Joseph Attieh

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Joseph Attieh is a Lebanese singer from Batroun, Lebanon. He became a household name in Lebanon after participating in and winning the third season of Star Academy Lebanon in 2005. Attieh generated around 55% of all the votes, becoming the first Lebanese candidate to win the reality talent show. In addition to the title, Joseph won $50,000 and a Toyota Yaris. Joseph was born on May 14, 1986 in the village of Mehmarch in the city of Batroun, Lebanon. He is Maronite Catholic and although having been accused of being politically biased after the comments being made about his win, he said in an interview that he believes that any singer who is politically biased does not succeed.

Attieh released his first single, "La Trouhi!" (Don't Go!) in 2006. The single was written by Nicolas Saadé Nakhleh. The video clip for the single was directed by Emile Sleilaty. The song became one of the year's best selling songs ranking in first place in Lebanon and other Middle-Eastern countries.^[1] He performed in concert at Hotel Le Royal in Debayeh, Lebanon with superstar, Nawal Al Zoghbi and female impersonator, Bassem Feghali on New Year Eve's 2006/7.^[2]

Joseph Attieh's second single was released in 2007, called "Nahlé" (The Bee). It is a dabké based song. It didn't receive as much attention as his first single, however, it was successful.

In the summer of 2007, Joseph made trips to Australia where he held several concerts alongside of Nawal Al Zoghbi and also he travelled to Los Angeles and held various concerts and appearances, all of which were successful.

Joseph Attieh sang his third single "Habayt Aayounak" (I love your eyes) for the first time live during a Star Academy 5 prime. Later, he released his second video clip for the song which received positive reviews as his first one did.

Joseph has said in interviews that he found that fans enjoy his "romantic" style of songs, and has chosen to choose songs based on this. He also claims that he will only sing in the Lebanese accent because it best suits him. When it comes to Lebanese politics, Joseph says that he doesn't believe it is good to let politics intrude in a singers' art, even though every citizen has the right to his/her own opinion. Joseph has strong relationships with his friends and family, especially in his Northern Lebanese village of Mehmarch, Batroun.

Joseph made his second visit to Australia at the end of April 2008 where he held two concerts in different cities. These concerts were said to be very successful, and he held them accompanied by the Lebanese singer Carole Samaha. On May 10, 2008, Joseph was a guest in the Star Academy Lebanon prime, even though he had already guest starred, but due to the political situation in Lebanon, he guest starred again singing two of his hit singles.

After the success of Lebanese Political talks in Qatar, and after the election of a Lebanese president following seven months of not having one, many concerts were held in Downtown Beirut. Joseph was one of the guests on May 29, 2008 along with Ramy Ayach, Fady Andraous, and contestants from another Lebanese Singing show called SuperStar. During the concert, Joseph sang his new song titled "El Hak Ma Bi Mout" (The Truth Does Not Die). This song is dedicated to Lebanon. This song also has a clip to it. In the clip they show him walking in the streets, leading a Lebanese group and handing out Lebanese flags to the people on the streets.

Along with singing and performing, Joseph starred in a sitcom called "Jeeran" (Neighbors). Tina Yammout, Ahmad Dawoud, Ali Saad, Marwa Bin Sghayar, Sally, Fadi Andraous, Shayma Hilali, Khalifah Salem & Imed Jalouli from Star Academy 3 and 4 also had parts in the show. This sitcom was about a group of friends who lived in separate apartments across the hallway from each other, the boys in one apartment & the girls in another. Joseph starred as a struggling singer trying to make his entrance into the music industry & after overcoming many obstacles finally airs his first video clip, produced with the help of his friends. Jeeran finished airing its first season on the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation. There was supposed to be a Season 2, however due to the low ratings it was cancelled.

In November 2008, Joseph recorded his fifth single, a song especially for the 2008 Beirut Marathon. The song is called "Yalla Nerkod Sawa" (Let's run together), and it has a calm, techno beat. A video clip was also taped, where Joseph starts off by watching the marathon's commercial on TV, and he continues on by running around Beirut, dancing with people, and in the end writing on a flier "Bishaje3ahom Narkod" (With their strength, we run).

Joseph is set to release his first CD around the end of 2008/beginning of 2009. There is said to be 9 songs on the album, with a mix of different sounds and beats. Joseph said in a recent interview that he also was supposed to record the song "Alby w shou badi Illou" (My heart, what should I tell it), however, he found out that the Lebanese star Wael Kfouri had taken the song and recorded it in his voice, without Joseph knowing a thing. Joseph stated that he was shocked, however he congratulated Wael on the song.

Discography

Singles

• La Trouhi
• Nahle
• Habayt Ouyounak
• El Ha2 Ma Bi Mout
• Yalla Nerkod Sawa
• Law Gharrabouha

References