Danny Hajjar’s weekly newsletter Sa’alouni El Nas is an absolute gem. It’s become my go-to space for music from the Middle East, North Africa, and the Arab diaspora, replacing my old haunts and habits.
Why, you ask? When traveling, I always stop into music stores to find the local hits. In Algiers, there’s a cavernous store along the winding road Chemin Sidi Yahya. In Amman, I visit Al Loloa, a narrow storefront that is packed with stacks of Levantine and Gulfi hits. And let’s not forget behemoths like Virgin Megastore, who sell the latest chart-toppers, as well as mixes from Melody Hits and Rotana. Everywhere I go, I ask the same questions: What music do you recommend? Who are some great local artists?
But now?? No travel necessary… Sa’alouni El Nas answers these questions and more. Yes, every Friday, Danny Hajjar hosts a Middle Eastern professional, highlighting their expertise and musical tastes, listing other new tracks, and combining them into one phenomenal playlist.
Fantastic, right? It gets better.
In addition to his focus on music and the diverse work of his guests, Danny compiles a range of articles: pieces on social and political issues in Lebanon, broader news from the region, articles about music and the music industry, and other pieces that caught his discerning eye. So, today we shine a spotlight on Sa’alouni El Nas, Danny Hajjar’s incredible newsletter. If you’re a music aficionado who enjoys diverse songs and discovering new artists, I highly recommend his work. Check out some examples below. Great stuff!
Music, News, Interviews, and More
Danny Hajjar began Sa’alouni El Nas about two years ago, as these pieces in GQ Middle East and Mille and L’Orient Today all document well. Launched shortly after the Beirut blast in August 2020, the newsletter highlights the latest news from Lebanon, music from across the Middle East, and the work and interests of diverse guests.
How diverse? A few of his recent guests include the music researcher, Maghrebi music expert, and podcast host Hajer Ben Boubaker. The DC-based journalist, editor, and photographer Laura Albast. The British-Tunisian author, film critic, and cultural commentator Hanna Flint. The Middle Eastern actress and human rights activist Yasmine Al Massri.
But no matter the guest, Danny’s interview questions are always the same:
- What is your favorite song right now?
- What’s your go-to song for all your feels?
- Name a song that reminds you of home.
- Name a song you know all the words to.
- Name a song that gets you really hyped and ready to go.
And each guest’s responses paint a beautiful portrait, revealing their unique musical interests and their personal history, often tracing an arc from their childhood to the songs that currently energize them or trigger memories of home.
Playlists from the Self-Described “Curator of the Vibes”
For me, the musical magic of Sa’alouni El Nas is that it spotlights not only artists from the Middle East, North Africa, and the Arab diaspora, but also Hispanic and Latinx artists, East Asian and West African groups, and more. Danny does an exquisite job of broadening his audience’s musical interests. And he’s right, there are so many excellent artists around the world, singers and groups that might struggle to break into the musical mainstream. They deserve our attention too. So let’s check out this great music for ourselves, going through a few Sa’alouni El Nas playlists. Listen to the selection of tunes below or check out all the others on Danny’s Spotify profile. Or better yet, step it up a notch and subscribe to Sa’alouni El Nas for yourself!
Starting with this playlist, we find Arabic classics like “Awel Mara” from Abdel Halim Hafez and “Tekwit” from the Tunisian singer Ali Riahi. But also the incredible Reggaeton track “La Noche de Anoche” and a top-notch piece from the Parisian hip hop duo Lunatic. Farther down, the lilting vocals and acoustic guitar work of the song “Nomad” quickly became one of my favorites.
In another great playlist (see below), I love “Summer High” by the Indo-Canadian artist AP Dhillon, and “Allamni” from Lebanese pop-rock band Adonis. And classics like Amr Diab’s track “Nour El Bin,” Ramy Ayach’s “Laayounik,” and “Saaltak Habiby” from Fairuz.
Our final example begins with some suggestions from Hanna Flint. She highlights great songs by the rock group Arctic Monkeys and the British singer-songwriter Billy Bragg, and recent pieces from Beyoncé. Further down, I love “Mustaheel” by the pop singer Dana Salah, the guitar work and crooning vocals of Nour Harkati’s “Leli,” and the catchy beat of “2 Sugar” by the Afrobeats star Wizkid.
What Next?
As I’ve said before, check out Sa’alouni El Nas for yourself! Browse old issues and subscribe for free, if you’re interested. You’ll get Danny’s weekly update by email, with his curated list of tunes, carefully selected articles, and phenomenal guests.
And by all means, support the great artists highlighted in these playlists. Some are chart-topping stars, others are emerging names. And many aren’t discussed or included in the musical mainstream. So check them out, broaden your own musical interests. You’ll find some fantastic songs, bands, and singers!
Don’t hesitate to explore other parts of my blog too. Check out my other posts about Middle Eastern music, including pieces about Saudi artists, Lebanese songs, and more. Or marvel in the region’s delicious cuisine, from the iconic dishes of Egyptian street food to the ever-expanding number of Middle Eastern cookbooks.
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