Melhem Barakat

Melhem Barakat (Arabic: ملحم بركات‎; 15 August 1945 – 28 October 2016), also known as Melhim Barakat, or Abou Majd was a Lebanese singer, songwriter, and melodist. Barakat was a well-renowned singer in Lebanon and the wider Arab world. He toured Australia, South America, Canada, and the United States.[1]

Not to be confused with Molhem Barakat.

Melhem Barakat
ملحم بركات
Barakat on October 14th, 2014.
Barakat on October 14th, 2014.
Background information
Born(1945-08-15)15 August 1945
Kfarshima, Lebanon
Died28 October 2016(2016-10-28) (aged 71)
Achrafieh, Lebanon
GenresLebanese music
Arabic pop
Occupation(s)
Years active1960–2016
Labels
  • Relax-In International
  • EMI Arabia
Websitemelhembarakat.com

Early life

Barakat was born on 15 August 1945, in Kfarshima, Lebanon. He inherited his affinity for music from his father, who was a carpenter and taught Melhem how to play the oud. In 1960, Barakat dropped out of school at the age of 18 and enrolled into the National Institute of Music without his father's knowledge. He studied music theory, Solfège and Eastern singing. He would drop out of the institute four years later at the advice of Philemon Wehbe, beginning his professional career.[2]

Career

Barakat started his career in the 1960s. He participated as an actor and singer in many of the Rahbani brothers' musicals and operettas.[3] In 1968, he left the brothers to pursue a solo career.[2]

Since the 1990s, Melhem Barakat had several popular songs, such as "Habibi Enta," which was later sung by his ex-wife May Hariri.[4] He also collaborated with Najwa Karam, Karol Sakr, Shatha Hassoun, and Majida El Roumi.[5]

Musical style

Barakat composed music for some of the best Arab singers of the past century, including Sabah, Samira Tewfik, Wadih El Safi and Majida El Roumi ("I'tazalt al-Gharam"). Barakat was known for his energetic songs that mixed classical music with his personal improvisations.[6]

Notable songs
Year Original Title Translation Songwriter(s) Label
1975Ya Shaweesh El Karakon - with Fairuz & William Hasswani - from the musical Ya'eesh Ya'eesh---Assi & Mansour RahbaniVoix de l'Orient
Belghi Kul Mawaidi - duet with Georgette SayeghI'll Cancel All My AppointmentsMelhem Barakat, Maroun Karam
1978Ya Ahl El Habayeb - from the musical Amira ZmourodParents of the LoversRomeo Lahoud
1980Can El Zaman W Kan - a.k.a. Hanna Al SakranHanna the DrunkElias Rahbani
Shu NatirWhat Are You Waiting ForAssi & Mansour Rahbani
Habbeytak Ou BehebbakI Loved You and I Still Do
1981Wahdi AnaOn My OwnGhadi Rahbani, Marwan Rahbani
1994Ala Baby Wa'if AmarainThe Beautiful One at My DoorMelhem Barakat, Shafiq al-MughrabiRelax-In
Ya Hobbi Elly GhabMy Love Who's GoneMelhem Barakat, Mounir Abdel Nour
1996KeefHowMelhem Barakat, Michel Geha
2006I'tazalt Al Gharam - performed by Majida El RoumiI Forgot About LoveMelhem Barakat, Nizar Francis, Majida El RoumiEMI
2009Taa NensaLet's ForgetMelhem Barakat, Nizar FrancisMusic Box
2016Kermal Al NisyanIn Memory

Personal life

Barakat was first married to Souad Feghali, the sister of Lebanese singer Sabah.[7] Then he later married Randa Azar with whom he had three children: Majd (Hence Melhem's alias Abou Majd), Waad and Ghinwa. His third and final marriage was to Lebanese singer and actress May Hariri, with whom he had a child, Melhem Junior, before the couple divorced.[8] He was Antiochian Orthodox Christian.[9]

Death

He died from cancer on 28 October 2016 at Hôtel-Dieu de France hospital in Achrafieh, Lebanon. He was 71. His funeral took place at Saint Nicolas Church in Achrafieh, Beirut.[9] Many Lebanese singers and politicians were present at the funeral mass, including Ragheb Alama, Fares Karam, Majida El Roumi, Rola Saad and Barakat's ex-wife May Hariri.[10]

Tribute

On August 15, 2021, Google celebrated his 76th birthday with a Google Doodle.[11]

References
  1. "Home". Melhembarakat.com. 22 February 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  2. "من هو ملحم بركات؟". Arageek (in Arabic). Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  3. "Melhem Barakat Yearns for Lost Love". Albawaba.com. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  4. "Melhem Barakat". Fanoos.com. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  5. "Shatha Hassoun Collaborates with Melhem Barakat". Waleg.com. 29 May 2009. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  6. "Iconic Lebanese musician Melhem Barakat dies at 71". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  7. "بالصور: ملحم بركات تزوج 3 مرّات… الأولى من شقيقة الراحلة صباح". Alwatan Voice (in Arabic). 10 October 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  8. "Melhem Barakat n'est plus". Lorientlejour.com. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  9. "Lebanon bids farewell to legendary singer Melhem Barakat". Khazen.org. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  10. "Funeral of Melhem Barakat". Beiruting.com. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  11. "Melhem Barakat's 76th Birthday". Google. 15 August 2021.
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