biography :
*Elissa* was born in Deir Al-Ahmar and raised in Bekaa Valley, a land
known for its fertile landscape and infamous history.
At the tender age of 10, Elissa began participating in social events and
had a role in the kids' festival at Mont la Salle, which was hosted by
Sandy Oshakji. As she grew up, her passion developed and she grew more
and more involved in the art scene by acting in theater plays, namely
with well-known songwriter Wassim Tabbara and later, with the "Théâtre
de 10 Heures". Having studied Political Science at the Lebanese
University, she had a natural knack for her first play's tendency for
political critique, and her talent, though in its infancy, left a
lasting impressing on that initial audience.
Her theatrical beginnings opened way for her to experiment with other
modes of expression and soon found herself singing in front of
audiences. In 1992, she participated and won a Silver Medal in "Studio
Al Fan". The show was broadcasted on LBCI, one of the most renowned TV
stations in the Middle East. Following this gentle, yet encouraging
success, Elissa began performing in concerts, driven by her tireless
determination 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 significance. The
album was a success, and featured a smash hit with famous French gypsy
artist, Gerard Ferrer. The release of "Baddy Doub" brought the musical
talent straight to Cannes, where she participated in the International
Music Festival of 2000.
Following her success at the International Music Festival, Elissa
released her second album, "We Akhertha Maak", which included the
immense hit duet, "Betghib Betrouh", sung with Lebanese superstar Ragheb
Alama. The emerging singer’s third album, "Ayshalak", was also quite
successful and its musical quality was considered a big leap forward in
her music career. In the making of "Ayshalak", Elissa took advantage of
the significant momentum gained during her previous two albums and
managed to surpass expectations at an amazing rate. The video clip of
the album’s hit single and namesake was filmed in Paris, directed by
acclaimed French director Fabrice Begotti. Elissa was officially dressed
and made up by Christian Dior Paris for the video, marking the first
time Dior collaborated with an Arabic artist.
Hot on the heels of the well-received third album, Elissa continued her
fiery path and sent shock waves through the music scene when she teamed
up with the world-famous Irish singer Chris De Burgh. The collaboration
of these two talents resulted in the historic duet, "Lebanese Nights".
The hit song was included on De Burgh’s 2002 album, "Time is
Everything".
2002 brought Elissa more consecration as she was awarded with the Murex
d'Or award for Best Female Artist. And her, "Ajmal Ihsas" clip won the
best video clip at the Arabic Music Awards, which took place in Dubai.
To top off an outstandingly successful and memorable year, Elissa was
also included in the anthology book, "100 Pioneers of Lebanon". The
singer was celebrated alongside artists such as Fairuz, Wadih El-Safi,
and many other celebrities who have left their everlasting mark on the
Lebanese cultural, political and social landscape.
Elissa’s fourth album, "Ahla Donia", recorded with Super Audio System,
was released in May 2004. It broke record sales around the Middle East
and the beloved artist won the World Music Award for Best Selling Middle
East Artist. As a result, Elissa was recognized as the first Lebanese
to win the award and went on to win the Murex d’Or for not only Best
Lebanese Singer, but also Best Video Clip for her hit song, "Hobak
Wajaa".
At the time, the technique of using Super Audio was the latest
innovation in sound technology and it was the first time a Middle
Eastern artist used such superior sound technology. Artists who had
previously relied on the Super Audio System included: Sting, Andrea
Bocelli and Pink Floyd.
Elissa’s fifth album, "Bastanak", confirmed her status as one of the
best female musicians emerging from the Middle East as she reined in yet
another World Music Award for Best Selling Middle East Artist.
International photographer Mathias Clamer, who also worked on Elissa’s
previous album, did the CD’s photo-shoot.
Elissa’s sixth and seventh albums, "Ayami Beek" (December 20, 2007),
which reached number one for more than three months and remains in the
charts today, and "Tesadaa Bemeen" (December 26, 2009), continued the
singer’s success and officially marked her as an unforgettable idol in
prominent music history.
