirut
From Aks'ser to Rayess Bek | Rayess Bek
In this episode of the Quartertones podcast, we sat down with Rayess Bek (aka Wael Kodeih) to talk about his varied and vibrant musical career. As we traverse his music projects, personas and styles from over the years, the conversation explores the Lebanese music composer, producer, and performer's relationship with Lebanon, hip hop, history, war and colonialism. We listen to tracks from his begi
Arabic Music in the Age of Digital Distribution | Ghaliaa
On this episode of Quartertones, up-and-coming musician Ghaliaa discusses her love for music, career to date, and finding inspiration in non-fiction. She talks about her childhood, how she came to be so multi-instrumental, and who her Arabic music inspirations are. Ghaliaa also reflects on the influence of TikTok and other social media on the music industry today and what it means to her to write
A Journey Through Arabic Percussion | Karim Nagi
In this episode of Quartertone, Karim Nagi takes us on a journey into the world of Arabic percussion and rhythm. He talks about his experience as a musician and how the arts – and percussion in particular – have helped him embrace and grow into his own Arab identity. He shares his advice for musicians who are just embarking on their own journeys, and his top recommendations for albums and musician
Sofiane Saidi & Nesrine at Habibi Festival 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub
We partnered with Habibi Festival for a six-night celebration of ancient + contemporary sounds from Lebanon, Tunisia, Syria, Morocco, Palestine, Algeria and more! It all took place from October 1-7 at Joe's Pub in NYC.Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is the last of six featuring a conversation with and performance by Yacine Boulare
Clarissa Bitar & Sofiane Saidi at Habibi Festival 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub
We partnered with Habibi Festival for a six-night celebration of ancient + contemporary sounds from Lebanon, Tunisia, Syria, Morocco, Palestine, Algeria and more! It all took place from October 1-7 at Joe's Pub in NYC.Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is the fifth of six, featuring a conversation with and performance by Clarissa Bit
Nesrine & Bab L' Bluz at Habibi Festival 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub
We partnered with Habibi Festival for a six-night celebration of ancient + contemporary sounds from Lebanon, Tunisia, Syria, Morocco, Palestine, Algeria and more! It all took place from October 1-7 at Joe's Pub in NYC.Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is the fourth of six, featuring a conversation with and performance by Nesrine Bel
Bab L' Bluz, Tarek Yamani & Yacine Boulares at Habibi Fest 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub
We partnered with Habibi Festival for a six-night celebration of ancient + contemporary sounds from Lebanon, Tunisia, Syria, Morocco, Palestine, Algeria and more! It all took place from October 1-7 at Joe's Pub in NYC.Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is the third of six, featuring a conversation with and performance by Bab L'Bluz's
Amal Murkus & Firas Zreik at Habibi Fest 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub
We partnered with Habibi Festival for a six-night celebration of ancient + contemporary sounds from Lebanon, Tunisia, Syria, Morocco, Palestine, Algeria and more! It all took place from October 1-7 at Joe's Pub in NYC. Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is the second of six, featuring a conversation with mother-son duo Firas Zreik –
Omar Offendum & Hadi Eldebek at Habibi Fest 2023 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub
We partnered with Habibi Festival for a six-night celebration of ancient + contemporary sounds from Lebanon, Tunisia, Syria, Morocco, Palestine, Algeria and more! It all took place from October 1-7 at Joe's Pub in NYC. Each night we taped live conversations with the artists on stage. This special Quartertones episode is one in six, and features a conversation with Hadi Eldebek and Omar Offendum –
Producing for Arab Pop Stars: Metrics & Mental Health | Sleiman Damien
With a vast discography featuring both emerging artists and some of the biggest names in Arabic music, Sleiman Damien is completely tapped into the region’s pop genre. We asked him what he thinks of the phrase “Arab pop fusion”, which metrics actually matter to him, and why he thinks legacy superstars have more sticking power in today’s fickle industry. We reflect on the role of ego in the region’
Chromeo: From Beirut to Planet Funk | P-Thugg
P-Thugg, one half of music duo Chromeo, shares the secrets to a successful and long-term musical collaboration. On set with us in Beirut, he talks about the experiences that led to his discovering funk and hip hop, growing up between Lebanon and Canada and his changing relationship with the former, and what it’s like attending the VMAs. He tells us of Chromeo’s early days when he and David “Dave 1
DJing in the Middle of Nowhere | Nooriyah Qais
