Ya Tabtab...Wa Dallaa (, English: Pat and Pamper) is the fifth studio album by Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram. It was released on February 21, 2006, through Art Line Music. Ajram worked with various producers on the album, including Tarek Madkour, Hadi Sharara, Omar Abdel Aziz, Mohammed Mustafa, Karim Abdel Wahab and Bassem Rizk. Inspired by a humorous Egyptian traditional vib, Ya Tabtab was a remarkable turn in Ajram's career. Its lead single and title track was released as a response for critics who had accused Ajram of singing "with her body". She appeared in the lead single's video fully dressed as a clown, showing no skin and wearing baggy clothes. Critics gave generally positive reviews of the album, praising its composition and Ajram's new musical direction. The album received four Murex d'Or nominations and two win in the Best Female Lebanese Singer and Best Music Video categories at the 2007 ceremony. The album debuted at number one on several Arabic music charts and topped Virgin Megastores sales in several Arab countries, including Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, KSA, UAE, Syria, Morocco and more. Ya Tabtab...Wa Dallaa spawned six singles, including the title track "Ya Tabtab", "Moegaba", "Ana Yalli", "Ehsas Jdeed", "Elli Kan" and "Mishtaga Leik".

Background and release

After her international breakthrough with Ya Salam and Ah W Noss albums, Ajram's next move became a highly anticipated Pop event in the Arab World and media speculation about a fifth Ajram album rose shortly after the release of the final Ah W Noss single, "Inta Eyh". On New Year's Eve 2006, Ajram's manager and Ya Tabtab's executive producer, Jiji Lamara, confirmed that she would be releasing an album and compared the new project to a "stunning circus act". A circus-themed Coca-Cola commercial featuring Ajram had been airing for a while, with "Moegaba" being sampled in the high-cost clip. "Moegaba" went number one before "Ya Tabtab," the lead single and title track, despite not being released initially. Both singles ended up topping charts in Lebanon and Egypt. In February 2006, the music video for the lead single, "Ya Tabtab," was released and was directed by longtime collaborator and friend Nadine Labaki. The music video was highly praised by critics and began a circus phenomenon. With the video, the full album was released with 11 songs, to be yet an even bigger success for Ajram. Ya Tabtab...Wa Dallaa marked a shift in Ajram's career. The seductive small town Egyptian girl style Ajram had employed for the previous two albums was toned down and Ajram instead opposed the general Arabic Pop current. For the album cover, she appears wearing a black cut with a circus hat and a red background.

Singles and impact

Official Singles

Commercial Singles

The following songs were released as singles after their success due to commercial ad features that Ajram collaborated in.

Track listing

Standard edition

Personnel

Adapted from the album liner notes.