Harel Skaat facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Harel Skaat
הראל סקעת‎
Harel Skaat in 2022
Born	(1981-08-08) 8 August 1981 (age 43) Kfar Saba, Israel
Occupation	Singer, Performer, Songwriter
Years active	2004–Present
Spouse(s)	Idan Roll ​ (m. 2021)​
Children	2
Musical career
Genres	Pop
Labels	Hed Arzi Music Aroma Music

Harel Skaat (Hebrew: הראל סקעת; born 8 August 1981) is an Israeli singer and songwriter. He is sometimes known simply as Harel. He represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with his song "Milim" ("Words").

Harel Skaat has been singing and performing in public since he was a young child. When he was six years old, he won a children's song competition. As a teenager, he was the lead singer for his city's and high school's bands. During his time in the Israeli Defense Forces, he sang in the Communication Corps Band. Harel became famous after he was a contestant on the TV show Kochav Nolad ("A Star is Born"). This show is like American Idol. He finished in second place. After the show, he signed a contract with Hed Arzi, a big music company in Israel.

His first album, Harel Skaat, came out in July 2006. It had five hit songs, including "Ve'at" ("And You"). This romantic song was the number one song of the year on major Israeli music charts. The album sold so well that it was certified platinum in Israel. He then went on a concert tour, performing over 200 shows. This was a big achievement in Israeli music.

In 2008, Harel and Hed Arzi had a legal disagreement. After it was settled, he signed a new deal with Aroma Music and Partner Communications. He then recorded his second album, Dmuyot (Figures). This album was released in September 2009 and was certified gold in Israel.

Harel Skaat is mostly known as a pop singer. He likes many types of music, and his albums have a mix of songs, from rock to romantic songs. Critics and music experts in Israel have praised his singing and performing. All the songs on his official albums are in Hebrew. But Harel has also sung in English and French during live concerts. In December 2009, the Israel Broadcasting Authority chose Harel to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. The contest was held in Oslo, Norway, in May 2010. Israel finished 14th out of 39 countries.

Early life and education

Harel Skaat was born on 8 August 1981, in Kfar Saba, Israel. His family has Yemenite-Jewish and Iraqi-Jewish roots. When he was six, he won a national children's festival competition called "A Star for the Evening – Singing Big." As a child, he also appeared on a popular Israeli TV show called Parpar Nehmad (Nice Butterfly).

He kept performing at festivals and on TV shows as he grew up. At 15, he was the main singer for both the Kfar Saba city band and his high school band. At 18, he sang with the Israel Defense Forces' Communications Corps Band. There, he became friends with singer-songwriter Dor Daniel. Harel studied at Beit Zvi, a college for performing arts. He received two important scholarships for his performances in school musicals. While still in college, Harel released a song called "Ein od Si'kui" ("No More Chance"). Around the same time, he was on a TV talent show called Ha'melech Ha'ba (The Next King). He finished in sixth place.

Career

Kokhav Nolad (A Star is Born)

In 2005, while studying at Beit Zvi, Harel Skaat became a contestant on Kokhav Nolad. A friend signed him up without him knowing. He quickly became a favorite. The show's judges often praised his performances. One of his memorable songs was "Bdidut" ("Loneliness"), which he sang in the semi-finals. A judge said it left her "almost speechless." Harel received the most votes in each stage of the competition. He even beat Harel Moyal by a lot in the semi-finals.

The final show was very popular in Israel. Harel sang "Hinenny Can" ("Jerusalem, Here I Am"). This song became number one on the Israeli Music Channel's chart for 80 days. Harel Moyal surprisingly won the competition. This led to many discussions in Israel. Some of Harel Skaat's fans thought there might have been problems with the voting system. However, the show's producers denied these claims.

After Kokhav Nolad

Both Harel Skaat and Harel Moyal became very popular after Kokhav Nolad. Many of Harel Skaat's fans were young people. He won "Singer of the Year" from the Children's Channel three times (2005-2007). In 2007, 2008, and 2010, he was ranked number one among Israel's Top 100 Stars by the youth magazine Maariv Lanoar.

After Kokhav Nolad and before his first album in 2006, Harel appeared on many Israeli TV shows and at special events. In 2005, he sang for about 80,000 people at Rabin Square in Tel Aviv. This was at a memorial for former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin. Harel is still a popular singer at holiday events. For example, he performed in five different cities on Israel's Yom Ha'atzmaut (Independence Day) in 2010. He has also been part of several Festigal children's song festivals, which happen every year during Hanukkah. At the 2004 Festigal, Harel played Peter Pan and sang "Lauf" ("To Fly"). He again finished second to Moyal.

