Nancy Ajram

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Nancy Ajram نانسي عجرم
Ajram performing at the 20th Annual World Music Awards (Monaco, Nov. 2008)
Background information
Born	May 16, 1983 (1983-05-16) (age 26)
Origin	Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon
Genre(s)	Arabic
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1998 — present
Label(s)	EMI Arabia (1998) Megastar (2002-2005) In2Musica (2008—)
Website	www.nancyajram.com

Nancy Nabil Ajram (Arabic: نانسي نبيل عجرم‎) (born May 16, 1983) is a multi-platinum Lebanese singer. Considered by many in the Arab world as being one of the decade's most important superstars of the Middle East and the Arab world, Ajram has sold, as of 2007, over 30 million records ranking 3rd best selling female artist in Lebanese history^[1][2]. Ajram has secured a sensational status in the Middle East by releasing seven albums to date, numerous music videos and commercials; Ajram has participated in the most significant Arabic festivals and won a great deal of awards, most importantly the 2008 World Music Award of best-selling Middle Eastern artist. Nancy Ajram is the first and only female sponsor and spokesperson of Coca-Cola in the Middle East and Arab world, youngest Arab WMA winner, and serves as an important icon of this generation's Arabic music.

Early life and beginnings

Ajram was born on May 16 1983 in Achrafieh, a mainly Christian district of East Beirut^[3], Lebanon, to Christian parents Nabil Ajram and Rimonda Oun.

In 1995, at the age of twelve, Nancy Ajram took part in the entertainment show, Noujoum Al-Moustakbal, ("Stars of the Future"), a Lebanese television musical competition, winning a gold medal in the Tarab category after singing a song by Umm Kulthum.

Ajram studied music following her early success with renowned Lebanese musicians and although she was less than 18 years old, the syndicate of professional artists in Lebanon accepted her as a member because they found her to be an exceptional talent and deserved to be qualified as a professional artist. Nancy first songs in her career were titled "Hobbak Allam Albi elGheere" by Abdo Mounzer, and "Oulha Kelma Ala Shani". Shortly afterwards Nancy released her first album, Mihtagalak ("I Need You') in 1998, with most of its songs holding a pure Tarab style, thus starting her music career at the age of 15. It was followed by Sheel Oyoonak Anni ("Take Your Eyes Off Of Me") in 2000, which achieved more success.

Fame and stardom

2002-2004: Akhasmak Ah

Nancy then met Jiji Lamara, a producer and manager with long experience, who was highly impressed by Nancy's vocal abilities when she was just a little girl, and they started working together after long sessions. She subsequently emerged at the forefront of the pop music scene in the early 2003 when she released her third album, Ya Salam ("How Beautiful"). It became her most successful album so far, when the song Akhasmak Ah ("I'll taunt you") became an enormous hit played on all TV channels and radio stations, as did its then-controversial music video. Reminiscent of older Arabic films, Nancy appeared as a cafe manager who dances and flirts with its customers. The video spawned lots of controversy in the Arab music industry, however, Nancy then succeeded at clarifying her image as a singer with impressive vocal abilities with her next video for the song "Ya Salam" ("How Beautiful"). "Ya Salam", Nancy's second video with prominent Lebanese director and actress Nadine Labaki was a 1930's inspired mini-drama where Nancy appeared as star with a sad life. Later on, based on the success of the song, Yay (Sehr Oyoono) ("Oh, the Magic of his Eyes") which was composed by prominent Lebanese composer Samir Sfeir was filmed with Nadine. The video which was highly successful portrayed Nancy as a girl discovering romance as a demure Beirut hairdresser.

