Navigating Content Saturation and the Critical Need for Authenticity | Shik Shak Shook Ones

In the season 1 finale of Shik Shak Shook Ones, hosts Deana and Danny are joined by distinguished journalist Menna Shanab, the music editor at YUNG MENA. They delve into content saturation in the music industry, particularly focusing on how it's affecting listeners' perceptions and emotional connections to music in the age of social media. Menna shares her unique journey as an Egyptian-American living in Cairo and her deep connections with the underground music scene. The discussion also covers the growth of the MENA music industry, the potential pitfalls of rapid expansion, and the critical need for authenticity. They explore the role of bands and live music in reconnecting listeners with the human element of music creation. Finally, the episode highlights the importance of giving back to local music scenes and investing in sustainable infrastructure for artists.

00:00 Introduction
03:09 Menna's Journey in the Music Industry
05:41 The Growth of the MENA Music Scene
08:33 Challenges and Sustainability in the Music Industry
11:18 The Need for Authenticity in Music
13:49 The Role of Bands and Live Instruments
17:08 The Future of the Music Industry
26:23 The Shift from Hits to Strategy
26:50 The Role of Marketing and Branding
27:23 The Impact on Music Quality
28:07 Authenticity in Storytelling
28:44 The Value of Live Performances
29:07 Challenges in the Music Industry
32:18 The Need for Genuine Music Journalism
36:24 The Influence of Identity Politics
39:10 The Importance of Local Success
42:30 The Call for Giving Back
47:14 More on Authenticity
50:25 Final Thoughts

Menna Shanab is an Ivy League-educated researcher who tells compelling stories of the Middle East to a global audience and synthesizes cultural narratives with market intelligence. Her narrative flair and research acumen have seen her bylines in leading online publications, resonating with a diverse, global audience. She is also the music editor of YUNG MENA. 

Connect with Menna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mennashnb/

Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien https://www.instagram.com/sleimandamien/?hl=en

Hosted by: 
Deana Soni 👉 https://www.instagram.com/deana.soni/
& Danny Hajjar 👉 https://www.instagram.com/dannyghajjar/

Deana is a dedicated presenter and journalist with a special focus on highlighting the cultural richness of the MENA region and fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse voices within the community. In 2020, she launched the UK's first Arabic and North African radio show, which showcased and platformed talented artists from the regions and diaspora, before creating her new platform, WASTA, in 2024. Additionally, she was the official host for the Assassin's Creed Mirage podcast, which explored medieval Iraq and its rich history. Deana also created the viral show Musconceptions, which debunked myths about Islam through comedy and garnered over 10 million views on social media. 

Danny Hajjar is a music journalist based in Washington, DC writing about the emerging Arabic music scene and the new wave of artists from the Middle East, North Africa, and its diaspora communities. He runs the award-winning digital zine Sa’alouni El Nas, highlighting trends in the Arabic scene, profiling artists, and reviewing music.

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