Arabic Jazz and Yazz Ahmed: A Music Between Homelands
Arabic jazz challenges stereotypes amid rising xenophobia in the West and colonial violence in the Arab world.
Music Reviews
Aïda Nosrat of Atine: Artist at Work
Jordan Elgrably interviews free-spirited Iranian performer Aïda Nosrat on music, exile, freedom, and a passion for mixing cultures.
We Will Sing Until the Pain Goes Away—a Palestinian Playlist
Brianna Halasa has put together a dynamite playlist in solidarity with Gaza and all Palestinians.
Berlin-Based Palestinian Returns to Arabic in new Amrat Album
Music writer Melissa Chemam interviews Rasha Nahas on her new Arabic-language album, "Amrat."
Gultrah Sound System: Tunisia’s Sound of Freedom
Melissa Chemam explores the Tunisian neo-rap and reggae group from Tunisia that sings for social and political freedom.
Dynamic Acoustic Duo Ÿuma Allies with Tunisia and Derja
In her monthly music column, Melissa Chemam talks to Sabrine Jenhani, half of the indie Tunisian duo Ÿuma.
From “Anahita” to Ÿuma, Festival Arabesques Dazzles Thousands
Writing from Montpellier, Angélique Crux highlights four musical performances in a Middle Eastern arts festival that has no equal in Europe.
Two Ways to See Morocco from Across the Mediterranean
Nora Ounnas Leroy talks to three Moroccan artists participating in a Montpellier incubator project through the Festival Arabesques.
Hot Summer Playlist: “Diaspora Dreams” Drops
Mischa Geracoulis reviews dance music from the LA Armenian/Middle Eastern duo, Bei Ru and Krista Marina.
Roxana Vilk’s Personal History of Iranian Music
In this month's music column, Melissa Chemam talks to a British national with an Iranian heart and musical heritage.
Tamino, Soothing Sonic Innovator, Goes on Post-Pandemic Tour
Melissa Chemam profiles the Arab-Belgian singer-songwriter Tamino-Amir, as he prepares to go on tour.
Music in the Middle East: Bring Back Peace
Our music columnist Melissa Chemam, disturbed by the war in Ukraine, makes the link between Odesa and Beirut via DJ Sama' Abdulhadi.
Nazareth’s Liwan Features Palestinian Singer Haya Zaatry
This month TMR's music critic Melissa Chemam discusses Palestinian arts and "cultural resistance" at Liwan in Nazareth, where vocalist Haya Zaatry recently performed.
Rachid Taha and the Sway of Chaabi & Raï on Franco-Arab Rock
This month, TMR's music critic, Melissa Chemam, stumbles upon an unexpected exhibit of the history and influence of raï, chaabi and "Beur" politics on the French body politic.
Music in the Middle East: Business can’t Buy Authenticity
180,000 electronic music aficionados attended the SOUNDSTORM festival in Riyadh this month, but as columnist Melissa Chemam writes, "it is impossible not to see these events as a part of the country’s soft power and policy to whitewash its terrible human rights record."