DJ Nooriyah’s iconic Boiler room set with her Baba on the oud, growing up between Saudi, Japan and London, and her beloved CDJ 2000s Pioneer decks. We sat down with Nooriyah Qais to talk about everything DJing, her guide to safeguarding yourself in the club industry, and how she transforms a sample into an infectious dance track. We also touch on the community she’s built with her curated event an
Co-founding DAM | Suhel Nafar
The early days of Palestinian hip-hop group DAM, growing up in Lydda, and working with artists across the region and from the diaspora: Suhel Nafar joins us on QuarterTones to discuss his colorful and accomplished musical career to date. We talk about his family’s ‘Bootleg Jackson 5’ group, Palestinian hip hop and his departure from DAM. Suhel Nafar is the co-founder of Palestinian hip-hop group D
Jordanian Grunge | Akher Zapheer
Akher Zapheer’s front-man and longest standing member, Basem Sayej, talks to us about Amman as his muse and a misunderstood city, the Arab rock scene, and his favorite places to perform round the world.We listen to three of Akher Zapheer’s songs from across their albums and get an insight into how Basem approaches song-writing. Finally, Basem shares his personal mixtape for the best alternative ba
Hip Hop, the Lahme Song & Making Beats From Old Syrian Vinyls | Thanks Joey
In this episode of Quartertones, Thanks Joey takes us on a journey through hip hop, Brooklyn music, and his Syrian grandfather’s old records. We talk about working with Omar Offendum and Narcy, his music making process, and what inspired his Lahme song.He gives us a sneak preview of unreleased tracks, tours us round his sampler, and reflects on infusing his music with his heritage.Thanks Joey is a
JOHN BAKHOS | Progressive Metal | Quartertones
John Bakhos talks about forming his metal band, Anuryzm, and the progression of its music throughout the years. In this Quartertones episode, John plays three songs: Cosmos, Neo Luddite, and Ruby Demon.John Bakhos is a Lebanese musician, guitarist, and the founder of the progressive metal band Anuryzm. Born in Beirut, Bakhos started playing the guitar at a young age and was heavily influenced by b
Blu Fiefer | Independent Hip Hop from Lebanon to the World
Blu Fiefer plays three of her songs: Sharaf, Nazele Big Champagne, and Sint El Ew. She talks about her contribution to hip-hop in Lebanon and how she uses storytelling in her music.Blu Fiefer is a Lebanese-Mexican artist, music producer and director, approaching her art as a multi-faceted platform. Today, Fiefer readies her debut album 'Villain Bala Cause' inspired by the traditions of story-telli
Tunisian Classics Reimagined Through Jazz | Omar El Ouaer
Omar El Ouaer plays three of his songs: Alif Ya Soltani, Aziza, and Mana3ref Win. He tells us about Tunisian music and how he discovered Jazz.Omar el Ouaer, a Tunisian jazz musician. He started his music education at the age of 11, studying Arabic music at the conservatory, and later discovered jazz and modern piano. He participated in various jazz workshops and played concerts with local and inte
Zeid Hamdan | Indie Music in Lebanon & Beyond
Zeid Hamdan introduces us to the Indie music scene in the Arab region. We listened together to songs he produced: Herzan by Soapkills and Zamel by Bedouin Burger, which he forms with Lynn Adib.Zeid Hamdan is a Lebanese music composer. For the last 2 decades, he's been producing some of the most interesting bands of the Lebanese and regional indie music scene such as Soapkills, The New Government,
From Morocco to the World: the Art of Making Borderless Music | Malika Zarra
Malika Zarra takes us on a musical journey to discover Moroccan music. She tells about her newest album "RWA (The Essence)" and about who inspires her the most, from Moroccan Hajja Hamdaouia to Lebanese Farid Al-Atrash and Algerian Warda.Malika is a singer and composer who was born in Southern Morocco and raised in a suburb of Paris. Her musical background is a blend of French and Moroccan influen
Expanding the Contemporary Nubian Songbook | Nesma Herky
On this episode of Quartertones we're talking with Nubian-rooted Egyptian singer Nesma Herky who takes us to the origins of her interest in singing. We then listen to her work starting with Amary, continuing with Ne3eesh Be3eed, and end with her rendition of Mohamed Mounir's Ya Marakby.Nesma Herky is a marvelous Nubian rooted Egyptian singer and a skillful music composer, who is taking steady step
The Music of Jewish Women in North Africa | Vanessa Paloma Elbaz
Vanessa Paloma Elbaz talked about her research in Jewish music. We listened to Chant Juif pour la Naissance by Mme. Azeroual, Habibi Lawel by Habiba Messika, and La Llorona by Chavela Vargas.Vanessa Paloma Duncan-Elbaz has a Ph.D. from the Sorbonne’s CERMOM research group of the INALCO (Center for Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Studies of the National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civiliz
Zeid Hamdan & Lynn Adib at Habibi Festival 2022 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub
In this Quartertones event in collaboration with Habibi Festival held at Joe's Pub, we talked to Bedouin Burger duo artists Lynn Adib and Zeid Hamdan.ABOUT HABIBI FESTIVALCreated with the goal of giving a snapshot of contemporary and traditional musics of the SWANA (South West Asia North Africa) region, Habibi Festival aims to take listeners on a journey of the sounds wafting through the airwaves
