Nancy 8

Last updated
Nancy 8
Nancy8Cover.png
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 21, 2014 (2014-03-21)
Recorded2011–2013
Studio
Various
  • TK (Cairo)
  • Hadi Sharara (Beirut)
  • Joe Baroudjian (Beirut)
  • Leila (Cairo)
  • Sout El Hob (Cairo)
  • M. Sound (Cairo)
Genre
Length61:02
Label In2Musica
Producer
Various
Nancy Ajram chronology
Super Nancy
(2012)
Nancy 8
(2014)
Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)
(2017)
Singles from Nancy 8
  1. "Ma Tegi Hena"
    Released: March 9, 2014
  2. "Mouch Far'a Kteer"
    Released: May 28, 2014
  3. "Ma Awedak"
    Released: August 9, 2014
  4. "Yalla"
    Released: October 23, 2014
  5. "W Bkoun Jayi Wadeak"
    Released: February 23, 2015

Nancy 8 (also stylized as N #8) is the eighth studio album by Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram. It was released on March 21, 2014, by In2Musica nearly four years after the release and international success of her seventh studio album Nancy 7. Like her previous albums, Ajram collaborated with several producers, including Tarek Madkour, Hadi Sharara and Ahmed Ibrahim, along with new collaborations with Hussam Kamil, Khaled Nabil and Muhannad Khoder. The music of 8 features R&B, ballad, pop rock and dance-pop styles in order to emphasize the singer's vocal abilities.

Contents

8 received mixed to positive reviews from music critics. Commercially, it became Ajram's eighth album to reach number one in the Arab World. In order to promote the record, "Ma Tegi Hena" was released as the album's lead single on March 9, 2014, going number one all over the Middle East.

Promotion and release

In mid 2013, Ajram announced via social media that her eighth studio album would be released sometime during the year, serving as the follow-up to her seventh studio album Nancy 7 (2010). However, the album was later scheduled for November. [1] In January 2014, 10-second snippets of the album tracks were leaked online. After a long wait, Ajram finally revealed via social media the new album title and its artwork on February 5, saying: "Happy to reveal to you the album cover..be ready for the songs' samples in a few". [2] One week later, the video teaser of the long-awaited "Ma Tegi Hena" was released. [3] On March 9, the new album was listed for pre-order to be available on March 21. Lebanese streets were filled with the album billboards in early March. After three and a half long years, the wait is finally over, Nancy 8 was digitally released worldwide on March 21, simultaneously with the physical release in MENA region.

Style and composition

Tarek Madkour, produced three tracks in the album including the lead single. Tarek Madkour.jpg
Tarek Madkour, produced three tracks in the album including the lead single.

The opening track and lead single, "Ma Tegi Hena" returns Ajram to her original Egyptian folk sound she became popular with in the early 2000s with her worldwide phenomena "Akhasmak Ah." Ajram later based most of her career's successes on that of the latter hit, taking on its sound as her signature style with later hits like "Ah W Nos" and "Ya Tabtab". "Mouch Far'a Kteer" is a breakup ballad featuring a Pop rock beat and empowering lyrics thematically referring to rising up from heartbreak and agony. "Men El Yawm" was described as "the wedding song" and is sung in Lebanese dialect very reminiscent of 2004 hit "Lawn Ouyounak." The song is about marriage and unity in love. "Yalla", a standout party track, is an encouraging anthem about falling in love which incorporates foreign Pop sounds. "Tisabeg El Rih" is a traditional love song inspired from Khaliji singing gatherings, in which Nancy has taken part of in collaboration with MBC Group. "Rahent Aleik" is a breakup ballad with elements of R&B. "Shou Hal Ossa" is an EDM-inspired love song, which may be Ajram's most experimental song to date, featuring elements of pop and techno, merged with Arabian instruments and sounds. "Nam Bi Albi" speaks of love, while "Etnen Souhab" is an attempt of healing after heartbreak. "Ma Awedak" is a moody traditional Khaliji song with heavier instrumentation from the Persian Gulf. "Ba'a Kol Da" is a deeply regretful song about the inability of life without the presence of a lover who is away. "Fakra Zaman" is a cheerful youth anthem with a hint of sadness for the old days of childhood and teenage and how they were spent, and the effect of this concept of Ajram's way of thinking in the present. [4]

Singles

Ma Tegi Hena music video

Ajram performs Arabic freestyle oriental dance to her customers. Ma Tegi Hena performed by Nancy Ajram.png
Ajram performs Arabic freestyle oriental dance to her customers.

