| Ruby | |
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 Ruby's second music video of "Leih Beydary Keda
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Rania Hussein |
| Born | October 08 1981 |
| Origin |  Cairo, Egypt |
| Genre(s) | Egyptian music, Arabic Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Actress |
| Years active | 2001 - present (actress) 2003 - present (singer) |
| Label(s) | Yellow / Delta Sound (2003-present) |
| Website | Ruby.tv |
Rania Hussein (Arabic: رانيا حسين) (born October 8, 1981), known as Ruby (Arabic: روبي, sometimes transliterated as Roubi), is an Egyptian singer and actress who rose to fame with her debut single Enta Aref Leih (Do You Know Why?). Egyptian director and producer, Sherif Sabri, is credited for launching her career. She is considered to be one of the most talked about female artists in Egypt.[1]
Biography
Early life
Ruby (full name Rania Hussein Mohammed Tawfik)[2] started her career as a model when Marcel Romanoff, the Polish singer, spotted her in front of the American University in Cairo.[citation needed] Romanoff chose Ruby to appear in his music video. She later appeared in the music video of his song Don't Make Me Cry. Ruby previously studied Law at Bani Suwayf University.
Ruby later worked in television commercials for several products, including Pringles, Sparkle, and Alo. She then worked with Egyptian film director Youssef Chahine in the film Sekoot Hansawwar (2001), in which she played the role of a romantic wealthy girl who falls in love with her driver. Youssef Chahine is reportedly responsible for the switch to her stage name, "Ruby". She previously appeared in the comedy Film Thakafy in a minor role as a schoolgirl.
Musical career
Her first music video of debut single "Enta Aref Leih" (2003), was directed by Sherif Sabri and was a hit on most satellite music stations in the Middle East during the summer of 2003. This video caused a huge stir in the media, causing people and critics to criticize the way Ruby appeared in provocative costume of a belly dancer, wandering in the streets of Prague. Despite such opposing and criticism, the successful single brought Ruby into the limelight.[3] The song was composed by the well-known Egyptian musician Mohammad Rahim.
Ruby's second video was released in early 2004. Titled "Leih Beydary Kedah" and directed by Sherif Sabri, the video again featured provocative contents as the first one. At the last seconds of the video, it showed Ruby 'in the making' with some make-over scenes of makeover by stylists in Beirut, others of her recording songs with Mohammad Rahim and Sherif Sabri.
The third music video of the song "El Gharaam (Koll Amma A'ollo Ah)" was accompanied by clips from Ruby's movie, Saba' Wara'aat Kotcheena (7 Playing Cards). The movie was critically distressed by the censorship and governments of Egypt, Syria and many other Arabic countries did not allow its running due to the overt usage of erotic themes and suggestive hints. Directed and produced by Sherif Sabri, it was his first experience in cinema. Two music videos were released later. One for "Ana Omry Mastaneat Hadd" and the other for "Ghawy" Both are taken from the movie Saba' Wara'aat Kotcheena (7 Playing Cards).
"Eba'a Abelni" music video is the latest by Ruby. The music video's theme was set to be ancient Egyptian, with Ruby dancing in set-up studios. The video's version of the song was rearranged by Sherif Sabri himself. He was also the director of the music video. She has been sponsored by MelodyHits TV, and provided exclusive broadcast to the video.
"Mosh Hate'dar" is her the first single from her second album released in March 2007, titled Meshit Wara Ehsasy. The music video of "Mosh Hate'dar" surprised the audience due to her straying away from the provocative image of her previous music videos, and having a rather conservative one. The second single was the title track "Meshit Wara Ehsasy", featured her performing in Giza, in front of the Pyramids and Sphinx.
Ruby has been questioned in numerous interviews about her provocative style and suggestive moves, to which she responded that she does not consider herself to be a sex symbol. She was also rumoured to be married to her manager, Sherif Sabri, but both her and Sabri have denied the rumour.
Discography
- Eba'a Abelni (2004)
- Meshit Wara Ehsasy (2007)
References
- ^ "Sexy stars push limits in Egypt" By Heather Sharp. BBC News, Cairo. 4 August 2005
- ^ "In the Arab World, Pop Stardom Can Be A Touchy Subject" By Y. Euny Hong, The Washington Post. June 5, 2005
- ^ Carnival Arabia's "Shaking Up The Airwaves"
External links
Female artists: Amal Hijazi • Amani Swissi • Angham • Asalah • Asmahan • Aziza Jalal • Carole Samaha • Cyrine Abdelnour • Dalida • Dana Halabi • Dania • Darine • Darine Hadchiti • Diana Haddad • Dina Hayek • Elissa • Fairouz • Fayza Ahmed • Fulla (singer) • Haifa Wehbe • Ishtar • Julia Boutros • Latifa • Marwa • Maria • Maya Nasri • Myriam Fares • May Kassab • Najwa Karam • Nancy Ajram • Natacha Atlas • Nawal Al Zoghbi • Nelly Makdessy • Ofra Haza • Ruby • Ruwaida al-Mahrooqi • Sabah • Samira Said • Shadia • Shatha Hassoun • Sherine • Umm Kulthum• Thekra • Warda Al-Jazairia
Male artists: Abdel Halim Hafez • Amr Diab • Assi Al Hillani • Fadel Shaker • Faudel • Hani Shaker • Hisham Abbas • Khaled • Kathem Al Saher • Cheb Mami • Melhem Zein • Mohammed Abdel Wahab • Mohamed Fouad • Moustafa Amar • Rachid Taha • Ragheb Alama
Related articles: Arabic Pop • Arabic music • Middle Eastern music • Arabesque music • Raï • Chalga • Turbo-folk • Manele• Pop-Folk
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