For all those who have seen - or will see- Jad Choueri's Funky Arabs, I have a question for you: What did you think of it?
From my opinion (20 years old, Lebanese in case you were wondering), I think it was terrible! First of all Jad's work has been nothing short of pointless in every meaning to the word. His credibility as an artist is not well known in the Middle East, let alone Lebanon. Now all of a sudden Jad takes the daring challenge to breach the Western World with his video Funky Arabs - an attempt to tear down stereotypes of the Middle East.
Funky Arabs!!! I think we need to notify him that the word funky now means "something that smells bad". Also, if you are going to make an English song at least pronounce correctly. The Lebanese are known for their trilingual culture, and it shouldn't be undermined by one individual saying bom - B - ers. The B is silent Jad...
After listening to the song you may think its catchy, which in some ways it is as the beat is a very frequently used one. However, listen to the lyrics, they make no sense. Not only do they give us no information on the Arabic culture, but it also makes it seem we are trying to be so American pop with our lyrics.
Look at the video now, what is that about? That video certainly does not represent the entire Middle East. Now I am not going to say we are not like that, I see it at clubs/beach parties in Lebanon (not to that extent, but we like to have fun too). But, we are not ALL like that. This video was an utter fail in my opinion as it may show us not as terrorists but instead has shown people a new stereotype: Arabs are botox injecting, wine spilling, loaded, superficial and Holly Wood wannabees.
That is totally the wrong message! Look at Fairouz and other Arab artists, they spread our culture through beautiful songs. Others have breached the world through plays, arts, documentaries and movies. Those are respectful ways of showing people our culture - because in reality the video does not show a Arab sense with a modern style - it shows a party.
Many of you may say he at least is trying to better our image. But the way I see it, our image cannot be bettered to people who were already ignorant enough to dislike all the Middle East due to some bad apples. Secondly, those who are indifferent to us can be educated about our Arab style locally (because there are bound to be Arabs in every corner of the world) and also if they really care they would have went out and found information themselves.
The video in one word sucks. It shows nothing Arabic, it shows nothing modern (unless Botox and sex is modern... I could have sworn people knew about these things before seeing as Botox is a poison and sex is a way of life).
Photos from Jad funky Arabs video clip
I want to know, what did you think of the video? What could he have done to make it better (as his heart was in the right place, just mind set was all over the place)?
By guest writer Ramy
It seems that im the first to comment :D Well, Ramy i loved you article. I really like the way you built up you argument and presnted it. So thanks!
i have heard about Jad's new song but i never bothered to listen or watch it. but after i read your article, i was intrigued lol So i went on youtube and watched it, and all i could say is omg! Is this really the way he intends to get famous internationally and introduce "Funky Arabs" to the world. Well, im an Arab girl that lives in London and i would be utterly ashamed if one of my friends ever saw that song! The song might have a catchy beat, but the words are weak and stupid and we all know that he doesnt have a decent voice so it doesnt help. the video is extremely weird and i find it appaling, especially when i glimpsed a person who had the Palestinian scraf, which for me represents the noble cause of Palestine and its use here was inappropiate.
We dont need Jad Shwairi to introduce our culture coz as you have said, there are many arabs in the world who have represented the Arab culture respectavily. I do agree with all the things you said and in my opinion, what Jad is doing in his video does not represent "modern" Arabs but it enhances the sterotype image of Arabs as backward and ignorant people without any creativity! I doubt whether Jad will ever be famous or well-known in the Arab world or the West.
that Chad dude is gey!
I thought they banned him already. And I think the clip is crab and rude.
you making a bad at pooh,
well ramy you just the same like him!!
I quickly searched 4 it on youtube after reading this article! and seriously wat the hell!!!Does he want 2 show people that Arabs are sluts or something!Seriously this guy is deluded! I agree with 'dream' ~i live in London too and I wouldnt want my friends seeing that!!! I havr a feeling thats what Jad wants Arabs to be like!
@ ahmed
Even if he was gay.. I would hope you would have respect for someone else's lifestyle. The way he lives his life, is just that, his life. You cannot change people.
