Ragheb Alama

Ragheb Alama
Background information
Birth nameRagheb Sobhi Alama
راغب صبحي علامة
Born (1962-06-07) 7 June 1962 (age 62)
Ghoubeiry, Beirut, Lebanon
GenresArabic pop
OccupationsActor, composer, television personality
InstrumentsVocals, oud
Years active1982–present
LabelsBackstage Production
PartnerJhana Alama

Ragheb Alama (Arabic: راغب علامة born 7 June 1962) is a Lebanese music artist and television personality. Alama began his career in the 1980s when he appeared as a contestant on the talent show broadcast Studio El Fan, on which he received the Platinum Award.[1]

Alama's fame came after Studio El Fan followed by yearly albums and number-one hit singles such as "Ya lait" (If Only), "'Aan Jad" (Seriously) and "Alby Asheq'ha" (My Heart Adores Her) which was the first Arabic song in history to be made into a music video.[2] Alama continued his success into the 2000s with the release of his chart-topping albums Saharony El Leil (2001), Tab Leh (2002), El Hob El Kebeer (2004) and Ba'asha'ak (2008), the latter which earned the artist the Platinum certification from Virgin Megastores for its record sales.[3] One of his recent albums Seneen Rayha (2010) saw the artist team with Starbucks for its release and sale, making him the first Arab artist to have his album sold at Starbucks.[4] The Starbucks album Starz Vol. 1 also included a song featuring international pop artist Shakira.[5] He adopted an environmental cause with the album after being named the United Nations Ambassador of Climate Change.[6]

Alama has won two Murex d'Or Awards and several other awards during his career. His albums have made him one of the most commercially successful singers in the Arab world. In mid-2011, it was announced that Alama would head the judging panel for the pan-Arab version of the American Idol series.[7]

  1. ^ "Ragheb Alama". Alam el Phan. Archived from the original on 2014-09-02.
  2. ^ "Biography of Ragheb Alama". Yala.fm. Archived from the original on 2011-10-29. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  3. ^ "Superstar Ragheb Alama handed the 'Virgin Megastore Platinum Award' -- DUBAI, May 3 /PRNewswire/ --". PR Newswire. 3 May 2008. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  4. ^ "Ragheb Alama launches latest CD at Starbucks, Hamra". Star Scene. Archived from the original on 2010-11-21.
  5. ^ "Ragheb Alama and Shakira Present Good Stuff". Lamaa Elkohly. 26 September 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  6. ^ "Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama appointed U.N. green ambassador". Saeed Dhaher. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  7. ^ "Ragheb Alama and Ahlam In "Arab Idol" Judge Panel on MBC". Ruba. 25 July 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2011.[permanent dead link]