Majida El Roumi
Early life
Majida El Roumi Al Baradhy was born on 13 December 1956 and descends from the Melkite Christian "Al Baradhy" family from Tyre, South Lebanon. She is the daughter of the Lebanese musician Halim El Roumi, born in Tyre in 1919 and moved to Haifa, Palestine at the age of two with his whole family to avoid the hardships of World War I.When Halim moved to Egypt to follow his musical career; he met her mother, Marie Loutfy, and they got married in Port Said; and then had three girls Maha, Mona, Majida and a boy Awad. The whole family moved from Egypt to Lebanon and settled in Kfarshima, which is part of Greater Beirut when Majida was at the age of 6 as she grew up in an artistic environment and family of artists. Kfarshima is also home to many Lebanese singers, musicians and poets like Philimon Wehbe, Melhem Barakat and Issam Rajji.The residence of Halim El Roumi was a meeting place for many cultural figures as he worked with many singers with mentioning his discovery to many well-known artists, mainly the Lebanese star Fairuz.
She was featured in her school's stage in Saint Coeur, Al Hadath.t the age of 14 she accompanied her father in an interview on Télé Liban with Najib Hankash when she first performed songs for Umm Kulthum and Fairuz. At the age of 16, Raymond Safadi, Majida's cousin, noticed her musical capabilities and thought that she should pursue singing as a profession. She participated in the talent show Studio El Fan in 1974 after she sneaked out of the house with her brother and her cousins. From her first appearance on television, she performed for Layla Murad and Asmahan and won the gold medal for oriental singing.
Her success prompted her father to change his mind and give her his blessings to pursue in singing as long as she continues her higher education. Later on, Majida graduated from the Lebanese University after receiving her BA in Arabic Literature. In 1975, Majida released her first single "Am Behlamak" (Im dreaming of you, Lebanon) with collaboration with Lebanese poet Said Akl and musician Elias Rahbani. The song was liked in Lebanon when it was released at the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War in April 1975.
After releasing her first album Wadaa (Farewell) in 1976, Majida got the attention of Egyptian filmmaker Youssef Chahine. She starred alongside Hisham Saleem in her first and only movie Awdat Al Ibn Al Dal (The Return of the Prodigal Son) and performed three songs on the soundtrack for it.
Musical career
1980s–1990s
When she performed at Hunter College in May 1989 accompanied by a 19-piece orchestra, music reviewer Peter Watrous said: "she wandered between near-European pop and Middle Eastern pop". 2001–2004
In 2001, Majida El Roumi released a single titled "Nachid El Hobb" (The Hymn Of Love) with lyrics from Dam'a wa Ibtisama (A Tear and A Smile) written by the Lebanese artist and writer Gibran Khalil Gibran. El Roumi chose this text after the UN ceremony in 2001, when she was named Goodwill Ambassador, and declared it to be the theme message for her mission of peace around the world. 2001 was also the year Majida's sister Maha had to be transported to USA for better medical care, as she was suffering from cancer.
2011–present
Majida wrote the lyrics of "Bokra" (Tomorrow), a charity opérette that was released on 11 November 2011. The single's proceeds were donated to various charitable initiatives with arts and culture programs aiming to raise funds for education projects in the Arab World. In an interview with Rima Maktabi in the CNN program – Inside the Middle East, Majida told the story of the new song which was produced by Quincy Jones and RedOne. In a surprising and unexpected decision, Majida announced that she has pulled herself out of the project. She said that the producer, Quincy Jones, did not meet her conditions and the team supervising and overlooking the project is not professional. Majida already put her voice on the operate, but when they asked her to record again in Qatar, she announced her withdrawal and waived her authorship rights when she backed out of the project.
"Ghazal"
Majida released her new album "Ghazal" on 22 June 2012 having worked on it for 6 years with many composers and poets.] "Biladi Ana" (My Country) is a duet between Majida and Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour. Arabic lyrics are taken from Cadmus, Said Akl's theater play and French lyrics are freely inspired from the same theater play by Lebanese novelist Alexandre Najjar. Musical composition is accomplished by Joseph Khalifeh and Jean-Marie Riachi. This song describes Lebanon "the peace", "the beauty", "the creativity" and encourages fraternity, unity between people worldwide and calls for loving each other by surpassing all human differences. Majida and Youssou N'Dour have already performed it during the VIe annual Jeux de la Francophonie in 2009,hosted in Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium in Beirut accompanied with more than 150 dancers.
