Thread: NEEDED: Iraqi music!

Anybody have any good Iraqi songs? I need a new playlist for my ipod!!! Song titles and/or artist needed so I can look these up!

I, ahem, happened upon some Iraqi pop once upon a time that is quite nice. I don't know if it is suitable for dance, however, not being in a position to translate. You could explore names like Raed Adel, Gays Hasham, Hussin Gazal, Khder Hady, Jasam Al Garyab, Salah Al Bahr, Akram Al Rahal.

Ali al Baghdadi, who died recently, did Al Burtoqala which is infectiously cute.

And there is the classic singer Nazem Al Ghazali.

THANK YOU! My friend and I recently started dancing at an Iraqi run hookah lounge, and although they were not opposed in any way to our traditional ME dance, they asked if we had any Iraqi music and knew how to dance in that way. I've been youtube-ing the daylights out of it, and they were awesome enough to teach me some last night but I had no proper music!

Kazem al-Saher and Majed al-Mohandes are probably the two most popular contemporary Iraqi singers, so in terms of availability, their music will probably be the easiest to find.

Iraqi music and dance are not monolithic concepts, but rather, multifaceted arts that are functions of time and various ethnic traditions within Iraq. If the videos you have been YouTube-ing are mostly Kawliya (Iraqi Roma, AKA "Qawliya") style, there are a number of threads in the Bhuz archives with more conversation on it, since there is a lot of interest in that style right now, especially coming out of Eastern Europe. The Kawliya are a minority in Iraq, so be aware that they might represent "Iraqi dance" within our dance community, but not necessarily to all Iraqis.

I had been hearing "Galeb Galeb Wen Wen" by Muhammad Al Salim at the clubs a lot! :)

Originally Posted by Zumarrad

And there is the classic singer Nazem Al Ghazali.

I have a translation of one of his, which I really like a lot. I think it was popular around the 1970's, but I could be wrong: Arabic Music: English Translation of Lyrics for Talaa Min Beit Abouha by Nazem al-Ghazali

awesome ladies! I've been looking at videos of belly dancers dancing in the style I saw in the club and doing things they'd asked if I knew how to do.

Iraqi dance by Dalia - Oriental Night 2010 - YouTube

<QUOTE=Zumarrad>I, ahem, happened upon some Iraqi pop once upon a time that is quite nice. I don't know if it is suitable for dance, however, not being in a position to translate. You could explore names like Raed Adel, Gays Hasham, Hussin Gazal, Khder Hady, Jasam Al Garyab, Salah Al Bahr, Akram Al Rahal.

Ali al Baghdadi, who died recently, did Al Burtoqala which is infectiously cute.

And there is the classic singer Nazem Al Ghazali. [/QUOTE]

Amen.(and his wife Salima Murad/Salima Pascha)

@harmoney76:
I first suggest listening to Sajeda Obaid,then Dakheel Hassan and Souad Abdallah to the list of singers for classic+popular+suitable songs to perform the dance moves that you are learning now,and later the newer stuff(original name of the singer of the most popular "fruit songs" Al Bortoqaleh&Al Toffaha was Alaa Saad,not Ali Bagdhadi)

Seta Hagopian have a lot of sweet and tender old hit songs(they are not suitable for the "iraqi style dance"that is popular now(neither are most of Nazems,Salima and Kazems)

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

Kazem al-Saher and Majed al-Mohandes are probably the two most popular contemporary Iraqi singers, so in terms of availability, their music will probably be the easiest to find.

Iraqi music and dance are not monolithic concepts, but rather, multifaceted arts that are functions of time and various ethnic traditions within Iraq. If the videos you have been YouTube-ing are mostly Kawliya (Iraqi Roma, AKA "Qawliya") style, there are a number of threads in the Bhuz archives with more conversation on it, since there is a lot of interest in that style right now, especially coming out of Eastern Europe. The Kawliya are a minority in Iraq, so be aware that they might represent "Iraqi dance" within our dance community, but not necessarily to all Iraqis.

THIS.Yes.

Originally Posted by harmoney76

awesome ladies! I've been looking at videos of belly dancers dancing in the style I saw in the club and doing things they'd asked if I knew how to do.