2004-2006:Ah w Noss, Coca-Cola

Her fourth album, Ah w Noss ("Yes, and a half"), was released on April 12, 2004, and was also an important marking point in Nancy's career. The tremendous success "Ah w Noss" achieved stabilized Nancy's position as an A-level star in the Arab music industry. Nancy then filmed "Lawn Ouyounak" (The Color of Your Eyes) which portrayed Nancy as a bride in a traditional Lebanese wedding. Negotiations between leading soft-drink company Coca-Cola and Nancy Ajram started that period and towards the beginning of 2005, Nancy Ajram became Coca-Cola's star and official celebrity sponsor and spokesperson for the Western Asia and North Africa. Her first Coke commercial was for her hit "Oul Tany Kida" (Say That Again?) which was filmed with the international Italian director Luca Tomassini. The commercial's success lead to its filming as a music video behind the scenes of the commercial. Later on in 2005, Nancy decided on filming "Inta Eih" (What Are You?) as the fourth hit from the album. Nadine successfully created a drama that portrayed Nancy in a much mature and different image, as she appeared as wife who sees her husband cheating on her, and pretends not to know for the sake of her love and marriage. Leading Egyptian actors and directors, like Faten Hamama praised Nancy's acting abilities and movie offers doubled for Nancy, who was not really interested or free at that period. Nancy performed in Enrique Iglesias's first concert in Egypt in 2004.

2006-2008:Atabtab, Shakhbat, ElDonya Helwa

Her fifth album, Ya Tabtab...Wa Dallaa was released on February 15, 2006. Atabtab was considered Nancy's best album to date, with six music videos released, eight radio hits, and five songs used for commercials.

The title song's video was Nancy's last video directed by Nadine Labaki, as she then started working on her movie Caramel. Nancy then released the video of her Coca-Cola hit "Moegaba" (Admirer), as well as a video and commercial for her newly signed Damas Jewelry contract advertising their "Farfasha" set. The song used was Ana Yalli which was promoted before the album's release. Nancy then cooperated for the first time with prominent Lebanese director Said el Marouk, filming "Ehsas Jdeed" (A New Feeling) which is widely considered to be the most successful song of the album. The video, which was a salute from Said to his deaf and mute parents, depicted the story of a rich woman who falls in love with a deaf and mute man. Later in 2007, Nancy released all together the video of "Elli Kan" (All That Was) for Damas's second campaign, her Coca-Cola Side of Life commercial featuring a new single "ElDonya Helwa" (Life is Beautiful), and a video and album directed towards children, titled Shakhbat Shakhabit (Scribbled Scribbles). "ElDonya Helwa", Nancy's 7th commercial, is considered one of her most successful commercials representing her style and Coca-Cola's with colors, happiness, and music, and it led her to release a Live album featuring the single.

Ajram's sixth album was fully dedicated to children with a variety of songs aimed towards teaching children good values and morals, something she has wanted to do for a long time. The music video was her second cooperation with Said El Marouk after "Ehsas Jdeed" and featured four songs from her album: Shakhbat Shakhabit, Katkouta, Shater, and Eid Milad at the credits. Nancy performed these songs at several fund-raising events for children and other children's events. She then filmed with Fadi Haddad, the director of photography of her previous works with ElMarouk, a video for the song "Resala Ilal Aalam" (A Message to the World) which talks about world peace. The video was released on May 25, 2008, the day the Lebanese president General Michel Suleiman was elected ending a deadlock that lasted since November. It was the first video for Nancy that had an entirely graphical world that implied the suffering of children worldwide and the need to bring out a more colorful and happy world for them, like the one in the video. Old rumors claimed that the video will be presented to the UNICEF. In 2007, Nancy performed alongside Lionel Richie in Egypt at a launching event.

