If you want get at the core of today's pan-Arab music scene, look no further than the work of Melhim Zein. Like so many stars of the U.K. and U.S., the Lebanese singer got his first taste of fame on a reality-TV competition, when he was still just a teenager. But by 2004, his career was up and running with the release of his debut album. And though he studied classical Arab vocal traditions, his sound freely blends his old-school roots with modern pop production.