In early 2006, Harel Skaat was featured in short reality-based videos made by Cellcom. These videos were available for download to Cellcom customers. This was one of the first times such content was offered in Israel.

Debut album: Harel Skaat

Harel Skaat released his first album, Harel Skaat, in July 2006. The album received mixed reviews. Some critics liked his soothing voice and ability to move listeners. Others felt the album lacked spontaneity or included songs that didn't show off his best talents.

Harel Skaat had many hit songs. These included "Kama Od Efshar" ("How Much More is Possible"), "Mashehu Mimeni" ("Something from Me"), and "Kol Hatziporim" ("All the Birds"). The romantic song "Ve'at" ("And You") was number one on Israeli music charts for seven weeks. It was also the top song of 2006 on Reshet Gimmel's and Galgalatz's year-end charts. Harel Skaat was named "Male Singer of 2006" by both Reshet Gimmel and Galgalatz. He also won "Singer of the Year" and "Song of the Year" for "Ve'at" at the Music 24 Channel's Israel Music Awards.

The album was produced by Izhar Ashdot. It was certified gold less than a month after its release. Later, it reached platinum status. In Israel, an album is certified gold when it sells 20,000 copies. The album's success helped Harel's career and also helped launch the careers of three young songwriters: Keren Peles, Dor Daniel, and Kfir Epstein. Harel Skaat helped write one song on the album, "Afilu Shesreifot" ("Even Though it's Burning").

Second album: Dmuyot

In early 2008, Hed Artzi sued Harel Skaat. They claimed he had secretly recorded new music for another company before his contract with them ended. Harel denied breaking the contract. Hed Artzi won a temporary order that stopped Harel from recording new music. A solution seemed possible in December 2008 when the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) chose Harel to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. Harel and Hed Artzi tried to reach an agreement again. But when talks failed, Hed Artzi challenged the IBA's choice, and Harel had to withdraw. In February 2009, a court allowed Harel to return to the studio.

The two sides later reached an agreement. Harel then signed a new deal with Aroma Music and Partner Communications. Harel Skaat's second album, Dmuyot (Figures), was released on 1 September 2009. The album included the hit song "Muvan Li Achshav" ("Now I Understand"). This song was sold only at Aroma Espresso Bar coffee shops in Israel. Other songs from the album included "Boi Ha Yom" ("Come Today") and "Sof" ("End"). Harel Skaat helped write four songs on the album.

Dmuyot was certified gold in Israel. However, it did not sell as well as his first album. The album's biggest hit, "Muvan Li Achshav," was number 34 on the Reshet Gimmel annual music chart for 2009. Critics had mixed reviews for the album.

Eurovision 2010

In December 2009, the Israel Broadcasting Authority chose Harel Skaat to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. The announcement was made at the Knesset, Israel's parliament. On 15 March 2010, "Milim" ("Words") was chosen as the Israeli song for Eurovision. It won the Kdam Eurovision, Israel's competition to pick its Eurovision song. Harel recorded the four finalist songs, including "Milim," on a special EP called Eurovision 2010.

At the Kdam Eurovision, Harel sang "Milim" in Hebrew with string instruments. Before the Eurovision contest, he re-recorded it with a full orchestra and a slightly different vocal style. Many countries at Eurovision that year sang in English. There was some discussion in Israel about whether Harel should sing "Milim" in Hebrew, English, French, or a mix. In the end, Harel sang the song entirely in Hebrew in both the semi-finals and finals of Eurovision.

In Oslo, Harel told reporters that "Milim" is about loss, like a breakup. But for him, it had a deeper meaning. Harel said, "This song touches me deeply. My grandfather died just days before the elections in Israel, and this gives me a very deep feeling, I feel that I'm singing this song for him. He wanted me to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest for five years, and then he got to hear that I would take part in the national selection before he passed away."

Even though Harel was one of the favorites to win, Israel finished 14th in the Eurovision contest. The results were decided by both public votes and jury votes. Israel was fifth with the juries but 19th with the public. If only the public had voted, Israel would not have reached the finals. Harel's strong performance with the juries helped Israel get to the finals.