2008–present: Betfakkar Fi Eih, WMA

In February and March 2008, Nancy released three Coca-Cola commercials that featured a brand new hit from her long awaited album. The song, "Meen Gheyri Ana (Noss elKawn)" (Who Else?) was made by the successful Yey and Ana Yalli trio (Nizar Francis, Samir Sfeir, and Tarek Madkour). The song and commercials served as a highly successful promotion 5 months before the album's release. Nancy released her seventh studio album after several delays on July 30 2008, which has been highly anticipated by fans for almost three years. This long awaited comeback album held lots of surprises for her fans with a huge change in her style that presented her matured vocal abilities like never before. Nancy's 7th album, Betfakkar Fi Eih?!, is considered to be one of her most successful albums so far as it won her first World Music Award in her career. The album included her first "Tarab" song called "Biteegy Sirtak" since 1998's Mihtagalak album, and in general had a wide mix of several different styles ranging from dance, beat, pop, to drama, romance, Tarab and oldies. Even though the hit video had mixed opinions, the second video of "Min Dally Nseek" was much more accepted, peaking at #1 for seven consecutive weeks in Melody Hits ^[4]. The same musical trio who created "Ehsas Jdeed" did one of the instant radio-hits of the album, "Lamset Eed" (Touch of a Hand), which was filmed with Leila Kenaan under a high budget, and the song and music video peaked charts for months. Nancy announcned that she will be filming around 8 to 10 songs from the album as requests for music videos for the songs were on the rise. With this album Nancy signed a celebrity endorsement deal with Sony Ericsson, as a special w595 phone was released holding Nancy's signature, and Wana Ben Idek was chosen as the commercial song.

On November 9, 2008, about a month after her marriage, Nancy Ajram won her first World Music Award for her best-selling album Betfakkar Fi Eih. In her short speech, Nancy thanked her parents, Jiji Lamara, her fans and album makers, and husband, and said "2008 has been a fantastic year - a successful album, my wedding, and now this award, what can I ask for more?"

Marriage and motherhood

In September 2008, Nancy married Dr. Fadi AlHachem after a 2-year relationship. Her marriage came as a sudden surprise to the unexpecting public, and the wedding had been attended mainly by close friends and family. Nancy continued her work during pregnancy, and during that period she had filmed "Lamset Eed" and her first Sony Ericsson commercial, participated in several concerts such as Layali Febrayer, and received her WMA. On May 16, 2009, Nancy gave birth to her first baby daughter named "Mila", who shares her birthday. Short for Milagrosa (miraculous in Spanish), Mila is also an old Arabic name widespread in rural Lebanon meaning a "blooming tree"^[5]. Nancy released her song for her daughter "Ya Rab Tekbar Mila" (I Pray That Mila Grows Up) on the same day.

Awards and titles

1995 Nojoom Al Mustaqbal Golden Award - (Nancy's most significant pre-stardom award)

2003 Murex D'or Award - Best Female Lebanese Singer of the year, Beirut ^[6]

2003 Murex D'or Award - Best Video of the Year: Ya Salam - Nadine Labaki, Beirut

2003 The Golden Lion Award Egypt

2003 LG Music Award

2003-2004 Zahrat elKhaleej Magazine - Best Female Arab Singer, Dubai

2004 Zahrat elKhaleej - Best Music Video of the Year, Dubai

2004 Arabian Music Awards - Best Female Arab Singer of the year, Dubai

2004 Murex D'or Award - Best Female Lebanese Singer of the year, Beirut ^[7]

2005 Zahrat elKhaleej Magazine - Best Female Arab Singer, Dubai

2005 Newsweek - Most Influential Arab Personalities, Kuwait

2005 - Honor from the Opera House of Egypt

2006 Murex D'or Award - Best Female Lebanese Artist of the year, Beirut

2006 Murex D'or Award - Best Video of the Year: Ehsas Jdeed - Said elMarouk, Beirut

2007 LG Music Award , Abu Dhabi

2007 Certificate from the Pope of Rome

2007 Middle East Music Awards (Mobinil) - Best Female Arab Singer of the year, Cairo ^[8]

2007 Arabian Business - Most Influential Contemporary Female Singer in 2007 ^[9]

2007 Arabian Business - Most Powerful Arab Singers ^[2]

2007 Kol elArab Survey - Best Arabic Star of the year 2007 ^[10]

2008 Annual Doha Festival - Honor Award, Doha

2008 World Music Award - World's Best-Selling Middle-Eastern Artist, Monaco ^[11]

2008 Student Choice Award - [College Student Survey]: Best Album of the Year 2008, Beirut ^[12]

2008 AlJumhuriya Newspaper, Freedom Magazine - Best Female Arab Star of 2008, Egypt ^[13]

2009 Arabian Business - Power 100 - World's Most Influential Arabs ^[14]

Discography

Studio albums

• 1998: Mihtagalak
• 2001: Sheel Oyoonak Anni
• 2002: Ya Salam
• 2004: Ah W Noss
• 2006: Ya Tabtab...Wa Dallaa
• 2007: Shakhbat Shakhabit
• 2008: Betfakkar Fi Eih?!

