Nancy Ajram نانسي عجرم
Background information
Born	May 16, 1983 (1983-05-16) (age 25)
Origin	Beirut, Lebanon
Genre(s)	Arabic, Pop folk
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1998 — present
Website	www.nancyajramonline.com

Nancy Nabil Ajram or Nancy Ajram (Arabic: نانسي نبيل عجرم‎) (born May 16, 1983) is a multi-platinum Lebanese pop folk artist. Considered one of the decade's most important superstars of the Middle East & Arab world, Ajram has sold, by 2007, over 30 million records ranking 3rd best selling female artist in Lebanese history ¹. Ajram has secured a sensational status in the Middle East by releasing seven albums to date, numerous music videos and commercials, and has participated in the most significant Arabic festivals and won plenty of awards, most importantly the 2008 World Music Award of best-selling Arab/Middle Eastern artist. Nancy Ajram is the first and only female sponsor and spokesperson of Coca-Cola in the Middle East & Arab world. Recently, Nancy got married in 2008 at the age of 25, ten years after starting her music career by releasing her first album at the age of 15.

Early life and beginnings

Ajram was born on May 16th, 1983 to Nabil Ajram and Rimonda Oun, as the eldest of two siblings, Nadine Nariman Ajram and Nabil Ajram Jr. She started singing at the age of eight, when she appeared for the first time in 1991 at a singing contest for kids on national television in Lebanon. 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. Shortly afterwards Nancy released her first album, Mihtagalak ("I Need You') in 1998, with most of its songs holding a pure Tarab style. It was followed by Sheel Oyoonak Anni ("Take Your Eyes Off Of Me") in 2000, which achieved more success. Nancy belongs to the Twelver Shi'a sect of Lebanon.

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 12th, 2004, and was also an important marking point in Nancy's career. The tremendous success "Ah w Noss" achieved stabilized Nancy's spot 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.

2006-2008:Atabtab, Shakhbat, ElDonya Helwa

Main article: Atabtab

Nancy in her first Farfasha, Damas/World Gold Council Campaign.

Her fifth album, Ya Tabtab...Wa Dallaa was released on February 15th, 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 (He 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 25th, 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.

2008-now: Betfakkar Fi Eih, WMA

Main article: Betfakkar Fi Eih?!

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'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. Nancy released her seventh studio album after several delays on July 30th 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. Including her first "Tarab" song called "Biteegy Sirtak" since 1998's Mihtagalak album, and a Lebanese folkore song called "Mashi Haddi". 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 ². The same musical trio who created "Ehsas Jdeed" did one of the instant radio-hits of the album, "Lamset Eed" (Touch of a Hand). In June 2008, Jiji announced the filming of a video for a song called "Aktar w Aktar" (Sahharny Sahhar) which was rumored to have been the old album title. Other leaked rumors include filming a music video for "Ibn elJeeran" (The Neighbors' Son) with Nadine Labaki as her music video comeback, as well as "Zaman Kan Andi Alb" (I Used to Have a Heart) which will supposedly sequel "Inta Eih". This is song is the second creation of Sameer Sfeir and Tarek Madkoor in the album, after "Meen Ghayri Ana" (Noss elKawn) which fans highly requested a music video for.

On November 9th, 2008, 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 husband, and said "2008 has been a fantastic year - a successful album, my wedding, and now this award, what can I ask for more?" Nancy has also performed along with Enrique Iglesias and Lionel Richie in Egypt.

Awards & titles

Nancy giving a speech after receiving 2008 WMA

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 ³

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 ⁴

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

2007 Arabian Business - Most Influential Contemporary Female Singer in 2007 ⁵

2007 Arabian Business - Most Powerful Arab Singers ¹

2007 Kol elArab Survey - Best Arabic Star of the year 2007 ⁶

2008 Annual Doha Festival - Honor Award, Doha

2008 World Music Award - World's Best-Selling Middle-Eastern Artist, Monaco ⁷

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

Discography

Studio albums

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

DVDs and live albums

• 2004: Live at the Jarash Festival [DVD]
• 2005: Ma La Ta'arifunahu 3an Nancy Ajram [DVD]
• 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

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 the legendary 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):

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 Nancy'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.