Ladies:
Do I have your permission to have a little(OK:long winded)rant about my experiences from between the years 1998-2012+music,rythms and dance in Iraq,video clip inspired dance,the iraqi diaspora and last but not least the "new wave"of iraqi dance?

Somebody stop me

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

Ladies:
Do I have your permission to have a little(OK:long winded)rant about my experiences from between the years 1998-2012+music,rythms and dance in Iraq,video clip inspired dance,the iraqi diaspora and last but not least the "new wave"of iraqi dance?

I'm sure there is enough interest to make it worth your effort! Would you rather start a fresh thread or do it here?

Emma-Bessa,

Let that which is Unsaid be Said.

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

Ladies:
Do I have your permission to have a little(OK:long winded)rant about my experiences from between the years 1998-2012+music,rythms and dance in Iraq,video clip inspired dance,the iraqi diaspora and last but not least the "new wave"of iraqi dance?

Pulling up a chair and preparing to listen to Emma-Bessa's rant....

Back again!

Please bear with me:it´s 19.00 here in Sweden,been working since 06.00 until now plus have family visiting over the month.
The kids aint fasting,and are instead roaming around sugared up..
*puts in earplugs and makes a bucket of coffee*

This rant is not an "IRAQI DANCE U R DOING IT WRONG PLZ STOP"
I´m hoping that belly dancers who becomes interested in the rich culture of Iraq and aims to work for and with iraqis will feel that they have gotten helpful hints&tips from this post.

(@Tourbeau:We´ll come back to our PM discussion about radi further down..)

I became interested in understanding the different styles of iraqi in -98 when Malayeen was living here for a few years,connecting with the dance community performing not only in paid venues but unpaid haflas.
Due to Swedens generous immigration and refugee politics,iraqis fastly became one of the biggest ethnic groups here.When seeing my sincere interest the community here was engaged and eager to have their culture represented,networking to put me in contact with musicians+singers+actors+journalists etc as well as those connected with dance-from "gypsy"familys and belly dancers to the "Reda style of Iraq"i.e. the researchers,choreographers and dancers in the Iraqi National Folk Dance Ensemble.

Mohanned Hawazhttps://www.facebook.com/mohanned.hawaz Assistant to Hanaa Abdalla(the "Farida Fahmy of Iraq")lives here now and have his own iraqi dance troupe:"Enkidu".

Firstly:No professional belly dancer should perform and emulate this style without having knowledge of the roots of the dance,and be fully aware of the view of it´s performers.

IRIN Middle East | IRAQ: Gypsies call for greater rights | Iraq | Other
No place for gypsies in ultra-conservative Iraq
Iraqi Kurdistan’s gypsies want to vote: No more singing and dancing

Calling this dance "iraqi gypsy"or "kawliya"does not feel comfortable to me.
(by saying that I don´t mean to critizice or put someone down who do.Why then?Those I´ve met with this ethnic background are afraid to identify themselves as "gypsies",and *do not*call themselves kawliya.)

When talking to musicians and folkloric dancers we´ve instead used the word haja(hecha,hacha)which is a rythm and music term.

Every single time this dance is a topic,I feel a"view of bellydance in Egypt"...times ten,if not hundred.
Some think it´s tacky,some hate it and some love it...but I´ve yet to meet a man or a woman who are comfortable with a "kawliya style" dancing daughter,sister or mother.

Talking about the Domari people who usually performed&performs the dance in question,somewhat more neutral words are gajar or tidua even though the word kawliya is more widely recognized.The word kawliya is used as a derogatory word,and an insult(if you don´t believe me:try call someone that loud in a venue frequented by first generation iraqis,watch them flinch)

Apart from being tradionally performed by domari,this dance is somewhat associated with the old regime&Sunni elite.
Famous dancers like Malayeen are wanted targets for armed shia fanatics,who have already murdered Hanadi(the girl playing the "love interest"and had the most visible role in the "fruit song"video clips.

Situation in Iraq right now:
http://news.yahoo.com/postcard-iraq-...162021782.html

One side of new "iraqi wave" I think most belly dancers can relate to is the joy of meeting dancers on the net and IRL who wants to learn as much as possible,respect the culture and have an interest of it outside of performing and teaching ASAP.
An other interesting side of the sudden hunger for learning iraqi dance was however seeing my own compendium scanned in(the only bother the so called "teacher"made was blanking out my name and workplace with White Out)and well as posts I´ve made in forums and Facebook copied and pasted into learning material without any cred or asterisk added.