Nearly two weeks after "Tesadaa Bemeen’s" release, the album immediately
became the best selling album in the history of Rotana, as well as the
most successful in Elissa’s career. The widely well-received album
skyrocketed to the number one spot as it sold record quantities in
Lebanon, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and the rest of the
Middle East.
"Tesadaa Bemeen" was Elissa’s album that received the most awards and
compensation. In the eyes of her fans and the music industry, Elissa’s
new release was far from disappointing, and reached the number one spot
in France’s largest music store, Fnac, in the Musique du Monde section.
Elissa received her third World Music Award Big Apple Award, Jordan
Music Award, Middle East Music Award and many others for "Tesadaa
Bemeen".
"Tesadaa Bemeen" includes thirteen songs between Lebanese and Egyptian
dialects created from Elissa’s numerous collaborations with a handful of
renowned writers, composers and music arrangers. For the album’s
glamorous artwork, international photographer Matthias Clamer
photographed Elissa on location at Pena National Palace in Sintra,
Portugal.
The singer has surpassed expectations and risen above the rest of her
generation’s talented celebrities, achieving full-fledged star-status.
Elissa is more than just a shooting star; she’s a monumental icon whose
mark on the Lebanese, Middle Eastern and international commercial music
scene will undoubtedly push boundaries and stand the test of time.
Elissa is passionate about her work and remains truly inspired by her
audience. This everlasting passion shines through in her many notable
events. Since the first album, "Baddy Doub", which was released in 1999
and brought her considerable success and a spot in the International
Music Festival of Cannes in 2000, Elissa has been ever-gradually rising
to the top.
In 2001, she took part in Jordan’s "Fiesta Latina". She also performed
at the great pyramids of Egypt with British luminary Sting.
Additionally, she was the only Arabic artist to perform in front of
former United States President Bill Clinton at the Stars Charity show in
Dubai. She was among global idols like Queen Rania of Jordan and the
Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh 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 two
years previous. The Irish wunderkind was inspired to write the song when
he spent a starry evening dining at the famous restaurant Abdel Wahab.
De Burgh chose Elissa as a partner to perform the magical song with him.
The song was recorded and produced by Chris Porter, the legend
responsible for a multitude of hits by international artists such as
George Michael and Robbie Williams.
That year brought substantial success for Elissa, as she went on to win
the Murex d’Or award for Best Female Artist. And without fail, 2002
ended just as prominently as it started when Elissa was called upon to
inaugurate the opening of Kuwait’s Virgin Megastore with Sir Richard
Branson, the founder of the famous stores. The opening of Virgin-Cairo
followed the prestigious event in Kuwait. Her clip, "Ajmal Ihsas" won an
Arabic Music Award for Best Video Clip in Dubai and Elissa’s
long-winded, successful run continued into 2003, when she signed a deal
with Pepsi.
The contract with Pepsi, a soda drink close to the singer’s heart, made
Elissa the official female star for Pepsi in the Arab world. She filmed
the advertisement for Pepsi X in Spain and in 2004 the singer filmed the
regular Pepsi commercial advertisement in Rome with world-renowned
director Roger Spottiswood. Subsequently, the Lebanese starlet shot two
advertisements with American pop star Christina Aguilera for Pepsi for
the World Football Cup and Downloaded. Both advertisements were shot in
Los Angeles with prominent director Tarsem Singh.
In September 2003, Elissa was commissioned for a performance at the Hope
Charity gala, which took place in the Royal Albert Hall, one of London
's most prestigious venues. Other artists that performed that night
included Spanish dancer and choreographer Joaquin Cortes, Italian singer
Zucchero, and British pop singer Sarah Brightman, making Elissa the
sole representative of the Middle East. Further projects in 2004
included the Ray Ban campaign, while from 2005 to 2006 Elissa took on
the Corum campaign, the LUX and then Vogue sunglasses. Elissa remains
Ambassadress for Corum till today.