"Nour Men Nour”
Nour Men Nour (A Light From Light) is the fourteenth studio album by Majida released in December 2013 produced by V.Productions.The album explores 12 Christmas carols exploring a wide set of musical genres including classical music and Opera preserving the same musical track that Majida had sung over the years.
The Album peaked the top of the music charts in Virgin Megastores in Lebanon from the day of its release for several consecutive weeks.
Nour Men Nour was promoted majorly online and on Lebanese radio stations by two singles, Sahrit Eid and Min lli Tall, as well as a teaser on Majida's official Facebook page. Majida also filmed a Christmas special episode aired on Christmas Eve on MTV Lebanon which included a live recital from Collège du Sacré-Cœur catholic cathedral in Gemayzeh, Downtown Beirut, and scenes from a visit she had to "Mission De Vie" charity center. As Majida stated, Christmas is an occasion to celebrate as a one big Arabic family, while she added that all sales income and profits went to charity to encourage the spirit of sharing in the Arab World during the unstable periods.
Discography
Albums
Release Year |
Album |
Label |
1977 |
Wadaa (The Farewell) |
Voix d'Orient (Sawt Al Sharq) |
1982 |
Live Recordings |
Voix d'Orient (Sawt Al Sharq) |
1983 |
Majida El Roumi Wal Atfal (Majida And The Kids) |
Relax-In by Ahmad and Mahmoud Moussa & CO |
1986 |
Dawi Ya Amar (Moon So Bright) |
Yousuf Haider CO. Kuwait |
1988 |
Ya Saken Afkari (O Resident Of My Thoughts) |
Relax-In by Ahmad and Mahmoud Moussa & CO |
1991 |
Kalimat (Words) |
Arabian Masters |
1994 |
Ebhath Anni (Look For Me) |
Music Master |
1996 |
Rasael (Letters) |
Rotana Records |
1998 |
Ouhebouka Wa Baad (I Love You And More) |
Farasan Productions |
2003 |
Irhamni Ya Allah (Have Mercy On Me My God) |
All Rights Reserved for Basilica of Our Lady of the Miraculous Icon – Ashrafiyeh |
2003 |
Cithare Du Ciel (The Sky's Cithare) |
All Rights Reserved for Basilica of Our Lady of the Miraculous Icon – Ashrafiyeh |
2006 |
E'tazalet El Gharam (I Quit Love) |
Good News 4 Music |
2012 |
Ghazal (Flirtation) |
V. Productions |
2013 |
Nour Men Nour (The Light Of Light) |
V. Productions |
Singles
Since the 1970s, Majida always released singles, with some of them were not included in her albums. She also performed many Christmas carols in several recitals, and dedicated patriotic singles for countries she visited. Most well-known singles are listed below:
Song Title |
Poet |
Composer |
Notes |
Adam Wa Hanan |
Jamal Bkhit |
Farouk Al Sharnouby |
|
Ahenou Ilayka |
Al Nasser |
Abdel Rab Idriss |
Performed many times on stage including in Carthage International Festivals in 2003 and in Dubai in 2004 |
Ahla W Sahla |
Majida El Roumi |
Marwan Khoury |
(to encourage tourism in Lebanon) Sang for the first time at the Batroun International Festival 2012. |
Al Bahrain |
Jamal Bkhit |
Michel Jeha |
Dedicated to Bahrain. |
Al Qassam |
Ali Al Sharqawi |
Ihsan EL Monzer |
Last performed in 2005, during the concert in Martyrs' Square, Beirut. |
Nashid Al Salam (AL Zanabeq Al Baydaa) |
Mahmoud Darwish |
Joseph Khalifeh |
First performed in a concert in Beirut Downtown in 2008 also in a concert in Egypt in the same year. |
Ala Anhad |
Abou El Kassem El Chabbi |
Halim El Roumi |
|
Ana Habbaytak Ana |
Eliya Abou Chedid |
Nour El Mallah |
Sang in 1986 at LBC TV program. |
Assalama |
Elie Choueiry |
Elie Choueiry |
Dedicated to Tunisia, last performed in 2010 during Carthage International Festivals. |
Bakeer Fallayt |
Majida El Roumi |
Joseph Khalifeh |
Dedicated to Halim El Roumi, performed in 1988 during a concert in Casino Du Liban. |
Bel Majdi Wal Karama |
Prayer |
Example |
Prayer released in a special album for Majida's daughter, Hala, distributed during the wedding ceremony in 2006. |
Byawm Ersik |
Talal Haydar & Majida El Roumi |
