The last decade in Lebanon has seen a diverse alternative music scene growing and juxtaposing itself to the "ya habibi" pop scene, plastic surgery obsession and glam life of Beirut. That contrast is evident for the new Lebanese hip-hop and rock scenes, but the alternative pop scene also takes a stand. Mike Massy, Zeid Hamdan, Semitic Genetic and Yasmine Hamdan are just a few names delivering new sounds and purposes to Lebanese pop, one of the most successful music industries in the region.

When Mike Massy won The Innovation in Music Award, Murex D'or, in June 2012, he accepted the honor bare foot, which was highlighted by a close-up on MTV Lebanon. He then performed his song “Jazr w Mad” with a dance ensemble. The posh audience watched Massy skip, sway and swing across the stage with raised eyebrows that eventually gave way to vigorous applause.

On April 25, he encountered a similar audience during his US debut at Merkin Concert Hall in New York City, where he introduced “Ya Leila Ya Eini.”

“In my country men are strong and drive fast cars,” proclaimed the skinny singer with his gracious gesticulations. “And all around Beirut, libertine women dance in the clubs while, on the other side of the street, another kind of woman lives a very different life. Their only way to escape poverty is by marrying a rich man.”