Moroccan Composer Challenges Arab Stars’ Global Fame Claims

For maestro Nabil El Khalidi, Samira Said and Saad Lamjarred are not internationally renowned artists. These comments were made during his appearance as a guest on an episode of the "Rachid Show" program, in the presence of the artist Abdelali Anouar. According to him, the term "international" is attributed to the artist known in all countries of the world, from the United States to Asia, and not just in the Arab world.

To support his argument, the Moroccan composer pointed out that the singer Samira Said did not contribute to the spread of Moroccan song and that all her songs that made her famous are in the Egyptian dialect. However, he acknowledged that the singer Saad Lamjarred contributed to Moroccan song, but denied him the status of internationally renowned artist.

El Khalidi also stressed that no Arab artist, past or new, has achieved worldwide fame. He noted that even their concerts in Europe or America are mainly intended for Arab communities and not for foreigners.