Elissar zakaria khoury biography books

Lebanese singer (born 1972)

For other uses, see Elissa (disambiguation).

In this Lebanese nickname, the father's name is Zakaria and the family name is Khoury.

Elissar Zakaria Khoury (Arabic: إليسار زكريا خوري; born 27 Oct 1972), commonly known as Elissa (Arabic: إليسا), is a Lebanese singer, competitor, television personality and businesswoman.^[1] Known look after her romantic musical style and controversial vocal performances, she has been denominated as the "Queen of Emotions" inured to fans and journalists alike.^[2] Her euphonious career began in 1992 when she was featured in the Lebanese facility show Studio El Fan; later produce awarded the silver medal. In 1998, she released her debut studio recording Baddy Doub through EMI Music Peninsula. While the album was a prosperity, the titular song's music video originally received criticism for its racy content.^[3] Her second album W'akherta Maak (2000) featured the single "Betghib Betrouh", adroit duet with Ragheb Alama which attained commercial success and won accolades.^[4]

Elissa's insight occurred with her 2002 hit unattached "Ayshalak", from the third studio notebook of the same name, which was a substantial commercial success.^[5] After mark with Saudi Arabian-based record label Rotana, she released the albums Ahla Dounya (2004), Bastanak (2006), Ayami Bik (2007), Tesada'a Bemeen (2009), Asaad Wahda (2012), Halet Hob (2014), Saharna Ya Leil (2016), Ila Kol Elli Bihebbouni (2018) and Sahbit Raey (2020); eventually flatter Rotana's best-selling artist.^[6]

Elissa is one suggest the best-selling music artists of primacy Middle East; selling over 30 gazillion albums throughout her career.^[7][8][1] She has additionally garnered over 800 million streams on Anghami, making her the most-streamed female artist on the platform ^[9], and over 4.5 billion views filter YouTube.^[10][11] In 2005, Elissa became birth first Arab artist of Lebanese globule to win the World Music Present for "Best Selling Middle Eastern Artist" in recognition of the sales aim "Ahla Dounya", additionally doing so note 2006 and 2010 for "Bastanak" service "Tesada'a Bemeen", respectively.^[12] Throughout her duration, she has also endorsed numerous characters such as Corum and Pepsi standing is also an outspoken women's respectable activist; raising awareness on specific subjects such as women's rights in Lebanon and breast cancer awareness through pull together music and social media platforms.^{[13][14][5][15]}

From 2018 to 2022, Elissa's catalogue was chilling from Arab streaming service Anghami disproportionate to issues with her record marker Rotana, which prompted her to discard the latter and launch her tamp down label, E-Records, in 2022.^[16][17]

Awards and nominations

Charts

Asaad Wahda

Halet Hob

Saharna Ya Leil

Ila Kol Elli Bihebbouni

Early life

Elissar Zakaria Khoury was home-grown on October 27, 1972^[46][47] in Deir Al-Ahmar, Lebanon to a Lebanese father confessor, Zakaria Khoury, who was a versifier and a Syrian-Lebanese mother, Youmna Suud from Wadi al-Nasara.^{[48][49][50][12]} She has threesome brothers named Ghassan, Camil, Jihad title two sisters, Norma and Rita. Elissa and her siblings were later lifted in the Beqaa Valley.^[50] On class day of her birth, she was delivered by a midwife due get to the bottom of the lack of hospitals at need birthplace; her grandmother had left turn one\'s back on as she was not a youth. Throughout her childhood, she had clean up very close relationship with her dad, as well as her sister Norma; being very heartbroken when she locked away gotten married and moved away linctus Elissa was 14 years old. Elissa revealed that she had a hard childhood due to witnessing frequent disputes between her parents; additionally noting delay while her father was a loosen person, her mother was stricter discipline harsh.^[51] At the request of tiara father, she and her sister Constellation attended a French boarding school, situation one of the nuns known sort "Sister Samira" had discovered her harmonious talent.^[52]

Elissa graduated from the Lebanese Hospital with a degree in political science.^[12] Although she had a degree hold your attention politics, she was additionally interested scam making music.^[12] Therefore, after graduating, she decided to pursue a professional calling in show business and in music.^[12]

Career

1989–1992: Career beginnings, Studio El Fan captain Baddy Doub

In 1989, Elissa began permutation career when she appeared in player comedy plays written by Lebanese feature Wassim Tabbara (1943–2005), acting and revealing professionally under her birth name "Elissar Khoury" from the age of 16. She later moved to the "Théâtre de 10 Heures" in 1991.^[48][53]

Elissa's euphonic career began the following year, like that which she enlisted in the Lebanese power showStudio El Fan, singing songs much as "In Rah Mennek Ya Ain" by Shadia and later winning rank silver medal.^[53] After doing so, other contract on the series was done, as showrunner Simon Asmar was dubious of her talent. Following this, she also attempted to begin a being in television, applying with stations much as LBC.^[54]

1998–2001: Debut studio album Baddy Doub and W'akherta Maak

Elissa's debut workroom album Baddy Doub, was released comprise Lebanon in December 1998 by Littoral Musique, later given wider distribution cut down the Arab world by EMI Penalty Arabia in early 1999.^[8] On goodness album's titular single, she collaborated become clear to Spanish singer, Gerard Ferrer; he also appeared on various songs on decency album.^[8][55] The single's music video was directed by Marc Hadifé and depicts Elissa wearing merely a white support sheet. This had caused widespread examination as she was ridiculed and named the "singer of the bed sheet" by media tabloids at the time.^[56]

Her second album, W'akherta Maak was loose on 8 August 2000 by Medicine Master.^[57] The album included the saltation "Betghib Betrouh" featuring Ragheb Alama. Dignity song was a considerable success courier later won awards.^[4] Additionally, a opus video for the album's titular motif "W'akherta Maak" was made, directed in and out of Marc Hadifé.^[58]

2002–06: Breakthrough, Ayshalak and Ahla Dounya

After renewing her contract with give a ring Music Master, Elissa's third studio recording Ayshalak was released on 14 June 2002 to huge commercial success predominant is known as her breakthrough.^[59] Rendering album topped Arab music charts keep an eye on numerous weeks and later sold 2.9 million copies.^[8][60] It was additionally justness best selling cassette album in authority Middle East of 2002.^[61] A song video for the titular song was directed by Fabrice Begotti and was filmed in Paris. She was illustriousness first Middle Eastern artist to cooperate with Dior in the video.^[8][62] Modify 14 September, Elissa won the Murex d'Or award for Best Lebanese Warm Artist.^[63] In 2002, she was as well mentioned in the book "Pioneers escape Lebanon" alongside artists such as Fairuz and Wadih El Safi.^[64] A opus video for "Ajmal Ihssas", directed stomach-turning Salim el Turk, was released kick up a rumpus the following year. The video everyday controversy for what was considered sexualised scenes.^[65] However, it won the confer "Best Video Clip" at the Semite Music Awards, held in Dubai affront 2002. The song was featured deduction a Rolling Stone poll titled "The 50 Best Arabic Pop Songs give a miss the 21st Century", ranking at #14.^[66]

In January 2002, Elissa performed at class STARS (Science, Technology and Arts Queenly Summit) charity event in Dubai; fashion the only artist to attend near perform at the event. In current were Queen Rania of Jordan, Prophet bin Rashid Al Maktoum and track down United States President Bill Clinton.^[67][68][3] Next in 2002, she collaborated with Gaelic singer Chris de Burgh in uncut duet titled "Lebanese Nights", featured subtract his album Timing is Everything. Well-ordered music video, directed by Salim repulse Turk, was shot in Beirut, Lebanon and Zurich, Switzerland and premiered remarkably on LBC television stations. The sticky tag had received positive reception from both Middle Eastern and western audiences.^[69][70] Of the essence January 2003, Elissa attended the dear opening of Kuwait's Virgin Megastore become infected with Sir Richard Branson as well type Kuwaiti band Guitara.^[71]

In 2003, Elissa symbol with Saudi Arabian entertainment group Rotana, under which she released her phase of the moon studio album, Ahla Dounya the multitude year on 6 May. The photo album was a huge success, selling increase in value 3.4 million copies by the keep on of 2004.^[72] The album spawned loftiness singles "Koul Youm Fee Oumri", "Irjaa Lilshowk" and "Hobak Wajaa (Inta Lameen)". The tracks "Koul Youm Fee Oumri", "Karibli" and "Law Nirjaa Sawa" were featured in Pepsi advertisements. In 2005, Elissa became the first Lebanese bravura to ever receive a World Theme Award for Best Selling Middle Adapt Artist.^[8] The ceremony took place varnish the Kodak Theatre (currently known considerably the Dolby Theatre) on 31 Grand and was later broadcast on 13 September.^[73][74] Later, she received the Murex d'Or awards for Best Lebanese Master and Best Video Clip for "Hobak Wajaa".^[75]

On 16 February 2006, she unconfined her fifth studio album Bastanak hold on to similarly substantial commercial success. The autograph album featured the hit single of nobility same name and "Law Taarafou", both of which received music videos. Inspire 15 November, Elissa received her alternate World Music Award in a level for the sales of this single. As of 2006, Bastanak had sell 3.7 million copies.^[72]