Arabs smell Heavenly. Don't get me started on the real stinkers...
This is like an image portrayal of Aladdin. What is it with men and their hair-free oiled-down chests. It looks grosse & just emphasises their moobs!
What he could do to make it better? Get a different job. Haha if only Simon Cowel would come 2 the middle-east and rip them all apart...I would so watch that.
I have not heard of him, so I checked it out, AWFUL!!!!! I grew up in the u.s. and gottaa say thats not the way arab people carry themselves... if he is talking about haifa and the other wannabes thats fine, but thats not how people that work hard live...
Eww sho hal wasa5a!! Wtf the girl on the bar popping her body and all the drinking. The part where he is getting tattood... 2ARAF.
thanks for the article, apparently this was meant to be the most expensive arabic clip ever produced, i guess its true what they say money can't buy class you have to be born with it, the first time i heard that song i thought it sounded sleazy and the voice was shocking and that was without seeing the clip. I'm pretty sure the intention was in the right place but that song is not representative of many Arabs and why do we need a song filled with values which do not represent us to justify ourselves to anyone else, why do Arabs always have to act regretful and apologize for the supposed actions of a few, why is the word terrorist now exclusively used with the word Arabs but when its any other party the are referred to as rebels or freedom fighters. Sorry Jad but enough sucking up and being sycophantic decades of suffering, killing, wars peace negotiations even cash bribes hasn't changed any views where it matters what makes you think your dirrrrrty video will?
It was dumb..... LOL at the same time made me laugh at how stupid he is =) he's a loser... =P
My opinion on this video is that it is repulsive. To make a video based solely on stereotypes and claim this that it is a clear representation of arabs is simply unforgivable. It definitely does send the wrong message. What he's trying to do is to liken arab culture to western culture by putting Hollywood spin. He can't just do that, first of all they are different. Not in the sense that one is better than the other, because bottom line no one is better than anyone. Everyone has their flaws and issues not matter where you come from or are. The difference therein lies in values and morals etc. Whatever I’m not going to get into it, I don’t need to, because the article said it all. The point is he’s just ridiculing himself and embarrassing people. If he's trying to reach out to Hollywood by pulling this stunt, he fails. Also no one would want him in hollywood anyways, he's a talentless fool and can’t even dance to save his life (what the hell was that?). And why is he so oily??? He should really relax with that stuff because it doesn’t help his case but thank you Jad, we can now can add slime ball too along with douche, scum of the earth etc. Lastly, who could take a song entitled Funky Arabs seriously? Why couldn’t he choose something not so retarded and outdated as the word Funky, only time it was acceptable to use that was like 30 years ago. Nobody says that anymore. Also couldn’t he at least make a good song? He owes the world that much, but no he isn’t capable and my ears bleed. It’s terrible just terrible.
he trully sucks who the hell he thinks he is?
wadi3 safi, kadim saher, NO WAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY.
I'm not saying this to arabs cuz' we know WHO WE TRULLY ARE but to those who don't know a single little thing about arab culture:
BEWARE THOSE ARE NOT ARABS. THIS IS NOT THE TRUE IMAGE OF ARAB PEOPLE.
and JAD if ur man enough RESPOND to these comments.
ILHAM from MOROCCO.
(he really pissed me off!!!!!)
For all of you who wanted to know what the tatoo says it is Madonna's real name: Louise Ciccone.
Why he is getting that tatoo... I do not know haha
Thanks for the replies by the way!
@ Ramy
Louise Ciccone aka Madonna
Thats Madonna's full name (Madonna Louise Ciccone)
This is too much, if he's looking at Madonna for an example...it explains alot. But no way can he pull it off like she can!! Can't even compare.
but seriously jad has always been the purveyor of smut when it comes to arabic pop, and he does not shy away from it! the only person i can compare him to in the states is larry flint! both characters cater to our base senses and are proud of it. but just like flint he will always have something to say and a loyal following.
kudos to jad for starting our version of MoTown erhm I meant Ho Town he's introduced us to many talented song birds....maria, dana.......and the list goes on!
