What's there to be said of Ziad Rahbani? Our fortune is really in being able to listen to the work left behind for us by this legend whose words, music, and thoughts were etched in Lebanon’s collective memory, echoing beyond borders to shape generations of Arab musicians and become an undeniable part of Lebanon's cultural heritage.

In 2005-2008, Khaleeji artists were more experimental with their production selections and musical arrangements. You’ll hear Indian and North African influences in albums released at the time. Music was more upbeat even when the lyrics were sad.

Recommendations for what to Listen, Watch, Read list from Sudan, featuring Sharhabil Ahmed, Laila Aboulela, and Mohamed Kordofani.

Curated by Cheb Mimo for afikra, introducing what raï music production looked like between the late 80s and the early 2000s. "Raï is a music genre that originates from the rich cultural tapestry of Algeria. It places a significant emphasis on lyrical improvisation."

Recommendations for what to Listen, Watch, Read list from Palestine, featuring Lana Lubany, Karim Kattan and Lina Soualem.

Travel through geography, space and time in this roadtrip playlist that crosses genres, eras, regions and covers that celebrate the Arab world and being on the road.

Fairuz not only lived and thrived through radio, but she also grew out of it. Her career in the 50’s can tell us a bit about why radio stations are not as relevant as they once were.

This is an Arab Jazz compilation, intended as a growing – and accurate –playlist for the genre. Make sure to save and come back to it when you're in the mood for jazz.

Recommendations for what to Listen, Watch, Read list from Morocco, featuring Bab L’Bluz, Laila Lalami, and Asmae El Moudir.

For classical music lovers and anyone who’s been looking to broaden their musical horizons, get started with what Kareem Roustom’s been listening to lately.

We can only scratch the surface of a body of work steeped in dozens of traditions, languages and histories. But if there is one thing that unites music from Iraq, whether it’s a oud masterpiece, a fiery dance or Hp-Hop track and that is the poetry that carves out of Iraqi tongues.

A review of Palestinian singer Elyanna’s most recent album Woledto by Kiko Gomersall. Listen as you read track by track, as Kiko draws connections between Elyanna’s music, the diaspora, ideas of distance, longing, and the music of Fairuz. Image via Elyanna on YouTube .

Zila Demirijian interviews Philippe Zarif — better known as DJ Boshoco — and Natalie Bahhade — aka DJ Nass, the only woman Djing in Aleppo right now, on Syria’s underground music scene.