Far be it for me to comment on the musical genius that is Amr Diab and his bulging bank account, but he is a giant unparalleled in Western music. An album release by this guy is followed less than a week later by his songs being played in all taxis (that are not playing the Quran) and the entire Middle East knowing the words to the entire album by the end of the same week. Not that the lyrics are particularly complex, but still…

Just in case we were in any doubt as to the arteest’s patrons, the latest album cover has two corporate logos on the front: Pepsi and Rotana (a Saudi owned record label that has six music channels on which it airs its artists – Simon Cowell is nothing compared to Prince Al Waleed bin Talal).

So that you too can keep up to date with the bangin’ Egyptian music scene, I’ve popped in a little video of the first track on his latest album. Before you watch it though, an interesting point: check out him following Natalie Martinez at the beginning. This is exactly what teenage boys frequently do to girls walking down the street here. It seems to be more fun when she’s blonde and they think she doesn’t understand what they are saying. It has a tendency to bring out an anti stalking rage in me unparalleled to most other things!

Did you notice the product placement at the beginning? Oh, yes, he may be the King of Cheese, but never let it be said that he’s an impoverished arteest.

After all, looking 20 when you are in fact 46 doesn’t come cheap, not even in Egypt.