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This was the first time she came
in contact with an audience.
Her theatrical beginnings motivated her
to move on to singing. In 1992, 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.
Following this, she performed in
concerts tirelessly until 1999, when
Lido Productions released her first
album, 'Baddy Doub', distributed by EMI.
Elissa's 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 artist, Gerard Ferrer. The release
of this first album took her straight to
Cannes, to participate in the
International Music Festival of 2000.
Following this first success, Elissa
released her second album, 'W'akherta
Maak', which included the massive hit
duet 'Bitghib Betrouh', sung with
Lebanese superstar Ragheb Alameh.
Elissa's third album, 'Aichalak', was a
big success and its musical quality was
a big step ahead in her musical career.
For this album, Elissa took advantage of
the considerable momentum of her
previous 2 albums, and managed to
surpass it. The video clip of the
album's hit single, also entitled 'Aichalak',
was filmed in Paris with acclaimed
French director Fabrice Begotti. Elissa
was officially dressed and made up by
Christian Dior Paris for this clip. This
was the first time Dior collaborated
with an Arabic artist.
Hot on the heels of the outstanding 'Aichalak',
Elissa shook the music scene further by
teaming up with world-famous Irish
singer Chris De Burgh. The collaboration
of these two talents resulted in the
historic duet 'Lebanese nights',
included on De Burgh's 2002 album,
'Timing is Everything'.
2002 brought Elissa more consecration
with the winning of the Murex d'Or award
for best female artist. And Agmal Ihsas
clip won the best video clip at the
Arabic music awards.
To crown the year, Elissa was included
in the anthology book '100 Pioneers of
Lebanon', alongside artists such as
Fairuz, Wadih al-Safi, as well as many
other celebrities who have left their
mark on the Lebanese cultural, political
and social landscape.
Her 4th CD, AHLA DOUNYA, recorded in
Super Audio, released in May 2004 ,
broke all record sales around the Middle
East. Elissa won the World Music Award
for this CD as best selling Middle East
artist and was the first Lebanese to win
this award. Then she won the Murex D’or
for Best Lebanese Singer and Best video
clip, Hobak Wajaa.
The Super Audio Technique is the latest
innovation in sound technology. This is
the very first time an artist uses this
highly superior sound technology in the
Middle East. Artists who have previously
relied on Super Audio Surround include,
Sting, Andrea Bocelli and Pink Floyd.
Her 5th CD Bastannak confirmed for sure
that she is one of the best female
artist in the Middle East and made her
win for the second year in a row the
World Music Award for the best selling
Middle East artist.
Her latest and 6th CD AYAMI BIK released
on December 20, 2007, has been number
one in all Middle East charts for 3
months now.
Elissa is more than just a rising
talent. She has surpassed expectations
and risen above the rest of her
generation, achieving full-fledged star
status. With one of the biggest fan
bases in the Middle East, Elissa has
marked the musical scene in a big way,
now, and for years to come.
Building a career
Noteworthy events and participations
Elissa is passionate about singing and
truly inspired by her audience. This
passion really shines through in the
important events she has participated in
since the beginning of her career.
Elissa's first album, 'Baddy Doub', was
released in 1999. It brought her
considerable success, and resulted in
her participation to the International
Music Festival of Cannes in 2000. In
2001, she took part in Jordan's 'Fiesta
Latina'. She also held a performance at
the pyramids of Egypt, with the British
superstar Sting. In addition to this,
she was the only Arabic artist to
perform in front of 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 El Maktoum.
In 2002, Elissa took the local music
scene by storm when she sang with
world-famous Irish singer Chris De
Burgh. Their smash hit duet, 'Lebanese
Night', was written by De Burgh during a
trip to Lebanon in the year 2000. He was
inspired to write the song when he was
dining in the famous restaurant Abdel
Wahab. De Burgh chose Elissa to perform
the duo with him. The song was recorded
and produced by Chris Porter, the man
responsible for a multitude of hits by
such international artists as George
Michael and Robbie Williams. 2002
brought Elissa further consecration with
the winning of the Murex d'Or award, for
best female artist. Elissa ended the
year with a bang, when she inaugurated
the opening of Kuwait's Virgin Megastore
with Sir Richard Branson, the founder of
the famous stores, to be followed up by
the opening of Virgin-Cairo. Her clip
Ajmal Ihsas won the best Video clip in
the Arabic Music Awards in Dubai.