Hatim Belyamani & Mehdi WMD at Habibi Festival 2022 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub
In this Quartertones event in collaboration with Habibi Festival held at Joe's Pub, we talked to classical pianist Hatim Belyamani and rapper Mehdi WMD.ABOUT HABIBI FESTIVALCreated with the goal of giving a snapshot of contemporary and traditional musics of the SWANA (South West Asia North Africa) region, Habibi Festival aims to take listeners on a journey of the sounds wafting through the airwav
Firas Zreik at Habibi Festival 2022 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub
In this Quartertones event in collaboration with Habibi Festival held at Joe's Pub, we talked to Kanun player and composer Firas Zreik.ABOUT HABIBI FESTIVALCreated with the goal of giving a snapshot of contemporary and traditional musics of the SWANA (South West Asia North Africa) region, Habibi Festival aims to take listeners on a journey of the sounds wafting through the airwaves and living roo
Zahra AlZubaidi at Habibi Festival 2022 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub
In this Quartertones event in collaboration with Habibi Festival held at Joe's Pub, we talked to maqamat and awtaar vocalist Zahra Alzubaidi.ABOUT HABIBI FESTIVALCreated with the goal of giving a snapshot of contemporary and traditional musics of the SWANA (South West Asia North Africa) region, Habibi Festival aims to take listeners on a journey of the sounds wafting through the airwaves and livi
Noura Mint Seymali & Matthew Tinari at Habibi Festival 2022 | Quartertones Live at Joe's Pub
In this Quartertones event in collaboration with Habibi Festival held at Joe's Pub, we talked to Mauritanian griot and singer Noura Mint Seymali and Mauritania/Senegal-based producer and musician Matthew Tinari. ABOUT HABIBI FESTIVALCreated with the goal of giving a snapshot of contemporary and traditional musics of the SWANA (South West Asia North Africa) region, Habibi Festival aims to take lis
Nadine El Roubi | Sudanese Rap
Nadine performed three of her songs and spoke about her musical career.Nadine El Roubi is a Sudanese artist who grew up in Virginia, she hopes to expand the understanding of what it means, and looks like, to be Arab Muslim woman. She takes inspiration from icons like Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and more. She debuted in 2018, with her first solo single “gr8ful”. She has performed in Sudan, Egypt, the
The Clarinet in Arabic Music | Kinan Azmeh
Kinan performed three musical pieces and spoke about his work as a composer.Originally from Damascus, Syria Kinan Azmeh is a soloist, composer, and improvisor. He has performed in places such as the Opera Bastille, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, Damascus Opera House, and more. Kinan’s compositions include several works for solo, chamber, and orchestral music, as well as music for film, live illustrati
Oud With Two-time Grammy-nominated Iraqi Virtuoso | Rahim AlHaj
Rahim performed 3 pieces from his work and spoke about his work as a composer and musician.Rahim AlHaj has performed all over the world, on tour with Munir Bashir, his teacher, as well as solo and with his string quartet project, including numerous concerts in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, and France and hundreds of concerts in the United States. He has re
Producing Arabic Series & Music | Firas Abou Fakher
Firas performed three songs, spoke about starting Last Floor Productions, and his work in movie/TV composition.Firas Abou Fakher is a Lebanese composer, producer, and writer. While attending the American University of Beirut (AUB), he co-founded Mashrou' Leila with Hamed Sinno, Haig Papazian and Carl Gerges and is the band's composer, guitarist, and keyboardist. He also co-founded Last Floor Produ
Lynn Adib | Exploring Arabic Music and Improvisation Through Jazz
Lynn Adib performed three musical pieces: Youmma, Taht El Ward & Autruche followed by a discussion.Born and raised in Damascus, Syria. Lynn Adib is a singer, composer who has been exploring Arabic music and improvisation through Jazz music that she discovered around the age if 19 after spending years in the Choir if Joy in and learning classical flute at the National Conservatory, both in her home
The Sounds of Saudi Hip Hop | Big Hass
Big Hass performed four musical pieces: Iraq Cypher, Arab Femcee Cypher, Sudan Cypher & Khadsha followed by a discussion.Hassane Dennaoui, aka “Big Hass" is the host of Saudi Arabia's first and only FM hip-hop radio show Laish Hip-Hop? and is also founder of Re-Volt Blog and Re-Volt Magazine. He hosted the radio show Spitter with Big Hass at Sole DXB 2019.Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra
Arabic Musicology | Youmna Saba
Youmna Saba performed three pieces: Al Sobh (الصبح), Madd W Jazr (مد وجزر) & Hubut (هبوط), followed by a discussion.Youmna Saba (Beirut, 1984) is a musician and musicologist whose current research focuses on the musical dimension(s) of the Arabic language, as a tool to generate new methods of working with electronics. She released 4 albums to this day and collaborated with musicians of different b
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