Hassa Beek

Hassa Beek (Arabic: حاسة بيك‎, English: I Feel You), also known as Nancy 9 (Arabic: نانسي 9‎), is the ninth studio album by Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram. It was released on April 21, 2017, through In2Musica. Ajram began planning the album in 2014. Work continued into 2015, during which she released the new single "Maakoul El Gharam" on November 15, which reached the top 1 on Anghami setting a new record in 12 hours;[2] it was ultimately removed from the final track listing. Hassa Beek was made available for digital download on April 21 through iTunes.

Hassa Beek
حاسّة بيك
Studio album by
Nancy Ajram
ReleasedApril 21, 2017 (2017-04-21)
RecordedJuly 2015 – February 2017
Studio
Genre
Length54:51
LabelIn2Musica
Producer
  • Jiji Lamara (exec.)
  • Nancy Ajram (exec.)
  • Tarek Madkour
  • Bassem Rizk
  • Hadi Sharara
  • Ahmed Ibrahim
  • Hussam Kamil
  • Boudy Naoum
Nancy Ajram chronology
Nancy 8
(2014)		 Hassa Beek
حاسّة بيك
(2017)
Singles from Hassa Beek
  1. "Aam Betaala' Feek"
    Released: December 16, 2016
  2. "Hassa Beek"
    Released: April 6, 2017
  3. "W Maak"
    Released: March 29, 2018
  4. "El Hob Zay El Watar"
    Released: February 12, 2019

As executive producers, Nancy and her manager, Jiji Lamara, enlisted previous collaborators Tarek Madkour, Walid Saad, Samir Sfeir, Mohammed Rifai, Ahmed Ibrahim and Hadi Sharara to work alongside new collaborators such as Khaled Tag Eldeen, Salim Assaf, Tamer Hussein and Hicham Boulos. After a middling album in 2014, Nancy 8, this new album was expected to be a great come back for the Lebanese singer. The album was released to positive reviews from music critics and numerous publications included it on their lists of the best albums of 2017.

Promotion and release

On March 26, 2017, Ajram announced the album on her social media accounts, revealing the cover art and pre-order release date.[3] Two days later, she posted the official teaser video previewing 10 second snippets of each track.[4] On March 30, the album was listed for pre-order and the songs were to be available on April 21. The songs "El Hob Zay El Watar" and "Keefak Bel Hob" were released as promotional singles. The first was released digitally on March 31, then was sent to radio one day later. It debuted at number one on Anghami's Top Anghami chart.[5] Billboards featuring the album cover filled the streets of Lebanese and Egyptian cities in early April. The album was digitally released worldwide on April 21, followed by physical CD release two days later in the Arab world.

Style and composition
Ziad Bourji, wrote and composed two tracks in the album including the lead single.

Hassa Beek is built around a Mediterranean and South American theme that incorporates pop styles with elements of dance-pop and pop rock. The title track "Hassa Beek" relies on Latin guitar and beat, composed by Egyptian musician Khaled Ezz, whom Ajram collaborates with for the first time. The following track "Helm El Banat" is a folk-pop song, which contains anthemic chorus and Lebanese dabka rhythm. "Khamsa Farfasha" reminds of Ajram's Egyptian pop hits "Ah W Noss" and "Ya Tabtab", just as "Keefak Bel Hob" does.[6]

One of the rhythmic songs in the album, "Albi Biyes'al Einy", is full of violins in a disco way, characterized by its western dance style. "Kharab Byoot" returns Ajram to the Khaleeji folk sound she presented in "La Teloum", which was released in Ah W Noss album. "El Hob Zay El Watar", a romantic sensual style mixed with a Tarab spirit, composed by Egyptian well-known musician Walid Saad, whom Ajram constantly works with. "W Maak" is a house-disco track, in which Ajram presents a completely new genre of the Middle Eastern music.

Another fast-Egyptian track is "Zabbat W Khattat", written by Tamer Hussein, whom Ajram also works with for the first time. "Bel Sodfa" and "Mesh Enta" are deep emotional sad tracks, speaking about a heartbroken woman who finds out her lover is cheating. The other Gulf song in the album is "Ayi Hob W Ayi Gheera", characterized by its rhythmic melody, showing a new side of Ajram's vocal abilities. "Aam Betaala' Feek" was selected as the album's lead single and is a romantic song about the beginning of love feelings. The reggaeton beat in "Rooh Ya Shater", composed by Samir Sfeir and produced by Boudy Naoum, reminds of some best 2000’s songs.[7]

Singles

The album's lead single, "Aam Betaala' Feek", was released on December 16, 2016 exclusively through Anghami, which broke a new record as the fastest song to reach one Million streams in the App history.[8] The song also received commercial success, topping several Arabic music charts and radio stations for consecutive weeks.[9] A lyric video of the song was released two weeks later, on January 1, 2017.

