Yemen’s Oud Criminal · Global Voices
Noon Arabia

A new musical video has been circulating widely on Yemen's social media which has so far generated more than 30,000 views in a week.
The musical piece is a creative mix between western music in the notes of “Smooth Criminal” played by a Middle eastern string instrument, the Oud. It is performed and posted on YouTube by Ahmed Alshaiba, one of Yemen's many talented musicians, who also posted this on his Facebook wall:
As a Huge fan of Michael Jackson, Here you go, my “Oud version” cover for Smooth Criminal .. hope you like it !
أنا كمحب لمايكل جاكسون أحببت أن اعزف نسختي الخاصه لأحد اغانيه بالعود ,, اتمنى ان تعجبكم
http://youtu.be/_FwJqYcCcMU
The video was a pleasant surprise to music lovers and Michael Jackson Fans. These were some of the reactions on Twitter:
Yemen has got a male version of Lindsey Stirling….Smooth Criminal. Or should I say #Oud Criminal. http://t.co/RrTqtqh5tI
— GiftofLove Light (@DesertRose_26) November 1, 2013
Super cool! Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" rendition in Oud by #Yemen-i #Artist Ahmed Alshaiba: http://t.co/KZzAZrXmU7”
— Nawal Al-maghafi (@Nawalf) November 9, 2013
Mind-blowing! can't stop listening to Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal Oud cover by #Yemen-i #Artist Ahmed Alshaiba http://t.co/gdlNnI0gtX
— Arwa Alhubaishi (@Arwa_AKH) November 11, 2013