Development and content

The music video for "Ma Tegi Hena" was directed by Joe Bou Eid. It was filmed on September 30 and October 1, 2013, between Sin El Fil, Jezzine and Sidon in Lebanon. [9] The video premiered on March 21, 2014, at 12:00 a.m. on Arabica TV. The video opens with Ajram, the watermelon merchant, performing Arabic freestyle oriental dance moves to her customers and rubs her body against that of Mister Lebanon winner Ayman Moussa, who plays a police officer, causing a commotion in the market. The next scene shows Ajram coming across an accident, which causes a road traffic, then the policeman comes and arrests her and eventually she somehow manages to escape. [10]

Reception

The video generated controversy and criticized for its sexual imagery, presenting Ajram's old seductive public image, eliminating her "girl next door" image. Many critics compared the video to her breakthrough hit, "Akhasmak Ah". The conservative crew also have cast a very critical opinion on the provocative piece. Ajram, however, refused to admit her music video is scandalous in the least, defending in a radio interview:

I don't see what I presented as being seductive, and at the end of the day each person is entitled to their own opinion. There are people who watched the clip and did not understand its story and only concentrated on my appearance.

According to Laha Magazine, she added:

The clip really makes me laugh because it is like a short film about a character that is only concerned with selling watermelons to make a living. I always make it a point that any clip I film tells a story, I don't fool people with clips that are merely lipsing and a show of new looks, hair and makeup. [11]

Despite the criticism for Ajram's return to a seductive and sexual appeal, the video broke YouTube records as the fastest viewed Arabic music video of all time, collecting over a million views in less than 24 hours. [12]

Commercial performance

Nancy 8 debuted at number one on the Best-Selling Albums Chart of HitSorter and stayed atop for continuous weeks. [13] It also debuted at number 10 on the Billboard World Albums chart . [14] The album was 2014's highest debut for a female album in the Middle East. As a result, Ajram received World Music Award as the best-selling Middle Eastern Live Act. [15] Nancy 8 topped Virgin Megastores sales in the Arab world for 9 continuous weeks, then remained among the Top 10 highest-selling albums for non-continuous weeks. [16]

Critical reception

The reception to Nancy 8 was mixed to positive.

Bitajarod website gave the album a positive review, saying Ajram "created, excelled, won and refreshed the music scene with an artistic bomb with which she rebelled with performance and emotion". [17]

Lone Reviewer website gave a mixed review to the album, saying "Overall just above-average album from Nancy, some good songs but I expected better." The website criticized the lack of coherence and of inspiration in this album. [18]

Track listing

The track list was announced via iTunes on March 9, 2014. [19]

Standard edition

No.TitleLyricsMusicProducerLength
1."Ma Tegi Hena" (Come Here)Ayman Bahgat AmarWalid SaadTarek Madkour4:12
2."Mouch Far'a Ktir" (It Doesn't Matter)Amir TeimaRami GamalTarek Madkour5:00
3."Men el Yawm (Shrek Beomry)" (From Now (My Life Partner))Marcel MdawarRawad RaadBassem Rizk3:40
4."Yalla" (Come on)Ayman Bahgat AmarMohammed YehiaTarek Madkour3:53
5."Tesabeg El Rih" (Racing the Wind)Al WissamSamir SfeirHussam Kamil3:21
6."Rahent Aleik" (I Bet On You)Mohammed Rifai
  • Mohammed Rifai
  • Ahmed Ibrahim
Ahmed Ibrahim4:07
7."Shou Hal Ossa" (What a Story)Nizar FrancisSamir Sfeir Hadi Sharara 4:17
8."Nam Bi Albi" (Sleep in My Heart)Samir NakhlehNabil AjramHadi Sharara3:57
9."Etnen Souhab" (Two Friends)Mohammed El BoughaMahmoud KhiyamiKhaled Nabil4:11
10."Ma Awedak" (I Can't Promise)Mubarak el HoudebiTalalTarek Aakef4:45
11."W Bkoun Jayi Wadeak" (I Come to Say Goodbye)Kamal KubaissyYehia El HassanBassem Rizk3:35
12."Ba'a Kol Da" (After All That)Ehab AbdouGhazi El AyadiBassem Rizk3:53
13."Fakra Zaman" (I Still Remember)Mohammed WaziriMohammed WaziriMohammed El Shaer4:05
14."Ya Khayen" (Traitor)Marcel MdawarGhazi El AyadiBassem Rizk3:34
15."Bel Raha" (Easy On Me)Ahmad AlawiIssam KamalMuhannad Khoder3:56
Total length:61:02