"Hassa Beek", the title track, was released as the second single on April 6. The song peaked at number one on Anghami's Top Anghami chart[10] and other music charts in several Arab countries. The official music video, which premiered on the same day, was viewed 1 million times on YouTube in its first 24 hours.[11] The theatrics come alive in "Hassa Beek"'s video, which sees Ajram play the radiant role of an old Hollywood movie star in the midst of a steamy love affair. The almost six-minute video was directed by Leila Kanaan, as a comeback after a 5-year absence.

"W Maak" was released on March 29, 2018 as the album's third official single. The song went to radio stations in the Middle East on April 2017, it peaked at number one on Agmad 7 chart on Nogoum FM seven months prior to its single release.[12] The official music video, also directed by Leila Kanaan, premiered at the same day of the single release, featuring Ajram in an old-school American-style diner, dressed in a metallic baseball jacket and denim shorts and getting weirdly over-familiar with the venue’s jukebox.[13] Later on, the video received four international awards and recognition, it was selected at Clipped Music Video Festival's International Top 30 chart, nominated for "Best Music Video" at the International Music Video Underground Festival,[14] won "Merit Special Mention" at the Accolade Global Film Competition[15][16] and "Best Music Video" at Queen Palm International Festival.[17]

"El Hob Zay El Watar" was originally released as a promotional single for the album on March 31, 2017.[18] Its official release as the fourth single took place on February 12, 2019, the same date its music video was released, marking her third collaboration with director Leila Kanaan in the album.[19]

Commercial performance

Hassa Beek debuted at number one on the HitMarker's Best-Selling Albums Chart[20] and remained atop for 16 continuous weeks since its release.[21] The record topped Virgin Megastores sales in Lebanon for 4 continuous months, while in Egypt it remained atop for 15 continuous weeks, as well as in KSA, UAE and Bahrain for continuous weeks.[22][23]

Track listing

The track list was announced via iTunes on March 30, 2017.[24]

Standard edition
No.TitleLyricsMusicProducerLength
1."Hassa Beek" (I Feel You)Khaled Tag EldeenKhaled EzzTarek Madkour3:46
2."Helm El Banat" (Charming Prince)Salim AssafSalim AssafBassem Rizk3:41
3."Khamsa Farfasha" (Farfasha Overload)Ayman Bahgat AmarWalid SaadTarek Madkour4:29
4."Albi Biyes'al Einy" (My Heart Asks My Eye)Amir TeimaKhaled EzzTarek Madkour4:15
5."Kharab Byoot" (Torment)Ziad BourjiZiad BourjiHadi Sharara3:29
6."El Hob Zay El Watar" (Love Is Music To The Soul)Mohammed RifaiWalid SaadAhmed Ibrahim4:23
7."Keefak Bel Hob" (Tell Me About Your Love)Mounir Bou AssafHicham BoulosBassem Rizk3:42
8."W Maak" (With You)Mohammed RifaiMohammed YehiaHadi Sharara3:41
9."Mesh Enta" (Is It You?)Mounir Bou AssafHicham BoulosBassem Rizk3:36
10."Zabbat W Khattat" (Set And Planned)Tamer HusseinWalid SaadAhmed Ibrahim3:17
11."Bel Sodfa" (By Chance)Bahaa Aldin MohammedWalid SaadAhmed Ibrahim4:18
12."Ayi Hob W Ayi Gheera" (Love And Jealousy)Khaled Al MarikhiTalalHussam Kamil4:36
13."Aam Betaala' Feek" (I Am Getting Attached To You)Ziad BourjiZiad BourjiHadi Sharara3:36
14."Rooh Ya Shater" (Come On Darling)Safouh ShaghalaSamir SfeirBoudy Naoum3:59
Total length:54:51

Personnel

Adapted from the album liner notes.[25]

  • Ahmed Ragab – bass (tracks 1,3)
  • Mostafa Aslan – guitar (tracks 1,3,4,5,10)
  • Ehab Farouk – percussion (track 1)
  • Yehia EL Mougy – studio choir conducting (tracks 1,4)
  • Yehia Zakaria – executive production (tracks 1,3,4)
  • Tarek Madkour – producer; mixing; (tracks 1,3,4)
  • Elie Barbar – mastering mixing (tracks 2,5,7,8,9,13)
  • Farouk Mohammed Hasan – accordion (track 3)
  • Reda Bedair – ney (track 3)
  • Maged Souror – qanun (tracks 3,10)
  • Hisham El Arabi – riq (track 3)
  • Ahmed Ayadi – tabla (track 3)
  • Mohammed Sakr – mixing (tracks 6,10)
  • Ahmed Ibrahim – producer; strings writing (track 6); mixing (track 11); piano (track 11)
  • Tamer Ghonim – strings conducting (track 6)
  • Wael El Naggar – accordion (track 10)
  • Said Kamal – violin (track 11)
  • Sherif Fahmy – guitar (track 11)
  • Hussam Kamil – producer; mixing (track 12)
  • Khaled Abu Munther – general supervision (track 12)
  • Boudy Naoum – producer; mixing (track 14)
  • Mohamad Seifeedine AKA mSeif – photography
  • Jad Aoun – graphic design
  • Caroline Cassia Mokbel – styling
  • Fady Kataya – make-up
  • Mohamad Edelbi – hair dressing
  • Elie Saab – dressing

