Wael Kfoury
Encyclopedia
Michel Emile Kfoury known by his stage name
Wael Kfoury , is a well-known Lebanese
singer, musician
and songwriter
.
and the Conservatoire libanais national supérieur de musique
. He had his breakthrough when he took part in Studio El Fan
, the popular musical competition programme at the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation
, for the 1992-1993 season, and took the gold medal for best male singer.
Wael Kfoury signed with the Music Box music label and released three albums in 1994, 1995 and 1996 with the label, and that year was chosen as Best Singer in Lebanon.
He had to suspend his musical career for one year to do his mandatory military service
in the Lebanese Army
from September 1996 to September 1997. Prior to joining up, he released the popular single "Rayeh 'al Jeysh" encouraging other youth to enrol in military service. During that period, he was highly publicised by the Lebanese Army as a role model for Lebanese youth, with frequent musical appearances in the media. He was also seen performing to other Lebanese conscripts
on national occasions including Lebanese Independence Day
, Valentine's Day
, Mother's Day
and Lebanese Army Day, and at the end of his service he released a full album of songs recounting his experience in an album entitled 12 Months, the duration of obligatory military service in Lebanon.
Immediately after his release, he took part in the Jerash
Festival in Jordan
and Nahr el Founoun Festival in Lebanon. in 1998 he signed exclusive broadcasting rights with Arab Radio and Television Network
(ART) for his Gulf song "Al Shawq" after a fallout with Simon Asmar, the owner of Studio El Fan. After a highly publicized rift, there was a public reconciliation between the two during the Lebanese Music Festival in August 1999 when Kfoury appeared in the 14th anniversary celebrations of the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation directed by Simon Asmar.
In 2000 Wael Kfoury signed for Rotana Records
, a highly successful pan-Arab music label, and largely due to the success of his first album with Rotana called Sa'alouni, won the Murex Lebanese Award for Best Male Singer.
In his following album Shou Ra'yak, and for the first time in his musical career, he took part in writing and composing of some of the songs. The album went platinum in the Arab World
. He remains popular throughout the Arab World as well as the Arab diaspora
in North America
, Europe
, Africa
and Australia
with frequent sold-out tours.
In addition, in 2003, Wael Kfoury released his most successful song ever, "Omri Killo". In the following years, Kfoury released further albums that achieved international success with songs such as "Osset Oshaq", "Bhibbak Ana Ktir", "Bhinn", "Mista'a Ktir", "Tabkil Toyour", "Arrib Layyi", and "Hobbak Azab". His songs are noted for his mawwal
style and a romantic element.
Lebanese Award for Best Male Singer in 2001 and Murex Best Artist and Best Single in 2004, followed the same year by the Golden Lion award for Best Video Clip at the Cairo International Film Festival
against strong competition from Egypt
ian singer Amr Diab
. Kfoury also won the Best Artist Award at the Murex 2006 for the 4th time.
's PepsiArabia affiliate as well as a famous brand of Swiss watches.
Kfoury was one of the major stars of PepsiCo sponsored "Bahr el Noujoum" (meaning of Sea of Stars) with a number of other Arab music stars and resulted in a movie with the same name.
In February 2009, he announced cooperation with LG Electronics
for a search for future music stars.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Wael Kfoury , is a well-known Lebanese
Lebanese people
The Lebanese people are a nation and ethnic group of Levantine people originating in what is today the country of Lebanon, including those who had inhabited Mount Lebanon prior to the creation of the modern Lebanese state....
singer, musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
.
Beginnings
After graduation in secondary school, Wael Kfoury enrolled at Université Saint-Esprit de KaslikUniversité Saint-Esprit de Kaslik
Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik , , is a private Catholic higher education institution founded by the Lebanese Maronite Order in 1961....
and the Conservatoire libanais national supérieur de musique
Conservatoire Libanais
Le Conservatoire libanais national supérieur de musique or The Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music was founded in the 1930s by Wadih Sabra, composer of the national anthem of Lebanon. Sabra's goal was to establish an institute of higher learning for music. The Conservatoire, which is...
. He had his breakthrough when he took part in Studio El Fan
Studio el fan
Studio El Fan was a Lebanese talent show broadcast on Télé Liban during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s in Lebanon and throughout the Arab world. Like the Olympics, the show ran every four years for an entire calendar year. Contestants from all over Lebanon competed. The best contestants in the...
, the popular musical competition programme at the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation
Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation
The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation , widely known as LBC, is the first private television station in Lebanon. It went global in 1996 when it launched its satellite channel LBC Al-Fadha'iya Al-Lubnaniya covering the Arab World. It now has several channels covering Europe, America, Australia, and...
, for the 1992-1993 season, and took the gold medal for best male singer.
Career
After winning the Studio El Fan music competition, he had a first successful single in "Ma Wa'adtak bi Njoum el Leyl" , immediately followed by "Meen Habeebi Ana" , a duo with another Studio El Fan winner Nawal Al Zoghbi.Wael Kfoury signed with the Music Box music label and released three albums in 1994, 1995 and 1996 with the label, and that year was chosen as Best Singer in Lebanon.