Notes:

Personnel

Adapted from the album liner notes. [20]

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Edition(s)Label(s)Ref.
WorldwideMarch 21, 2014 Digital Download StandardIn2Musica [21] [22]
Middle East
  • In2Musica
  • Arabic Music
  • Platinum Records
  • Music Misr
[23]

Awards and nominations

2014 World Music Awards
YearNominee / workAwardResult
2014Nancy AjramBest Selling Middle Eastern Artist (Nancy 8) [24] [25] Won
Murex d'Or
YearNominee / workAwardResult
2014Nancy AjramBest Lebanese Female Singer [26] Won
2015 [27] "Ma Awedak"Best Music VideoWon
"Yalla"Best Music VideoNominated
"Ma Tegi Hena"Most Popular Music VideoWon

Related Research Articles

Angham Egyptian singer and actress

Angham Mohamed Ali Suleiman, known by the mononym Angham, is an Egyptian singer, recording artist, and actress. Her debut was in 1987 under the guidance of her father, Mohammad Suleiman. Following her divorce from Magdy Aref in 2000, Angham took much more control over her image and musical style after that Leih Sebtaha record established her into a strong position amid the constant emerge of new voices in the Middle East music scene. After a highly publicized feud between Alam El Phan Music Records' president Mohsen Gaber and the artist, She moved to another record company, Rotana.

Nancy Ajram Lebanese singer (born 1983)

Nancy Nabil Ajram is a Lebanese singer, television personality and businesswoman. Dubbed by Spotify as the "Queen of Arab Pop", she is credited with influencing the revival of Arabic pop music in the 21st century. With the support of her father, she began performing as a child and appeared on several television shows in her early years. By the age of 15, Ajram signed a recording contract with EMI and released her debut studio album Mihtagalak (1998). In spite of being under the legal age, Ajram was exceptionally accepted to the Syndicate of Professional Artists in Lebanon. The following year, she released her second album Sheel Oyoonak Anni (2001).

<i>Ah W Noss</i> 2004 studio album by Nancy Ajram

Ah W Noss is the fourth studio album by Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram. It was released on April 14, 2004 by Relax-In and Megastar Records. This was the follow-up project to 2003's Ya Salam. In 2003, the album launched Ajram to the heights of music, thanks to a string of Egyptian flavoured hit singles which have become part of pop culture today. The Egyptian flavoured album received a massive commercial success in Egypt, especially the Egyptian hit song "Ah W Noss". Serving as executive producer, Ajram's manager, Jiji Lamara enlisted a wide range of producers including Tarek Madkour, Jean-Marie Riachi, Tony Saba, and Adel Ayash. Recording sessions for the album began in mid 2003 and took place at several recording studios throughout Lebanon and Egypt. Musically, the album represents a continuity for her previous effort Ya Salam, which contained Egyptian bellydance songs, pop rock, ballad. The album also explores other genres, such as khaliji.

<i>Ya Salam</i> 2003 studio album by Nancy Ajram

Ya Salam is the third studio album by Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram. It was released on February 24, 2003 by Relax-In and Megastar. Ajram worked with all new collaborations, including Tarek Madkour, Adel Ayesh, Samir Sfeir, Salim Salameh and Tony Saba. Described as a turning point in Ajram's career, it represents a departure from the classical sound of her previous releases, Mihtagalak (1998) and Sheel Oyounak Anni (2001). Apart from the sound, she also endorsed a new image for the release going from an innocent girl to an edgier and more sexual look.

<i>Ya Tabtab...Wa Dallaa</i> 2006 studio album by Nancy Ajram

Ya Tabtab...Wa Dallaa is the fifth studio album by Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram. It was released on February 21, 2006, through Art Line Music. Ajram worked with various producers on the album, including Tarek Madkour, Hadi Sharara, Omar Abdel Aziz, Mohammed Mustafa, Karim Abdel Wahab and Bassem Rizk. Inspired by a humorous Egyptian traditional vib, Ya Tabtab was a remarkable turn in Ajram's career. Its lead single and title track was released as a response for critics who had accused Ajram of singing "with her body". She appeared in the lead single's video fully dressed as a clown, showing no skin and wearing baggy clothes.

