Ragheb Alama

Born Ragheb Subhi Alama, the vocalist has climbed into the foremost ranks of Middle Eastern pop through his alluring delivery. Honored with the Arabian World Gold Lion award as Best Arabic Singer of 1998, he sustains an approach that merges updated aesthetics with the longstanding musical traditions of his native region. Signs of his vocal promise emerged clearly during childhood. His father, struck by those early performances, secured a Lebanese radio interview for him prior to his tenth birthday. At age 15 he entered the Beirut Conservatory of Music and devoted several years to lute studies, ultimately earning a gold medal for his command of traditional folk songs. After beginning his professional career in 1982, he established himself as a frequent presence at music festivals throughout Lebanon and Egypt. A platinum disc recognized the album Albi A'she'aha, while an Egyptian Oscar was bestowed on the video clip "Alamtini."