I JUST LOVE THAT VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M SORRY FOR ALL YOUR COMMENTS BUT I WAS VERY SCEPTIC WHEN I HEARD JAD WAS GONNA SING IN ENGLISH THEN I SAW THIS LITTLE MASTERPIECE; for once we are portrayed as fun people!!!! who wants to hear about culture and roots in POP!! the song is really catchy i downloaded it and already sent it to a dj friend in NYC who thinks it rocks!! btw who cares about the voice when he's practically rapping: u only show that u r ignorants when it comes to pop culture: it s true his accent isn t perfect but he gets away with it!!! btw if u keep the controversy growing u r only helping the guy cross borders!!!! I HAVE SOMETHING TO ADMIT I USED TO DISLIKE JAD BUT HE GAINED ME AS A FAN FROM THE MINUTE I HEARD THIS.
PS: funky is still very used : catch timbaland saying it in his first album, missy elliot saying funky beat with ciara and the c7c music factory s song do u wanna get funky? he he he but i agree some arabs will stay "smelly" like the negative people on this blog!
CONGRATS JAD!!!!!!!!!!!!
@sally
I don't think you need to call people smelly on that don't agree with your opinion... the whole point of my article was:
I want to know, what did you think of the video? What could he have done to make it better (as his heart was in the right place, just mind set was all over the place)?
That being said, I'm interested in knowing what you liked about it.... Also do you think it will even get played in the Americas?
As for funky being used in those songs its meant as in sex usually... plus its hip/hop R&B music, so they are notorious for using those random outdated words trying to make them cool lol. But in this case I thought it was oddly placed..
All i can say is the first time i was this video i was in shock!!! Its so Nasty!
I never heard of this guy before but I also youtubed him...I was embaressed to watch a bunch of Arabs make a fool of themselves like that. If he was just making a video for the sake of making a video, I would not give myself the right to criticize, but this video is meant as a token of recognition for the west? "hey look at us, we do all the stupid things you do too! Accept us! love us! we're just like you!" what part of this video is a projection of arab culture? the sexy belly dancing? is he really an Arab because he is just throwing in stereotypes into a video that has nothing arab about it. I'm not against partying, drinking, sex, drugs, botox. im not against arabs or anyone else doing any of those things. everyone has free will and the right to practice it. and hes not the first "artist" in the arab world to use sex, girls, liquor or even to sing/rap in english. as much as i find it ridiculous, everyone can do whatever the hell they want. but to stand there prancing around like an idiot declaring himself an ambassador of the Arab world...no thank you Jad. Our reputation is bad enough without you also adding humiliation to the list!
and for those people who are happy that "finally, arabs are shown as fun!", you may feel westerners as superior to you and feel the need to imitate or adapt their lifestyles so you can feel more "equal" to them...even as a person who parties all the time, I would not say that this is reflective of me as an Arab. This is just me enjoying someone elses culture. ..as for the real Arabs, they know who they are, and they know the real values they hold and they know no one is superior to them just as they are not superior to anyone.
If i were him i'll do a good clip and clean video!
is call "Funky Ahmed Party" with singer Haifa, Elissa and Maryam.
of course that be a dream!!
Not with those I don't like Mrs. Cedar, Silvanna and the weird girl Sam.
who wants them!!
I just watched it & it's embarassingly painful 2 watch...I almost ripped my eyeballs out, my eardrums were bleeding inside.
Clean video with 3 girls...7ato2ofo tesalo w to3bodo rabinah ma3 ba3d masalan? Lem nafsak yad.
I am not Arab and I was even offended :P
I think I know more about what Arab culture is than Jad does lol, his voice, his accent, his clothes are just ridiculous and annoying. He, himself is far from any Arab
We need people like Asalah, Kazem, Amr and Fairouz to show who Arabs are to the world
LOL Ahmed credit where credit is due, between all the work, traffic, idiots and lifes other little bitches your comments really make my day in a weird way after reading your comments I become eternally grateful to have a brain).... But Ahmed go and have a little lie down before you work yourself up to much because your dream or more like teenage hormonal fantasy will come the day hell freezes over but it sounds like you already know that.
