Showbiz Arabia: Melhem Zein is back

After a four-year hiatus, Melhem Zein is back with a brand new album, plus a hotly anticipated music video.

The Lebanese singer — who found fame after appearing on LBC’s Super Star, the pan-Arab version of Pop Idol — has just released his fourth album, Melhem Zein 2012, which shot to the top of the Virgin Megastore charts and is now in the top two position.

At the moment, 30-year-old Zein is on tour promoting his new record. Following a Middle Eastern tour over the summer, the singer recently headed to Canada to perform several shows there. Before he headed off to North America, tabloid! caught up with him before a show with Nancy Ajram at Casino du Liban.

Q: You’ve finally released your fourth album. You must be happy that you are back touring with a new record.

A: Yes, I have been extremely busy, but I am very proud of the new record. Some of the songs are already becoming very well known with the fans... Ma’ak Badeyak, Enty Al Khesertey, Kel Marra... I was surprised to see that the fans already knew the words to all of them. I was recently performing in Abu Dhabi, and the fans there were unbelievable — they knew the songs inside out!

Q: Were you worried that you were releasing your album at the same time as top sellers Majda Al Roumi and Elissa?

A: No, because everyone has their fans. The album did very well, reaching the top of the charts and now it is top two. To me, it is the fans who are most important; albums come and go, but as long as fans are liking and appreciating the music, I am happy.

Q: Since the release, what have you been up to?

A: I have been busy performing at a lot of festivals across the Arab world. There was a Lebanese festival with my sister Najwa Karam; I always enjoy appearing in the same shows as her as she is such a pleasure to work with. And now this evening, there’s an exciting show with Nancy Ajram, and she is so much fun. She always gets everyone up on their feet and dancing.

Q: Then you are heading to North America, right?

A: Yes, I have a few shows in Canada which I am looking forward to.

Q: You have completed shooting a music video which, judging by posts on social newtorks, fans are dying to see.

A; Yes, it is for the song Ma’ak Badeyak, which has become very popular with my fans. Fadi Haddad directed it; he is very good and a very talented director, so I am always relaxed when I work with him. The story surrounded the video is something that probably touches any household in the Arab world.

Q: Finally, what do you want to achieve by the end of 2012?

A; I hope that we return to stability; it has been a difficult time for the Arab world, and I sincerely hope the Arab world becomes more stable.

Briefs:

Najwa Karam in Dubai

The Arab’s Got Talent star will perform at Ibn Battuta Mall’s covered area on September 21. Show starts at 9pm, tickets Dh250 regular and Dh500 VIP.

Fares’ feeling better

Fares Karam is rumoured to be recovering from a heart attack.

According to several Arab news outlets, the Lebanese singer was rushed to hospital in Beirut after suffering chest pain.

Although the incident hasn’t been confirmed by Karam’s management, a number of celebrities took to Twitter to wish him well.

“Salamtak [get well soon] my dear Fares Karam, w salemet albak men kel charr [and wishing all pain away from your heart],” tweeted Haifa Wehbe. Fellow Lebanese singer Myriam Fares posted: “Let’s pray for Fares Karam :( hope he gets better”.

Karam is said to be now out of hospital and recovering at home.

Bassma to quit singing?

Oh dear, is the honeymoon period over for Bassma Boussel already? Following our report last week that the Moroccan ex-Star Academy contestant got hitched to Tamer Hosni, it is now being reported that she is set to quit her singing career.

Several Arab news websites are claiming that Hosni has asked Bassma to quit her music career in order to focus on marriage and raising a family. This comes just as the singer was about to sign an album deal.

One source is quoted as saying: “There is no doubt that Tamer is the star, and he is quite demanding. He doesn’t want to share Bassma with anyone.”

Although Bassma is yet to confirm the news herself, she tweeted this week: “Never look at the bad side, we must appreciate more the good stuff that we have so we won’t loose them [sic].”

ARABIA ONLINE

“I am hope you like my new single Hafdal Aheb!”

— Lebanese singer-actress-presenter Nicole Saba

“Good morningggggg! #Supernancy very soooonnn. 2 days to go... are you ready???”

— Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram