Nancy Ajram

Nancy Ajram
نانسي عجرم

(2007)
Background information
Born May 16, 1983 (1983-05-16) (age 27)
Origin Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon
Genres Arabic
Occupations Singer
Years active 1998–present
Labels EMI Arabia (1998)
Megastar (2001–2005)
In2Musica (2008–present)
Website www.nancyajram.com

Nancy Nabil Ajram (Arabic: نانسي نبيل عجرم‎) (Nancy 'Ajram ) (born May 16, 1983) is a multi-platinum Lebanese singer and Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF [1]. By 2007, Ajram had sold over 30 million records ranking 3rd best selling female artist in Lebanese history followed by Nawal Al Zoghbi who is ranked the #1 Female Artist in the Arab world.[2][3]. She has released seven studio albums to date and appeared in a number of music videos and commercials. She participated in the most significant Arabic festivals and won multiple awards, most importantly the 2008 World Music Award as Best-selling Middle Eastern Artist, the youngest Arab WMA winner to date. Nancy Ajram is the first and only female sponsor and spokesperson of Coca-Cola in the Middle East and Arab world. Considered by many as an Arabic music icon of the decade, Nancy was described on the Oprah Winfrey Show as one of the most influential personalities of the Middle East[4].

Contents

Early life and beginnings

Ajram was born to Nabil Ajram and Raymonda Aoun on May 16, 1983 in Achrafieh, a district in Beirut, Lebanon.

In 1995, at the age of twelve, Nancy Ajram took part in a variety show, Noujoum Al-Moustakbal, ("Stars of the Future"), a Lebanese reality television competition, which finds new solo musical talent. Ajram won a gold medal in the Tarab category after singing a song by Umm Kulthum.

Ajram studied music with renowned Lebanese musicians and despite being less than 18 years old at the time, the syndicate of professional artists in Lebanon accepted her as a member. Her first singles were titled "Hobbak Allam Albi elGheere" by Abdo Mounzer, and "Oulha Kelma Ala Shani". At the age of 15, she released her first album, Mihtagalak ("I Need You') in 1998. It was followed by Sheel Oyoonak Anni ("Stop Staring") in 2000, which achieved more success.

Music career

2002-2004: Akhasmak Ah

Ajram's breakthrough was when she began working with Jiji Lamara, an experienced producer and manager. In early 2003, Ajram rose to instant fame with the success of the lead single "Akhasmak Ah" and the release of her third studio album, Ya Salam ("How Beautiful") which was a best-seller. The music video of "Akhasmak Ah" caused a controversy; reminiscent of older Arabic films, Nancy appeared as a cafe manager who dances and flirts with its customers. The release of the next music videos, "Ya Salam" and "Sehr Ouyouno" quietened down criticism as they better introduced Nancy's vocal abilities and style to the public.

2004-2006:Ah w Noss, Coca-Cola

Her fourth album, Ah w Noss ("Yes, and a half"), was released on April 12, 2004, and it was also an important marking point in Nancy's career. The tremendous success that "Ah w Noss" achieved, stabilized Nancy's position as an A-List star in the Arab music industry. Nancy then filmed "Lawn Ouyounak" (Color of Your Eyes), which portrayed Nancy as a bride in a traditional Lebanese wedding. After the release of the album, Nancy Ajram signed-up with Coca-Cola to be their official celebrity spokesperson for the Levant, Arabia and North Africa regions. Her first Coke commercial featured her hit, "Oul Tany Kida?" (Say That Again?), which was filmed with the international Italian director Luca Tomassini. The commercial's success lead to it being filmed as a music video behind the scenes of the commercial. The 4th hit single from the album, "Inta Eih?" (What Are You?), was a slow directed by Samir Sfeir. Nadine Labaki directed another clip that featured Nancy as a wife who sees her husband cheating on her yet she hides it in torment to save their relationship. The music video received tremendous positive reviews and Nancy was greatly praised. Leading Egyptian actors and directors, like Faten Hamama praised Nancy's acting abilities and movie offers doubled for Nancy. Nancy also opened for Enrique Iglesias's first concert in Egypt in 2004.

2006-2008:Ya Tabtab Wa Dalla, Shakhbat, El Donya Helwa

Ajram in her first Damas (Farfasha) campaign, photographed by Fares Al Jammal. 2006

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 "El Donya Helwa" (Life is Beautiful), and a video and album directed towards children, titled Shakhbat Shakhabit (Scribbled Scribbles). "El Donya 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 and featured four songs from her album, the most successful of which were "Shakhbat Shakhabit" & "Shater Shater". Nancy performed these songs at several fund-raising events for children and other children's events, such as the children's TV channel MBC 3, and the children's entertainment TV Show "Star Zghar". 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. Old rumors claimed that the video was presented to the UNICEF. In 2007, Nancy performed alongside Lionel Richie in Egypt at a launching event.

2008–2009: Betfakkar Fi Eih, WMA, Oprah, UNICEF

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 single was an instant hit and served as a highly successful promotion 5 months before the release of the album. 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 [5]. 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 with a high budget, and the song and music video peaked charts for months. 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, saying "2008 has been a fantastic year - a successful album, my wedding, and now a World Music Award, what can I ask for more?"

On September 28, 2009, the Oprah Winfrey Show aired an episode titled "Fame Around the World" that talked about the most famous celebrities around the globe in brief reports. Representing the Middle East region and Arab world, Nancy Ajram appeared in a report featured on the show and was described by Oprah as "the Britney Spears of the Middle East". Nancy Ajram is the first and only Middle-Eastern artist ever mentioned on the show.

2010: 7

On August 30, 2010,[6] Nancy's official Facebook page posted a 16-second preview of the music video for Nancy's next single. The preview shows Nancy wearing her makeup and getting in the car on a rainy day. Later, it was announced that Nadine Labaki directed the video, thus making her comeback to music video direction after her 4-year break. The video is also the first collaboration between Ajram and Labaki since 2006's "Atabtab." The full music video premiered on September 6, 2010 at 8:00PM on Arabica TV and MTV Lebanon.[7]

The song was sent to radio the same day and received favorable reviews from critics who welcomed the new style that Nancy presents in the song. The video is yet to premiere and the album will take a worldwide release through September, as stated on Ajram's official website.

Marriage and motherhood

In September 2008, Nancy married Dr. Fadi Hachem after a three-year relationship; the wedding was attended mainly by close friends and family. Nancy continued her work during pregnancy, during which she filmed "Lamset Eid" and her first Sony Ericsson commercial. She also participated in several concerts, such as Layali Febrayer and received her World Music Award.

On May 16, 2009, Nancy gave birth to her first child, a daughter she named "Mila." Short for Milagrosa (miraculous in Spanish), Mila is also a traditional, Levantine name popular in rural Lebanon and meaning a "blooming tree"[8]. However, Nancy revealed that the name was Fadi's choice inspired by the Serbia-born US actress, Milla Jovovich. Nancy released a song for her daughter, "Ya Rab Tekbar Mila" (I Pray that Mila Grows Up) on the same day. In a survey done by Rotana Magazine, Nancy was voted as the "Most Beautiful Mom" of 2009.[9]

Awards and titles

Philanthropy and humanitarian work

Ajram has participated in numerous charity events and concerts that she considers a priority in her music career. In the year 2006, Ajram 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 distributing 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 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 ten years.

In June 2008, Nancy participated in The Big Ball, a charity event in Dubai which raised over Dhs 940,000 for helping underprivileged children [18] 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)." [19] Ajram, however, continues to refuse announcing her other charitable projects to the public.

On October 22, 2009, the UNICEF chose Ajram to be the first female regional ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa, as was announced in a press conference held in Beirut. Nancy announced that she will be starting her charity projects in 2010. In late 2009 she appeared in the UNICEF's commercial marking the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, joining other influential Middle Eastern celebrities such as Kazem el-Saher, Saber el-Rebai and Karess Bashar.

Criticism and controversy

Discography

Studio albums

Other albums

DVDs and live albums

Non-album singles

Nancy released several songs dedicated to special countries in the Arab world, starting with "Kuwait alShahama" in 2005. 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".

Group works

Soundtracks Ramadan 2009: Ibn elArandaly

Global Coke slogans

Coca-Cola Middle East have always incorporated International Coke slogans into pan-Arab campaigns with Nancy. 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" (The World 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" is considered Coca-Cola Middle East's and Nancy Ajram's most successful commercial to date; the single became one of Ajram's most successful songs, leading to its release as a single track in a "Live" album with live performances from her last studio album Atabtab.

In 2009, as the campaign was sequeled internationally with "Open Happiness", Coke Middle East and Nancy released "Eftah Albak Tefrah". However, due to Nancy's pregnancy and giving birth, she was unable to participate in the print or TV campaigns that year and the song was used on the International commercial instead. A website was launched for that campaign entitled "Eftah Tefrah".

In 2010, Coca Cola released an Arabic version of Wavin' Flag originally by K'naan. The Arabic version "Wavin' Flag / Shagga' Bi Alamak Da" (In Arabic شجّع بعلمك ده) has Nancy Ajram featuring K'naan and meant for pan-Arab promotion of 2010 FIFA World Cup to be held in South Africa.

Videography

Official music videos

Official Music Videos
Year Title Album Director
1998 "Mihtagalak" Mihtagalak Elie Fghaly
2001 "Sheel Ouyounak Anni" Sheel Ouyounak Anni Guy Zahlan
2002 "Akhasmak Ah" Ya Salam... Nadine Labaki
2003 "Ya Salam"
"Sehr Oyouno" (Yey)
2004 "Ah w Noss" "Ah w Noss"
"Lawn Ouyounak"
2005 "Oul Tany Kida" Luca Tommassini
"Inta Eih" Nadine Labaki
2006 "Ya Tabtab Wa Dalla" Ya Tabtab..Wa Dallaa
"Moegaba" Harry Rankin, Mike Lipscombe
"Ana Yalli" Pascale D'Ash
"Ehsas Jdeed" Said elMarouk
2007 "Elli Kan" Diamantino Ferreira
"Mishtaga Leik" Mirna Khayyat
"Shakhbat Shakhabit"
(ft. Katkouta, Shater, Eid Milad)		 Shakhbat Shakhabit

[Children's Album]

 Said elMarouk
2008 "Risala Ilal Aalam" Fadi Haddad
"Betfakkar Fi Eih" Betfakkar Fi Eih?! Said elMarouk
"Min Dally Nseek"
2009 "Lamset Eed" Leila Kanaan
"Ibn elGiran" Mike Harris
"Mashi Haddi" Leila Kanaan
2010 "Shaggaa' Be Alamak" (Wavin' Flag)
(with K'Naan)		 -single- Codirector: Leila Kanaan
"Fi Hagat Tet'hass 7 Nadine Labaki

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 since five years making commercials and music videos that stood out in the Arab world, synchronising local campaigns with worldwide slogans.

Nancy in the Coca-Cola "Circus" Campaign, 2006
Middle East Coke Campaigns
Year Coke Hit Theme # of Ads Campaign
2005 Oul Tany Kida Concert 3 TV,MV,print
Instrumental: Lawn Ouyounak Tickle, Munroe, Wink 3 TV,print
2006 Moegaba Circus 1 TV,MV,print
Ashtiki Minno Coke Bottle 1 TV
2007 ElDonya Helwa The Coke Side of Life 1 TV,print
- Have a Coke - print only
2008 Meen Ghayri Ana? Noss elKawn Live on the Coke Side of Life 3 TV,MV,print
2009 Eftah Albak Tefrah Open Happiness - print
2010 Shaggaa' Be Alamak (Wavin' Flag) 2010 FIFA World Cup - MV,print

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, starting with "Ana Yalli", then "Elli Kan" from Atabtab, and last with "Ibn elGiran" from Betfakkar fi eih?!.

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 set in March 2009 that featured Nancy and the song "Wana Ben Idek" from her best-selling album Bitfakkar Fi Eih.

References

  1. ↑ UNICEF appoints singer Nancy Ajram as Regional Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa (accessed Oct.23,2009)
  2. ↑ Nancy Ajram - Power 100, (accessed July 8th, 2009)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Most Powerful Arab Singers, Arabian Business, 2007, (accessed December 2008)
  4. ↑ "نانسي في حلقة أوبرا عن مشاهير العالم", (accessed Oct.13,2009)
  5. ↑ www.melodyhits.tv
  6. ↑ http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150249352305212
  7. ↑ http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=6697881&fbid=468361170933&id=25432690933&ref=nf
  8. ↑ سليمى حمدان - mbc.net. "فن ونجوم - نانسي عجرم تضع مولودتها.. وتطلق عليها اسم ميلا". MBC.net. http://www.mbc.net/portal/site/mbc/menuitem.ff2c047b71869fec9318c4cd480210a0/?vgnextoid=f9dbb32adc351210VgnVCM1000008420010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=4e9ee30e61801110VgnVCM100000f1010a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=mbcArticle. Retrieved 2010-05-15. 
  9. ↑ نانسي عجرم أجمل أم في 2009 (Accessed Sep. 19th, 2009)
  10. ↑ "Murex d'Or - 2004". Adserver.naharnet.com. http://adserver.naharnet.com/pub/murex/Murex2004.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-15. 
  11. ↑ Mobinil Music Awards - Nancy Ajram Best Arab Female 2007, (accessed June.27th, 2009)
  12. ↑ Arabian Business Power 100, 2009, (accessed April 12th)
  13. ↑ Arabian Business
  14. ↑ نانسي عجرم نجمة العام 2007, Elaph, Dec. 28, 2007, (accessed Jan.9,2009)
  15. ↑ www.worldmusicawards
  16. ↑ 2009 تكريم النجوم, Elaph, Jan. 20, 2009, (accessed Jan. 28,2009)
  17. ↑ احتفالية حب في عيد ميلاد "الجمهورية" و"حريتي" (accessed June 27th, 2009)
  18. ↑ The Big Ball raises over Dhs940,000 for the benefit of underpriviledged children across the region, AME Info, October 28, 2008
  19. ↑ Nancy Ajram to attend The Big Ball as it aims to raise $250,000 for the education of underprivileged Arabian Business, May 8, 2008
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Arab Pop Video: "Weapon of Singing Destruction"?, Associated Press, October 23, 2003. Retrieved November 23, 2006.
  21. ↑ RadioJavan.com - News - "Nancy Ajram Apologized For Fake Message"
  22. ↑ Nancy Ajram Official website - Response contained under "News" section
  23. ↑ Nancyajram.com Retrieved on July 1, 2007
  24. ↑ albawaba.com Middle East news information::Nancy Ajram innocent of posing in the nude
  25. ↑ Elaph, Nov.10,2008
  26. ↑ Elaph Nov. 11, 2008

Further reading

External links