In a recent interview, composer Samir Safir made a feeble attempt to speak Arabic in the Egyptian dialect. Host Wafa Kilani and the audience at Rotana music studios in Beirut were not sure how to interpret the move, according to the London daily Elaph.
Perhaps Samir thought an Egyptian audience would not understand the Lebanese dialect, but critics said that he just sounded ‘phony.’
During his interview Samir attacked Lebanese producer Simon Asmar.
Samir, who worked under Asmar’s supervision for a number of years, denied him the discovering of famous Lebanese singer Wael Kfoury.
Asmar discovered Lebanese singer Assi Hillani and others now under the record label “Studio Al Fan” (Art Studio).
Samir described Asmar as nothing but an employee of the LBC (Lebanese Broadcasting Company) television satellite channel who should be thanking celebrities for making the channel famous.
Samir also stated that many years ago, Asmar refused to direct the clip for the song “Lail O Ra’ed O Bard O Rih” (Night, Thunder, Cold and Wind), which made Lebanese singer Wael Kfoury famous, on the grounds that it was not a good song.
Samir also attacked Lebanese singer Haifa Wahbi, calling her music videos “low class products.” Rumors claim that Haifa suggested that Samir is gay, prompting the attack.
