Yalla! Let's Talk.

This episode is about music — but also about something deeper: identity, belonging, and being seen. I sat down with Danny Hajjar, a brilliant music journalist and the Editor-in-Chief of Rolling Stone MENA, who’s been amplifying the voices of Arab artists across the Middle East, North Africa, and the global diaspora. He’s written for The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and GQ Middle East, and is the co-host the Shik Shak Shook Ones podcast on the Afikra network. We talk about the rise of Arabic music, what it really means to represent a culture, and why sometimes, telling your story is the most powerful thing you can do.

00:00 Intro

01:43 Danny Hajjar’s Hot Takes: Speed Round

07:55 How to Get a Music Journalist’s Attention

10:18 Why Now Is the Moment for Arabic Music

22:03 Arabic Music: What’s Working vs What’s Not

25:40 Mohamed Ramadan, Coachella, and Using Your Platform to Speak Up

33:30 When Identity Becomes the Story: Is That Enough?

35:45 Star Academy, Arabic Dialects, and Remembering Massari

45:43 Underrated Arabic Artists You Need to Hear 🎧

49:25 Advice for Artists

I sat down with journalist Samira Mohyeddin to talk about how Western media straight-up lies — not just about Iran, but about the entire Middle East, from Palestine to Iraq. We get into the "playbook": how narratives are crafted, who benefits, and why “freedom” is only allowed when it fits their agenda. From Zionist Iranians to foreign interference, Samira breaks down why true liberation for Iranians won’t come from the West — it has to come from within.

****Our guest today***Samira Mohyeddin is an award-winning Iranian-Canadian journalist, radio producer, and one of the most fearless voices challenging mainstream narratives on the Middle East. Samira is also the founder of On The Line Media,.

What does it mean to find your voice — and use it to create change?In today’s episode of Yalla! Let’s Talk., I sit down with Tunisian artist EMEL, a singer, songwriter, and storyteller whose music has inspired people across the world. From her breakout anthem “Kelmti Horra” — once banned, now a symbol of hope — to her powerful new album MRA, EMEL shares her journey of turning pain into purpose.We talk about what freedom really means, how music can be a form of healing, and what it looks like to embrace feminism in an authentic way. With stories from her performances across over 25 countries — EMEL reminds us that art can connect us, empower us, and help us feel seen.This is a conversation about growth, creativity, and standing in your truth — even when the world tells you not to.

BREAKDOWN

0:00 Intro

0:53 The Song That Sparked a Revolution – “Kelmti Horra” & the Arab Spring

8:20 What It’s Like Growing Up Under a Dictatorship (Tunisia Unfiltered)

12:37 EMEL Performs “Kelmti Horra” Live + What the Lyrics Really Mean

17:54 Her Childhood, Her Father, and the Fire to Fight Oppression

20:43 Balancing Motherhood & Music – Advice for Working Moms

27:09 How EMEL Makes Music That Heals and Protests at the Same Time

31:38 Feminism & Power – Why She Chose an All-Female Creative Team

42:42 HOLM, Al Rawabi & The Powerful Message EMEL Has for Young Girls

58:27 Rapid Games!

Bestselling author Najwa Zebian joins me to share her wisdom on healing and how to get over someone you STILL can't get over.In this episode, we tackle some of the most common yet confusing questions that come up when you’re trying to move on from someone — or even just figure out where you stand. Is it okay to still miss someone from your past? Should you text your ex, or is that just a bad idea? What happens when you find yourself stuck, missing someone you never really dated in the first place? We’ll also dive into the tricky territory of dating before you’re completely over someone, and when exactly it’s the right time to talk about exes with someone new.

BREAKDOWN

(0:00) Intro

(2:30) Is it okay to miss someone from the past?

(5:18) Should I text my ex?

(10:48) Miss them from far away

(18:35) How to get over someone you never really dated?

(32:04) Is it okay to date again if you're not over someone?

(39:36) when is it a good time for someone to talk about exes?

Melodies and Mindsets with Najwa Zebian

(47:11) Cry For Me by the Weeknd

(57:21) Old Body, New Mind by Nemahsis

(59:14) Grief - Healing words by Najwa Zebian

(1:09:06) Free Me by Anees

(1:12:58) Conclusion: listen to this if you're still missing them.

Thank you to Habibi Squad and Asala Dabke for joining us today in our Ramadan special.

Whether you are Muslim or not, this episode can give you a better understanding of what Ramadan means to Muslims . The episode also goes deep into the best practices of how to make the best use of your time in Ramadan, community, and even fitness.

‪ @HabibiSquadOfficial   @AsalaDabke 

(00:00) Intro

(00:40) Cutting Bad Habits, the Vibes, Giving Back, & ESSENTIAL Reminders

(10:00) What to do when you're struggling with your faith?

