Issam Alnajjar
- Singer
- guitarist
- actor
Issam Alnajjar (Arabic: عصام النجار; born 12 May 2003) is a Palestinian–Jordanian musician. He is most notable for his debut single "Hadel Ahbek", which went viral on TikTok.
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
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
2020–2021: TikTok breakthrough, Universal Arabic Music and Baree?
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
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, Alnajjar was featured alongside several other Palestinian artists on the charity single "Rajieen," which was released in aim to raise money for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund due to the ongoing Gaza–Israel conflict.[16][better source needed]
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Details |
---|---|
Baree? |
|
Extended plays
Title | Details |
---|---|
Waray |
|
Singles
As lead artist
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | — | |||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
As featured artist
Title | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"Headlights"[31] (Alok and Alan Walker featuring Kiddo and Issam Alnajjar) | 2022 | Non-album singles |
Charity singles
Title | Year | Notes |
---|---|---|
"Rajieen"[32] (as part of Rajieen) | 2023 |
|
Other charted songs
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
---|---|---|---|
LBN [19] | |||
"Taawadt Aleiki" | 2022 | 6 | Baree? |
Music videos
Title | Year | Director(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
As lead artist | |||
"Hadal Ahbek" | 2021 | Alex Loucas | [33] |
"Turning Me Up" (with Loud Luxury and Ali Gatie) | Danielle Okon | [34] | |
"Mn Gheirik Enti" | Omar Rammal | [35] | |
"Hada Ghareeb" (featuring Elyanna) | John Prímo | [36] | |
"Si Tú Vuelas" (with Alok and Danna Paola) | Edgar Esteves | [37] | |
"Taawadt Aleiki" | 2022 | John Prímo | [38] |
"Ansaki" | [39] | ||
"TMO" (featuring Mohamed Ramadan and Gims) | 2023 | [40] | |
"Waray" (with R3hab featuring Manal) | Unknown | [41] | |
As featured artist | |||
"Rajieen" (with various artists) | 2023 | Omar Donga | [16] |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Receipt | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Favourite Star (Arabia) | Himself | Nominated | [42] |
2023 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Abu Dabi | Favourite Artist | Himself | Pending | [43] |
References
- ^ "Arab America Interviews Rising Vocalist, Issam Al-Najjar". Arab America. 2021-06-09. Retrieved 2023-01-04.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Aswad, Jem (6 April 2021). "Universal Launches Arabic Music Label With Weeknd Manager Wassim 'Sal' Slaiby and Republic". Variety.
- ^ Badenhorst, Skipper (8 April 2021). "Spotify collaborates with Jordanian viral star Issam Al-Najjar". Surfing LA.
- ^ "Jordanian teen singer Issam Alnajjar appears on Spotify's Times Square billboard". The National. 2021-04-11. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
- ^ "بعد النجاح العالميّ لأغنيته "حضلّ أحبّك"... الفنّان الأردنيّ الشابّ عصام النجّار يُطلق "من غيرك انتِ"". Laha Magazine. 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
- ^ "Issam Alnajjar Joins Forces With Elyanna On New Single "Hada Ghareeb" – Enigma Online". Retrieved 2022-03-30.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "Baree? – Album by Issam Alnajjar". Apple Music. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
- ^ Alnajjar, Issam (19 April 2022). "I'm so happy to announce my first world tour". Facebook.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Mullins, Ellie (20 February 2022). "Alok, Alan Walker and KIDDO combine on massive new anthem 'Headlights': Listen". We Rave You.
- ^ Iahn, Buddy (2022-12-02). "Issam Alnajjar returns with 'Ansaki'". The Music Universe. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
- ^ Yara, Sameh (29 April 2023). "Mohamed Ramadan Drops "TMO " MV Ft. Issam Alnajjar, Gims". Sada Elbalad English.
- ^ Alnajjar, Issam (15 June 2023). "الجديد (وراي) ترقبوا ٧/١٤🔥 "WARAY" JULY 14th". Instagram.
- ^ a b c "Rajieen - راجعين (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)". Retrieved 31 October 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Waray – EP by Issam Alnajjar". Apple Music. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- ^ Peak chart positions for singles in Canada:
- "Turning Me Up (Hadal Ahbek)": "Canadian Hot 100: August 28, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- ^ a b Peak chart positions for singles in Lebanon:
- "The Official Lebanese Top 20 – Issam Alnajjar Chart History". The Official Lebanese Top 20. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ Peak chart positions for singles in Poland:
- "Hadal Ahbek": "AirPlay Top: 06.02. – 12.02.2021". ZPAV. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ "Hadal Ahbek – Single by Issam Alnajjar". Apple Music. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Turning Me Up (Hadal Ahbek) – Single by Issam Alnajjar, Loud Luxury & Ali Gatie". Apple Music. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- ^ "Canadian certifications – Issam Alnajjar". Music Canada. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "Me Gheirik Enti – Single by Issam Alnajjar". Apple Music. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
- ^ "Hada Ghareeb (feat. Elyanna) – Single by Issam Alnajjar". Apple Music. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
- ^ "Si Tu Vuelas (Hadal Ahbek) [Alok Remix] – Single by Issam Alnajjar, Alok & Danna Paola". Apple Music. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
- ^ "ANSAKI – Single by Issam Alnajjar". Apple Music. 2 December 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ "TMO (feat. Mohamed Ramadan & GIMS) - Single by Issam Alnajjar". Apple Music. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "WARAY (feat. Manal) - Single by Issam Alnajjar & R3HAB". Apple Music. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ "Headline by Alok and Alan Walker featuring KIDDO and Issam Alnajjar". Apple Music. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ "Rajeen featuring others". Apple Music. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
- ^ "Issam Alnajjar - Hadal Ahbek (Official Video)". Retrieved 15 March 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Turning Me Up (Hadal Ahbek) (Official Music Video)". Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Issam Alnajjar - Mn Gheirik Enti (Official Video)". Retrieved 9 July 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Issam Alnajjar & Elyanna - Hada Ghareeb (Official Music Video)". Retrieved 17 September 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Issam Alnajjar & Danna Paola - Si Tú Vuelas (Hadal Ahbek) [Alok Remix] (Official Music Video)". Retrieved 27 September 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Issam Alnajjar - Taawadt Aleiki (Official Music Video)". Retrieved 11 February 2022 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Issam Alnajjar - ANSAKI (Official Music Video)". Retrieved 2 December 2022 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Issam Alnajjar ft. Mohamed Ramadan & Gims - TMO (Official Video) - تي ام او". Retrieved 30 April 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Issam Alnajjar, R3hab, Manal - Waray (Official Music Video)". Retrieved 14 July 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ "2022 Kids' Choice Awards - Poland". Nickelodeon Poland. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Abu Dhabi: The full list of nominees". Cosmpolitan. Retrieved August 4, 2023.