Elissa (singer)

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Elissa إليسا
Image:Elissa at WMA 2005.jpg
Background information
Born	October 27, 1972 (1972-10-27) (age 35)
Origin	Deir el Ahmar, Lebanon
Genre(s)	Arabic, World,Pop folk
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1992 — present
Website	Official website

Elissar Z. Khoury (Arabic: إليسار زكريا خوري ), known as Elissa (Arabic: إليسا) is an Arab Lebanese singer. She is one of the most well-known female singers in the Arab world. Elissa was born in Deir al-Ahmar and raised amidest the spectacular, natural scenery of the Bekaa valley. She gained a degree in Political Science from the Lebanese University. Elissa is a Maronite Catholic.

Elissa won the "World Music Award" award for two consecutive years with the title "best selling artist of the Middle east" 2005 and 2006.Elissa was the first Lebanese to win this award.

[edit] Music career

[edit] Early career success

Elissa's first forays into art and artistic activities consister of acting in theatres of political critique, namely with well-known Chansonnier Wassim Tabbara, and the "Theatre de 10 Heures". This was the first time she came in contact with an audience, the overwhelming warmth of which she immediately took to.

Her theatrical beginnings motivated her to move on to singing, which she did in 1992-3, when she participated in "Studio Al Fan". The show was broadcasted on LBCI, one of the most renowned TV stations in the Middle East. Elissa won a silver medal over the course of her in the program. Following this, she performed in concert tirelessly until 1999, when Lido Productions released her first album, 'Baddy Doub'. Elissa debut on the commercial music scene was an event of considerable importance. The album was a success, and featured a smash hit with famous French gypsy act, Gerard Ferrer. The release of this first album took her straight to Cannes, to participate in the International Music Festival of 2000.

[edit] Rise to fame

Following this first success, Elissa released her second album, 'W'akherta Maak' in 2000, which in turn included the hit duet 'Bitghib Betrouh', sung with Lebanese superstar Ragheb Alameh. 'Bitghib Betrouh' was a massive hit, and is still being played on radio and TV today, more than three years after its initial release, which is also went on to sell more than 200,000 copies.

Later on, Elissa was featured with the international artist Chris De Burgh in an Arabic-English song titled “Lebanese Nights”, which was written, composed and distributed by DeBurgh. He wrote this song while on his last visit to the country. He decided to sing it with a Lebanese singer, and chose Elissa. The song was recorded in London and released in DeBurgh's 2002 Album, Timing Is Everything.

Her third album Ayshalak was released in June 2002 supported by a video clip filmed in Paris by French director Fabrice Begotti, wardrobe and make up by Christian Dior. Elissa was the first Arab figure to represent Christian Dior. The video and the song both gained huge success, and with the aid of the composer/arranger Jean-Marie Riachi, Elissa was able to follow with another hit "Agmal Ehsas", which was Elissa's second single from Ayshalak. The video clip was directed by the Lebanese director, Selim El Turk.In 2002, Elissa won the Murex d'Or award for best female artist and the "Ajmal Ihsas" clip won the best video clip at the Arabic music awards.

Elissa’s fourth album, Ahla Donya was released in 2004. This was one of the fastest selling albums ever in the Arab world. This album was the first under Elissa's contract with Rotana, the music production company. The album included a variety of songs, such as Koll Youm Fi Omry, Erga' Lel Shoa', Hobbak Waja' (Inta Lameen) and Ahla Donya.In 2005, Elissa won the World Music Award as best selling artist of the Middle east for the sales of "Ahla Dounia" CD and was the first Lebanese to win this award. In 2005, a Special Collector's Edition of the record was made available (1000 copies) with state-of-the-art packaging including a mini-biography.

In early 2006, Elissa released her fifth studio effort, the album Bastanak, which has sold nearly 3.7 million copies, according to Rotana. In 2006 Elissa won for the second year in a row the World Music Award as best selling artist of the Middle East for the sales of "Bastanak" CD.

In 2007 she had a hit with the song "Halili", a duet with Cheb Mami.

Her sixth album called Ayami Beek was released in December 2007 by Rotana. The album has gained extraordinary success in the Arab world and is considered the most selling album in 2008 and still is in the charts in all of the Arab countries. It is expected that Elissa will win the world music awards for the third time due to a huge record sales for her last "masterpiece".

