Elissa has released a song for the times.
After teasing fans last week by announcing a new single was on the way, the Lebanese singer dropped her latest track, Hanaghani Kaman Wa Kaman, on YouTube on Saturday, April 11.
Translated as “we shall sing again and again", the song acts as both a message of encouragement as well as a plea for people to stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Presented in the style of a video conference by Lebanese filmmaker and visual artist Eli Rezkallah, the accompanying music video begins with Elissa at home – complete in pink pyjamas – reaching out to friend and fellow pop star Haifa Wehbe, who is also isolating at home.
Concerned at her bored state, Elissa consoles her by singing the song. As the track develops, the screen splits into video-conference mode with family members and fans tuning in and dancing along from their respective homes.
While Elissa has yet to comment on whether the track was inspired by the present pandemic, the lyrics act as a rallying cry for fans to stay the course during these challenging times.
The resonant lines are found in the soothing chorus, where she declares: “We shall live under any circumstances / We'll live and see / We will live, let's go and live.”
With the pandemic forcing Elissa to adopt a virtual option of creating her music video, she said the allotted budget for production was given to charity.
"We hope it will put a smile on your faces during these times as we get through it together," she said on Instagram. "All the allocated budget for this project was donated to charity. Stay home and stay safe."
The song confirms new pop direction
Hanaghani Kaman Wa Kaman also confirms Elissa's previous assertion that her upcoming album will have a decidedly Egyptian pop flavour.
In addition to being sung in the country’s dialect, the track also features the work of a top Egyptian songwriting trio: composer Mohammed Yeyha, lyricist Shady Nour and arranger Elhamy Dheima.
It was the latter, in an interview with Egyptian newspaper Al Watan, who confirmed Hanaghani Kaman Wa Kaman is the first single from Elissa's upcoming album.
In addition to its release later in the year, what we do know about the new project is that it will comprise 20 songs and feature the work of Egyptian composers Mohammed Rahim and Nader Abdullah, as well as lyricist Amir Teima.
However, Elissa’s fans are keen to know if she intends to commit to an earlier statement that the new album would be her last.
Elissa shocked fans last year by stating her next project would be her final album, due to the creative constraints placed upon her by a regional music industry she described as a "mafia".
Elissa’s songs are on point
Whatever the case may be, Hanaghani Kaman Wa Kaman continues Elissa's streak of releasing topical songs and videos.
In 2018 she opened up about her breast cancer diagnosis through the release of the single Ila Kol Elli Bihebbouni (To Those Who Love Me), with an accompanying music video re-enacting the scene where she received the news from the doctor.
In 2015 she released the powerful Ye Meryati (My Mirror) which tackles under-reported cases of domestic violence in Lebanese homes, and in 2017's A'aks Elli Shayfenya (The Opposite of What We See), she details the life of Lebanese dancer Dany Bustros, who committed suicide in 1998 after the death of her only son.
"I have never been concerned about discussing tough subjects. The key is finding the best way to talk about them," she told The National last year. "While I am glad people enjoy my songs, I try to make sure that each one of them has a purpose."
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP
Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)
Women's:
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Where to apply
Applicants should send their completed applications - CV, covering letter, sample(s) of your work, letter of recommendation - to Nick March, Assistant Editor in Chief at The National and UAE programme administrator for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, by 5pm on April 30, 2020.
Please send applications to nmarch@thenational.ae and please mark the subject line as “Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism (UAE programme application)”.
The local advisory board will consider all applications and will interview a short list of candidates in Abu Dhabi in June 2020. Successful candidates will be informed before July 30, 2020.
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