Misinformation is "the gift that keeps on giving"and misinformation on this particular dance is plenty on dancers info pages,on YouTube and last but not least:In workshops.

What is the biggest misconceptionis to call the dance chobi.
Chobi is a unique rythm for Iraq,but the dance is a social line dance like halay/khigga/dabke and NOT the "lunge forward/back and toss your hair like you just don´t care".
"Hit" chobi (now considered timeless "classic"by Salah Abdel Ghafoor ,mixed dancers:
Same song with the more typical social style in moving line(male dancers)

The most recognized iraqi dancer(apart from Hanaa Abdalla and Sabriyeh,folkloric stage dancers)is Sana Karim AKA Malayeen(=Million).She is the most famous dancer in the dance in the style we are talking about in this thread.
First in impromptu(dragged up in civil clothing)solochobilater in clip in group impro haja (Some call the newer style radi,more about that further down)

*continued blabbering-passed out in a food coma after dinner yesterday*

I´m adding clips with authentic native dancers:Malayeen(+her family),"pro party performers",clips of the older style and folkloric stage performers as learning resource+inspiration.Seeing how native dancers move and interpret music,rythms and lyrics are an immensely better way of "hacking"this style,rather than watching video clips to songs or dancers from eastern Europe/former Soviet.

Here´s why:
1.The girls in iraqi music video clips are not always dancers-given a "crash course"the moves are often very upper body focused.And that has feeded a myth that thrives:
The idea that this dance consists of a bunch of hair tossing+shoulder shakes+lunging forward/back.NOT TRUE for pro dancers,or the older style.
2.The dances by EE/FS dancers are contest numbers,interpreting a maximum of 15 newer songs(used endlessly)adding in acrobatic elements&accents not seen in the authentic style(such as using the back bend as a sharp accent,snake arms,arabesques etc)

brb after lunch!:-)

This reminds me of the race conversations of the last quarter of 20th C. in the US. Most outsiders sincerely want to use sensitive, appropriate terminology, but it felt like the nomenclature was constantly shifting in terms of the insiders' definition of what "offensive" was. We were just starting to get traction with the idea that "Gypsy" was ignorant and rude, and as soon as people started using "Kawliya," now it's offensive. How do the Iraqi Roma want to define themselves? I mean, most of us are outsiders to the ethnic politics of the situation, and there may not be agreement within the community itself, just like there are some Roma who want to reclaim "Gypsy" with a positive association, and others who are numb/immune to the word and aren't bothered by it, and a whole spectrum of other opinions. It probably doesn't help much that some of the dancers leading the conversation don't always understand at the level they should if they're promoting themselves as experts.

As a side note on the social/political, I almost posted something earlier about how Iraq seems to have baggage issues beyond what you'd normally see in other parts of the ME. Older singers who were favored by Saddam's regime have problems with being seen as flunkies and sellouts now. Musicians who ran afoul of Saddam "disappeared" and some of them were forgotten during their time of being banned (and a few were unfortunately "disappeared" literally). There are varying levels of rehabilitation going on in the creative community. In other words, you might want to research more than just your song lyrics.

Re: famous Iraqi dancers...Wasn't Samara born in Iraq? Did she ever do Iraqi dance, or was she only know for Lebanese style?

oh keep all this information going!!!

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

This reminds me of the race conversations of the last quarter of 20th C. in the US. Most outsiders sincerely want to use sensitive, appropriate terminology, but it felt like the nomenclature was constantly shifting in terms of the insiders' definition of what "offensive" was. We were just starting to get traction with the idea that "Gypsy" was ignorant and rude, and as soon as people started using "Kawliya," now it's offensive.

Good questions&interesting thoughts from you Tourbeau!

I was not really making any sense in my earlier posts after several days of almost no sleepHATE spending Ramadan month in Sweden´cause fasting is almost 20 hours for the part of my family who fasts now(I don´t fast myself)and it´s chaotic in the household+I´m trying to work from home...

