Wikipedia

Issam Alnajjar

Issam Alnajjar (Arabic: عصام النجار; born 12 May 2003) is a Palestinian–Jordanian musician. He is most notable for his debut single "Hadal Ahbek", which went viral on TikTok.

Issam Alnajjar
عصام النجار
Issam Alnajjar in 2021
Issam Alnajjar in 2021
Background information
Born (2003-05-12) 12 May 2003 (age 21)
Amman, Jordan
GenresPop
Occupations
  • Singer
  • guitarist
  • actor
InstrumentVocals
Years active2020–present
LabelsUniversal Arabic Music
Websitewww.issamalnajjar.com

He was the first artist to sign with Universal Arabic Music. His debut studio album, Baree?, released in 2021. His debut extended play, Waray, released in 2023.

Early life

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Issam Alnajjar was born on 12 May 2003 in Amman, Jordan to Palestinian parents. His family has been living in Jordan for more than eighteen years. His father grew up in Kuwait and his mother grew up in Lebanon.[1]

Career

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2020–2021: TikTok breakthrough, Universal Arabic Music and Baree?

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Issam Alnajjar first begin his musical career by posting videos on his Instagram page and YouTube channel of him singing cover songs of popular music. On 29 June 2020, Alnajjar released a single on Spotify titled "On of a Kind".[2]

On 27 September 2020, Alnajjar released "Hadal Ahbek". Popular influencers David Dobrik, Addison Rae, and Caroline Carr all used Alnajjar's audio which further boost popularity to the original song. The hashtag #hadal_ahbek came up with more than 300 million results.[2]

On 6 April 2021, Alnajjar became the first artist to be signed to Universal Arabic Music, a division of Universal Music Group.[3] With the signing of the label, Alnajjar was chosen by The Weekend's manager Wassim Slaiby. On 9 April, Alnajjar teamed up with Spotify to release the first Arabic song in the "RADAR" series with the release of "Turning Me Up." This single was an English remix and was produced by Loud Luxury and featured vocals from Ali Gatie.[4] As part of promotion for the single, Alnajjar was featured on the Times Square billboard in New York City.[5]

On 9 July, Alnajjarr released "Mn Gheirik Enti."[6] On 17 September, Alnajjar released "Hada Ghareeb" featuring Elyanna.[7] On 27 September, Alnajjar released a Spanish remix of "Hadal Ahbek" titled "Si Tú Vuelas," which featured Spanish vocals from Danna Paola and was produced by Alok.[8]

On 1 October, Alnajjar's debut studio album, Baree?, was released on digital download and streaming.[9]

2022–present: Hadal Ahbek Tour and Waray

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On 19 April 2022, Alnajjar announced the Hadal Ahbek world tour. Alnajjar was set to perform in Amman, London, Washington, D.C., Paris, Toronto, and more.[10] On 3 May, Alnajjar appeared as the opening act at the Maroon 5 tour in Dubai.[11]

On 6 October, Alnajjar featured on the Arabic remix of Alok and Alan Walker's "Headlights" which also featured KIDDO.[12] On 2 December, Alnajjar released "Ansaki".[13] On 28 April 2023, Alnajjar released "TMO", which featured Mohamed Ramadan and featured French vocals from Gims.[14] On 14 July, Alnajjar released his first extended play, Waray.[15]

On 31 October 2023, Alnajjar was featured alongside 24 other artists from the Middle East and North Africa on the charity single "Rajieen", which was released in aim to raise money for the Palestine Children's Relief Fund due to the ongoing Israel–Hamas war.[16][better source needed]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Details
Baree?

Extended plays

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Title Details
Waray
  • Released: 14 July 2023[17]
  • Label: Universal Arabic Music, Republic
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

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As lead artist

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Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album or EP
CAN
[18] 		LBN
[19] 		POL
[20]
"Hadal Ahbek"[21] 2020 — — 45 Baree?
"Turning Me Up (Hadal Ahbek)"[23]
(with Loud Luxury and Ali Gatie) 		2021 47 10 —
"Mn Gheirik Enti"[25] — 4 —
"Hada Ghareeb"[26]
(featuring Elyanna) 		— 1 —
"Si Tú Vuelas"[27]
(with Alok and Danna Paola) 		— — —
"Ansaki"[28] 2022 — 2 — Waray
"TMO"[29]
(featuring Mohamed Ramadan and Gims) 		2023 — 1 —
"Waray"[30]
(with R3hab featuring Manal) 		— 1 —
"Ya Leil"[31] 2024 — 3 — Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
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Title Year Album
"Headlights"[32]
(Alok and Alan Walker featuring Kiddo and Issam Alnajjar) 		2022 Non-album singles

Charity singles

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Title Year Notes
"Rajieen"[33]
(as part of Rajieen) 		2023
  • Produced by Palestinian artists and released to raise money for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.[16]

Other charted songs

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
LBN
[19]
"Taawadt Aleiki" 2022 6 Baree?

Music videos

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Title Year Director(s) Ref.
As lead artist
"Hadal Ahbek" 2021 Alex Loucas [34]
"Turning Me Up"
(with Loud Luxury and Ali Gatie) 		Danielle Okon [35]
"Mn Gheirik Enti" Omar Rammal [36]
"Hada Ghareeb"
(featuring Elyanna) 		John Prímo [37]
"Si Tú Vuelas"
(with Alok and Danna Paola) 		Edgar Esteves [38]
"Taawadt Aleiki" 2022 John Prímo [39]
"Ansaki" [40]
"TMO"
(featuring Mohamed Ramadan and Gims) 		2023 [41]
"Waray"
(with R3hab featuring Manal) 		Unknown [42]
As featured artist
"Rajieen"
(with various artists) 		2023 Omar Donga [16]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Receipt Result Ref.
2022 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favourite Star (Arabia) Himself Nominated [43]
2023 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Abu Dabi Favourite Artist Himself Pending [44]

