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Check Out These Lebanese Artists’ First Ever Music Videos!
Music videos might just make or break a song nowadays, but there’s a first time for everything. Before the fancy camera equipment and big budgets, music videos were pretty PowerPoint-y…but that doesn’t make them any less iconic.
Let’s take a look at the first ever music videos by these 9 Lebanese artists:
1. Nancy Ajram, Mehtagalak
If you were expecting Nancy’s first ever music video to be all rainbows, pink heels, and fairy wings, her debut was actually the exact opposite. With a more “tarab” style song and a sad music video, we almost didn’t recognize her.
But then she came back with a whole new look in “Akhasmak Ah” and “Yay Se7er 3yoono”, establishing a style that becomes quintessential Nancy Ajram.
2. Ramy Ayach, Bghanila w Bde2ela
Ramy Ayach was in the music industry for quite some time, but his first ever music video was simply a clip of a concert during which his much younger self performed “Bghanila w Bde2ela” on stage. And you can see the crowd singing along to his catchy song!
3. Assi El Hallani, Jafitny
This was one of the most popular songs in the nineties, and the music video followed narrative-style shots of a developing love story between Assi and a young woman/music producer. His music videos today aren’t that different, they’re just missing the dramatic black and white shots, choppy transitions, and weird overlays.
4. Nawal El Zoghbi, Ayza Al Radd
Nawal El Zoghbi was one of the first few artists to record a music video…and you could probably tell. The video itself isn’t bad at all, we’re just a little confused about those random drawings of pocket watches and balance scales.
5. Wael Kfoury, Ba3tereflek
Wael Kfoury’s journey as a singer began during his Studio El Fan days. His first song “Ba3tereflek” was directed by the late Simon Asmar, and we just have one question…why does he look exactly the same?
6. Ragheb Alama, Ya Rayt Fiyi Khabbiha
The iconic butterfly dance, how can we ever forget it? This song was a big hit in the nineties, and it’s all thanks to the music video where Ragheb is seen doing a two-step with flashing disco lights behind him. Or did someone just edit random lights into the video? We’re not sure anymore.
7. Elissa, Baddy Doub
Elissa had a white sharshaf and a dream, which kickstarted her path to fame in the Lebanese music industry before she grew to become one of the highest selling artists in the Middle East.
8. Myriam Fares, Ana wel Shog
It’s safe to say that Myriam’s curly hair is her greatest asset, and people liked her for her very “girl next-door” look. Like most up and coming female artists, she kickstarted her career with a sweet love song and then released a self-titled album after the success of “Ana wel Shog”
9. Haifa Wehbe, Agoul Ahwak
We left the best for last. Haifa took the Arab world by storm with her song “Agoul Ahwak”, which is still a bop to this day. She stunned everyone with her beauty and charm, and she continues to do so even with her latest releases “Ma Bad3afsh”, “Walad”, and “Tigi”. We’re living for rapper Haifa.
Which of these music videos was your favorite growing up?
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