In an interview Elissa was asked if she was going to make a duet with Fadel Shaker, Elissa answered by saying that it all started when she heard that Fadel Shaker said in a press conference that he wants to do a duet with her, Elissa said that she accpeted to do it, however, she continued to say that Shaker later changed his mind and doesnt want to do the duet with her anymore, however, Shaker changed his mind again and stated in a recent interview that a duet with Elissa will be released soon.

Elissa said in an interview that she will soon start working on a new album in Ramadan, however, its not yet known when it will be released.

[edit] Image

In 2001, she took part in Jordan's 'Fiesta Latina'. She also held a performance at the pyramids of Egypt as the opening act for British superstar Sting. In addition to this, she was the only Arabic artist to perform in front of the former U.S President Bill Clinton at the Stars Charity show in Dubai. Also present at this event were Queen Rania of Jordan and the Crown Prince of Dubai, Cheikh Mohamed Bin Rachid al Maktoum.

The end of 2002 carried the bang when she inaugurated the opening of Kuwait's Virgin Megastore with Sir Richard Branson, the founder of the famous stores. Also a great success for Elissa was being included in the anthology book '100 Pioneers of Lebanon' alongside artists such as Fairouz, Wadih el Safi, as well as many other celebrities.

In September 2003, Elissa performed at the Hope Charity gala, which took place in the Royal Albert hall, one of London's most prestigious venues. Elissa was the sole representative of the Middle East among other international stars such as Sarah Brightman, Zucchero and Joaquin Cortes.

Elissa's Fanbase increase dramatically with every event she attend/holds and with every new album. Her concerts are always fully booked with sometimes a huge number of viewers that exceeds the capacity of the stage she's performing at. Her official fanclub page hosts more than 12,000 fans since it relaunched in March 2006.

[edit] Controversies

Elissa's video for the title track of her album, Baddi Doub caused controversy. In the video, Elissa is seen sitting on a bed wearing a white bedsheet. For years after the video, Elissa would be asked about the 'bedsheet incident' in interviews. Elissa mentioned that she was surprised on how much controversy this has caused, especially since she was almost completely covered up, and indeed there are other artists who wear far more 'revealing' outfits on TV. Not to be beaten, Elissa wore a similar ensemble for the title track of her next album, W'akherta Ma'ak.

Elissa is also known for accusing the singer Amal Hijazi for imitating her style, especially in the video of Hijazi's song, Bedawwar A Albi (Searching for my heart). Hijazi however denied the accusations, stressing that each of the singers has her own unique style. Hijazi added that her song was filmed long before Elissa's "Hubbak Waja" and had been airing on different satellite channels for some time at the time. In 2004, however, Hijazi put everything aside and made a personal visit to Elissa to give her condolences after the latter lost her father to cancer. Elissa welcomed Amal with open arms and expressed her gratitude towards Amal's attempt to stand by her side at such a troublesome time.

Elissa is also known for her rivalry with Haifa Wehbe. Hayfa started the rivalry when she compared the 2 singers to cars by saying that Elissa is an old car while she's a new one. Elissa refused to reply and just thought that the topic is silly and doesn't deserve to be commented on. This rivalry stopped when Nishan had Elissa in his live show and called Hayfa and both Elissa & Hayfa were surprised and assured people that there are no problems. However Hayfa continued on accusing Elissa in magazines about stealing her perfume idea Elle d'Elissa that Elissa created in 2008.

Another rivalry is hers with Lebanese singer Nawal Al Zoghbi when the latter accused Elissa in an indirect way of buying awards and ignoring fans in concerts. Elissa in a live interview after asked about who might vanish her from musically, she stated that it might be Nawal L Zoghbi because of her accusations and Hayfa Wehbe. Both Nawal and Hayfa considered that silly and said that they dont hold anything against Elissa.

Although Elissa has had many fights and problems with singers, composers, and musicians, she usually doesn't reply, or, when being accused, she usually says that thats their opinion and that she doesn't want to talk about it.

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Elissa created a very high image for herself which made her become the most wanted artist for all prestigious brands.

Elissa's fantastic commercial life started in 2003, when she signed a deal with Pepsi. This contract, which was dear to her heart, made Elissa the official female star for Pepsi in the Arab world. She has already filmed the ad for Pepsi X in Spain, and in 2004 the Regular Pepsi ad filmed in Roma with famous director Roger Spottiswood. Then she shot 2 ads with Christina Aguilera for Pepsi for the world football cup. Both were shot in Los Angeles with famous director Tarsem Singh.

