Stars resume their schedule after New Year's break

By Nohad Topalian in Beirut
For Al-Shorfa.com
2010-01-09

[AFP/Getty Images] Elissa denied rumors about her health and released her new album "Tesada Bemin."

Although it appears that a relative calm has settled over the entertainment scene after the many New Year's Eve concerts, a number of artists have seized the opportunity to put the final touches on new singles and albums.

Majida El Roumi, for instance, arranged to record her new song "El-daaye' Btetghayar" (lyrics by Nizar Francis and music by Melhem Barakat), which is expected to be included on her new album. Majida is also working with Iraqi singer Kathem al-Saher on another song for the album.

Walid Tawfik has been busy trying to diversify his work by choosing songs from songwriters and composers in Lebanon, Egypt and the Gulf. These new songs are expected to be released by February 14th.

Elissa recently released a new album "Tesadak Bi Min," which includes "Biestehi," "Matearafshi Leih," "Salemli Aleih," "Amri Li Rabi," and "Ma Ash Wala Kan". The Lebanese singer denied rumours that an illness caused her to gain weight lately.

Lebanese star Nancy Ajram released her single "Salemouli Aleih," written by Nabil Khalaf and composed by Walid Saad.

Joseph Attieh is preparing to release his new twelve-song album "Mawhum." He collaborated with a number of songwriters and composers, including: Samir Nakhleh, Mounir Abou Assaf, Nizar Francis, Hesham Boulos, Rawad Raad, Tony Abi Karam, Salim Assaf, and Samir Safir. The album's main track "Mawhum" was written by Ahmad Madi and composed by Hesham Boulos.

Sabah announced her consent to make her biography into a television series that would be written by Ayman Salama and produced by Sadek al-Sabah. Sabah only gave her approval after the producers accepted the conditions that she set: the series will only deal with a certain period of her daughter's life, not subject her family to criticism, and not reveal the real names of the men to whom she has been married.

Composer and musician Guy Manoukian is recovering at home after being hospitalized recently. After his collaboration with international star Shakira, Manoukian is about to conclude negotiations with one of Shakira's producers that will give him the opportunity to compose one of her future songs.

Lebanese singer Amar, who participated in the New Year's Eve concert at Dubai's Movenpick Hotel with Mohamed Iskandar and Melhem Zein, expects to release her new album soon, while satellite channels have started airing her music video "El Ataba Gazaz." The song was written by Hany El Saghir, and composed by Mohamed Rahim. French director Fabien Dufils directed the video.

Tunisian singer Latifa is putting the final touches on her new album, expected to be released in April or May. The album was produced in collaboration with artist Zeyad Rahbani and composer Jean-Marie Riachi.

On a different note, UN World Food Program (WFP) chose Hend Sabri was chose to be an ambassador against hunger and to raise awareness about hunger and food issues.

The WFP appointed Hend after she had volunteered since last February to work with the program team in Syria and the Palestinian territories. Hend joins famous actor Mahmoud Yassin who has been appointed for this mission since 2004. The program's regional vice president for the Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe will announce Hend's new position at a press conference Tuesday evening (January 12th).

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