Elissa
Elissa
- Full name: Elissa Khoury
- Stage name: Elissa
- Born: October 27, 1972 (age 49)
- Birthplace: Deir el-Ahmar, Baalbek-Hermel Governorate, Lebanon
- Occupation: Singer
- Genre: Pop, Arabic pop
- Years active: 1998–present
- Labels: EMI, Universal Music Group, Rotana Records
- Website: www.elissax.com
Elissa (born Elissa Khoury; October 27, 1972) is a Lebanese singer. She is one of the best-selling female artists in the Middle East and the Arab world. Elissa has released eight studio albums, all of which have been certified platinum or multi-platinum in the Middle East and North Africa. She has also won numerous awards, including the World Music Award for Best-Selling Middle Eastern Artist in 2005 and 2006.
Early life and career
Elissa was born in Deir el-Ahmar, Baalbek-Hermel Governorate, Lebanon, to a Lebanese father and a Syrian mother. She has two sisters and one brother. Elissa began singing at a young age and participated in several local singing competitions. In 1992, she was discovered by Lebanese music producer Salim Salameh, who helped her sign a contract with EMI.
Elissa released her debut album, Baddi Doub, in 1998. The album was a commercial success in the Middle East and North Africa, and it established Elissa as a major star in the region. She followed up with her second album, Ayshalak, in 2000. The album was even more successful than her debut, and it cemented Elissa's status as one of the best-selling female artists in the Middle East.
International success
In 2002, Elissa released her third album, Ahla Donya. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it helped Elissa break into the international market. She performed at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea, and she was nominated for a World Music Award for Best-Selling Middle Eastern Artist.
Elissa's fourth album, Bastanak, was released in 2004. The album was another commercial success, and it helped Elissa consolidate her position as one of the top female artists in the Middle East. She was nominated for a second World Music Award for Best-Selling Middle Eastern Artist in 2005.
In 2006, Elissa released her fifth album, Ayshaloni. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it won Elissa the World Music Award for Best-Selling Middle Eastern Artist. She was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best World Music Album.
Recent years
Elissa has continued to release successful albums in recent years. Her sixth album, Tesadaa Bemeen, was released in 2009. The album was a commercial success, and it helped Elissa maintain her position as one of the top female artists in the Middle East.
In 2012, Elissa released her seventh album, Asmar el Leil. The album was another commercial success, and it helped Elissa extend her record as the best-selling female artist in the Middle East.
Elissa's eighth studio album, Saharni, was released in 2018. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it helped Elissa continue her reign as the best-selling female artist in the Middle East.
Awards and achievements
Elissa has won numerous awards throughout her career, including:
- World Music Award for Best-Selling Middle Eastern Artist (2005, 2006)
- Grammy Award nomination for Best World Music Album (2007)
- Murex D'Or Award for Best Female Lebanese Singer (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
- Arab Music Award for Best Female Singer (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
- Big Apple Music Award for Best International Female Artist (2005, 2006)
Elissa is one of the most successful and popular female artists in the Middle East. She has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and has won numerous awards. She is a role model for many young people in the region and is an inspiration to many aspiring artists.