In 2005, Elissa received the World Music Awards for the sales of her
unforgettable "Ahla Dounia" album for Best Selling Artist from the
Middle East. The star-studded ceremony took place in Hollywood’s exalted
Kodak Theater with the presence of notorious music icons including:
Beyonce, Maria Carey, Usher, Santana, Bon Jovi and many others.
In December of 2005, Elissa received the Murex d’Or for Best Lebanese
Artist and Best Video Clip for her hit classic, "Hobak Wajaa".
On November 15, 2006, Elissa received the World Music Awards for the
second year in a row for the sales of her "Bastanak" album. The ceremony
took place in London’s Earls Court. Elissa was in the company of
Michael Jackson, Paris Hilton, Beyonce, Andrea Bocelli and many other
recognizable talents.
The Lebanese Music syndicate honored Elissa for her musical achievements
and for being the first Lebanese artist to receive the World Music
Awards two times running.
Elissa was also the ambassadress for the World Gold Council in
collaboration with L’Azurde, effectively putting a beautiful image with
one of the world’s most desirable metals.
Subsequently, Elissa was chosen by French company Georges Stahl to
create her own perfume in 2007. The fragrance "Elle d’Elissa" was
created, marking yet again another first: The first international
perfume for an Arab artist. Elissa’s first perfume was followed by a
second essence, "L’Eau d’Elissa".
On August 9, 2007 she performed at the prestigious Sporting Club in
Monaco. While in 2008, Elissa became the ambassadress for Samsung
Mobiles.
In 2008, the singer was included in Arabian Business Magazine’s 100 Most
Powerful Arab Business Women list, for the second consecutive year. She
was also part of the 500 of World's Most Influential Arabs list.
Since then, Elissa has created a very powerful image for herself forcing
a place for her in the spotlight. The artist is also endlessly desired
and sought for by all prestigious brands.
Elissa received her third World Music Awards in Monaco on May 23, 2010
for her album "Tesadaa Bemeen" for Best Selling Artist from the Middle
East.
In June 2010, Elissa received her third Murex d’Or as Best Lebanese
Female Artist.
In November 2010, she was awarded for Best Arab Female Artist in the
Jordan Music Awards, which took place on Amman’s Dead Sea shore, and a
few days later she received the Big Apple Music Award for Best Female
Artist in the Middle East (This award is an international one based in
New York), the Middle East Music Award and received 4 awards from the
Student celebrity awards.
In March 2011, Elissa became a goodwill Ambassador for IMSAM, an
intergovernmental organization under the United Nations based at U.N
Headquarters in New York. She resigned in 2012.
Esquire Magazine named Elissa "Woman We Love" in 2011. It was an
important moment as it was the first time Esquire had chosen Elissa out
of their Middle East line-up.
To top off all these achievements, she was voted in the Arabian Business
Magazine as one of the 100 Most Powerful Arab Business Women in 2012
and the 500 Most Influential Arabs.
Her eighth studio album "Asaad Wahda" released in June 2012 was number
one for the first two months in all the Middle East charts and is still
in the top 5 till now, with the release of the first Video Clip in
January for the title song "Asaad Wahda".
In December 2012, Elissa was chosen to be one of the Judges of the X
Factor Middle East; It was on air the first 4 months of 2013.
On the 23rd of June 2013 Elissa received two Murex D’or, for the best
Lebanese singer and Best Arabic song "Asaad Wahda". This prestigious
event, considered as one of the biggest celebrations of the TV industry
in the Arab World, took place at the Casino Du Liban with the presence
of many local and international artists.
On 21 November 2013 Elissa received the BIAF Award ( Beirut
International Award festival) as an appreciation for her successful
career as a Lebanese artist
"written from elissa's official website"
she was the editor of "jamaloki" magazine for the latest issue
and here's some of her famous looks and dresses :- hope you like'em !
