Lebanese singer Vivian Mourad has recently declined a number of recording contracts. In an interview with Arabstoday, Mourad said she was put off by producers’ commercial motives. In her view, the monopolistic nature of the music industry stands at odds with artistic production. Mourad gives performing arts their due, but emphasises that singers should be evaluated on vocal acumen rather than physical prowess. Mourad’s recent performance of a poem by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish set to music garnered significant critical praise.