Japanese Musician Shares Beautiful Marimba Cover of Fairuz’s “Kifak Enta”

Beloved Japanese musician Naoto Uwatoko is known on social media for sharing beautiful marimba covers of popular songs, and he recently released a rendition of a song by the legendary Lebanese singer Fairuz.

His cover of “Kifak Enta” transforms the iconic melody into a warm, resonant marimba performance. It gave the classic an unexpected sound that made it both intimate and deeply moving. You can listen to it here:

In his caption, he mentions that fellow musician, Dubai-based harpist Mariam Frankoul, introduced him to Fairuz. We're so happy to see that this recommendation inspired the cover!

For many Lebanese, it probably felt like hearing the song for the first time all over again. Here are some of the reactions to his cover:

About the song

“Kifak Enta” is one of Fairuz’s most beloved tracks. Her son, the late Ziad Rahbani, composed and arranged the song, releasing it in the early 1990s.

The song marked a modern turn in Fairuz’s music, blending her iconic Arabic vocal style with jazz, funk, and Brazilian-inspired arrangements.

Lyrically, it explores a poignant reunion and the passage of time. Despite initially mixed reactions to its unconventional style, the song went on to become a classic. It holds a nostalgic, almost cinematic place in the hearts of Lebanese and Arab listeners.

Did you enjoy reading about this Japanese musician covering a song by Fairuz? Check out the #Fairuz section for more like this.

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