Shatha Hassoun facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shatha Hassoun
Hassoun performing in 2021
Born	Shatha Amjad Al-Hassoun شذى أمجد الحسون (1981-03-03) 3 March 1981 (age 44) Casablanca, Morocco
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, actress, writer
Years active	2007–present
Musical career
Genres	Iraqi music, Arabic, World
Labels	Rotana Music Group

Shatha Amjad Al-Hassoun (Arabic: شذى أمجد الحسون; born 3 March 1981) is a famous singer and actress. She is known as Shatha Hassoun (Arabic: شذى حسون). Shatha was born in Casablanca, Morocco. She became very popular after winning the 4th season of Star Academy Arab World. This was a big TV talent show for singers from Arab countries.

Shatha Hassoun was the first female winner of Star Academy Arab World. She is loved by many people across the Arab world. Some even call her the "daughter of Mesopotamia".

About Shatha Hassoun

Her Early Life

Shatha Hassoun's father is a well-known reporter from Hillah, Iraq. Her mother is a history teacher from Safi, Morocco. Shatha grew up spending time in both Morocco and France.

She studied English Literature in Casablanca. Later, she continued her studies in Tangier. There, she joined a program for Hotel and Tourism Management. She then went to France to get her master's degree. Her family lives in Morocco, but Shatha now lives in Dubai.

Languages She Sings In

Shatha Hassoun is a talented singer. She has sung songs in many different languages. These include Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German.

Her Music Career

Winning Star Academy 4

Shatha Hassoun took part in the fourth season of Star Academy Arab World. Even though she grew up in Morocco and had never visited Iraq, she represented her father's home country in the show. She sang many classic Iraqi songs. This made her a symbol of national unity for Iraqis.

In 2007, Shatha won Star Academy 4. She was the first female to win the show. Her performance of the song "Baghdad" by Lebanese singer Fairouz helped her reach the finals. She won the competition with 40 percent of the votes. About one in four Iraqis voted for her. When she won, she held an Iraqi flag and cried tears of joy. This moment made her a symbol for Iraq.

After Star Academy

After winning, Shatha released her first song called "Rooh." A Lebanese songwriter named Nikola Saada Nikhla wrote and composed it. This song was the first to reach number one on Rotana's PEPSI Top 20 charts. It stayed at number one for two weeks.

Her second big song was "Asmallah Asmallah" or "Ebin Bladi." An Iraqi poet, Karim Al Iraqi, wrote this song. It was a gift to the Iraqi people and their national football team. The team had won the Asian Cup in 2007. Some people even called this song a "second national anthem" for Iraq.

Shatha also sang "Oushaq", written by Lebanese singer Marwan Khoury. She has also brought back many old Iraqi songs. She sang "Allela 7elowa" and "Aleik As'al" with Ilham al-Madfai. She also released "Mza'elni" and "Lo alf mara." The song "Lo alf mara" was special because it was the first song Melhem Barakat composed for a non-Lebanese artist. Shatha has worked with many famous artists. These include Karim Al Iraqi, Salah Al-Sharnoby, Ramy Ayach, Assi El Helani, Abadi Aljawher, and George Wassouf.

Acting Roles

Besides singing, Shatha Hassoun has also acted in a TV series. It was called Rasael Men Ragol Mayet (which means "Letters from a Dead Man"). She acted alongside Syrian actor Ghassan Masoud. The show talked about different issues in Iraqi society between 1979 and 2005. It was filmed in Syria and shown on Al-Baghdadia TV in 2008.

Recent Years (2009-Present)

In 2009, Shatha visited Baghdad, the capital of her father's country. This was a dream come true for her and her fans. She sang in two big charity concerts for the children of Iraq. One concert was at Al-elowea club and the other at Hunting Club. She was happy to be among the singers who visited Baghdad.

Shatha has been working on an album with songs in different Arabic styles. These include Iraqi, Lebanese, Gulf, Moroccan, and Egyptian music.

She filmed a music video for her song "O'd 3rgoub" in Lebanon. The song was about love and promises. The video was discussed a lot by Arab audiences.

Shatha has toured and performed concerts in many places. These include North America, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Sweden, and Egypt. In 2010, she performed in Dubai with Fares Karam.

Commercials

Shatha Hassoun has also appeared in TV ads for the Iraqi mobile company, Zain.

• During Star Academy Arab 4, Shatha was named the best student in week 13. As a prize, she filmed a TV ad for a new Zain SMS service. She sang a traditional Iraqi song in a modern style with the famous Iraqi singer Ilham al-Madfai.
• After Shatha won Star Academy and the Iraqi national football team won the Asian Cup 2007, Zain made another ad. Shatha and three football players were in it. The ad showed hope for a new Iraq after its past challenges. They also performed the anthem.

Awards

• 2007 Murex D'or Award – Best Uprising Artist
• 2008 DG Festival Award – Best Rising Female Singer
• 2008 Art Festival Award – Best Rising Female Singer
• 2009 Murex D'or Award

Discography

Singles

First Album (Wajh Thani)

Filmography

Television

• Rasael Men Ragol Mayet (Letters from a Dead Man) – 2008