References

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  1. ^ "Arab America Interviews Rising Vocalist, Issam Al-Najjar". Arab America. 2021-06-09. Retrieved 2023-01-04.
  2. ^ a b "'Hadal Ahbek': How Jordanian teen Issam Alnajjar captured the attention of The Weeknd's manager". The National. 2021-04-09. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  3. ^ Aswad, Jem (6 April 2021). "Universal Launches Arabic Music Label With Weeknd Manager Wassim 'Sal' Slaiby and Republic". Variety.
  4. ^ Badenhorst, Skipper (8 April 2021). "Spotify collaborates with Jordanian viral star Issam Al-Najjar". Surfing LA.
  5. ^ "Jordanian teen singer Issam Alnajjar appears on Spotify's Times Square billboard". The National. 2021-04-11. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  6. ^ "بعد النجاح العالميّ لأغنيته "حضلّ أحبّك"... الفنّان الأردنيّ الشابّ عصام النجّار يُطلق "من غيرك انتِ"". Laha Magazine. 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  7. ^ "Issam Alnajjar Joins Forces With Elyanna On New Single "Hada Ghareeb" – Enigma Online". Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  8. ^ "Si tú vuelas: Issam y Danna Paola nos cuentan todo sobre su colaboración musical". Tú en línea (in Mexican Spanish). 2021-11-20. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  9. ^ a b "Baree? – Album by Issam Alnajjar". Apple Music. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  10. ^ Alnajjar, Issam (19 April 2022). "I'm so happy to announce my first world tour". Facebook.
  11. ^ Saeed, Saeed (2022-04-20). "Jordanian teen sensation Issam Alnajjar to open for Maroon 5 in UAE and Egypt". The National. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
  12. ^ Mullins, Ellie (20 February 2022). "Alok, Alan Walker and KIDDO combine on massive new anthem 'Headlights': Listen". We Rave You.
  13. ^ Iahn, Buddy (2022-12-02). "Issam Alnajjar returns with 'Ansaki'". The Music Universe. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
  14. ^ Yara, Sameh (29 April 2023). "Mohamed Ramadan Drops "TMO " MV Ft. Issam Alnajjar, Gims". Sada Elbalad English.
  15. ^ Alnajjar, Issam (15 June 2023). "الجديد (وراي) ترقبوا ٧/١٤🔥 "WARAY" JULY 14th". Instagram.
  16. ^ a b c "Rajieen - راجعين (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)". Retrieved 31 October 2023 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ "Waray – EP by Issam Alnajjar". Apple Music. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  18. ^ Peak chart positions for singles in Canada:
  19. ^ a b Peak chart positions for singles in Lebanon:
  20. ^ Peak chart positions for singles in Poland:
  21. ^ "Hadal Ahbek – Single by Issam Alnajjar". Apple Music. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  22. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 6 September 2023. Click "WYKONAWCA" and enter Issam Alnajjar in the search box.
  23. ^ "Turning Me Up (Hadal Ahbek) – Single by Issam Alnajjar, Loud Luxury & Ali Gatie". Apple Music. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  24. ^ "Canadian certifications – Issam Alnajjar". Music Canada. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  25. ^ "Me Gheirik Enti – Single by Issam Alnajjar". Apple Music. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  26. ^ "Hada Ghareeb (feat. Elyanna) – Single by Issam Alnajjar". Apple Music. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  27. ^ "Si Tu Vuelas (Hadal Ahbek) [Alok Remix] – Single by Issam Alnajjar, Alok & Danna Paola". Apple Music. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  28. ^ "ANSAKI – Single by Issam Alnajjar". Apple Music. 2 December 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  29. ^ "TMO (feat. Mohamed Ramadan & GIMS) - Single by Issam Alnajjar". Apple Music. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  30. ^ "WARAY (feat. Manal) - Single by Issam Alnajjar & R3HAB". Apple Music. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  31. ^ "YA LEIL - Single by Issam Alnajjar". Apple Music. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  32. ^ "Headline by Alok and Alan Walker featuring KIDDO and Issam Alnajjar". Apple Music. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  33. ^ "Rajeen featuring others". Apple Music. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  34. ^ "Issam Alnajjar - Hadal Ahbek (Official Video)". Retrieved 15 March 2021 – via YouTube.
  35. ^ "Turning Me Up (Hadal Ahbek) (Official Music Video)". Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via YouTube.
  36. ^ "Issam Alnajjar - Mn Gheirik Enti (Official Video)". Retrieved 9 July 2021 – via YouTube.
  37. ^ "Issam Alnajjar & Elyanna - Hada Ghareeb (Official Music Video)". Retrieved 17 September 2021 – via YouTube.
  38. ^ "Issam Alnajjar & Danna Paola - Si Tú Vuelas (Hadal Ahbek) [Alok Remix] (Official Music Video)". Retrieved 27 September 2021 – via YouTube.
  39. ^ "Issam Alnajjar - Taawadt Aleiki (Official Music Video)". Retrieved 11 February 2022 – via YouTube.
  40. ^ "Issam Alnajjar - ANSAKI (Official Music Video)". Retrieved 2 December 2022 – via YouTube.
  41. ^ "Issam Alnajjar ft. Mohamed Ramadan & Gims - TMO (Official Video) - تي ام او". Retrieved 30 April 2023 – via YouTube.
  42. ^ "Issam Alnajjar, R3hab, Manal - Waray (Official Music Video)". Retrieved 14 July 2023 – via YouTube.
  43. ^ "2022 Kids' Choice Awards - Poland". Nickelodeon Poland. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  44. ^ "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Abu Dhabi: The full list of nominees". Cosmpolitan. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
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