Distinct's 'No' Soars Up the Arabic Billboard Charts Propelling a Musical Renaissance
Distinct's 'No' Soars Up the Arabic Billboard Charts Propelling a Musical Renaissance. Despite being featured on his album Layali six months ago, "No by Distinct" has made an impressive entry into the Arab Billboard Hot 100. The song's resurgence to prominence can be attributed to the recent release of its music video in the closing days of 2023. The video, shot in the streets of Paris, mirrors the simplicity of the song's lyrics and narrates the story of two friends gearing up for a double date with two girls.
The chart-topping success of "La" has not only propelled Distinct's latest creation but has also lifted two of his earlier songs, namely "Ghazali" with Barin MJ and "Tik Tok" featuring M M H D, back onto the Hot 100 list. Notably, all three tracks share a common production lineage, with Yam and Unleded at the helm, and additional contributions from Ryder and Sinno.
"La" seamlessly blends a 90s organ beat with an oriental folk maqsum, maintaining a consistent presence throughout the entire song. Despite the simplicity of the lyrics, delivered in short sentences, Distinct's distinctive touch lies in his singing in the Egyptian dialect without incorporating other languages. Lines such as "What is all this / My heart is beating this / I am not feeling well / My love, I am not sleeping / Feel me, beautiful" exude simplicity but are enriched by the colloquial tone. The song's choice of dialect, coupled with its musical production, imparts a nostalgic 90s spirit, reminiscent of sentimental Egyptian folk songs.
The production of "La" deviates in style and intricacies from other notable hits by Distinct, despite sharing the same production team. For instance, "Ghazali" marries Afrobeat with continuous Epiphone strings in a single tone, seamlessly aligning with the lyrical flute. On the other hand, "Tik Tok" exhibits African influences, evident in the flirtatious style of the lyrics, particularly in the French passages, and the contagious dance rhythms in the refrain. These distinctive elements have propelled the song to widespread popularity since its release, spreading like wildfire across music charts.
