Showbiz Arabia: The Fab Four are back

They have been out of the spotlight for a while, but WAMA are set to make a comeback later this month with a new single. The Egyptian foursome — Nader Hamdi, Mohammad Nour, Ahmad Fahmy and Ahmad Al Shami — formed in 1998 and made a major name for themselves in 2003 with the hit single Ya Leil. Since then, the group have released three more hit albums.

tabloid! caught up with Hamdi to find out more about the band's plans this year.

It has been a while since WAMA have released anything. What are your plans for this year?

Ever since we started out, we do not like to appear unless we have something new to present, which explains why we have been absent from the spotlight for a while now. We are currently working on new material, but it has been taking a while, but new things are coming up. Right now, we're working on the video for a new song called Yalla Naamel Haga Ashanha (Let's Do Something For Her) — the song is about Egypt and the Egyptian revolution, but it is quite different from the number of songs that have been released about the current situation so far. Expect the video to appear on your television screens within a few days.

Despite being together for more than a decade, you have never performed in the UAE.

Yes, that's true. We have visited the UAE for holidays or to appear on television shows; however, unfortunately we have never had the honour of performing for a UAE audience. We're hopeful of the future though — God willing, we will be able to perform for our fans soon.

You were Egypt's first boy band and very successful but other bands did not work. Why do you think the Arab world prefers solo singers?

I think it is a matter of working in a group being much more difficult than being a solo artist. Because we have been friends since childhood and the public instantly warmed to us. Additionally, since we all studied music at college, this helped us immensely.

Your film Al Academeya was recently released in cinemas across the UAE. Do you have any other acting projects coming up?

I have been offered other film projects; however, after my experience with Al Academeya, I realised that acting is a full-time job and requires your utmost focus and concentration. It is not for me considering the focus of my work is in music as a singer and as a music distributor.

Do you enjoy acting?

Very much. I really enjoyed my experience with Al Academeya and I am a movie buff. I love international movies and my favourite actor of all time has to be Robert De Niro. The experience showed me that I was capable of doing things I didn't know I could do. So I see the world of film as a great future, but it's just a matter of time for me.

You also have your own production company, Cube Music. What are you currently working on?

Right now I am working on a new mini album with WAMA, which is scheduled for release at the beginning of the summer, and I have signed on Star Academy 1's winner Mohammad Attiya and we're currently in the process of preparing material for his first album with us. I am also on the lookout for new talent. I would like to sign on talented singers who truly deserve support.

Because Arab pop music is so hard to sell right now, is it important to be a good businessman as well?

For me personally, I take care of the musical side of things — the business side of things is taken care of by my partner Mohammad Allam. I bring my musical experience to the table, so the partnership works.

With the current political instability in Egypt, is it harder to record music? Have you experienced any personal changes in your work as a result of the revolution?

I personally believe that those artists actively becoming political right now are those who need the publicity. I think a true artist is one that gets their message across through their art, which is why I do not comment or get involved on Twitter…etc. We're hoping to spread a positive message through the new song.

Which other artists do you predict will be successful in 2012?

Any smart musician that respects his or her audience. With the revolution taking place, I think we're going to go back to a time in the past when Egyptian art was truly original and respected. People appreciate good music.

If you could choose one singer to duet with this year, who would it be?

There's no doubt about it - Beyoncé. She is one of the best singers in the world today.

‘I am absolutely shocked'

Adel Imam is said to be "livid" after he was sentenced to three months in prison after being found guilty of insulting Islam in his plays and films.

"I have no recollection of the lawsuit and my lawyer was not notified in order to go and represent me in court. I am absolutely shocked at this decision," said the Egyptian actor.

"Every person should have the freedom to express themselves as they wish. It is ridiculous that these restrictions are being imposed in the entertainment world."

Lessons learnt

Nawal Al Zoughbi has admitted being "consumed with fame too quickly" when she first launched her career in the '90s.

In a recent interview, the Lebanese singer said that she felt she was too young to handle fame.

"When I first started out, I was 18," Nawal said. "When I started to get famous, I was way into myself, I thought the world revolved around me. That's what happens when you get too much at a young age. It is difficult to handle."

The singer added: "I am definitely more mature now in the way I handle fame. Being famous is not the most important thing in life — it is my family and the importance of being a responsible person."

Al Alya comes to Idol's rescue

In an attempt to save Arab Idol's flailing ratings, MBC drafted in Elie Al Alya last week to lead the live shows.

The show is said to be not doing well with viewers and critics branding the format as "boring". Additionally, according to various media reports, Tunisian singer Saber Al Roubaie, who was the star guest on the reality TV competition, was left unimpressed with the quality of the orchestra he was performing with and told producers the show needed help.

"Elie is one of the best in the business. He has been doing this for 20 years and has worked with great talent including Majda Al Roumi and Wael Kfoury. If he doesn't save Arab Idol, then we do not know what will," said a source.

"Haifa Wehbe is the queen of seduction. She reminds me of legendary Egyptian actress Hind Rustom. But what I love about Haifa is that she is very smart and avoids creating problems with other singers. She is a lovely person."

— Ragheb Alame

"[My fiancé and I] have decided to postpone our wedding. We cannot get married now when we're seeing our country suffer so much."

— Gada Abdul Razeq