(20:18) How to make the best use of your Ramadan

(26:45) Ramadan & Fitness

(31:12) Should I break my fast if I have an exam?

(37:30) Best Advice from Sheikh Wasef

In this episode, Ghassan, Halazon one of Canada's top CEOs, shares his journey of building a successful startup, from tough lessons learned to navigating the world of valuations and exits. Get expert advice on attracting investors, raising capital, and negotiating in the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship.

About Ghassan Halazon—a powerhouse entrepreneur who quit a Wall Street job at just 25 to chase his dreams of scaling a portfolio of coveted digital brands. Fast forward 15 years, and Ghassan has built, acquired or sold a dozen e-commerce companies that have driven cumulative sales approaching $1 billion from market-leading brand. Ghassan's journey is all about resilience and redefining success. Ghassan is also the proud honoree of Canada’s 40 Under 40.

Episode Breakdown

(00:00) Intro

(03:00) Ghassan's History with Dragon's Den

(05:44) How did one of Canada's top CEOs start his company?

(10:25) Hard lessons learned from building a startup.

(14:40) When and how to Exit/Sell Your Startup?

(17:15) The truth about the valuation of your startup

(19:45) Whether I should get an investor and build, or exit/sell my startup?

(24:00) How do you even get an investor?

(28:45) Best advice you'll hear on negotiations when it comes to capital raising

(31:42) Community, support, and how change will come?

(40:00) Conclusion

Learn more about Ghassan:

https://www.ghassanhalazon.com/

Linkedin: Ghassan Halazon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ghassan-halazon/Instagram: instajee @ghalazon 

Nemahsis talks to Saint Levant on Yalla! Let's Talk.

Episode Breakdown

(00:00) Intro

(9:33) The beginning of their musical journeys & and what inspires these artists

(16:43) Let's talk about the fans

(29:21) Let's talk about the dream

(36:14) Arab men and therapy

(41:30) Saint Levant, Grow Home, and Yalla! Let's Talk.

(44:28) Why feminism is an Arab man's issue

(49:47) Hot Takes

(53:28) Outro

 @Nemahsis 

 @SaintLevantOfficial 

A special thank you to East Tea Can for the space, the food, and the hospitality. Check them out -- https://eastteacan.com

In this episode, we sit down with the multi-talented artist, NARCY, for an in-depth conversation about the music industry today.

He shares his insights on the evolution of Arabic Hip Hop, the impact of cultural decolonization in music, and drops some solid advice for up-and-coming artists.

NARCY is a groundbreaking Arabic Hip Hop artist known for his unique style and thought-provoking lyrics. He’s redefining the genre and inspiring the next generation of musicians with his innovative approach to music.

(00:00) Intro

(01:45) History of Arabic Hip Hop

(9:40) Breaking Cultural Barriers

(11:55) Arab Artists: The Best Advice You’ll Hear Today

(17:10) Artist or Activist? Can You Be Both?

(26:10) From Drake to "Arab Money": The Influence of Arab-ism in Hip-Hop

(32:00) To Be An Arab: Anti-Exploitation, Identity, AI, and the Analog Revolution in NARCY's Music

Special thanks to East Tea Can for the amazing hospitality! Check them out athttps://eastteacan.comYOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT NARCY Instagram: @narcynarce

Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJVyZKc6xDAGWHCyeDv1AeQ

YOU CAN FIND US: INSTAGRAM: @yallaletstalk TIKTOK: @yallaletstalk LISTEN TO YALLA! LET'S TALK.SPOTIFY:https://open.spotify.com/show/3ymbJTX...APPLE PODCASTS:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...ANGHAMI:https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1034...

It's time to get to know two creatives changing the narrative.

Meet Hassan Phills and NARCY – two hilarious friends shaking things up in their own way: one with comedy and the other with music. In this special episode, filmed at the East Tea Can restaurant in Toronto, they sit down over dinner and ask each other questions you’ve never heard on a podcast before (and yes, they even talk about conspiracy theories.

In this special series at East Tea Can, comedian Hassan Phills talks about how stand-up comedy helped him grow and connect with people. He also explains how he made a space for the Muslim community by listening to fans who wanted to see his shows but didn’t feel comfortable at bars. Hassan shares the important skills he’s learned through comedy—like how to understand a crowd and get better at what you do—and shows how comedy can help everyone connect, adapt, and grow.

(00:00) Introduction

(01:20) How Hassan Phills Got Into Stand up?

(05:18) How do you get better at your art and GROW as a creative?

(20:30) Let’s talk about labels in the industry (i.e. Muslim Comedian or Toronto Comedian?) and the dream

(24:00) Identifying a Market Gap: Meeting the Needs of the Muslim Community and Fans

(31:00) How to win over an audience?

(35:00) Conclusion

You can learn more about Hassan Phills @hassanphills Special thanks to East Tea Can for the amazing hospitality! Check them out at https://eastteacan.com