Be Golden as gold mine & Green as leaf
carpe diemBe Golden as gold mine & Green as leaf
carpe diemNancy Ajram
World Music Award for World's Best Selling Lebanese Artist - 2014
Nancy Ajram is a Lebanese pop folk singer and multi-platinum recording artist. Born in Lebanon to a Maronite Catholic, she developed a flair for music at a young age. At the age of eight, she appeared at a singing contest for kids on national television in Lebanon. At the age of twelve, she participated in a Lebanese reality television competition, ‘Noujoum Al-Moustakbal, ("Stars of the Future"), where she won a gold medal. Subsequently, she started focusing on her voice and also took theory lessons, which led to the release of her first studio album as a teenager. Although her first two albums achieved moderate success, it was her lead single ‘Akhasmak Ah’ and third studio album ‘Ya Salam’ which gained her much popularity in the Arab World. The following year, she released another international best-seller ‘Ah W Noss’, which cemented her pop icon status in the Middle East. Her 2008 album ‘Bitfakkar Fi Eih’ showcased mature vocal abilities like never before and she won her first World Music Award as Best-selling Middle Eastern Artist. She has released several studio albums till date, along with other chart-topping singles and two children’s albums. Although her reception has been generally positive, she has faced criticism for being portrayed as a sex symbol in the Arab world. A leading philanthropist and humanitarian, she is the perfect epitome of a modern woman who is loved for her liberal thinking and delightful singing
- Nancy Ajram was born on May 16, 1983, in Achrafieh, a district in Beirut, Lebanon, to Nabil Ajram, and his wife, Rimoda Oun. She has two younger siblings, Nabil Ajram Jr. who is also a singer, and Nadine Nariman Ajram, an actress.
- She started singing on stage at the age of eight when she appeared in a singing contest for kids on national television in Lebanon in 1991.
- In 1995, at the age of 12, she participated in a Lebanese reality television competition called ‘Noujoum Al-Moustakbal’ (Stars of the Future) and she won a gold medal in the Tarab category.
- In 1998, she released her first album titled ‘Mihtagalak’ (I Need You), followed by ‘Sheel Oyoonak Anni’ (Get Your Eyes off Me) in 2000. Both the albums managed to achieve moderate success.
- In early 2003, Nancy Ajram came into limelight with the lead single ‘Akhasmak Ah’ and gained much publicity for it. Subsequently, she released her third studio album ‘Ya Salam’ (Oh Wow) which became a huge hit.
- In April 2004, her fourth album, ‘Ah W Noss’ (Yes, and a half), was released which also tuned out to be a big success. The album also established her as one of the A-listed stars in the Arab music industry.
- In February 2006, her fifth album titled ‘Ya Tabtab Wa Dallaa’ was released and proved to be her most successful album to date. The album received worldwide acclaim with the release of six music videos, eight radio hits, and five songs used for commercials.
- In 2007, she released her first children’s album ‘Shakhbat Shakhabit’ (Scribbled Doodles). The album comprised of a variety of songs with the objective of teaching children good values and morals.
- The following year, she released three Coca-Cola commercials which featured a brand new hit titled ‘Meen Gheyri Ana (Nossel Kawn)’ (Who Else?). Subsequently, her seventh album ‘Betfakkar Fi Eih?!’ (What Are You Thinking About?!), was released in July 2008, and is considered to be one of her most successful albums.
- In 2010, she released her next studio album titled ‘7’ which comprised of singles such as “Fi Hagat”, “Sheikh el Shabab”, “Ya Kether”, and “Meen Ma Ando”.
- Her second album dedicated to children titled ‘Super Nancy’ was released in 2012 with the lead single “Ya Banat”.
- In 2014, she released her latest studio album titled ‘Nancy 8’. The album contains 15 songs including “Ma Tegi Hena”, “Ma Awedak”, “Tesabeg el Rih”, and “Shou Hal Ossa”.
- Her 2008 studio album ‘Betfakkar Fi Eih?!’ became incredibly successful upon its release and is considered to be one of the most delightful works of her career. The album included a ‘Tarab’ song titled “Biteegy Sirtak” and some other hits such as “Meen Ghairy Ana”, “Wana Ben Idek” and “Lamset Eed”. The album was a remarkable career-defining success for her and earned her global recognition.
- In 2003, 2005 and 2007, she received the ‘Murex D'or Award’ for the ‘Best Female Lebanese Singer of the year’.
- In 2004, she became the winner of the‘Arabian Music Award’ for the ‘Best Female Arab Singer of the year’.
- In 2005, she was listed among the ‘Most Influential Arab Personalities’ by the ‘Newsweek’, Kuwait.
- For her 2008 album ‘Bitfakkar FiEih’, she received her first ‘World Music Award (WMA)’ as the Best-selling Middle Eastern Artist.
- In 2009, she was chosen as the first female regional ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa by the UNICEF.
- In 2010, she won the ‘World Travel Award’ as the ‘Best Female world singer of the Year’.
- In 2010–2011, she received ‘Jaras Scoop Award’ and the ‘Melody Fm Award’ in the Best Female Singer category.
- In 2012, she won the‘OTV Award’ for the‘Best Female Artist of the Year’.
- In September 2008, Nancy Ajram married her dentist, Fadi El Hachem. The couple is blessed with two daughters: Mila, born in 2009, and Ella, born in 2011.
- She is also a leading philanthropist and participates in numerous charity events and concerts. In 2006, she established ‘Nancy Ajram's Charity Organization’ in Beirut, Lebanon, that works on collecting and distributing money for the poor.