Habibi Festival is back for a fifth year with performances and talks on stage hosted by afikra, which we'll be releasing on our Quartertones series. Day 1 opens with a solo performance by Maii Waleed, an artist from Alexandria, Egypt, in her debut at Joe's Pub. She sings tracks from her previous EP, including "Neptune" and "Sama", and "Fashi" from her upcoming EP. Then violinist Layale Chaker takes the stage with her quintet, including a pianist, a drummer, a cellist and a double-bassist. She opened her set with a piece called "Anatomie of Titus – Fall of Rome". She discussed her album "Radio Afloat", which explores the sacred relationship between people and their land, and the grief and reverence that many Arab artists feel—especially in the diaspora—for this connection. She also mentioned her album "Inner Rhyme" inspired by the 12 meters in classical Arabic poetry. She shared that music, especially instrumental music, serves as a wordless art of suggestion, allowing listeners to attribute their own emotions to it. Chaker also performed a piece called "Southern Sky", inspired by a childhood memory of her village in southern Lebanon, near the border, and the starry nights she experienced there. Her final pieces were "Ocean to Ocean" which was inspired by a long poem by Ounsi el-Hajj, and "Nocturnal Backburn" that talks about native plants regrowing after a controlled fire. The performance is followed by a Q&A with Layale Chaker who explains that the violin was an instrument her mother chose for her, but one that has become an extension of herself.

Musician and composer Maya Youssef takes us on her unique journey with the qanun. Currently based in London, Maya delves into her early musical upbringing in Damascus to challenging traditional perceptions of the 78-stringed Instrument and developing her own innovative approach to composition and teaching. She discusses the profound connection between the qanun and human emotion, and how music became a form of prayer and healing during personal and global turmoil. Maya also delves into the intricacies of Arabic music theory, improvisation, and the importance of embodying music.

Rapper, writer, and thought leader Akala joins us on Quartertones live at Sole DXB to talk about his early career steps in London, the city's unique blends due to its history, and his drive to connect with diverse audiences. He shares insights into the impact of colonialism and the importance of embracing shared cultural heritage from Shakespeare to his Jamaican influences. We discuss the significance of South-South solidarity and the changing nature of global power dynamics. Akala reflects on the complexities of identity, privilege, and the evolving cultural landscape in Europe.

Palestinian singer Lina Makoul delves into the responsibility of artists to translate public sentiment, the worsening situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the impact of the 900 new checkpoints added by the occupation on day-to-day Palestinian life. Makoul talks about her journey as an independent artist, her research into Palestinian history, and the challenges faced by Palestinian artists under occupation. The discussion also covers the importance of community and creative collaborations, and the power of art in resistance. Makoul also shares her experiences on international tours and highlights the significance of maintaining genuine artistic expression amidst political and economic pressures.

Palestinian-Jordanian singer, songwriter, and producer Dana Salah shares her journey graduating from Duke University to DJing in New York City and writing songs in Jay-Z's studio to transitioning to creating and performing songs in Arabic. She discusses the impact of DJing on her music writing, and the importance of staying connected with her culture. She reflects on her musical influences and the challenges of blending modern and traditional elements in her work. The conversation covers her songwriting process, her response to the current situation with Palestinians, and anecdotes around her tracks "Weino", "Ghazaleh", and "Ya Tal3een", delving into the Palestinian "tarweedeh" style of singing and writing. 

In this episode of Quartertones, we're joined by Palestinian composer and musician, Issa Boulos who tells us about his deep connection to Jerusalem and Palestine, and how his upbringing influenced his approach to music and life. Boulos recounts his unique experiences growing up in a small town, his family's musical traditions, and the cultural life in Ramallah. He delves into the evolution of Palestinian resistance music from 1967 onwards, sharing insights about key musical acts and their impact. He also reflects on his imprisonment, the intricate relationship between music and political resistance, and his subsequent move to the United States, where he pursued his studies in music composition and ethnomusicology, and continued to document the Palestinian narrative through his work. The conversation explores Boulos's bold approach to integrating Middle Eastern musical elements with Western orchestration, emphasizing the importance of cultural authenticity and representation.