Release history
Region Date Format(s) Edition(s) Label(s) Ref.
Worldwide April 21, 2017 Digital Download Standard In2Musica [26][27]
Middle East April 23, 2017
  • In2Musica
  • EWE Productions
  • Platinum Records
  • Music Misr
 [28]

Awards and nominations
Anghami[29]
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017Nancy AjramMost Streamed ArtistWon
Aam Betaala' FeekMost Streamed SongWon
Hassa BeekMost Streamed AlbumWon
Murex d'Or[30]
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018Nancy AjramBest Female Lebanese SingerWon
Hassa BeekBest AlbumWon
Best Music VideoNominated
Arab Nation Music Awards[31][32]
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018Nancy AjramBest Arabic Female Singer of 2017Won
Aam Betaala' FeekBest Levant Song of 2017Won
Most Streamed and Downloaded Song of 2017Won
Song of the Year 2017Nominated
Hassa BeekBest Levant Song of 2017Nominated
Best album of 2017Nominated

References
  1. Nancy Ajram (2017). Hassa Beek (Booklet). In2Musica. 6222004448815.
  2. Anghami on Twitter: "Congrats @NancyAjram, #ma32oul_el_gharam is #1 on #Anghami setting a NEW record in 12 hours"
  3. Nancy Ajram Reveals Cover for Ninth Album, Hassa Beek! – SheBOPS
  4. "Nancy Ajram – Nancy 9 – Official Teaser". Youtube.
  5. "الأغاني الأكثر إستماعاً لهذا الأسبوع!". Twitter (in Arabic).
  6. "Nancy Ajram : Nancy 9 – Hassa Beek". lone-reviewer.com.
  7. "نانسي عجرم تذهب لأبعد حدود التجديد في ألبوم مفعم بالمفاجآت الفنيّة". beljaw.net (in Arabic).
  8. Anghami on Twitter: "الفنانة @NancyAjram تكسر رقما قياسيا جديدا بأغنية #عم_بتعلق_فيك كونها الأغنية الأسرع وصولا إلى #المليون استماع"
  9. Nancy Ajram tops the Arabic music charts with her new hit single | Al Bawaba
  10. Anghami on Twitter: "توب الأغاني العربية"
  11. "نجاحاً سريعاً لكليب نانسي عجرم الجديد "حاسة بيك"!". Music Nation (in Arabic).
  12. "اجمد اغنية النهاردة هي نانسي عجرم: ومعاك". Twitter (in Arabic).
  13. "فيديو.. نانسى عجرم تطرح كليب "ومعاك" مع المخرجة ليلى كنعان". Al Youm Al Sabe3 (in Arabic).
  14. "May 2018 – Music Video Underground Festival". Music Video Underground Festival.
  15. "First International awards and recognition for "W Maak" music video". Facebook.
  16. "كليب "ومعاك" للمخرجة ليلى كنعان يحصد باقة من الجوائز العالمية". Bisara7a (in Arabic).
  17. "Queen Palm International Festival". Twitter.
  18. "نانسي عجرم تطرح أولى أغاني البومها كاملة وتعزف على وتر الحب". Elfann (in Arabic).
  19. "نانسي عجرم تطرح كليب أغنيتها (الحب زي الوتر) تزامنا مع (عيد الحب)". Albawaba (in Arabic).
  20. Stars Cafe on Twitter: "@NancyAjram's #HassaBeek Debuts at #1 on The Official Best-Selling Albums Chart"
  21. Stars Cafe on Twitter: "بعد أن احتلّتها لستة عشر أسبوع، #نانسي_عجرم تسلّم المرتبة الأولى لوائل كفوري: https://t.co/eOMTomnuYb @NancyAjram @waelkfoury https://t.co/DX7e0zflo6"
  22. "ألبوم نانسي عجرم "حاسة بيك" يواصل تصدُّره ونفاذ الطبعة الثالثة". Almada (in Arabic).
  23. "نفاذ الطبعة الرابعة من ألبوم نانسي عجرم الجديد". Bitajarod (in Arabic).
  24. https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/nancy-9-hassa-beek/id1220923664
  25. Nancy Ajram (2017). Hassa Beek (Media notes). In2Musica. 62891200 133054.
  26. "iTunes – Music – Hassa Beek by Nancy Ajram". Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  27. "Amazon.com: Hassa Beek – Nancy Ajram (Audio cd): Nancy: Music". Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  28. "نانسي عجرم تطرح ألبوم "حاسة بيك" في الأسواق". elCinema (in Arabic).
  29. "Top Arab artist of 2017 - Anghami". Archived from the original on 2018-04-21. Retrieved 2018-04-20.
  30. "نانسي عجرم تحصد جائزتين بحفل الـ"Murex D'or"". Music Nation (in Arabic).
  31. "Arab Nation Music Awards 2018". Twitter.
  32. "خاص - إليكم نتائج "جائزة الموسيقى العربية" للعام 2017!". Aghani Aghani (in Arabic).
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