Category Music
Welcome to Part Eight of the project “Interviewing Religion,” where I interview scholars of Middle Eastern religions about their research, discuss how their work connects to broader public issues, and ask for suggestions for further reading. [You can read the… Continue Reading →
How do you define Moroccan music? Well, that’s sort of a trick question. Defining something that broad is complex. What is American music? What is Egyptian music? I think geographic and cultural labels do little to describe the breadth of… Continue Reading →
Dear Other Things, can you tell me your favorite resources? How do you decide what to write about? And where do you find your information? I get questions like this a lot, people asking where I get the ideas and… Continue Reading →
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… Continue Reading →
How many musicians and bands do you know from Saudi Arabia? Have you heard of Abadi al-Johar or Hamza Hawsawi, for example? To be honest, the diversity and depth of Saudi music might surprise you. Not to mention the number… Continue Reading →
Living abroad is a full body immersion in another culture. You’re hit by a cacophony of accents and slang, the aromatic smells and tastes of new foods, and the unique rhythms of different musical styles. For me, the deepest impressions… Continue Reading →
What comes to mind when you think of Algerian music? If you’re like me, you instantly think of the raï genre. Famous raï singers include Cheb Khaled, with hits like Didi and Aicha, or Cheb Mami with the song Ana… Continue Reading →