Again:The term "kawliya"is the most widely recognized term.It IS NOT incorrect.
I hold no grudges or wish to criticize anyone negatively who uses use it as a tag on YouTube,as a description term for classes/workshops etc.
AND is definitly to prefer over using "iraqi dance"for the reasons you already mentioned!
(just wanted dancers who reads this thread to know that the word is used as insult among iraqis,and gain insight on the situation and living conditions for the traditional professional performers)

I´ve been sworn to secrecy of those telling me they have this background+seen Malayeen get much more upset for a person saying that word to her,than over murder threats to her&her daughter(more info:http://adrianmonck.com/2007/12/repor...belly-dancers/

As for what they call themselves,I have never encountered anypne wishing to "take the power of the word back"as in ways of language examples in english:racial slurs/sexual orientation slurs can be used among insiders<->not OK of outsiders.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

As a side note on the social/political, I almost posted something earlier about how Iraq seems to have baggage issues beyond what you'd normally see in other parts of the ME.

PLEASE POST the link,Tourbeau! Just the other day I witnessed a huge fight among syrians over a Mayada el Henawy song being played-politics play a HUGE role.

As an example(and with big educational for dancers wanting to learn about music/rythms/dance):Watching as a dancer the music/rythms/dance are my main interest in these clips.But iraqis(especially kurds)will focus on the man in the sofa enjoying the entertainment Ali Hassan al-Majid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[video=youtube;YBO-89OFpE0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5BvJOeRm54]&#x202b;[/url]






[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBO-89OFpE0[/video]

double post

So coming out from the ramblings on background info and rant about misinformation and "teachers"without ethics,time to go back into what´s useful for pro dance performance

IMHO the most useful resources to start with are
Rhythms Corner and Jas's-- Middle Eastern Rhythms List (this one allows listening in different tempos)

The hewa,radi and especially haja are the rythms that are suitable for the dance in question.
Some musicians agree on that the haja(older)and radi(newer)rythms are the same rythm,just in different tempos,and those I know who disagrees is scholared academic musicians and singers.(Karim Nagy would probably voice these out vocally as "And a-DUM-takk-takk-*breathe*-DUM-takk-takk",faster "dumtaktakdumtaktak",even faster "takktakk,takktakk,takktakk")

Typical haja rythm,song and dance.
This clip is unlike most iraqi dance clips uploaded without original music not misinformative;
Although filmed singer in clip is Salah Abdul Ghafoor in a TV-concert with southern iraqi music(and not Sajeeda Obaid in the audio)
the dance IS southern haja,with daggers to visualize the "pain of passion"in lyricsBaskoot Aween is about severe suffering in secret.
Sajeda is a well known "kawliya"artist who went from dancing in her youth into singing.

More haja:later part(from 2.11 ) by Sadoun Al Bayati:

Radi is dance+rythm that a dancer can use for "kawliya"moves",but will especially get young men to get up and shake it "off the hook"
It is dance music.
Here´s Steve and his band playing radi in Stockholm(Steve is jokingly doing typically female forward/backward steps):

There will always be disagreements from a moves origin,but here´s an example of a typical unisex move used in radi between 0.23-01.00+2.47 demonstrated by a young Malayeen and her mother(or aunt):

A male social/pro dancer will only use "kawliya"movement if he is doing it in a female style(i.e. showing his tender charm&flirting,demonstrating gracefulness and musicality for male admirers/acting in a humourous way/acting funny to gain attention):

Older style:
I was called an "egg"(not even a chicken yet)by two sisters in their 50´s and early 60´s(whos mother and aunts were dancers)for being too lazy with playing chumpara(zils)

Watching their steps and interaction(and description of appropriate dance clothes)the older style had many differences from the current.Here´s two old clips(singer is the legendary Dahkeel Hassan of Nasiriyya):



Here´s a kuwaiti spoof clip on southern iraqi artists from 1979(poking fun of their peculiar way of singing,dressing,nonchalante behavoirs etc)that shows female "kawliya"clothes popular up until about 1970.
The gold belt+long necklace is traditional to other iraqi groups as well(and still gived as part of dowry) Older style:

Another dress/adornment example of dresses following fashion.Singer in straight skirt dress with shoulder pads,and the traditional necklace combined in a set with indian style hand jewellery and headdress.
Head adornment,modern hair cuts and updos have for obvious reasons not been suitable for the dancers-the longer hair the better.But singers have worn everything from jeweled hats to tiaras,intricate updo styles and large earrings.This particular headdress shape is also a part of iraqi kurdish folk dress,and still immensly popular for kurds in dressing up,dance costumes and wedding outfits,as is the necklace&belt combo.

