Singer Profile: Lebanese Nancy Ajram Sets the Trend in Arabic pop Culture

28/12/2004

Nancy Ajram, who revolutionized Arabic music videos with her massive hit "Akhasmak Ah" (I am not Talking to You), continues to conquer the region's music market. The impact the singer has made on popular culture in the Arab world is deeply felt across the Arab world and North Africa.

(Al Maw’id - April 2003; Nanyajram.com; Nancyajramonline.com)

[File] Ajram made her first television appearance when she was 8-years-old.

Ajram's titillating and seductive image causes much debate about morals and decency in many Arab countries such as Egypt and Bahrain, where religious conservatives recently took to the streets to protest one of her concerts. However, her popularity has overshadowed the criticism and established her as one of the youngest and most sought after Arab singers.

Born in Lebanon around 21 years ago, she appeared in a few televised talent contests when she was still eight-years-old. At the age of 14, she won a gold medal on Future Television’s talent show "Noujoum Al Mustaqbal" (The Stars of the Future).

In 1998, she released her first album "Muhtagalak" (I Need You) and followed in 2001 with "Sheel Oyounak Anni" (Take Your Eyes Off of Me). But her biggest claim to fame came in 2003 with her third album "Ya Salam" and the music video for "Akhasmak Ah."

In the video, Ajram shook off her child prodigy image and presented herself as a dancing seductress in a lavish production inspired by old Egyptian movies and French actress Brigitte Bardot's character in "…And God Created Woman."

The new image was the result of brilliant cinematography and direction by Lebanese director Nadine Labaki, as well as cosmetic surgery. Ajram admitted to having cosmetic surgery to alter the appearance of her nose.

[AFP] Fashion is very important to Ajram.

"We're in the image age," Ajram told Lebanese Al Maw'id magazine in 2003, "the first thing people notice are the singer's looks and apparel. They notice the voice second, though I believe it is the most important factor, however you cannot ignore presentation, and this includes hair, makeup and clothes."

Nancy followed "Akhasmak Ah" with a string of hit singles and videos from "Ya Salam." Her fourth and latest album, "Ah W Noss" (Yes and More) matched the success of the previous album and established her as a leading and trend-setting Arab singer. On those albums, she sings in both the Egyptian and Lebanese dialects.

Her current style, characterised by fast beats and modern tunes, is a departure from an earlier style that followed more classical patterns. Nancy's voice sounds more youthful and playful, the result of her collaboration with manager Gigi Lamara who helped shape her new style and image.

Nancy plays the oud and is currently finishing a degree in Radio/TV at the Notre Dame University in Lebanon. Her success continues unabated.