Lebanese singer Amal Hijazi has headed off to Paris-France to place the final touches on her upcoming album, which is scheduled to hit stores in early February 2004. Amal’s album is to feature a collection of songs carefully selected composed by Egyptian and Lebanese composers.
According to the London based daily, Al Sharq Al Awsat, Amal revealed that she is scheduled to hold a live concert on the first day of Eid El Fitir (Muslim holiday after Ramadan) in Abu Dhabi- UAE. The singer also announced that she is seriously thinking of renewing her contract with Panasonic, in which she was selected to be their brand ambassador in Middle East.
Amal announced the launch of Panasonic's DMR-E60, the fourth-generation 'DIGA' DVD video recorders. Amal revealed that the offer given by Panasonic was a very attractive one that made refusing it an unwise thing to do. The singer added that she is not ashamed to admit that money plays a very important factor in her decision making, and she has such a strong love of money and prefers it over a romantic relationship.
The past year has proven to a success for Hijazi as she held a tour around the Arab world, in which she traveled to Syria, the UAE, and a number of Arab states in Northern Africa. Amal is skeptical about releasing a new album during this time since her previous album “Zaman” (Long Ago) is still witnessing enormous success. Amal has added that she is currently witnessing a 70% increase in terms of ticket prices for her concerts and album sales. The singer has revealed that her popularity is on a constant rise and that is due to her hard work and careful selection of songs and the matter she presents herself to her audience.
Amal has strongly refused to be compared to Lebanese singers Alissa, Nancy Ajram, and Haifa Wahbi, saying she does not rely on her outer looks and seduction techniques to gain popularity, but rather focuses on her feelings to send out her message to people’s hearts. The singer added that not once throughout her singing career has she acquired such measures as her colleagues like making sexually intimidating music videos to reach popularity and has solely depended on her talent to sing and her self respect.
The singer announced that she will begin recording the songs for her upcoming album in France, since her production company Music Master records in France, which will include at least 11 new songs sung in the Lebanese and Egyptian dialects. Amal stressed that she has chosen her songs very carefully and has worked with a number of prominent composers and poets to ensure the high standards of her album.
This October Amal took part in the launching of the international rally Formula one in Japan. Amal’s presence at the rally was solely as a representative for the Middle East, and was not to hold any form of performance. Aside from taking part in the big event, Amal is scheduled to hold a number of performances at different festivals in the Arab world, one of which will be in Jordan alongside international singer Fuedel. – Albawaba.com
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
