Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram announced that she is willing to hold concerts in Egypt free of charge. The singer added that she will be holding a live concert for the Egyptian television station on July 23 for free, denying rumors that she had requested 17 thousand US dollars for her performance.
According to the Egyptian based weekly, Al Nogoom, Nancy stressed that she is always willing to hold performances for the Egyptian TV due to the support it has given her throughout her career. Nancy said that her songs were never banned in Egypt and that the news was a false rumor.
It was added that on Friday July 4, 2003 Nancy is scheduled to hold a live concert at the Alexandria song festival. Ajram’s plans to sing at the Tunisian International Music Festival have been cancelled due to a number of unexpected misfortunes. It was revealed that the singer was not able to get a visa and make flight reservations for her trip due to the lack of making prior arrangements. It was added that the organizers of the festival failed in getting permission from the mayor’s office of the city she was to hold her concert in and so did not advertise for her concert, which was to take place on July 21, 2002.
For these reasons the singer is unable to be part of the festival, in turn upsetting her since she was very eager to sing in Tunisia. The singer is hopeful that in the near future she will get the opportunity to sing in Tunisia and spread her popularity to a wider scope.
It was rumored that an official request by the Egyptian Parliament had been released demanding the ban of Ajram’s songs. The Parliament has ordered that all satellite and local TV stations stop the airing of Nancy’s songs, especially “Akhasmak Aah” (I’ll Upset You Yes), due to the nature of its content and the manner in which the music video is shot.
It was stated that these kinds of songs are not suitable for an Arab audience and should not be allowed to be broadcasted. The music video for the song “Akhasmak Aah” is too demeaning and does not respect the traditional Eastern values for the fact that it is filmed inside a bar and the singer undergoes dirty dancing in an attempt to seduce the male customers.
Parliament officials said that Nancy shows no form of respect for the viewers when she displays such work. It was mentioned that all necessary actions will be taken to ensure that Nancy’s music is not aired and anyone who does not abide will be faced with legal prosecution. –Albawaba.com