He had to suspend his musical career for one year to do his mandatory military service
Military service
Military service, in its simplest sense, is service by an individual or group in an army or other militia, whether as a chosen job or as a result of an involuntary draft . Some nations require a specific amount of military service from every citizen...
in the Lebanese Army
Lebanese Armed Forces
The Lebanese Armed Forces or Forces Armées Libanaises in French, also known as the Lebanese Army according to its official Website The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) (Arabic: القوات المسلحة اللبنانية | Al-Quwwāt al-Musallaḥa al-Lubnāniyya) or Forces Armées Libanaises in French, also known as the...
from September 1996 to September 1997. Prior to joining up, he released the popular single "Rayeh 'al Jeysh" encouraging other youth to enrol in military service. During that period, he was highly publicised by the Lebanese Army as a role model for Lebanese youth, with frequent musical appearances in the media. He was also seen performing to other Lebanese conscripts
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
on national occasions including Lebanese Independence Day
Lebanese Independence Day
The Lebanese Independence Day, on November 22, 1943, is a national day celebrated in remembrance of the liberation from the French Mandate which was exercised over Lebanese soil for over 23 years.-Pre-Independence period:...
, Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
, Mother's Day
Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May...
and Lebanese Army Day, and at the end of his service he released a full album of songs recounting his experience in an album entitled 12 Months, the duration of obligatory military service in Lebanon.
Immediately after his release, he took part in the Jerash
Jerash
Jerash, the Gerasa of Antiquity, is the capital and largest city of Jerash Governorate , which is situated in the north of Jordan, north of the capital Amman towards Syria...
Festival in Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
and Nahr el Founoun Festival in Lebanon. in 1998 he signed exclusive broadcasting rights with Arab Radio and Television Network
Arab Radio and Television Network
Arab Radio and Television Network is an Arabic-language television network characterized by its multitude of channels. It is based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The company was founded in October 1993 by Saleh Abdullah Kamel, a Saudi businessman...
(ART) for his Gulf song "Al Shawq" after a fallout with Simon Asmar, the owner of Studio El Fan. After a highly publicized rift, there was a public reconciliation between the two during the Lebanese Music Festival in August 1999 when Kfoury appeared in the 14th anniversary celebrations of the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation directed by Simon Asmar.
In 2000 Wael Kfoury signed for Rotana Records
Rotana Records
Rotana Records is the Arab World's largest record label. It is owned by the Rotana Group, established by the Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, who sometimes personally signs artists to the label. Rotana Records is part of a huge media empire that includes a film production company, a magazine in...
, a highly successful pan-Arab music label, and largely due to the success of his first album with Rotana called Sa'alouni, won the Murex Lebanese Award for Best Male Singer.
In his following album Shou Ra'yak, and for the first time in his musical career, he took part in writing and composing of some of the songs. The album went platinum in the Arab World
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
. He remains popular throughout the Arab World as well as the Arab diaspora
Arab diaspora
Arab diaspora refers to Arab immigrants, and their descendants who, voluntarily or as refugees, emigrated from their native lands and now reside in non-Arab countries, primarily in Latin America, and Europe, as well as North America and South Asia, parts of Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and West...
in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
with frequent sold-out tours.
In addition, in 2003, Wael Kfoury released his most successful song ever, "Omri Killo". In the following years, Kfoury released further albums that achieved international success with songs such as "Osset Oshaq", "Bhibbak Ana Ktir", "Bhinn", "Mista'a Ktir", "Tabkil Toyour", "Arrib Layyi", and "Hobbak Azab". His songs are noted for his mawwal
Mawwal
In Arabic music, the mawwāl is a traditional genre of vocal music that is usually presented before the actual song begins. It is characterized by spelling vowel syllables longer than usual...
style and a romantic element.
Awards
Besides winning the gold medal in Studio El Fan in his freshman year, Wael Kfoury has won many Lebanese and pan-Arab awards. He won the Murex d'OrMurex d'or
The Murex d'Or is a Lebanese award created by Lebanese physicians, Zahi and Fadi Helou to recognize achievements in the domain of art in Lebanon, the Arab region and the world. The first Murex d'Or ceremony took place on June 4, 2000...
Lebanese Award for Best Male Singer in 2001 and Murex Best Artist and Best Single in 2004, followed the same year by the Golden Lion award for Best Video Clip at the Cairo International Film Festival
Cairo International Film Festival
The Cairo International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Cairo, Egypt. It was established in 1976 and was the first international film festival held in the Arab world...
against strong competition from Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian singer Amr Diab
Amr Diab
Amr Abdol-Basset Abdol-Azeez Diab is an Egyptian singer and composer of geel music; the contemporary face of Egyptian el-geel pop music, according to World Music. Diab is the best-selling Arab recording artist of all time, according to Let's Go Egypt...
. Kfoury also won the Best Artist Award at the Murex 2006 for the 4th time.
Commercial deals
Wael Kfoury signed a publicity campaign deal for PepsiCoPepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York, United States, with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company...
's PepsiArabia affiliate as well as a famous brand of Swiss watches.
Kfoury was one of the major stars of PepsiCo sponsored "Bahr el Noujoum" (meaning of Sea of Stars) with a number of other Arab music stars and resulted in a movie with the same name.
In February 2009, he announced cooperation with LG Electronics
LG Electronics
LG Electronics is a global electronics and telecommunications company headquartered in Yeouido, Seoul, South Korea. The company operates its business through five divisions: mobile communications, home entertainment, home appliance, air conditioning and business solution...
for a search for future music stars.
Albums
- 1994: Shafouha w Sarou Y'oulou
- 1995: Mayyet Fiki
- 1996: Ba'd el Sentayn
- 1997: Tna'shar Shaher
- 1998: Shubbak el Houb
- 1999: Hikayat 'Asheq
- 2000: Sa'alouni
- 2001: Shou Ra'yak
- 2003: Oumri Killo
- 2005: Qorb Liyya
- 2006: Bhebak ana ktyr
- 2007: Byihenn
- 2010: Kfoury Classic