Nancy Ajram

Biography

Nancy Nabil Ajram, born on May 16, 1983, in Ashrafieh, a district of Beirut, Lebanon, started performing as a child with support from her father. She appeared on several TV shows early in her life, showing her talent which led to her joining the Syndicate of Professional Artists in Lebanon, even though she was under the legal age. At 15, Ajram got a recording deal with EMI and began her music career with her first studio album, "Mihtagalak," in 1998, followed by "Sheel Oyoonak Anni" in 2001. Her career took a new direction when she worked with famous Lebanese producer Jiji Lamara, which led to her hit single "Akhasmak Ah," composed by Egyptian Mohamed Saad. This was a major turning point, and with her third album, "Ya Salam," in 2003, she revamped her image and musical style toward a more mature and sensual direction. This change was successful, making her a major player in Arab pop music. Her fourth album, "Ah W Noss," in 2004, was a commercial hit with several chart-topping singles like "Ah W Noss," "Lawn Ouyounak," "Oul Tani Keda," and "Inta Eyh." By then, Ajram was a pop icon in the Middle East. She showed her range with the 2007 release of "Shakhbat Shakhabit," her first children's album, which was hugely successful in the Arab world. Her sixth album, "Betfakkar Fi Eih," in 2008, featured seven singles, including hits like "Betfakkar Fi Eih," "Min Dally Nseek," and "Mashi Haddi." This album earned her the World Music Award for the best-selling Middle Eastern artist in 2008, making her the youngest Arab to win it at that time. With over 30 million records sold worldwide as of 2007, she is among the best-selling Middle Eastern music artists. By 2010, she was named the best-selling Middle Eastern female singer of the decade from 2000-2009. She has kept her success going with twelve studio albums, including two aimed at children, showing her broad appeal across different audiences.