DVDs and live albums

• 2004: Live at the Jarash Festival [DVD] - MegaStar
• 2005: Ma La Ta'arifunahu 3an Nancy Ajram [DVD] - MBC
• 2006: Ah w Noss: Collector's Edition [CD and DVD] - MegaStar
• 2006: Ya Salam: Collector's Edition [CD and DVD] - MegaStar
• 2007: Shakhbat Shakhabit [DVD]
• 2007: ElDonya Helwa - Live [Live CD]
• 2008: The Best of Nancy Clips [DVD]
• 2008: Greatest Hits [Compilation CD] - EMI
• 2009: Awwel Marra [Old Live Songs CD] - Artline Music

Non-album singles

Nancy released several songs dedicated to special countries in the Arab world, starting with "Kuwait alShahama" in 2005. Later on, a compilation CD featured "3agbal", dedicated to the Sheikh's daughters. In early 2006, she released a single, "Ana Masry" ("I am Egyptian"), timed to coincide with Egypt's hosting and winning of the African Cup of Nations football tournament, taking it by storm. Its video showed Egyptians representing the diversity of the country lip-sync the patriotic lyrics of the song. Nancy also released a song for the rival Egyptian soccer teams "Ahly and Zamalek", being the first to do so after Sabah. Nancy released a sensual song for Lebanon called "Habib elOmr" composed by Ziad Boutrous, which preceded the 2006 Lebanese war. After the 2007 "Nahr el Bared" war, Nancy dedicated a song composed by Samir Sfeir to the Lebanese Army, called "Khalleek Bwejj elGhadab".

Nancy's non-album singles:

• 2005 "Kuwait Al Shahama"
• 2005 "Ana Masry"
• 2005 "Agbal"
• 2006 "Ahli w Zamalek"
• 2006 "Habib el Omr"
• 2007 "Bwejj el Ghadab"
• 2007 "El Dunya Helwa" (featured in the Live album only)
• 2009 "Ya Rab Tikbar Mila"
• 2009 "Efta7 Albak Tefra7"

In 2007, Coca-Cola released their international trademark campaign of their popular slogan "The Coke Side of Life", which focused on themes such as fun, happiness, colors, and life. A collaboration with Nancy Ajram lead to the making of the song "El Donya Helwa" (Life is Beautiful) for which a commercial was filmed with an American director on international standards and hi-tech effects. Nancy insisted on filming in Lebanon which had been hit by war a while back. "El Donya Helwa" became one of Ajram's most successful songs, and she then released it as a single track in a "Live" album with live performances of songs from her last studio album, Atabtab.

Ajram also participated in the following group works:

• 2003 Il7a2ni (Follow Me) for the Lebanese Marathon.
• 2005 La Ma Khelset El Hekaya (It's Not Over) after the assassination of late president Rafiq elHariri.
• 2008 ElDhameer el 3arabi (The Arab Conscience) the sequel to the well-known "elHelm al3arabi" along with more than 100 artists.

Videography

Official music videos

Commercials

Ajram's success as a singer led to high-profile advertising deals with Coca-Cola and Sony Ericsson and Damas Jewelry. Nancy remained the only Arab star promoting Coke until late 2007 when Egyptian sensations Mohammed Hamaki and Tamer Hosni joined in as well, as she still remains the only female. Coca-Cola and Nancy formed a great team for about four years making commercials and music videos that stood out in the Arab world .

Coca-Cola

Nancy in the Coca-Cola "Circus" Campaign, 2006

2005 Concert: Commercial and music video.

-Oul Tani Keda (Say That Again?) from Ah W Noss. Commercial and music video.