Nancy 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

Main article: Nancy Ajram videography

Official Music Videos

Mihtagalak

• Mihtagalak

Sheel Oyoonak Anni

• Sheel Oyoonak Anni

Ya Salam

• Akhasmak Ah Director: Nadine Labaki
• Ya Salam Director: Nadine Labaki, 2003
• Yay (Sehr 3youno) Director: Nadine Labaki, 2003

Ah W Noss

• Ah W Noss Director: Nadine Labaki, 2004
• Lawn Oyounak Director: Nadine Labaki, 2004
• Oul Tany Keda Director: Luca Tommassini, 2005
• Enta Eih Director: Nadine Labaki, 2005

Ya Tabtab...Wa Dallaa

• Ya Tabtab...Wa Dallaa - Director: Nadine Labaki, 2006
• Moegaba - Director: Mike Lipscombe, Harry Rankin, 2006
• Ana Yalli - Director: Pascal D'Ash, 2006

Nancy Ajram in "Shater"

• Ehsas Jdeed - Director: Said El Marouk, 2006
• Elli Kan - Director: Diamentino Ferriera, 2007
• Mishtaga Leik - Director: Mirna Khayyat, 2007

Shakhbat Shakhabit

• Three videos in one Shakhbat Shakhabit/Katkouta/Shater also featuring Eid Milad, 2007

Director: Said elMarouk

• Resala Ilal 3alam Director: Fadi Haddad, 2008

Betfakkar Fi Eih

• Betfakkar Fi Eih Director: Said el Marouk, 2008
• Min Dally Nseek Director: Said el Marouk, 2008
• Lamset Eed [Unreleased], 2009

Non-album tracks and other video appearances

• La Ma Khelset El Hekaya (Along with other singers)
• Il7a2ni/Follow Me (Along with other singers)
• El Dhameer el 3arabi (Along with other singers)
• Habib El-Omr
• Khallek B Wejj El Ghadab

Commercials

Main article: Nancy Ajram videography#Commercials

In the early 2000s, Ajram's success as a singer led to high-profile advertising deals, most notably for Coca-Cola 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. 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 Acapella and Karaoke versions in three commercials.

2009

DAMAS & World Gold Council

Nancy in the 2007 Damas Campaign "Elli Kan"

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

2009

Charity work

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'iyat 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.

In June 2008, Nancy participated in The Big Ball, a charity event in Dubai which raised over Dhs 940,000 for helping underprivelaged children ⁸ 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)." ⁹ Ajram, however, continues to refuse announcing her other charitable projects to the public.

Criticism and controversy

• Many rumors of boycotts against Ajram's concerts filled the internet, although none appeared to be true.¹⁰

• 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.¹¹ In May 2006, Ajram returned to perform in Bahrain without any incidents.

• On her official website, Nancy Ajram has apologized¹²¹³ for anti-Iranian remarks¹⁴ 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.¹⁵

• 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 ¹⁶who 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 ¹⁷, showing no clear reason for that.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} The Most Powerful Arab Singers, Arabian Business, 2007, (accessed Decemeber 2008)
2. ^ www.melodyhits.tv
3. ^ http://adserver.naharnet.com/pub/murex/Murex2004.htm
4. ^ http://adserver.naharnet.com/pub/murex/Murex2004.htm
5. ^ http://www.arabianbusiness.com//power100/list.php Arabian Business
6. ^ نانسي عجرم نجمة العام 2007, Elaph, Dec. 28, 2007, (accessed Jan.9,2009)
7. ^ www.worldmusicawards
8. ^ The Big Ball raises over Dhs940,000 for the benefit of underpriviledged children across the region, AME Info, October 28, 2008
9. ^ Nancy Ajram to attend The Big Ball as it aims to raise $250,000 for the education of underprivileged Arabian Business, May 8, 2008
10. ^ Arab Pop Video: "Weapon of Singing Destruction"?, Associated Press, October 23, 2003.Retrieved November 23, 2006
11. ^ Arab Pop Video: "Weapon of Singing Destruction"?, Associated Press, October 23, 2003. Retrieved November 23, 2006
12. ^ RadioJavan.com - News - "Nancy Ajram Apologized For Fake Message"
13. ^ Nancy Ajram Official website - Response contained under "News" section
14. ^ Nancyajram.com Retrieved on July 1 2007
15. ^ albawaba.com Middle East news information::Nancy Ajram innocent of posing in the nude
16. ^ Elaph, Nov.10,2008
17. ^ 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

External links

• Official Website
• Official Website