Ragheb Alama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ragheb Alama
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ragheb Sobhi Alama راغب صبحي علامة |
| Born | 7 June 1962 Ghoubeiry, Beirut, Lebanon |
| Genres | Arabic pop |
| Occupations | Actor, composer, television personality |
| Instruments | Vocals, oud |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Labels | Backstage Production |
Ragheb Alama (Arabic: راغب علامة born on June 7, 1962) is a famous Lebanese singer and TV star. He started his music journey in the 1980s. He became well-known after joining a talent show called Studio El Fan, where he won a special Platinum Award.
After Studio El Fan, Ragheb Alama became very popular. He released many albums and hit songs. Some of his most famous songs include "Ya Rait" (If Only), "'Aan Jad" (Seriously), and "Alby Asheq'ha" (My Heart Adores Her). "Alby Asheq'ha" was the first Arabic song ever to have a music video!
Ragheb Alama continued to be successful in the 2000s. He released popular albums like Saharony El Leil (2001), Tab Leh (2002), El Hob El Kebeer (2004), and Ba'asha'ak (2008). His album Ba'asha'ak sold so well that it received a Platinum award from Virgin Megastores.
In 2010, his album Seneen Rayha was sold at Starbucks stores. This made him the first Arab artist to have his album sold there. This album also included a song with the international pop star Shakira. Ragheb Alama also became a United Nations Ambassador for Climate Change. He used his music to support environmental causes.
Ragheb Alama has won many awards, including two Murex d'Or Awards. His albums have made him one of the most successful singers in the Arab world. In 2011, he became a main judge on Arab Idol, a popular TV show similar to American Idol.
Contents
Early Life
Ragheb Alama was born in Ghoubeiry, a town in Beirut, Lebanon. His parents are Sobhi and Wafiqa Alama. He has four brothers and three sisters, and he is the middle child. His father named him after a famous Lebanese judge, "Ragheb Beik Alama."
When Ragheb was only eight years old, he started playing the Oud, a traditional musical instrument. He even performed live on a radio show to share his talent. In 1996, Ragheb Alama married Jihan al-Ali. They have two sons named Khaled (born in 1998) and Louai (born in 2001).
Music Career Highlights
Early 2000s: Hit Songs and Collaborations
In 2000, Ragheb Alama recorded a song called "Betgheeb Betrouh" with the singer Elissa. In 2003, he released his album Tab Leh (Oh Why?). The main song from this album quickly became number one for many weeks. He also worked with the famous Iranian-Armenian singer Andy Madadian on a song called "Yalla Ya Chabab" (Let's Go Guys).
At the end of 2004, he released El Hob el Kebeer (The Great Love). This album included the popular song "Naseeni el Dunya" (Make Me Forget the World). The title song was released in July 2005. Its music video was a big production filmed in Malaysia.
In 2006, Ragheb Alama took part in a special Formula One race in Bahrain. He finished in third place.
2008 Onwards: Own Production and Global Reach
In May 2008, Ragheb Alama released his album Baa'sha'ak. This album was produced by his own company, Backstage Production. It included hit songs like "Yighib" and "Ser Hobbi." By April 2009, the album had sold so many copies that it received a Platinum award from Virgin Megastores Dubai.
In 2010, Ragheb released another album called Seneen Rayha, also through Backstage Production. This album focused on environmental themes. It featured popular songs like "Seneen Rayha" and "Betfell." This album was sold in Starbucks coffee shops, making him the first Arab artist to achieve this. It also came with a special album called Starz Vol. 1, which included his song "Good Stuff (Remix)" with Shakira.
TV Shows and Global Roles
Towards the end of 2011, Ragheb Alama was chosen to be the head judge for the new MBC show Arab Idol. This show is a version of the famous American Idol. He was joined by other popular judges like Ahlam, Nancy Ajram, and Hassan El Shafei.
In 2013, the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) named him a Goodwill Ambassador for West Asia. This means he helps promote environmental protection in that region.
In 2015, he was a judge on The X Factor alongside Elissa and Donia Samir Ghanem. In 2019, he was a coach on the fifth season of The Voice: Ahla Sawt, and his team member Mahdi won the competition.
Saint George Schools
At the start of his music career in the 1980s, Ragheb Alama opened the Saint George Schools. His goal was to provide education to as many students as possible. His brother, Ahmad Subhi Alama, helped him achieve this goal. Ahmad has been the General Manager of the schools since the beginning. The schools started with about 200 students in one building in Haret Hreik. Now, they have grown to almost 2000 students across four buildings in different locations.
Brand Partnerships
Throughout his career, Ragheb Alama has worked with many international companies. He has been the face of their marketing campaigns. Some of the well-known companies that have partnered with Ragheb include Hublot (watches), United Nations, Starbucks, Mercedes-Benz (cars), Samsung (electronics), Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Persol (eyewear), and The Pearl Island.
Studio Albums
- 1986: Ya Rayt
- 1987: Al Hadiya
- 1988: Dawa el Leil
- 1989: Ma Y'gooz
- 1991: Alby Ashe'ha
- 1993: Ya Hayati
- 1995: Taw'am Ruhy
- 1996: Sayedati el Gameela
- 1997: Bravo 'Alaiky
- 1999: Habeeby Ya Nasy
- 2001: Saharooni el Leil
- 2002: Tab Leih
- 2004: El Hob el Kebeer
- 2008: Baa'sha'ak
- 2010: Seneen Rayha
- 2014: Habeeb Dehkati
