In a private interview Egyptian television announcer Maha Awad announced that she is the main reason behind Lebanese-Colombian pop/rock singer Shakira Mebarak's popularity in Egypt. Maha's claim came after she held an exclusive interview with Shakira on the show "Studio One" in Spain.
According to the London based Elaph, Maha added that after her exclusive interview, record sales for Shakira's albums sky-rocketed in Egypt. In response to her claims, critics said that it was mere foolishness of Maha to think that she is the reason for such a popular singer's fame. Shakira's success and fame had spread worldwide long before Maha's interview.
On a different note, Shakira will be singing for the first time throughout her career an Arabic duet "Masr Al Hub" (Egypt Love) in the Lebanese and Egyptian accent with Egyptian singer Hamada Hilal, who will sing his part in English and the Tunisian accent.
Shakira had also made arrangements to hold a number of concerts for the first time in Morocco this coming June. Sources in Rabat have revealed that a group of sponsors from London have arrived in Morocco to finalize agreements for Shakira’s concerts.
Shakira will be holding concerts in Casablanca, Rabat, and possibly a third Moroccan city. Organizers for the big event are trying to complete all necessary procedures in secrecy not wanting to reveal any additional information until everything is finalized. It was added that great efforts are being made in organizing the concerts, where it was revealed that there is a possibility of holding Shakira’s concerts during the summer festivals that take place in Morocco.
The concerts are expected to prove a huge success due to the fact that Shakira holds great popularity all over Morocco. Her style of mixing Arab traits and forms of dancing into her performances is one of the main reasons her popularity has spread so fast around the Arab world. –Albawaba.com
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
