The music Production Company Rotana, known for being one of the Arab world’s top music production companies, released on December 28 two new albums to add to its large collection of new releases for the year 2003. The first album was for the Egyptian singer Shireen Wajdi “Wala Laileh” (Not One Night) and the other for the Lebanese singer Bassima “Wi Aini Ya Moe” (My Eyes Oh Mother).
As part of Rotana’s style during any new release a huge advertising campaign was made on TV stations, magazines, and on every street corner was held for the Egyptian singer neglecting any such advertisement for the Lebanese singer. In addition, a huge celebration was held for the release of Shireen Wajdi’s album at the Regency Palace hotel in Beirut. The big event, which was aired live by the satellite channel ART, was attended by a large number of journalists, singers and actors from the Arab world. The Algerian Fola, Haifa Wahbi, Alissa, Assi Hilani, Sabah and Miho, Madeline Matar, Madonna, the band Gitara and many others were among those who attended the event.
According to the London based Elaph, the event was so fancy that it became the talk of the town. It also proved the capability of Rotana to successfully enhance the image of any singer who gets the opportunity to join them.
Shireen enjoying being in the spotlight was attacked by questions from the media on whether the fact that her husband is one of the elite businessmen in Egypt had anything to do with her fame and popularity. The singer replied that her husband’s wealth couldn’t force people to listen to her and buy her tapes. A number of singers rushed to Shireen’s rescue defending her artistic capabilities and pushed off members of the media as to not ruin the special occasion.
Despite the success of the huge celebration and enormous advertising campaign made, Rotana completely ignored the release of Bassima. All eyes were focused on Shireen making Bassima’s release insignificant in turn lessening the chances of a big success despite the efforts placed in the album. Rotana should have thought twice before releasing two new albums at the same time, in order to give each singer his deserved attention and focus.
“Wala Lailah” (Not One Night) marks the first album in the contract between Shireen and Rotana, and will include ten different songs written and composed by a number of young names in the music world, like Amr Mustafa and Mohammed Rahim.
The English-graduate singer from Ein Shams University, signed late last September, a three-year contract with Rotana Production Company. The contract stipulates the launching of one album each year. Rotana general manager, Mr. Salim Al Hindi, has personally headed for Cairo to sign the contract with the renowned singer in a ceremony attended by Shireen's husband businessman Ehab Tal'at and Rotana's office manger in Cairo, Dr. Mohammed Hazem. –Albawaba.com
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
