In this episode of Quartertone, Karim Nagi takes us on a journey into the world of Arabic percussion and rhythm. He talks about his experience as a musician and how the arts – and percussion in particular – have helped him embrace and grow into his own Arab identity. He shares his advice for musicians who are just embarking on their own journeys, and his top ... Show More
Nov 19
Rasha Nahas With a Performance by Maii Waleed | Habibi Festival 2025
<p>Experience day two of the fifth edition of Habibi Festival, hosted at Joe’s Pub in Brooklyn. The evening begins with the festival co-founders, Yacine Boulares and Meera Dugal, welcoming the audience and reflecting on the festival’s mission of celebrating the living, breathing ... Show More
1h 48m
Nov 12
Layale Chaker With a Performance by Maii Waleed | Habibi Festival 2025
<p>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 track ... Show More
1h 56m
Sep 2023
Producing for Arab Pop Stars: Metrics & Mental Health | Sleiman Damien
<p>With a vast discography featuring both emerging artists and some of the biggest names in Arabic music, Sleiman Damien is completely tapped into the region’s pop genre. We asked him what he thinks of the phrase “Arab pop fusion”, which metrics actually<i> </i>matter to him, and ... Show More
1h 1m
May 2022
Arabic Musicology | Youmna Saba
<p>Youmna Saba performed three pieces: Al Sobh (الصبح), Madd W Jazr (مد وجزر) & Hubut (هبوط), followed by a discussion.</p><p><strong>Youmna Saba </strong>(Beirut, 1984) is a musician and musicologist whose current research focuses on the musical dimension(s) of the Arabic langua ... Show More
56m 25s
Apr 2023
Tunisian Classics Reimagined Through Jazz | Omar El Ouaer
<p>Omar El Ouaer plays three of his songs: Alif Ya Soltani, Aziza, and Mana3ref Win. He tells us about Tunisian music and how he discovered Jazz.</p><p>Omar el Ouaer, a Tunisian jazz musician. He started his music education at the age of 11, studying Arabic music at the conservat ... Show More
1 h
Sep 2022
Oud With Two-time Grammy-nominated Iraqi Virtuoso | Rahim AlHaj
<p>Rahim performed 3 pieces from his work and spoke about his work as a composer and musician.</p><p>Rahim AlHaj has performed all over the world, on tour with Munir Bashir, his teacher, as well as solo and with his string quartet project, including numerous concerts in Lebanon, ... Show More
57m 25s