Elissa's fantastic run continued 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, Football cup and
Downloaded. Both where shot in Los
Angeles with famous director Tarsem
Singh .
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. Other
artists to perform that night included
Spanish dancer/choreographer Joaquin
Cortes, Italian singer Zucchero, and
British pop singer Sarah Brightman.
Elissa was the sole representative of
the Middle East. Further projects in
2004 included the Ray Ban campaign, and
in 2005-2006 the Corum campaign, in 2006
LUX and then Vogue (sunglasses).
In 2005, Elissa received the World Music
Awards for the sales of Ahla Dounia CD,
as best selling artist of the Middle
East. The ceremony took place in
Hollywood Kodak Theatre with the
presence of Beyonce, Maria Carey, Usher,
Santana, Bon Jovi etc.
In December 2005, Elissa received the
Murex D’or for best Lebanese artist and
best video clip for Hobak Wajaa.
On the 15th of November 2006, Elissa
Received for the second year in a row
the World Music Awards for the sales of
Bastannak CD. The ceremony took place in
London Earls court with the presence of
Michael Jackson, Paris Hilton, Beyonce,
Andrea Bocelli etc..
Elissa is the ambassadress for the world
gold council in collaboration with
L’azurde .
In 2007 Elissa was chosen by French
company Georges Stahl to create o her
Perfume, and Elle D’elissa was created,
as the first international perfume for
an Arab artist .
On 9 August 2007 she performed at the
prestigious Sporting club in Monaco.
For 2008 Elissa is the ambassadress of
Samsung Mobiles.
Elissa is featured in 2008, for the
second consecutive year, in the Power
100 - The World's Most Powerful Arabs.
www.Arabianbusiness .com
Elissa created a very high image for
herself which made her become the most
wanted artist for all prestigious
brands.
Discography
Elissa's first album, 'Baddy Doub', was
released in February 1999. It was one of
the largest selling albums in Lebanon
and the Middle East, and included the
smash hit single, 'Baddy Doub',
featuring Gerard Ferrer, the renowned
French Gypsy act from Marseille.
Elissa's second album, 'W'akherta Maak',
released in September 2000, featured a
duo with Lebanese superstar Ragheb
Alameh. The duet 'Betghib Betrouh',
along with its video clip, was the big
success of the summer.
Elissa's third album, 'Aichalak', was
released in June 2002. It was the best
selling Arab music album of 2002, and
ranked quite high in 2003. The hit
single 'Aichalak' still features
prominently on radio and TV channels.
The song 'Ajmal Ihsas' was the next
single from the CD. The video clip for
this song was filmed by director Selim
el Turk and won the best Video clip in
the Arabic Music Awards in Dubai.
Her 4th CD , AHLA DOUNYA, was released
in May 2004. This CD recorded in Super
Audio contains 5 confirmed big hits, 3
of them shot in Video Clips: Koul Youm
Fee Oumri with Said El Marouk, Irjaa Lil
Showk with Famous American director
Brandon Dickerson and Hobak Wajaa (Inta
Lameen) with Selim El Turk. 2 songs from
this CD where used for Pepsi Ads,
Karabli and Law Nirjaa Sawa.
Elissa received the World Music Awards
for the sales of this CD. The ceremony
took place in Hollywood Kodak Theatre.
In December 2005, Elissa received the
Murex D’or for best Lebanese artist and
best video for the clip Hobak Wajaa.
Her 5th CD Bastannak confirmed for sure
that she is the number one female artist
in the Middle East and made her win for
the second year in a row the World Music
Award for the best selling Middle East
artist .
Her latest and 6th CD AYAMI BIK released
on December 20, 2007 wasnumber one in
all Middle East charts more than 3
months. |
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