In this episode of Quartertones, we're joined by Barbara Lebrun, the author of "Dalida: Mythe et Mémoire." We explore the remarkable career of Dalida, the iconic singer who rose to fame in the mid-20th century. Born in Cairo to an Italian family, Yolanda Gigliotti's journey to stardom began when she moved to France in 1954. Initially adopting an Italian persona to navigate the complexities of the French music industry, she later embraced her Egyptian roots, becoming a symbol of Franco-Arab friendship. The episode delves into her rise as a Mediterranean sensation, her multi-lingual career spanning various languages including Arabic, and her tragic end in 1987. We also discuss the scholarly perspective on her impact and how her posthumous recognition has evolved over the years.

In this special episode of Quartertones in collaboration with XP Air, we sit down with prominent artist Dreamville's Bas, to discuss his journey in the music industry. We talk about the financial challenges of touring, the value of exposure over immediate monetary gain, and the significance of rehearsals and meticulous work ethic exemplified by artists like J. Cole and Drake. Bas reflects on his Sudanese heritage, the cultural pride that comes with it, and how his background influences his music. The conversation also covers Bas’s experiences with evolving music industry trends, including streaming and AI technology, and the importance of artist development and investing in oneself. The episode wraps up with reflections on family involvement in his career, navigating business relationships, and recommendations for fans looking to better understand Bas's musical perspective. Bas also shares exciting news about his upcoming collaboration with the band The Hics from London. Don't miss this insightful conversation packed with behind-the-scenes stories and valuable lessons for aspiring musicians.

The inspiring Emel Mathlouthi joins Tanya Khoury on the Quoz Arts Fest stage in Dubai for a riveting discussion on music, cultural roots, and breaking gender norms in the music industry. Emel shares her journey of proving that women can excel in music production, creating her all-female album "MRA," and the significance of connecting with audiences through heart and authenticity.

DJ amen RA welcomes the talented Syrian-American rapper, poet and longtime friend of afikra, Omar Offendum, to the Quoz Arts Fest stage. Host Tanya Khoury asks Offendum to delve into topics ranging from the impact of war on art and identity, and the significance of maintaining cultural heritage through creative expression, to the evolving landscape of Arabic hip hop. Offendum shares insights on his music projects like "Little Syria," reflects on the timeless relevance of his lyrics, and discusses his aspirations for Syria's future. This conversation also highlights the importance of intergenerational connections, the role of language in shaping identities, and the vitality of cultural resilience.

This episode of Quartertones was recorded live on the Sole DXB stage in Dubai on December 13, 2024. Founder of Empire Records Ghazi Shami, and head of Empire Iwana Sohail Nafar explore the challenges and future of the Arab music industry, from Ghazi's connection to Palestinian heritage to Sohail's work with DAM and Empire. They discuss cultural representation, the impact of geopolitics on music, and the potential for Arab music on the global stage, touching on digital distribution, local and global influences, and empowering Arab artists.

In this episode of Quartertones, we interview award-winning violinist, composer, and educator Layth Sidiq at Habibi Festival in NYC. He shares his journey in Arabic music, and discusses his upbringing in a musical family, the evolution of his career, and his role as the artistic director of the New York Arabic Orchestra. He also delves into the improvisational nature of Arabic music, his album "Son of Tigris" and performs three captivating interludes, providing deep insights into maqam and melody.

Scavenging for synthesizers, digital vs analog music, and what it means to be a music producer in the AI era. This episode of Quartertones features Egyptian music producer Kubbara in our studio in Beirut. Known for his jazz-influenced, neo-soul sound, he gives us a master class in music production, from discovering and collaborating with artists to blending sounds and the intricate details of putting a song together. We get into the nitty-gritty history of synths, Kubbara's background as a metalhead, and why music isn't about originality anymore. We also discuss whether Egypt is experiencing a golden age of music right now.