Her second deal was with Ray Ban to run their campaign.

Elissa is the ambassadress for the world gold council in collaboration with Lazurde.

In 2007 Elissa was chosen by French company Georges Stahl to create her Perfume, and Elle Delissa was created, as the first international perfume for an Arab artist which caused a controversy after Lebanese star Hayfa Wehbe claimed that it was hers but Elissa didnt reply and said that the perfume is hers and only hers.

For 2008 Elissa is the ambassadress of Samsung Mobiles and released her own mobile Samsung Music Phone that contained 3 of her songs Bastannak, Ayyami Beek, and Mush Kiteer 3alek. Elissa has been known for being an official spokesperson for many international brands and the ambassador of them in the Arab World including Pepsi, Lux, Lazurde jewels, Ray Ban glasses, Vogue Eyewear, Corum watches, and Samsung mobiles.

[edit] Awards and honors

Elissa was rewarded a Murex D'Or for being the first Lebanese to receive the World Music Award 2005. In the same event Elissa was also admired for her second success with Lebanese director Selim el Turk and received the best video clip award for the song Hobbak Waja' (directed by Selim el Turk). She was also held the Best Female artist of the year.^{[citation needed]}

Elissa has won two World Music Awards for best-selling artist in the Middle East in 2005 and 2006. Total sales of her albums are close to 18 million, making her one of the most popular Lebanese singers ever.^{[citation needed]} Elissa is also one of the wealthiest Lebanese singers and her wealth is estimated to be nearly $31 million.^{[citation needed]}

In early 2006, Elissa released her fifth studio effort, the album Bastanak, which has sold nearly 6.2 million copies, according to Rotana. In 2006, Elissa again won the World Music Award for best-selling Middle Eastern artist from the album sales of "Bastanak".

Elissa performed Bastanak the smash hit from her latest album, dazzling the audience with a lovely performance, dedicating the award to her beloved country Lebanon - her Father's soul - and all her fans.

[edit] Elissa's most famous awards

A Silver Medal over the course of 'Studio Al Fan' Show. 1992

The Murex D'Or award - Best Female Artist of the Year. 2002

Best Arabic Female Singer - Zahret El Khaleej Magazine. 2003

Best Arabian Music Video for " Ajmal Ihsass " - Arabic Music Awards. 2004

Best Selling Album for a female singer in Egypt - Al Ahram Newspaper. 2004

LG Music Festival Award. 2004

AUST University Honoure - Lebanon. 2005

World Music Award - Best selling Middle Eastern artist - 'Ahla Donya album.' 2005

An Exceptional Honorable Murex D'Or - Being the first Lebanese to receive the World Music Award 2005. 2005

The Murex D'Or award - Best Female Artist of the Year. 2005

The Murex D'Or award - Best Arabic Music Video for "Hubbak Waja3". 2005

Best Arabic Female Singer In Al Aghani Radio Station - Egypt. 2005

Best Character of the Year - Zahret El Khaleej Magazine. 2005

Best Video Clip Award for the song 'Hobbak Waja'. 2005

Best Female Artist of the Year Award. 2005

World Music Award - Best selling Middle Eastern artist - 'Bastanak album.' 2006

An Honorable Award from the Professional Artists Union of Lebanon. 2007

Middle East Music Award - Best Female Arab Artist. 2008

[edit] Discography

Main article: Elissa discography

• 1999: Baddi Doub (I Want To Melt)
• 2000: W'akherta Ma'ak (And I End Up With You)
• 2002: Ayshalak (Living For You)
• 2004: Ahla Donya (The Most Beautiful Life)
• 2006: Bastanak (I'm Waiting For You)
• 2007: Ayami Beek (My Days With You)

[edit] Clips

• Baddi Doub (1998)
• W'akherta Ma'ak (2000)
• Betghib Betrouh (2001)
• Ayshalak (2002)
• Ajmal Ehssas (2003)
• Lebanese Night (2003): Duo with Irish artist Chris De Burgh
• Koli youm fi omry (2004)
• Erga3 Lel Sho2 (2005)
• hobak wajaa (2005)
• Bastanak (2006)
• Law Ta3rafoh (2007)
• Betmoon (2008)

[edit] External links

• Elissa's Official Website
• Elissa's Official Fan Club
• Rotana Records Arabia