2005 Tickle and Splash/"Marylin Munroe"

and 2006 Wink

-Lawn 3younak Intstrumentals ("The Color of Your Eyes") from Ah W Noss in three commercials:

2005 Circus: Commercial and music video.

-Moegaba (Admirer) from her then upcoming album Atabtab.

2006 Coke Bottle: Ashtiki Minno ("Should I Complain About Him") from Atabtab

2007 The Coke Side of Life: El Donia Helwa Single ("Life is Beautiful")

2008 Celebrating/Star, Playful, & Thirsty/Rockstar

-Song: Meen Ghayri Ana (Noss elKawn) from Bitfakar Fi Eih?! and its a cappella and instrumental versions in three commercials.

2009

DAMAS and World Gold Council

DAMAS's youth-inspired set called "Farfasha", which are gold collections from the World Gold Council said to be chosen by Nancy herself, was promoted by her in three different campaigns. Each campaign had a new collection for the set and a song, commercial, and music video:

2006 Ana Yalli ("I'm The One") from Atabtab

2007 Elli Kan ("All That Was") from Atabtab

2008 Ibn el Giran ("The Neighbor's Son) from Bitfakar Fi Eih?!

2009

Sony Ericsson

A survey by Sony Ericsson where Nancy was named the most popular Arab star led them into signing a deal with her as their celebrity spokesperson. The company co-sponsored the release of her best-selling album Bitfakkar Fi Eih. In Febrauary 2009 the W595i phone was officially released with a Nancy special edition kit that held her signature on the back of the phone, a free copy of her album and ringtones of her songs. This was accompanied by print advertising, a press conference in Dubai, as well as a commercial that featured Nancy in March 2009:

2009 Wana Ben Idek ("In Your Arms") from Bitfakkar Fi Eih

Charity and social works

Nancy has participated in numerous charity events and concerts that she considers a priority in her music career. In the year 2006, Nancy opened an organization under the name "Jam'iyet Nancy Ajram Al-Khayria" (Nancy Ajram's Charity Organization) in Beirut, Lebanon, that works on collecting and distrubing money for the poor. Nancy also released a song about peace "Resala Ilal Aalam" (A Message to the World) in her children's album as a music video, which was rumored to be presented to the Unicef. Ajram also participated amongst over a 100 other prominent Arab artists in a huge production called "ElDhameer elArabi", a 10-year sequel to "AlHelm Al Arabi" that outlines the major political events in the Arab world in the past 10 years.

In June 2008, Nancy participated in The Big Ball, a charity event in Dubai which raised over Dhs 940,000 for helping underprivelaged children ^[15] by auctioning one of her favourite dresses and encouraging children's fund raising events; she announced, "The Big Ball is doing a wonderful thing and I'm happy to support it. I'm coming for my love of children and because I want to help underprivileged children find a happy place in this world. Children inspired my latest album "Shakhbat Shakhabit" and especially the song "Resala lel3alam" (A Message to the World)." ^[16] Ajram, however, continues to refuse announcing her other charitable projects to the public.

Criticism and controversy

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• Many rumors of boycotts against Ajram's concerts filled the internet, although none appeared to be true.^[17]

• In October 2003, a riot broke out outside a concert by Ajram in Bahrain. Islamists from the country's main opposition parties, including Al Wefaq, attacked concert goers. Al Wefaq's leaders defended the action, as it was the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.^[18] In May 2006, Ajram returned to perform in Bahrain without any incidents.

• On her official website, Nancy Ajram has apologized^[19][20] for anti-Iranian remarks ^[21] falsely attributed to her on a website posing as her homepage.

• Nancy Ajram has expressed extreme anger towards recent circulating rumors in Egypt regarding the spread of nude photos of her on mobile phones. A large number of youths around Egypt and around the Arab world have been spreading nude photos of the singer supposedly taken at a women's spa for a full body wax. Nancy, however, denied the spa visit and claiming such photos are fake.^[22]

• Nancy's sudden marriage came as a shock as she continued to deny the then-rumors of her relationship until the wedding day, possibly as an attempt to divert the public's interest away from her personal life and more on her 7th album that came a few months before.

