There are some voices that define a country's music. There are some movements that define a country's culture. Umm Kulthum is the Voice of the East, an iconic Egyptian diva whose music was the sound of a country's change. Presented by Laura Marie Brown, Creative Producer of Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, explores her music, her significance and lets you know where you should start on your journey into her catalogue.TracklistUmm Kulthum Enta OmriUmm Kulthum Amal HayatyUmm Kulthum Alf Leila We...

Arab Music Masterclass heads to Mogadishu and the vibrant music scene of Somalia in the 70s and 80s. From Dur Dur Band to Shareero Band, right up to today's artists flying the flag for Somali music, hear why this scene has got a sound for everyone.TracklistBakaka Band – Gobonimada Jira (choose freedom)Bakaka Band – Geesiyada Halgamayow (Brave Fighters)Dur Dur Band – Is YeelyelDur-Dur Band – Dooyo [Somalia]FAADUMO QAASIM & SHAREERO BAND – Waan Kaa HelaaSharero Band feat. Faadumo Qaasim –...

This episode of Arab Music Masterclass travels to Palestine to explore hip hop and the voice of protest. From DAM to MC Abdul, Shadia Mansour and Julmud hear how hip hop and electronica are part of Palestine's cultural identity and how it makes its mark on the world stage. Liverpool Arab Arts Festival's Creative Producer Laura Marie Brown ties a thread between the country's national poet and spoken word through to the Arab lyricism of modern day Ramallah.Tracklist DAM – Emta Njawzak YammaDAM...

The soundtrack to Disney+ Marvel series Moon Knight has made Arab music fans take notice. When you’re into Arab music, you’re used to films and TV shows from the West using traditional sounds when they want to tell you they’ve moved the action to the Arab world. Not so with Mohammed Diab’s Moon Knight where the soundtrack reflects the rich diversity of Egypt’s music, past and present.Liverpool Arab Arts Festival’s Laura Marie Brown talks to music writer Danny Hajjar about representation in...