Getting Streams at What Cost? | Shik Shak Shook Ones
Are some Arab musicians really self-orientalizing for the sake of getting streams?
afikra is excited to introduce a new music series to our podcast network! For a full season, Shik Shak Shook Ones will be your go-to podcast for a constructive take on current Arabic music and musicians from the region. In this first episode, co-hosts Danny Hajjar and Deana Soni dig right into the topic of self-orientalization and the perpetuation of stereotypes by Arab artists themselves for the sake of streams. Taking "ARABI" by Mohamed Ramadan, Massari and FUTURE as a prime example, Danny and Deana deconstruct the song, its music video and its fall out with their quick quips and biting analysis. They tackle themes of "representation", musicians who try to represent an entire culture but who wind up parodying themselves instead, and why Arab artists fall into the trap of self-orientalizing to please the eyes and ears of Western audiences.
ARABI music video
Deana is a dedicated presenter and journalist with a special focus on highlighting the cultural richness of the MENA region and fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse voices within the community. In 2020, she launched the UK's first Arabic and North African radio show, which showcased and platformed talented artists from the regions and diaspora, before creating her new platform, WASTA, in 2024. Additionally, she was the official host for the Assassin's Creed Mirage podcast, which explored medieval Iraq and its rich history. Deana also created the viral show Musconceptions, which debunked myths about Islam through comedy and garnered over 10 million views on social media.
Danny Hajjar is a music journalist based in Washington, DC writing about the emerging Arabic music scene and the new wave of artists from the Middle East, North Africa, and its diaspora communities. He runs the award-winning digital zine Sa’alouni El Nas, highlighting trends in the Arabic scene, profiling artists, and reviewing music.
Shik Shak Shook Ones
From Beirut to Cairo and Dubai to Casablanca, hosts Deana Hassanein Soni and Danny Hajjar are diving into the hottest topics in music coming from the Middle East, North Africa, and its global diaspora communities. Join them for spicy and unfiltered perspectives, exclusive interviews, heated debates, and in-depth insider perspectives putting the MENA music scene in context. Whether you're a music enthusiast or just curious about the MENA region's vibrant music, Shik Shak Shook Ones is your backstage pass to this exciting scene.