Malayeen and her sister Jowana in a 80´s/early 90`s fashion bonanza-plus an especially fab snippet of their mother(or aunt)dancing:

Malayeen in a stage play(as far as I know,she have been the pioneer in performing this as a solo dance) dancing haja with daggers.
A pro level dancer in this style with a larger movement vocabulary does NOT use a forward/back lunge over and over and over,just as a pro level bellydancer woudn´t use a drop/kick as her default step.

Other tips for harmony76:
Take very well care of your body!Stretch for loooong,consider yoga(or get a clip card to massage therapist/chiropractor,lol)since this dance is hard on not only the neck;constant squatting and floor work requires that you have muscle strength to not strain joints.
Learn to do the finger snap with a loud sound.
Always dress up when coming in/leaving and have the base makeup applied+hair fixed,so that you´ll have a professional look+never have to say "no"when someone want to take a picture together.
Flatten hair and let it cool for 10min before touching it to avoid tangling.If you have bangs or shorter lengths in the front,fasten them carefully(french braided with non tangling deco like hair tinsel braided in looks glam).Do not use any sticky makeup product on lips.


Use a glitzy washable thobe rather than a bedlah for this style,not only more authentic but also spares a 900$ Bella from getting dirty(again:squatting&floorwork is elements that belong in the style)

From my experience first generation iraqis(males)like to show off for friends and show appreciation by money shower tips.Make arrangements with waiters to pick them up.
Younger second generation iraqi men might want to body tip and dance very close to you-show strongly that you are in charge of your set

Show special attention to females in your audience(do not be surprised if they put their hand on your hip to "feel your shimmy".It´s a compliment)If you invite a woman to join you in dance,and she agrees:always "escort"her back to her seat and thank her.
In case of choosing between following choreo or dancing for a longer while with a child,child goes first;-)
(most of the above is of course "normal gig etiquette"for bellydancers,but especially useful for doing iraqi gigs)

Try these tips:
End your gig after drum solo with an audience participation chobi(you´ll learn the bases in 20min)use Setrak Sarkissians "Ubart Elshat"for your entrance song or try this for a slower passage in middle of set using your lyrical,slow and expressive bellydance moves:
Hussein Al-Jasmy - 6 El Sob7 (6 morning) | Lyrics Translate
and consider using popular iraqi music that does not require "kawliya dancing" while you learn:-)

BEST ADVICE(true to any style):
My own experience has been that studying hard to be able to cater to different audiences is a good thing.Knowledge and training develops confidence and will give you a good reputation,and a better pro/hobby career.

It´s always the smartest choice for a dancer to doing what she knows throughly with a nod to the audiences taste and wishes,instead of "jumping in deep water" to publically learn as she/he goes-this is the age when everyone has a filming device in their pocket...

I hope there was some crumbles of interesting info in my rambling here,and forgot to add:
Anyone interested in the culture of Iraq is most welcome to join the FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/209771972392247/

There are several teachers in the group who you can get in touch with,check their schedule and sponsor:Martina von Schwerin,Leila Molaei,Alexandra Soto,Mark Balahadia,Amani Jabril,Samira Shuruk,Samantha Burnstein,Sabrina(streaming workshop avaliable here in AugustIraqi Qawliyya (Hacha) workshop with Sabrina - Streaming Rental | RAQStv - Online Belly Dance Classes )and Mohanned Hawaz)

Another teacher I can vouch for is Jasmine Al Hadithi.
She´s a pro dancer/teacher who have been trained in egyptian styles by Suzanne Petrén Abou Shebika and in iraqi styles by Hanaa Abdullah&Mohanned Hawaz(+speaks the iraqi dialect)

See ya!:-)

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

PLEASE POST the link,Tourbeau! Just the other day I witnessed a huge fight among syrians over a Mayada el Henawy song being played-politics play a HUGE role.