Salim Assaf |
Special wedding song for Majida's daughter Hala during her wedding, released in a special album and distributed during the wedding ceremony in 2006. |
Domina |
Dr. Souad Al Sabbah |
Elias Al Rahbani |
Dedicated for Kuwait. |
El Madaen |
Habib Younes |
Elie Choueiry |
Dedicated to Jordan. |
Emmi |
Eliya Abou Chedid |
Elie Choueiry |
Performed in 1988 during a concert in [[Casino Du Liban ref></ref>]]. |
Ftahi Albik |
Majida El Roumi |
Richard Rodgers |
With music from The Sound of Music musical in 1959, also a special wedding song for Majida's daughter Hala during her wedding, released in a special album and distributed during the wedding ceremony in 2006. |
Ghadabak Nar (Al Thawra) |
Elie Choueiry |
Elie Choueiry |
Patriotic (Performed in 1988 during a concert in Casino Du Liban) |
Hal Tasma'in |
Majida El Roumi |
Elie Choueiry. |
|
Hasnaa Carthage |
Farouk Joueidy |
Halim El Roumi |
Majida sang a new version after Halim El Roumi previously performed it. |
Jayi Men Beirut |
Abdel Rahman El Abnoudi |
Jamal Salameh |
Patriotic |
Kiriyalaysoun |
Prayer |
Ziad Rahbani |
Prayer (1976) |
Kouwait Ya Bilad El Salam |
Joseph Khalifeh |
Dedicated for Kuwait. |
|
Lebnan |
Majida El Roumi |
Jean Marie Riachi |
Majida performed it only one time in Jounieh International Festival in 2011. |
Lebnanikon Lebnanina |
Elie Choueiry |
Elie Choueiry |
Patriotic dedicated to Lebanon performed many times in 2007 and 2008. |
Lebsou El Kafafi |
Talal Haidar |
Nour El Mallah |
Performed in Casino du Liban concert in 1988. |
Ma Ajmal Al Oshaq |
Al Nasser |
Jamal Salameh |
Performed many times on stage, including in the Olympia concert in 1998. |
Ma Baddi Hadaya |
Majida El Roumi |
Joseph Khalifeh |
A Christmas Carol released in 2005. |
Murrou Bina Nashar |
Habib Younes |
Ihsan El Monzer |
1987 |
Mouftaraq El Toroq |
Salah Jahin |
Kamal Al Tawil |
Majida worked for the first time with composeer Jamal Salameh in 1976 in the song's arrangement. The song was in Egyptian Arabic dialect and Majida sang it in the movie Awdat Al Ibn Aldal The Return of the Prodigal Son (1976 film). |
Nashid Al Hobb |
Gibran Khalil Gibran |
Joseph Khalifeh |
Released in 2001 (1st edition) |
Tkhayaltak Jayi Men Biid |
Eliya Abou Chedid |
Ihsan El Monzer |
1988 |
Tofli Zghiri |
Majida El Roumi |
Abdo El Monzer |
1994 |
Touba Lel Sa'eena |
Prayer |
Ziad Rahbani |
1976 – Last performed in the meeting with the youth during Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Lebanon in September 2012. |
W'sina |
Henry Zgheib |
Jamal Salameh |
1996 |
Wajaba El Shokrou |
Ibn Zurmruk |
Halim El Roumi |
A Muwashshah performed by Majida in the 80s. |
Woulida El Massih |
Prayer |
Joseph Khalifeh |
1st edition released in 2005. |
Ya Kouwait |
Henri Zougheib |
Elias Al Rahbani |
Dedicated to Kuwait. |
Ya Qatar |
Elie Choueiry |
Elie Choueiry |
Dedicated to Qatar, the song was performed in Doha concert in 2006. |
Ya Taleb Iddy |
Said Akl |
Zaki Nassif |
Patriotic dedicated to the Lebanese Army released in the 80s and Majida last sang this song in Jounieh International Festivals in 2011. |
Yarnou Bi Tarfen |
Eben Jaber El Darir |
Halim El Roumi |
A Muwashshah performed by Majida in the 80s. |
Egyptian songs: remakes
Song Title |
Poet |
Composer |
Notes |
Ya Touyour |
Youssef Badrous |
Mohammed al-Qasabji |
Originally sung by Asmahan |
Layali El Onsi Fi Vienna |
Ahmed Rami |
Farid al-Atrash |
Originally sung by Asmahan |
Ehna El Tnen |
Hassan Al Sayyed |
Riad AL Sunbati |
Originally sung by Leila Mourad |
La Mosh Ana Lli Abki |
Houssein Al Sayyed |
Mohammed Abdel Wahab |
Sang by Mohammed Abdel Wahab |
Ha Laweaak |
|||
Emta Ha Taaraf |
Ma'moun Al Chinawi |
Mohammed al-Qasabji |
Originally sung by Asmahan |
Ana Albi Dalili |
Abou Saoud Al Abyari |
Mohammed al-Qasabji |
Originally sung by Leila Mourad and last performed by Majida during a concert in the American University of Beirut in 2009. |
