New generation of Arabic-singing Israelis move charts
A new generation of Israeli singers, many of whose families are from countries in the Arab world, choose to sing in Arabic in order to trace their roots.
With her long ombre curls, naval-baring streetwear top and chunky gold jewelry, Maggie Hikri looks like any other Tel Aviv millennial as she bikes through the city’s streets in the opening scene of her latest music video, “Alashoo.”
As soon as the first chords of “Alashoo” hit, with their amalgam of synthetic pop and classical Arabic ughniyah (pop melodies with elements of different Arabic regional styles) minor-key strains, it is clear that Hikri’s music is different. When the Jewish Israeli singer starts to rap, she spills out a syncopation in perfectly accented Arabic.
