Prominent Syrian singer Mayada Al Hinawi has once again returned to the music scenes and released a new album, which features six new songs. The singer had decided that the time is now right for her to release her new album after being away for such a long period of time.
According to the London based daily, Al Hayat, Mayada stressed that the main reason behind her long absence is mainly due to the fact that she feels the music world has lost the essence of good music and the overcrowding of so many new singers to the scenes has caused her to step back not wanting to be compared to anyone who is called a singer simply because they hold a microphone.
In her new album, Mayada has worked with a number of prominent poets and composers like, Mohammad Sultan, Riyadh Al Hamshari, and Farouq Al Sharnoubi. The recording took place between Syria and Lebanon along with the shooting of a new music video for one of the songs was mainly filmed in Beirut.
At a point in time, Mayada was among the top prominent names in the music world using her voice as her only weapon. The singer never depended on any other talent besides singing and has proven to be worthy to stand beside the divas of Arabic music.
Mayada was careful not to jeopardize her place among the best by competing with the new era of singers by stopping at the end of her road and letting way for newcomers. This decision worked in her favor by being chosen among six female singers to be the one honored to sing the song "Meen Fil Ashikeen", which belonged to the late Egyptian icon Umm Kalthoom. Umm Kalthoom never sung the song, which was written by poet Mohammad Hamza and composed by Baligh Hamdi, due to her death.
The singer commented that she does not regard singer today as having any real talent or songs having any true meaning. Mayada said that any song that comes out today is forgotten after only ten days which proves its lack of authenticity, unlike the songs for Abdul Halim Hafez and Umm Kalthoom which last for eternity and remain in a person's heart forever. Hinawi added that she would never consider taking part in any cinematic work to portray the life of anyone for she lacks the talent of acting in front of the camera and in real life.
On a different note, in January, a heated dispute erupted between Mayada and Syrian singer Asalah Nasri when the latter described Mayada as an old woman publicly in a live TV interview. Asalah had said that Mayada has reached such an old age and was outdated.
Mayada became furious and attacked Asalah saying she has no respect for anyone and in turn does not deserve to be respected. Asalah tried to explain to Mayada that she did not mean what she said in the manner it was interpreted, but Mayada refused to accept any excuse from her. Mayada also refused to accept Asalah’s apology saying that she does not deserve to be forgiven after her rude comments. –Albawaba.com
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