<i>Shakhbat Shakhabit</i> 2007 studio album by Nancy Ajram

Shakhbat Shakhabit is the first children's album by Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram. It was released on June 11, 2007 by EWE Productions. Ajram has always wanted to dedicate a work for children, and indeed, the album and video came as an important step in her career. The music video was directed by Said El Marouk after "Ehsas Jdeed"'s success with Ajram, was the biggest budget out of all of her clips. It included four songs, "Shakhbat Shakhabit", "Katkouta", "Shater", and "Eid Milad" in the credits. The production of the album created a buzz in the Arab music industry, as several producing companies fell into exclusive-rights arguments with each other for its production.

<i>Sheel Oyoonak Anni</i> 2001 studio album by Nancy Ajram

Sheel Oyoonak Anni is the second studio Album by Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram. It was released on July 1, 2001, through EMI Music Arabia.

<i>Mihtagalak</i> 1998 studio album by Nancy Ajram

Mihtagalak is the debut studio Album by Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram. It was released on October 2, 1998, by EMI Music Arabia.

Leila Kanaan

Leila Kanaan is a Lebanese music video director and filmmaker. She has worked with famous Arab singers such as Nancy Ajram, Cheb Khaled, Rashed el Majed, Haifa Wehbe, Yara, Diana Haddad, Khaled and Myriam Fares.

Nancy Ajram videography

Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram has released 8 video albums and 40 music videos, appeared in numerous television programs and 24 television commercials. In 1998, Ajram signed a recording contract with EMI and released her debut single "Mihtagalak", taken from her first studio album Mihtagalak (1998). It was directed by Lebanese director Elie Feghali. Like the debut album, only one music video was directed for her second album, Sheel Oyoonak Anni. Ajram generated much attention in 2003 following the release of the music video for "Akhasmak Ah", her third studio album Ya Salam's lead single, which was found controversial owing to the depiction of overtly sexual activities. However, she later received praise in mid-2003 for the visual for the album's second single and title track "Ya Salam", which received a Murex d'Or Award for its positive portrayal of a star with a sad life inspired from the 1960s. The video was directed by Nadine Labaki as a second collaboration with Ajram.

<i>Betfakkar Fi Eih</i> 2008 studio album by Nancy Ajram

Betfakkar Fi Eih is the sixth studio album by Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram. It was released on July 30, 2008 in the Arab World, and August 1 of the same year elsewhere through In2Musica, to reach remarkable career-defining success that none of Ajram's previous records had achieved.

<i>Nancy 7</i> 2010 studio album by Nancy Ajram

Nancy 7 is the seventh studio album by Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram. It was released on September 6, 2010, by In2Musica to wide commercial and critical success, to follow the footsteps of Ajram's previous sets. The album explores a new set of sounds and genres including Dance, Techno and R&B on one hand, but still keeps the musical style that Nancy had created over the years, that is the Egyptian and Lebanese dance-folk sound, on the other. The latter has given Nancy her biggest hits ever, including "Ah W Noss", "Ya Tabtab" and "Lawn Oyounak."

Nancy Ajram discography

Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram has released twelve studio albums, four live albums, one compilation album, two reissues and 51 singles. As of 2007, she has sold 30 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling Middle Eastern music artists. Numerous of Ajram's singles have reached number one on several Arabic music charts, including Hit Marker and The Official Lebanese Top 20. By 2010, Ajram was announced the best-selling Middle Eastern female singer of the decade (2000–2009).

<i>Super Nancy</i> 2012 studio album by Nancy Ajram

Super Nancy is the second children's album by Lebanese recording artist Nancy Ajram. It was released on September 13, 2012 by In2Musica and Arabica Music. Following the critical success of her debut album Shakhbat Shakhabit which was also exclusively oriented toward kids, Ajram decided to dedicate another record to them to show appreciation for their loyalty to her. The singer worked with several past collaborators she worked with in the previous kids album, while enlisting new ones. Super Nancy was well received by music critics. Three singles, which featured in the music video, were released in September 2012 from the album: "Ya Banat", "Stoohi", and "Baousi".

<i>Nancy 9</i> (Hassa Beek) 2017 studio album by Nancy Ajram

Nancy 9, also known as Hassa Beek, is the ninth studio album by Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram. It was released on April 21, 2017, through In2Musica. Ajram began planning the album in 2014. Work continued into 2015, during which she released the new single "Maakoul El Gharam" on November 15, which reached the top 1 on Anghami setting a new record in 12 hours; it was ultimately removed from the final track listing. Nancy 9 was made available for digital download on April 21 through iTunes.