I don't have a specific article, but bits and pieces from various sources, and I've linked a few below. Sabah al-Sahel was executed by Saddam for "treason," but I haven't been able to find a lot of information about him in English. Afifa Iskander retired rather than sing for Saddam. Daoud al-Qaissi was assassinated in 2003. Qasim al-Sultan has struggled to rebuild his career. Iraq is also having a tough time dealing with fundamentalist factions who are against singing as entertainment on principle. The fourth article linked below says 80% of the singers who were working during Saddam's rule have fled the country and at least 75 singers have been killed since 2003, so regardless of whether the reasons are political or religious, an informed dancer would benefit from knowing a bit of the context about the vocalist, just in case an audience member wants to engage in conversation (i.e., you don't have to be a superfan, but it's helpful to know if the artist is dead or alive). I get the sense that the stakes are higher in Iraq than in, say, Egypt, where Tamer Hosni is more of a joke for his political stance than anything else. Tamer's career has certainly faltered since his Tahrir Square debacle, but excluding the hardcore fundamentalists who've always hated him, people seem more interested in laughing about what an idiot they think he is than killing him.

"She is Iraq's Um Kulthoum"| History News Network
BBC NEWS | Middle East | Saddam's singer shot dead
Saddam-Era Iraqi Singer Makes A Comeback : NPR
IRIN Middle East | IRAQ: Singing

BTW, is there a difference between the "radi" that you're using and "radih" ردح? Same word/different transliteration or different words?

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

End your gig after drum solo with an audience participation chobi(you´ll learn the bases in 20min)use Setrak Sarkissians "Ubart Elshat"for your entrance song or try this for a slower passage in middle of set using your lyrical,slow and expressive bellydance moves:
Hussein Al-Jasmy - 6 El Sob7 (6 morning) | Lyrics Translate
and consider using popular iraqi music that does not require "kawliya dancing" while you learn

I'm curious how you came to suggest this particular song. Hussein al-Jasmy was born in the Emirates, and if I'm not mistaken, he's singing this particular song in Egyptian Arabic. Walid Saad and Ayman Bahgat Amar (the songwriters) are Egyptian, too.

What do you think of "Kabad bad" by Melhem Zein? Singers from other parts of MENA often dabble in Khaleeji, but this is the first time I can recall someone from farther West (he's Lebanese) trying for a more Iraqi sound.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

IThe fourth article linked below says 80% of the singers who were working during Saddam's rule have fled the country and at least 75 singers have been killed since 2003, so regardless of whether the reasons are political or religious, an informed dancer would benefit from knowing a bit of the context about the vocalist, just in case an audience member wants to engage in conversation (i.e., you don't have to be a superfan, but it's helpful to know if the artist is dead or alive).

Absolutely,100% true.
Iraq is not only a dangerous place for artists:Iraqi journalists under fire

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

I get the sense that the stakes are higher in Iraq than in, say, Egypt, where Tamer Hosni is more of a joke for his political stance than anything else.

Yes.Here´s a link to a fab radio program that I hope will work again soon(alerted prolems with listening):BBC iPlayer - World Routes: Andy Kershaw in Iraq: Iraq's classical and gypsy music traditions

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

BTW, is there a difference between the "radi" that you're using and "radih" ردح? Same word/different transliteration or different words?

Same,same:-) It´s pronounced "rad-EH"and just write it like this(just as haja can be "hecha","hacha","hädj-A")

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

I'm curious how you came to suggest this particular song. Hussein al-Jasmy was born in the Emirates, and if I'm not mistaken, he's singing this particular song in Egyptian Arabic. Walid Saad and Ayman Bahgat Amar (the songwriters) are Egyptian, too.

What do you think of "Kabad bad" by Melhem Zein? Singers from other parts of MENA often dabble in Khaleeji, but this is the first time I can recall someone from farther West (he's Lebanese) trying for a more Iraqi sound.

6 el sob7 is still very popular at the iraqi hangouts(cafe´s,resturants and partys)here,despite being 2 years old,that´s why:-)
Another song that are also still constantly played/sung/performed is Ramy Ayach&Adawiyas "Nas El Raya"(although keeping an eye on gulf hit list will have a better payoff for an iraqi audience)
Kabad Bad would probably be appreciated?Sounds nice(haven´t heard it played yet though)

The 2 most popular lebanese resturants here(Cave de Roi+Carte Blanche)used to have lebanese&syrian singers with almost exclusively levantine/syrian repertoire since 1995
But the last years they have started to hire iraqi singers steadily.when I asked about it I got the reply that it´s not only for the(huge)clientele of iraqi customers,it was also requests from the other customers to have more of the iraqi music.