Speaking about real ARABS what ever happened to the real ARAB MAN, the guy who would never act like a girl and make stupid remarks at girls, the one who has other things to do then sit on an internet forum to and try and defend the honor of those sold their honor for money a long time ago... hint hint Ahmad
Mind you Ahmad I dont really know you so don't take anything personally, I'm pretty sure you are a nice guy/gal.
Finally Habibi its MS CEDAR to you, respect it, learn it and die by it.
LOL.... Ahmed are you gonna have the '7mar' and those sheep you always mention in the clip too?!... Would the '7mar' be the lead ( you know the love interest for your intended co-stars) or you?!!... Just asking an innocent question.
Ahmed's comments used to make me laugh but now he has become boring. Should really try new tactics ya Ahmed... I am sure he does not take it personally as I don't take anything he writes personally as I'm sure he has his ' special' reasons, actually I'm sure he is a very nice person but he only has the internet as an outlet so has to be forgiven.
As for Jad's clip, I have not seen it so may do so tonight. However going by the comments, it would probably give me nightmares.
silvana you will get a good shock from the video...
thanks for all the comments too its interesting to read
anybody notice that at the end during the scene on the beach they are dancing on army tanks??? i'm not entirely understanding the artistic side to that scene lol
I disagree with the entire Video except for the part where I cant agrees less about the Botox filling in the video..Arab girls are just too crazy about Plastic Surgery..
OMG! I'm an Australian Lebanese girl and i would be so ashamed if an Aussie actually saw this video! I seriously couldn't finish watching this piece of rubbish!
All the people involved (whether in front or behind the scenes) you should be ashamed of yourselves! I can't believe you were willing to participate in this atrocity!
Jad Choueri - Go and get a life! Please, stop singing, dancing, making videos and producing albums! You're just embarrasing yourself!
If you, Jad, actually live this way (and i'm not being judgemental) and you have friends that enjoy that too, then please don't assume all Arabs do the same and DON'T YOU EVER SPEAK OR SING (IF THAT 'S WHAT YOU CALL SINGING) ON OUR BEHALF AGAIN!
We didn't ask for it and we never wanted it!
Seriously, OMG!
By the way, THANK YOU Ramy for bringing this to our attention! Kudoos to you mate!
Dear Lord, I just watched it and you guys were too kind!!...
Even my laptop was revolted and pleading to be relieved from playing the clip, it kept freezing on me :P
Are you sure it was not meant as a satire to point out that we only imitate the west in the worst possible way? LOL....
Yes Silvana watch it...Muahahahaaaaaaa, words of warning: put some sunglasses on for extra protection.
It's basically a bunch of prats; who happen to be very oiled & golden in complexion, trying 2 act black, whilst toying with distictly stereotypical Arab symbolism...belly-dancing, sheesha, chequered kofeya...meanwhile glorifying botox, boob jobs & a minimal dress code. They're admitting to how superficial they are basically, & the video further strengthens the notion that Arabs r a waste of space with a scattered identity.
Now what I fail to understand is this: Who the hell is the target audience for this videoclip? If its function is to break stereotypes (alas, it only seizes to cemment further stereotypes) then I would imagine the video is for those who've accumulated false idea about Arabs, thus Americans, Europeans, Australians. And I seriously don't imagine any of those would be willing to broadcast this video or song, in particular the English speaking West...they would only make a joke of it.
this videoclip is sick and shallow .... I'd prefer to be looked at as "bomber" then drug addict !!!!!! this was not sexy or westernized, this was sooooooooo trashy...
Ah Silvana, in answer to your last question..if only Jad broke out into the funky chicken. Then we might be talking satire! He's a laughing stock. In fact his next vid-clip should be him taking a swim in chicken stock as a Maria parody.
Oh no guys....RUN 4 YOUR LIVES...He has made an 'entire' album in English. We're gonna be deaf, dumb & blind by the end of this.
if i got a brain Sam I wouldn't watch it. He's shirtless next will be no pants.