Videography
Release Year |
Song Title |
Notes |
1975 |
Am Behlamak Ya Helm Ya Lebnan |
|
1975 |
Kell Shi Am Yekhlas |
|
1977 |
Am Yes'alouni Alayk El Nass |
|
1977 |
Wadaa |
|
1978 |
Khedni Habibi |
|
1988 |
Ana Am Behlam |
|
1988 |
Min Elna Ghayrak |
|
1989 |
Al Madaen |
|
1990 |
Domina |
|
1991 |
Kalimat |
|
1991 |
Kouwait Ya Bilad Al Salam |
|
1994 |
Al Jarida |
Directed by Sten Walegren. |
1994 |
Kon Sadiqi |
Directed by Sten Walegren. |
1994 |
Lan Aoud |
|
1996 |
Aynaka |
Directed by Ralph Dfouni. |
1996 |
Hobbouka (Vol.1) |
Directed by Corine Chedrawi. |
1996 |
Hobbouka (Vol.2) |
Another Clip release for this song directed by Ralph Dfouni. |
1996 |
Qana |
Directed by Georges Ghayad. |
1998 |
Sayedi El Rais |
Directed by Ralph Dfouni. |
1999 |
Adam Wa Hanan |
Directed by Khaled Youssef, from Al-Akhar, movie by Youssef Chahine. |
2000 |
Beirut, Set Al Doniya |
|
2001 |
Nashid El Hobb |
|
2005 |
Al Hobb Wal Wafaa |
Directed by Said Al Marouk. |
2006 |
E'tazalet El Gharam |
Directed by Nadine Labaky. |
2006 |
Habibi |
Tribute to Ahmed Zaki taken from a concert in Egypt in 2006. |
2008 |
La Ma Rah Ez'al A Shi |
Directed by Toni Kahwaji, taken from Beit El Dine Festivals 2008. |
Honors and titles
Majida during her honoring ceremony from France in Officer Grade in the French Embassy in Beirut, January 2013.
- Tunisia: National Order of the work from the Presidency of the Republic of Tunisia in 1987.
- Lebanon: The Golden Cedar, 1988.
- France: Shield from the French National Assembly for 1993.
- Lebanon: National Shield of Honor of the Cedars, Knight's Order from the President of the Lebanese Republic, 1994.
- Algeria: "Algerian citizenship" Certificate from the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, 1997.
- France: The Médecins Sans Frontières Shield in 1999.
- Egypt: Order of Merit from the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate, 2000.
- A Certificate and a shield of Honor for FAO Ambassador, 2001.
- Jordan: Honoring Shield from her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan in 2002.
- Ivory Coast: The National Shield of Honor, Order of Merit of Officer's Grade from the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, 2003.
- Syria: The Shield of Honour from the Syrian Ministry of Culture, 2004.
- Algeria: Le Bouclier de l'information et de la culture / Algerian Shield of Culture and Information and The Gold Medal for the fiftieth anniversary of the outbreak of the liberation revolution, from the President of Republic of Algeria in 2005.
- Lebanon: Honorary member of the Students' Scholarship Association at the American University in Beirut, 2005.
- Lebanon: Honorary President of the Lebanese Association for the prevention of osteoporosis and The Universal framework of the joints and bone disease – the Lebanese branch, 2007.
- Lebanon: Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from the Board of Trustees of the American University in Beirut, (2009).
- Belize: Patent of Lebanese honor and gratitude by the Universal Association of Lebanese Worldwide – Belize and the actual recognition of her efforts in the service of Lebanon, humanity and Universal peace (2009).
- Lebanon: Honoring from the Catholic Church on the occasion of an encounter of Catholic priests in Lebanon (2010).
- Morocco: The National Shield of Honour.
- Tunisia: The National Order of Cultural Merit from the Republic of Tunisia, 2010.
- Lebanon: The National Shield of Honor of the Cedars – Order of Commodore from the President of the Republic, 25 June 2011.
- France: Ordre des Arts et des Lettres – insigne d'Officier / Officer Grade, from the president of the Republic, 24 January 2013.
- Egypt: The Golden Key of the city of Alexandria from the mayor Mr. Tarek Mahdi, 20 March 2014.
- Spain: Order of Civil Merit, 2017