Lebanon's music industry is wrong

Makdessi backs the latest wave of reality TV shows Beirut – Sleiman Asfahany Lebanese singer Nelly Makdessi has attacked the country’s music industry, claiming its policies are “totally wrong” in an exclusive interview with Arabstoday. “These policies benefit casual music that won't last, especially since the glamour phenomenon has vanished and the spotlight is back on beautiful voices,” she said. "Music industry policies in Lebanon are totally wrong.” Sparse job opportunities and industry nepotism had left a “tight grip” over music, something that had a “negative impact on singers in general,” Makdessi claimed. The Lebanese music scene has been “weakened,” Makdessi added, because majors like Rotana flood the market with money, advertising and exposure. Makdessi approved of the recent wave of reality TV shows sweeping the country. “I’m all for a show that supports good singing,” she said. After a brief hiatus, the Lebanese singer is gearing up for her next release. But political crises in Lebanon and the wider region have made preparations difficult. "Death and destruction make it hard to give people beautiful music properly,” she revealed. "Art expresses joy and wars have always stolen that joy from people.”