He's a whooor or I say perhaps a stripper Dude...
all his clip about how to be a crazy person!!!
he's number one slutt in america way than 50 cent the drug dealer man!!
i think the video is awesome. i guess u guys are really either jealous or retarded. love it
to souraya...HOW THE HELL ARE WE JEALOUS? CAN U NOT FIND ANOTHER WORD FOR THAT? ARE U SERIOUS JEALOUS OF WHAT? JAD LOOKING LIKE A FOOL IN HIS VIDEO? WALLAH IF YOU LET A WESTERNER LOOK AT THIS HE IS GONNA START LAUGHING!! I LIVE IN NEW YORK AND THE ARABS DO NOT ACT LIKE THAT HERE AT ALL...PPL HAVE PRIORITIES FIRST BEFORE THEY DO STUPID STUFF LIKE JAD MAKES THEM LOOK LIKE THEY DO..STUPID FAG!! WALLAH HE IS GAY
Jad SUX! He's always been a loser!
The song is pointless and the music video induces vomiting! Blaaagh!
Well i'm not surprised since he began his career Jad choueiry showed no talent
Anyway he looks discusting in the clip i mean uh!
RAMY IS MY HERO! WELL SAID! EVERY WORD AGREED!
For those of you who like jad, I think you should start focusing on school more, you may find that you're a moron...wait let me rephrase, you will find that you're a moron.
Let the funky uneducated simpleton jad turn your brain to mush YEAH!
Ramy you're sooo right....that video made us look like a bunch of LOSER wannabes!!! Like what the heck?? But I know it'll never be a hit in America, they want nothing to do with Arabs here..
well I ready told my hemar and my sheep to go and do a clip with that bich Chad. And not with my clip ms. Silva!!
it will be a disaster video to have my two animals!!
Why Ahmed why? ... Are you afraid the animals would overshadow the ladies you intend to have in your clip in terms of talent?!!!
heheheheheh I can't believe what I just saw!! WoW . I too am an arab leaving in the US and seriously I wouldn't want anyone I know watch this... it's so embarrassing and btw I never saw arabs acting like that not even in the US.....
another thing thought, if any of you saw the video for Stupid Girls by Pink ~ do you see any resemblance? in fact if you muted this song and played pink song to the video ~ it's a good match. lol
what do I think he should've done better? well he should've learnt something about the arab culture and the differences from north africa to east asia. He should've left his bubble and traveled around a bit to see the real arabs who do not need to smoke, inject botox, do drugs, or wear designer to be cool. Arabs are cool because of the beautiful and diverse cultures they embrace
thx for the article btw
living not leaving hhhhhhhhh I guess that's what happens after watching the video ... my brain couldn't function anymore hhhhhh
Oh wow, i really wanted to write an article about this!
Honestly, I prefer being viewed as a terrorist and not the way he describes us Arabs!
Thank you.
"We are not what you see on CNN or BBC
take a look at us, we're not bombers we got the guts.
You're gonna experience, an arab touch with a modern sense."
we got sexy girls, arab beauty that will rock your whole world
loaded guys, you gotta see them when they get their highs.
Dance with us, till the break of dawn,
roll with us come and see the fun
freak with us, sea, ***, and sun
Funky Arabs turn you on
"arabic crowd and the modern twist"
MODERN TWIST??? say like TRASY and UN-CLASSY TWIST
how embarrassing!!! his way of representing us is such a FAIL!
Seriously, I don't like the song neither the clip, but seriously the way he is representing us is actually good. Come on this clip comes like a shock, and trust me a lot of western people believe that Arabs are bombers, and close minded people, he is just showing it in an overdone way that it's not the case.
@Sara
I do agree... like I said I think his heart was in the right place because he wanted to expose the fact that stereotype harm. But his mindset wasn't set in the right direction.
The video would have been cool if it had different lyrics, same video and he made people know he was an arab... because that way people know that not all arabs are like the ones on TV and the song could have been a good one to listen to, not a lesson.
But, he was at fault with attempting to sum up all arabs with that video, because it is more or less his lifestyle (I have nothing against it.. but your own lifestyle cannot encompass millions of people)...so in that sense his approach was really off.
I still don't think it will get played in the Western world though, its too "packaged" if you know what I mean..its the stereotypical song/video of a one hit wonder lol