Tarek Abou Jaoude is a Lebanese composer and former business manager of Najwa Karam. He presented the singer Yara to the audience and chose her stage name, "Yara", composed her several songs.

<i>Sahbit Raey</i> 2020 studio album by Elissa

Sahbit Raey is the twelfth studio album by Lebanese recording artist Elissa, released on 1 August 2020 by Rotana. Following her 2018 album Ila Kol Lli Bihibbouni, the album contains 18 tracks and was preceded by the release of three singles, including the lead single of the same name on 23 July 2020.

<i>Nancy 10</i> 2021 studio album by Nancy Ajram

Nancy 10 is the tenth studio album by Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram. It was released on July 10, 2021, by In2Musica, four years after its predecessor Nancy 9 (2017). Ajram started working on the album in late 2018, after the end of her tour in the United States, the "USA Tour 2018". Originally scheduled to be released during 2020, Ajram postponed the album release to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sleiman Damien is a prominent Lebanese musician, music producer, and DJ specializing in modern Arab pop fusion. Many of his musical production collaborations topped Lebanese and regional Arab charts.

<i>Ila Kol Lli Bihibbouni</i> 2018 studio album by Elissa

Ila Kol Lli Bihibbouni is the eleventh studio album by Lebanese singer Elissa released by Rotana on July 25, 2018, making it her eighth album released by Rotana Records. On the first week of its release, it ranked tenth on the Billboard World Albums chart.

References

  1. "أربيكا ميوزيك" الأقرب للحصول على ألبوم نانسي عجرم الجديد | محمد عاشور | في الفن
  2. Nancy Ajram On Facebook – Happy to reveal to you the album cover
  3. Nancy Ajram – N#8 – Official teaser Ma Tegy Hena
  4. Beljaw.com -نانسي عجرم تبحث عن الجديد المختلف و تعيد صياغة هويّتها الموسيقية
  5. The Official Lebanese Top 20 (OLT20) – Arabic Year End Chart 2014
  6. Said El Marouk on Twitter: "Official Poster @NancyAjram #MoushFar2aKtir for the Theatre Exclusively in @cinemacitysouks Designed @Saidelmarouk"
  7. تابعوا أولاً في "سيدتي نت" صور وكواليس كليب نانسي الجديد | مجلة سيدتي
  8. مبروك للفنانة Nancy Ajram إحتلال أغنيتها #يلا_يلا مجددا المرتبة الأولى على #أنغامي.
  9. القوى الأمنيَّة تتدخَّل في كليب نانسي عجرم | نواعم
  10. "بالفيديو: نانسي عجرم "ملكة بطيخ" مثيرة في كليب "ما تيجي هنا"". FilFan (in Arabic).
  11. نانسي عجرم : حياتي هي حلمي... أردتُ أن أتزوّج رجلاً أحبه وأنجب أطفالاً | Laha Magazine
  12. "فيديو.. نانسي عجرم ملكة تبيع البطيخ في حضور ملايين". Al Arabiya (in Arabic).
  13. Nancy Ajram Takes The Middle East By Storm!
  14. "World Music: Top World Albums Chart". Billboard . April 5, 2014. Archived February 23, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  15. Nancy Ajram wins World Music Award for "Best Arab Singer" | Al Bawaba
  16. "نانسي عجرم في المرتبة الأولى بألبوم Nancy8 بعد أكثر من أربعة أشهر على طرحه". Bitajarod (in Arabic).
  17. نانسي عجرم أبدعت، تفوقت، إنتصرت فأنعشت الساحة الفنية بقنبلة فنيّة تمرّدت فيها على الريادة، الأداء والإحساس
  18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2016-05-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. "Nancy 8 by Nancy Ajram". iTunes . 21 March 2014.
  20. Nancy Ajram (2014). Nancy 8 (Media notes). In2Musica. 6222004448808.
  21. Nancy 8 by Nancy Ajram on Apple Music
  22. Amazon.com: Nancy 8: Nancy Ajram: MP3 Downloads
  23. "ألبوم نانسي عجرم الجديد حاليا في الأسواق". Filfan (in Arabic).
  24. Nancy Ajram performing at the 2014 #WorldMusicAwards on May 27th!
  25. Nancy Ajram wins World Music Award for "Best Arab Singer"
  26. NANCY AJRAM WINS BEST LEBANESE FEMALE ARTIST DURING THE MUREX D’OR OF 2014
  27. Awards and Winners of the 2015 Murex D'Or :: Rinnoo.net Website