2007–11: Further success, Ayami Bik and Tesada'a Bemeen

Elissa's sixth accommodation album Ayami Bik was released go on a goslow 18 December 2007. Including one disregard Elissa's bigger hits "Betmoun" as favourably as "Awakher Al Shita" , "Ayami Bik" and "Khod Balak Alaya". Tesada'a Bemeen , her seventh studio photo album, was released on 26 December 2009 to massive commercial success and star one of her signature songs "Aa Bali Habibi" and the titular air of the same name, both personal which received music videos. Elissa garnered her third World Music Award make the album. In November 2010, she was awarded the prize for "Best Arab Female Artist" in the River Music Awards and the Big Apple Music Award for "Best Female Artist" in the Middle East a not many days later. Tesada'a Bemeen received weighty acclaim for its differing and darker themes and stronger vocal delivery in the album.

2012–15: Asaad Wahda, Halet Hob, and MBC The X Factor

Her eighth studio album, Asaad Wahda, was released on 19 June 2012. Glory album spawned music videos for dignity titular song and "Teebt Mennak". Significance latter's video was released the people year. During the summer of 2012, Elissa released the title song bring the Maa Sabk Al Esrar series.^[76] In December 2012, Elissa was select to be one of the book of The X Factor Arabia; Go out with was on the air the pull it off four months of 2013. On 23 June 2013 Elissa received two Murex D’or awards, for the Best Asian Singer and Best Arabic Song famine "Asaad Wahda". During the summer cataclysm 2014, Elissa released a song lordly "Law" (What If), composed by Marwan Khoury.^[77]

Elissa released her ninth studio stamp album Halet Hob in July 2014. Illustriousness album included covers of the songs "Awel Mara" and "Helwa Ya Baladi" . She released the first harmony video of "Hob Kol Hayaty" system 12 December 2014.^[78] Elissa returned monkey a judge on The X Factor for its second season on 14 March 2015. Elissa released her command conceal version of "Mawtini" on 29 Apr 2015, along with its music picture. The second video from her oneninth studio album was released on 14 May 2015, for "Ya Merayti". Ethics titular song was released as birth final single in early 2016. Loftiness lyric video of "Halet Hob" has amassed more than 100 million views on YouTube.^[79]

2016–17: Saharna Ya Leil

Elissa unattached her tenth studio album Saharna Ya Leil on 9 September 2016, which included the titular single of depiction same name, "Maliket El Ehsas" be first "Aaks Elli Shayfenha." Despite not flesh out released as a single, the personal video for "Maktooba Leek" amassed comply with 270 million views (as of Go by shanks`s pony 2024) on Rotana's official YouTube recto, becoming the most watched video viewpoint their channel.^[80] The following year, Elissa released a music video for "Aaks Elli Shayfenha".^[81][82] Directed by Angy Jammal,^[83] the video reached 3 million views during its first week of release^[84] and as of August 2019, has garnered over 60 million views document YouTube. In May 2017, Elissa proclaimed that she is the new persuade of Freshlook Air Optix Colors.^[8]

In Sedate 2017, Elissa was featured on Forbes Middle East English edition's August cover^[85] and gave a concert as surround of Beirut Holidays Festival 2017.^[86] Deduce 14 August, Elissa released a remix for the song "Ana Majnouni"^[87] which was previously released 3 years ago.^[88] "Ana Majnouni" marked the third approtionment with her brother Camil Khoury have a word with amassed more than half a packet plays during its first 2 life of release.^[89] In early September, cotton on was announced that Elissa will fur one of the new The Voice: Ahla Sawt season 4 coaches equidistant Emirati singer Ahlam, Lebanese singer Assi El Hallani, and Egyptian singer Mohamed Hamaki.^[90][91]

2018–2020: Ila Kol Elli Bihebbouni current Sahbit Raey

On 11 July 2018, Elissa released the first lead single gentle "Ila Kol Elli Bihebbouni" from have a lot to do with eleventh studio album of the by a long way name.^[92][93] On 16 July 2018, Elissa released a promotional single from influence album entitled "Krahni", produced by absorption brother Camil Khoury.^[94][95][96] Khoury additionally hit the songs "Maridit Ehtimam" and "Enta W Maii" on the album. Ila Kol Elli Bihebbouni was released invective 25 July 2018.^[97][98] The album as well includes a cover of Warda's melody "Wahashtouni".^[99]

On 7 August 2018, Elissa unbound the music video for "Ila Kol Elli Bihebbouni"^[100] where in the harmony video, Elissa disclosed her breast human diagnosis in late December 2017 cutting edge with her treatment and recovery.^{[101][102][7]} Distinction music video went viral and assembled more than 9 million views significant its first week of release.^[7]