• Melissa Corken, the World Music Award representative defended the award, threatening to sue whoever claims it is bought by its recent Arab winners (Nancy Ajram, Elissa, and Amr Diab), and scandaled several Arab singers and major production company Rotana, claiming they attempted to purchase it. This came as a response to the riot caused by fans of Elissa ^[23] who had a competing album for the award; however Corken shut the fuss down by announcing Ajram's album sold more; Rotana, with whom Elissa has a record label, claimed that they did not send any sales numbers internationally ^[24], showing no clear reason for that.

References

1. ^ http://www.arabianbusiness.com/power100/profile/996?clr=2 Nancy Ajram - Power 100, (accessed July 8th, 2009)
2. ^ ^{a b} The Most Powerful Arab Singers, Arabian Business, 2007, (accessed December 2008)
3. ^ http://web.stratfor.com/images/middleeast/map/1_25_beirut_map3_800.jpg
4. ^ www.melodyhits.tv
5. ^ http://www.mbc.net/portal/site/mbc/menuitem.ff2c047b71869fec9318c4cd480210a0/?vgnextoid=f9dbb32adc351210VgnVCM1000008420010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=4e9ee30e61801110VgnVCM100000f1010a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=mbcArticle
6. ^ http://adserver.naharnet.com/pub/murex/Murex2004.htm
7. ^ http://adserver.naharnet.com/pub/murex/Murex2004.htm
8. ^ [http://www.mobinil.com/musicawards Mobinil Music Awards - Nancy Ajram Best Arab Female 2007, (accessed June.27th, 2009)
9. ^ http://www.arabianbusiness.com//power100/list.php Arabian Business
10. ^ نانسي عجرم نجمة العام 2007, Elaph, Dec. 28, 2007, (accessed Jan.9,2009)
11. ^ www.worldmusicawards
12. ^ 2009 تكريم النجوم, Elaph, Jan. 20, 2009, (accessed Jan. 28,2009)
13. ^ [http://www.gom.com.eg/algomhuria/2009/03/04/arts/detail00.shtml احتفالية حب في عيد ميلاد "الجمهورية" و"حريتي" (accessed June 27th, 2009)
14. ^ http://www.arabianbusiness.com/power100/2009 Arabian Business Power 100, 2009, (accessed April 12th)
15. ^ The Big Ball raises over Dhs940,000 for the benefit of underpriviledged children across the region, AME Info, October 28, 2008
16. ^ Nancy Ajram to attend The Big Ball as it aims to raise $250,000 for the education of underprivileged Arabian Business, May 8, 2008
17. ^ Arab Pop Video: "Weapon of Singing Destruction"?, Associated Press, October 23, 2003.Retrieved November 23, 2006
18. ^ Arab Pop Video: "Weapon of Singing Destruction"?, Associated Press, October 23, 2003. Retrieved November 23, 2006
19. ^ RadioJavan.com - News - "Nancy Ajram Apologized For Fake Message"
20. ^ Nancy Ajram Official website - Response contained under "News" section
21. ^ Nancyajram.com Retrieved on July 1 2007
22. ^ albawaba.com Middle East news information::Nancy Ajram innocent of posing in the nude
23. ^ Elaph, Nov.10,2008
24. ^ Elaph Nov. 11, 2008

Further reading

• Fiascos affect Arab music awards, 17 May, 2004 BBC (Ajram voted best newcomer)
• Sexy stars push limits in Egypt, By Heather Sharp, 4 August 2005, BBC
• Conservatism threatens Kuwaiti reforms, By Jonathan Fryer, 21 January 2006, BBC. (Ajram banned in Kuwait)
• Arab youth revel in pop revolution by Sebastian Usher, 21 May 2007, BBC
• Nancy Ajram's Videography

External links

• Official Website
• Second Official Website