There’s no way you haven’t seen the new music video by Massar Egbari and Close-Up, it’s everywhere! And we don’t mind, #Ela2rabAhla is not only catchy, it has a message that rings true for all of us.
The music video starts out with a boy and a girl texting each other. Simple enough, but while it’s clear from their giddy smiles and eagerness to text back that they are very interested in each other, the lyrics of the song show that they are still a little nervous to make a move. They finally dared to make a move and with each message, they got closer, until they made plans to go to a concert together. When the girl says yes, they rush around excitedly to get ready for the party, making every effort to look good and feel good for the big event. The finale shows them finding each other in the crowded Massar Egbari concert, and the vibrant happiness on their faces reminds us that if you don’t dare to make a move, you will never get closer! Its obvious that #ela2rabAhla
The message of the song hits a note with all of us, because it can be terrifying to be rejected. We’ve all been there, right? We know that smile we get when our crush texts back, and we also know too well the nervousness while waiting for the next answer. There is so much pressure while asking someone out for the first time, even if it’s just by message because it requires us to get out of our comfort zone and make a move. With each step we can feel our own insecurities, from a good morning text, to an event invitation, to holding hands at a concert. But the only way to get out of our comfort zones and see if they like us back is to give it a shot. This song reminds us that the risk can be worth it. It also reminds us that El A2rab is Ahla, because time spent together is much more valuable than hiding behind our phones.
This cheerful song is a product of the Close-UP Radio Campaign and puts the cherry on top of a successful project with Massar Egbari. For the first time ever, Egyptian youth had the chance to perform with the loved band. It was a challenging competition that lasted throughout the summer, beginning with hundreds of voice submissions, followed by the top ten auditioning in front of the band, and completed with online voting for deciding the winner.
The winner of the Close-UP Radio Campaign is Engy Etribi, a 25-year old jewelry design entrepreneur with a passion for singing. She has been singing her whole life, but always as a hobby, so took the Close-UP competition as a chance to do something more with it.
Engy shared that the best part of the experience was meeting the band. “I love them. They are my favourite local band in Egypt. It was amazing to meet them, they were very friendly.”
Engy and Massar Egbari hit it off right away when her audition took a humorous turn. “We had to sing one of their songs, and we were supposed to memorize it so we can sing it in front of them. I mixed up some of the words, and they kept laughing. I accidently changed what was supposed to be ‘ya wada’ to ‘ya wala.’” Laughing it off, the band helped her finish. Massar Egbari chose the song “El A2rab A7la” to record with Engy.
The incredible piece is available everywhere to see now, including YouTube, Facebook, and the Anghami application. Engy said that the song boosts her mood every time she listens to it. We have to agree with her!
This competition was just another way that Close-UP has connected with youth. Close-UP believes that music has no language, and encourages youth to express themselves through music with platforms such as this competition.
Don’t forget to participate in the Instagram competition! Record yourself singing your favorite parts of El A2rab Ahla and send them in for a chance to be reposted and win an iPod or free tickets to Massar Egbari concerts.
