Nancy Ajram

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نانسي عجرم Nancy Ajram
Nancy Ajram in a promo still from Yatabtab...Wa Dalla'.
Background information
Born	May 16, 1983
Origin	Beirut, Lebanon
Genre(s)	World, Arabic
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1998 — present
Website	www.nancyajramonline.com

Nancy Ajram or Nancy Agram (Arabic: نانسي عجرم; born May 16, 1983) is a popular singer from Lebanon. Her first album was released in 1998; her breakthrough came in 2003 with the album Ya Salam and its accompanying music videos.

1 Biography
2 Criticism
3 Singles
4 External links

[edit] Biography

Ajram debuted at the age of 15 on Noujoum Al-Moustakbal (Stars of the Future), a Lebanese television musical competition. She sang a song by Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum and won the contest.

In 1998, Ajram launched her first album, Mihtagalak ("I Need You'), followed by Sheel Oyoonak Anni ("Take Your Eyes Off Of Me") in 2000.

In 2003, her third album, Ya Salaam ("How Fantastic") included the song "Akhasmak Ah" ("I'll taunt you"), which became an enormous hit, as did its provocative music video. Reminiscent of older Arabic films, it features the singer playing a cafe manager who dances for and flirts with her customers. Two other singles from the album were shot as music videos: "Ya Salam" had Ajram playing a 1930's style cabaret performer, while "Yay (Sehr Oyoono)" ("Oh (the Magic of his Eyes)") became a mini-drama with Ajram discovering romance as a demure Beirut hairdresser.

In 2004, Ajram released the album Ah W Noss ("Yes and a Half"), which also spawned several videos.

The savvy displayed by Ajram and her team, including video director Nadine Labaki, have helped propel the young singer to the top of her profession.

In 2005, Ajram signed a contract for a Coca-Cola endorsement. "Oul Taany Keda" ("Tell Me That Again") from Ah W Noss was used in the commercials, and its video contains Coke product placement. She also got into the topless modeling industry in the same year.

Ajram was named as the best Arabic singer by the magazine Zahrat el Khalij for both 2003 and 2004. She was also named by the Arabic version of Newsweek as one of the most influential personalities of the Arab world in 2005.

In early 2006, she released a single, Enta Masry (translated You're Egyptian), timed to coincide with Egypt's hosting of the African Cup of Nations football tournament. Its accompanying video is unusual in that the singer does not appear; instead, Egyptians representing the diversity of the country lip-sync the patriotic lyrics of the song.

Yatabtab...Wa Dalla' was released in February 2006. The title song's video, again directed Nadine Labaki, preceded its release; it has a circus theme that is echoed in other videos drawn from the album's songs.

Previously, Ajram has appeared and used the song "Mo'gaba, Moghrama" ("An Admirer, A Lover") in her latest Coca-Cola commercial.

Ajram also appears in advertising for Middle Eastern jewelry retailer Damas.

[edit] Criticism

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. In May 2006, Ajram performed again in Bahrain without incident.

[edit] Singles

[edit] Ya Salam

Ya Salam Cover Art

Akhasmak Ah: No.1 (8weeks) in Egypt and No.1 (10 Weeks) in Lebanon - Diamond Certified
Ya Salam: No.1 (5 Weeks) in Egypt and No.1 (3 Weeks) in Lebanon - 5x Platinum Certified
Yay Sehr Ouyonoou: No.1 (8 Weeks) in Egypt and No.1 (6 Weeks) in Lebanon - 8x Platinum Certified
Enta Eih: No.3 in Egypt and No.2 in Lebanon - Gold Certified

Shipment sales: 3.4 Million

[edit] Ah W Noss

Ah W Noss Cover Art

Ah W Noss: #1 (2 weeks) in Egypt and #1 (2 Weeks) in Lebanon - 3x Platinum Certified
Loun Oyounak: #2 in Egypt and #1 (5 weeks) in Lebanon - Gold Certified
Oul Tany Keda: #5 in Egypt and #3 in Lebanon - Gold Certified
Enta Eih: #2 in Egypt and #1 (5 Weeks) in Lebanon - 5x Platinum Certified

Shipment sales: 3 Million