Despite the result, Israel won something special. The country swept the Eurovision-approved 2010 Marcel Bezençon Awards. They won for best artist, best song, and best entry of the contest. This was the first time one country won more than one award in the same year. After Eurovision, Harel Skaat said he was proud and thankful. He said, "I’m proud and happy over the performance and for representing [Israel]. We brought Israel artistic accolades. It was a fun experience and I enjoyed every minute of it. After all, it’s just sports."

Harel Skaat in 2019

Third album: Shuv Me'ushar

Harel Skaat's third album, Shuv Me'ushar (Happy Again), was released on 29 January 2012. Two songs from the album, Tihye Li Ahava ("I Will Have Love") and HaMea Ha-21 ("21st Century"), reached number one on Israeli radio charts. Other songs on the album included Kama Od Drachim ("How Many More Ways") and Gibor ("Hero"), a duet with Yehuda Poliker. A review of the album noted that despite big changes in Harel's life, his singing still sounded controlled. Three songs from the album were in Reshet Gimmel's year-end poll of top songs for 2012. Harel Skaat was also named male singer of the year.

Concerts & Stage Performances

In 2006, Harel Skaat started a concert tour to promote his first album. He performed all over Israel, including a concert at the Frederic R. Mann Auditorium in Tel Aviv. This tour eventually reached over 200 shows, which was a big success in Israeli music. In 2009, Harel started a second concert tour for his Dmuyot album.

Harel Skaat has also often performed at the Zappa nightclubs in Tel Aviv and Herzliya. These clubs feature live music from Israeli and international artists.

One of Harel's first big performances after Eurovision was on 28 July 2010 in Tel Aviv. It was a tribute to the French singer Serge Gainsbourg. In March 2011, Harel took part in a special project. He sang three of his songs live in Sharon Levi's Barcelona Dance Company's tap dance show, "Fragments," which started in Paris.

In 2016 and 2017, he played 'Marius' in Habima Theatre's Hebrew version of Les Miserables. He shared the role with other singers, including fellow Israeli Eurovision artist Imri Ziv.

Musical style

Harel Skaat has been described as a "convincing and captivating" performer. His singing is often called "smooth, precise, very clean and very clear." An article reviewing Israeli music from 2000-2009 called him "the most passionate singer in Israel from 2006–2007." Some critics have focused on his connection to Kokhav Nolad and the idea of instant fame. A 2006 article said that much of the popular Israeli pop music, including Harel's, was pleasant but not very new or different.

Harel Skaat has said, "My wish was always to be a singer, and I'm still working on it." He is one of many famous singers of Yemenite Jewish heritage. This group includes artists like Shoshana Damari and Ofra Haza. However, Harel's music usually does not show the special singing style often linked with that culture. Harel has said he was influenced by Rivka Zohar and that Rami Kleinstein and Sarit Hadad are two of his favorite singers. He also said in a 2010 interview, "I don't think I [have] ever been influenced by someone in specific. I have always listened to so many different kinds of music. I feel as if I have learned from each singer I listened to and still do."

Harel Skaat was reportedly going to work on a new album in English, aimed at an international audience. The Grammy award-winning producer Narada Michael Walden, who has worked with Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, was linked to this project. However, there haven't been many updates on this project in the Israeli media.

Special recognition

In late 2009, to celebrate the end of the decade on the Jewish calendar, Israeli radio station Galgalatz and television station Channel 24 held special polls. The public chose their favorite songs, singers, bands, and music videos from the past ten years. Harel Skaat came in second for male singer of the decade. Two of his songs, "Ve'at" and "Hineni Kan," were fourth and 21st on the poll for song of the decade. The winners were announced live on Israeli television at a big show on 15 October 2009 in Jerusalem. Many musicians, including Harel Skaat, performed songs from the poll at the concert.

Personal life

Harel Skaat is married to Idan Roll, who is a model, a lawyer, and a member of the Knesset (Israel's parliament). They announced their wedding on social media on 7 March 2021. The wedding took place on 5 March 2021 in Provo, Utah, USA.

In June 2010, Harel Skaat bought an apartment in Tel Aviv. Harel is very active with charities that help children with disabilities. For fun, he sometimes enjoys exciting activities like skydiving, bungee jumping, and rafting.

Discography

Harel Skaat in concert in Tel Aviv (2006)

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

Images for kids

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  Harel Skaat singing at the 2022 Haifa Pride

See also

In Spanish: Harel Skaat para niños