Karim Ziad and Mehdi Nassouli perform at Habibi Festival 2024 and are joined on stage by Yacine Boulares and other talented musicians for a jazzy performance and a conversation with host Mikey Muhanna who asks Karim and Mehdi about their inspirations, musical journeys, and the experience of working together.

After a moving performance at Habibi Festival, we sit down with the members of Taktouka to hear about the band’s journey from vocalist Alia Haju, beginning with how it came together after she fled Beirut with her cousin, Bashar Farran, the ensemble's bassist. The rest of the band—Daro Behroozi (woodwinds/synth), Calvin Lu (keys/synth), and Jesse Chevan (drums)—also share their perspectives, describing Taktouka as a family affair built on years of knowing each other and an ongoing exchange of knowledge and experience. Alia offers a glimpse into their songwriting process and reveals what the band has in store for the future. Together, Taktouka blend their diverse musical influences to create a sound that is undeniably Levantine while capturing the vibrant essence of NYC.

Habibi Festival is back for another year at Joe's Pub, bringing Arabs, comrades, and lovers of music together in New York in these difficult times that our nations continue to endure. And for another year, afikra was on stage to speak to the musicians and bring their conversations and performances to you on afikra's Quartertones podcast.Who better to kick off the season with than the one and only Iraqi-Canadian rapper, writer and teacher Narcy who's been – for decades – making music about the atrocities and racism that the Arab region and people have endured. Narcy calls on his friends and peers Hamed Sinno, Nadine El Roubi, Omar Offendum & Niko to join him on stage in an evening filled with poetry, music and solidarity. Narcy shares his journey of grieving the Iraq War and the blessing and importance of community in the ongoing healing process. He also discusses cultural production as a form of resistance, reflecting on when to be silent, when to be loud, and when to amplify one’s voice in protest.

Nai Barghouti joins us for a very special episode of Quartertones ahead of her performance at the Toronto Palestine Film Festival on September 27th which will be her Canadian debut. Speaking from the heart, Nai shares how Palestine underscores the music she makes and performs, her journey to becoming unapologetically Palestinian, and learning the nuanced language of Fairuz's music. She tells us of the raw grief, hope and joy she finds come out of each performance and each audience she connects with, how her flute is her trusted companion on stage, and the step changes that have come for her as a Palestinian musician since October 7th. Mikey also asks her how she maintains integrity, authenticity and fidelity with herself ⁠— especially when it comes to balancing her career.

It's not often that we welcome a film score composer on QuarterTones. So we had a lot to chat about with award-winning composer Suad Bushnaq. We discuss the realities of writing music for cinema, her favorite Arab film scores of all time, and why the best movie soundtracks are those that you don't remember. We quizz Suad on how she chooses a key for her music, what it was like to study at Damascus' Higher Institute of Music after auditioning in front of no-other than the late Solhi al-Wadi, and overcoming one's ego as a creative.

In this episode of QuarterTones, Cheb Mimo joins us in our podcast studio in Beirut along with his cassette player, turntable, and rare records and tapes, to take us on a tour of North Africa's raï, funk, and disco. With each musical interlude, Cheb Mimo introduces both well-known, niche and sometimes forgotten musicians through the past decades. We get a feel for raï as a transgressive genre that evokes a sense of liberation and rebellion. Cheb Mimo shares insights about playing sets with tapes versus records, how and where he goes hunting for musical treasures, and the transformation of raï over the years.

We're stoked to finally be launching our live in-studio sessions in our podcast recording studio in Beirut as an extension to Quartertones. The first is with no other than our past guest Rayess Bek (aka Wael Kodeih), the Lebanese music composer, producer, and performer's behind projects such as Love & Revenge, Aks'ser, and Goodbye Schlöndorff. He plays three tracks from recent projects, explaining the background behind the archival cinematic clips that his music accompanies, how he chooses which films to remix, and whose voices he selects to work with. From Mohammed Abdel Wahab's Ya Masafer Wahdak, Saudi Arabia's Ibtisam Lutfi to Mauritania's Horreya Rayess Bek takes us around the Arab world through his music.