Mashrou’ Leila are a Lebanese band with an openly gay singer, my favorite songs are Djin, 3 Minutes, Falaykon, Tayf, and Maghawir. The songs respectively mean Genie/Gin (play on words), Let it Be, Spectrum, and Commandos/Militants. They’ve done Arabic covers of Toxic (I can’t find it but its out there) and Get Lucky.

Tamino is an Egyptian/Lebanese singer from Belgium, he sings in English though, his songs Habibi, Indigo Night and Persephone have that tragic Egyptian music vibe. His cover of I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor is pretty great.

Faouzia is a Moroccan-Canadian, Tears of Gold, You Don’t Know Even Know Me and Born Without a Heart are pretty epic. She did a collab with Kelly Clarkson in Moroccan Derja called I Dare You.

Najoua Belyzel is a Egyptian/Moroccan who sings in French, her song Gabriel lends itself to both a religious/queer reading since she sings about being in love with an angel who must choose between her and God (i.e.her or another man), other greats are Comme toi and Je fermes les yeux.

Some fun fusions are Egyptian singer Sherine did an Arabic/English duet with American rapped Nelly for Just A Dream. Jason Derulo doing Talk Dirty with Maya Diab.

Nancy Ajram is a Lebanese singer with some great Arabic pop songs like Ah W Noss, Ya Tabtab, Ma Tegi Hena, Ool Tani Keda, and Akhasmak Ah. They roughly mean Don’t Be Too Sad About It, I Comfort, Why Don’t You Come Over, Say That Again, and I Hold a Grudge but I Won’t Leave You.

Abdel Halim is a classic Egyptian singer I imagine Joe enjoying, my favorites are Ahwak (I Love You) and Gana El Hawa (Love Came to Us)

Isn’t it pathetic for me to stay awake all night and for you to sleep? I am struggling with the fire of your love. 

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أحسست كأن هذا هو آخر ألحان عبد الحليم, فهو مثل الطائر الذي يغني أجمل ألحانه قبل أن يموت..

أو هو مثل طائر الشوك الذي قبل أن يموت, يطير يبحث بين الأشجار الشائكة و عن أطول شوكه ويلقي بجسمه عليها فتنفذ في أحشائه ليموت في أعلى أغصانها !