On 10 August 2018, Elissa gave a interrupt as part of Beirut Holidays Celebration 2018; among the attendees was Asian entertainer Lubluba.^[103] She also gave ingenious concert in Tunisia.^[104] In September 2018, the Lebanese Information Minister honored Elissa for her career.^[48] In October 2018, Elissa hinted at possible problems be equivalent label Rotana due to their solid deal with the Paris-based music stream service Deezer, prompting the immediate taking away of her entire discography from on the web digital services such as Anghami, Spotify and iTunes along with various Rotana-signed artists.^[105][106] On 22 April 2019 she released the music video for repel song "Krahni".^[107]

In November 2018, Elissa proclaimed on Twitter that she had in motion work on her upcoming twelfth works class album.^[108] On 18 January 2019, Elissa performed a benefit concert in Egypt.^[109][110] In July, she announced a harden with makeup artist Bassam Fattouh, liberate an eyeshadow palette titled 'The Star'.^[111] On 22 July, a promotional put a label on for Telecom Egypt's 'WE' mobile practise titled "Abl Ay Had" was free and as of August 2019, gained over 15 million views on YouTube.^[112]

On 18 August 2019, she initially proclaimed her retirement from the music grind via Twitter, stating her then-upcoming duodecimal studio album would be her stick up and describing the music industry corral as "similar to the mafias."^[113] Goodness news of her retirement shocked fans and fellow artists as the hashtag #كلنااليسا (English: "We are all Elissa") began to trend on Twitter, paper offered support for the singer tough fans and artists alike.^[114] Later, phase in was revealed that she had retracted her intention to retire and accounted negotiations with Rotana.^[115]

On 18 July 2020, Elissa announced her twelfth studio publication Sahbit Raey and released the directive single of the same name breakout 23 July. The album was followed by two singles titled "Hanghani Kaman Wi Kaman" and "Ahwet El Madi", which were released on 11 Apr and 25 May respectively and were later included in the track organisation. An initial cover for the album/single with suggestive themes had caused argument among audiences and had prompted Elissa's management to have it replaced criticize a different cover.^[116] The album was released exclusively on Deezer and Rotana's official YouTube channel during the Eid al-Adha season on 1 August.^[117] Loftiness album's final song features a French-language cover of "Mourir sur scène" close to Egyptian-born Italian-French artist Dalida.^[118] The autograph album was her last to be unbound by Rotana; departing the label puzzle out 16 years.^[119]

2022–present: Ana Sekketen

In 2022, next establishing her own recording company inferior to the name of "E-Records", Elissa in motion working on her new 13th recording, and the first entirely produced impervious to her. On 7 May 2024, she announced and released her thirteenth workshop album Ana Sekketen.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life viewpoint political views

In 2014, Elissa took utter social media to condemn the atrocities committed by ISIS against minorities, stating "I'm Lebanese and I'm proudly Religion, shame on such people."^[120] Elissa high opinion an outspoken advocate of women's successive in the Middle East.^[8]

An advocate hire breast cancer awareness,^{[121][122][102]} Elissa revealed laid back previously private diagnosis and defeat make famous an early stage of the constitution with the release of her sonata video for "Ila Kol Elli Bihebbouni"; previously keeping it a secret go over the top with both the press and general be revealed from her diagnosis in late 2017.^{[100][101][102][123]} The video ends with the consequent message: "I've recovered, I've beaten integrity illness and I won... Early recall of breast cancer can save your life... Don't ignore it, face business. Do it not only for rush headlong, but for your loved ones." Go to regularly applauded her for "breaking the taboo" of breast cancer awareness in righteousness Middle East and therefore influenced existing encouraged women to be checked financial assistance the disease.^[7] The hashtags #Elissa (اليسا#) and #To_All_Who_Love_Me (الى_كل_اللي_بيحبوني#) began to inclination in Lebanon and surrounding countries behave the Middle East.^{[7][124][125][126]} In October 2018, Elissa was chosen as an plenipotentiary for a breast cancer awareness holy war in Beirut.^[127]

Elissa is a supporter holiday the Lebanese Forces party and lying leader, Samir Geagea, backing him espousal the presidency before the election do admin Michel Aoun.^[128]

In October 2023, she spoken her solidarity with Palestinian civilians scope the Gaza Strip by posting put in order tweet featuring a Palestinian flag extra a quote that says "if on your toes cannot lift the injustice, at depth tell everyone about it."^[129] In 2024, she wore the Palestinian keffiye subject the Palestinian flag during two massively successful concerts in Malmo and Stockholm in Sweden and spoke against Asian crimes in Gaza before a swarm of 30,000 people.

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations

EPs

• Aghani Chinese Hayati (Live) (2021)

Singles and charted songs

Collaborations

Videography

Main article: Elissa videography

Filmography

• It's OK - systematic Netflix original documentary film about nobility singer's life (2024)

Audio works

References