Marwan Khoury
Encyclopedia
Marwan Khoury (February 3, 1968) is a Lebanese
singer, writer, composer and music arranger. His compositions are performed by some of the most famous artists in the Arab World
and adapted by many other countries including Turkey
. He composed hits for leading artists such as Majida El Roumi
, Saber Rabai, Nawal Al Zoghbi, Assala Nasri, Najwa Karam
, Fadl Shaker
, Elissa
, Carole Samaha
, Bassima, and Myriam Fares
.
, he is the third of five children born to Tanyous and Naseema Khoury. He has two older sisters Leena and Mona, and two younger brothers Claude, who works as a TV director, and Dany is a music arranger. In 1986, Khoury enrolled at the Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik
(USEK) in Lebanon
where he studied piano, Musicology
and Music History
. During his university years, he won a prize in a music composition contest. The award was presented to the singer by former Lebanese President Amin Gemayel. In 1988, Khoury produced his first album Kasak Habibi (كاسك حبيبي) depending solely on himself in writing the lyrics, composing the songs, and producing.
Khoury started a new phase in his life in 1989, not as a singer but as a keyboard
player and a band conductor
. He performed in various TV shows. He continued as a keyboard player until 1996 and played with many famous Lebanese artists. But during that period, Khoury wrote and sang the single, "Fik Yamma Balak" (فيك ياما بالك). It was released in 1994 and established him as a singer. In 1997 he wrote, composed and performed his second single "Lasbor Ala Welah" (لأصبر على ويله). It was not until 1999 that Khoury finally became known in the music industry as a writer/composer. He wrote and composed two hit songs for Nawal Al Zoghbi; "Tia" (تيا) and "Dalouna" (الدّلعونه) Then the year 2001 came along and with it Khoury launched his first official album
Khayal El-Omer (خيَّال العمر). The very next year, Khoury shot his first video clip "Ya Shog" (يا شوق).
Khoury has twice been awarded the Murex d'or
. He first won in 2003 and then in 2004 he was awarded another Murex d'or for Best Multi-Talented Artist (singer, composer, music video, song and album). Kil Al Asayed (كل القصايد) was one of the best selling albums of 2004.
In 2005, Khoury landed a five-year contract with the major production company Rotana Records
. He also released his first major album Kil Al Asayed in May 2005. The album and the title song were successful and their popularity spread fast. It was this album that made Khoury famous in the Arab World
. In 2006 Khoury released an additional album Asr El Sho (قصر الشوق). His third album "Ana Wl Leil" was released on March 2008. Khoury's last album with Rotana Rajain contains 10 tracks and was released in 2010. In January 2011, he announced that his contract with Rotana has ended and he's heading for self-production.
Marwan Khoury is considered one of the most currently known Lebanese composers, but is also known as a singer. He has performed live at the Cairo Opera House
and the Carthage Film Festival
of Tunisia
since the success of their duet Ya Rab but both of them assured the press that both of them are just friends and share the same musical tastes.
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
singer, writer, composer and music arranger. His compositions are performed by some of the most famous artists in the Arab World
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
and adapted by many other countries including Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. He composed hits for leading artists such as Majida El Roumi
Majida El Roumi
Magida El-Roumi was born in Kfarshima, Lebanon, on December 13, 1956. She is a Lebanese singer and a soprano, who started her musical career in the early 1970s when she participated in the talent show, Studio El Fan on Télé Liban and won the gold medal for best female singer...
, Saber Rabai, Nawal Al Zoghbi, Assala Nasri, Najwa Karam
Najwa Karam
Najwa Karam is a Multi-Platinum, Best-Selling Lebanese Arab recording artist and Philanthropist. Najwa, widely known for her Mawwal and other musical talents, has surpassed musical and political limits in building her Empire, as she has effectively helped change the Arabic music industry in its...
, Fadl Shaker
Fadl Shaker
Fadl Shaker is a famous Lebanese singer.-Personal life:Fadl Shaker, was born on April 1, 1969 in Saida , a city in Southern Lebanon...
, Elissa
Elissa (singer)
Elissar Zakaria Khoury simply known as Elissa is a Lebanese singer. She is known for her collaborations with well-known Arab and international artists, notably Ragheb Alama, Cheb Mami, Fadl Shaker, Chris DeBurgh and Gerard Ferrer.Born to a Lebanese father and a Syrian mother , her debut was in...
, Carole Samaha
Carole Samaha
Carole Samaha is a Lebanese musician and actress. She has released five studio albums. Samaha has a masters degree in acting and directing, which she earned in 1999. In 2004 she won the Arab Music Award for best female newcomer...
, Bassima, and Myriam Fares
Myriam Fares
Myriam Fares is a Lebanese singer and entertainer.-Early life and beginnings:Myriam was born in Kafar Shlal, a small village in Southern Lebanon, near Kafarhata village, 5 miles east of Saida....
.
Biography
Marwan Khoury was born in Amchit, LebanonLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, he is the third of five children born to Tanyous and Naseema Khoury. He has two older sisters Leena and Mona, and two younger brothers Claude, who works as a TV director, and Dany is a music arranger. In 1986, Khoury enrolled at the Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik
Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik
Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik , , is a private Catholic higher education institution founded by the Lebanese Maronite Order in 1961....
(USEK) in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
where he studied piano, Musicology
Musicology
Musicology is the scholarly study of music. The word is used in narrow, broad and intermediate senses. In the narrow sense, musicology is confined to the music history of Western culture...
and Music History
Music history
Music history, sometimes called historical musicology, is the highly diverse subfield of the broader discipline of musicology that studies the composition, performance, reception, and criticism of music over time...
. During his university years, he won a prize in a music composition contest. The award was presented to the singer by former Lebanese President Amin Gemayel. In 1988, Khoury produced his first album Kasak Habibi (كاسك حبيبي) depending solely on himself in writing the lyrics, composing the songs, and producing.
Khoury started a new phase in his life in 1989, not as a singer but as a keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
player and a band conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
. He performed in various TV shows. He continued as a keyboard player until 1996 and played with many famous Lebanese artists. But during that period, Khoury wrote and sang the single, "Fik Yamma Balak" (فيك ياما بالك). It was released in 1994 and established him as a singer. In 1997 he wrote, composed and performed his second single "Lasbor Ala Welah" (لأصبر على ويله). It was not until 1999 that Khoury finally became known in the music industry as a writer/composer. He wrote and composed two hit songs for Nawal Al Zoghbi; "Tia" (تيا) and "Dalouna" (الدّلعونه) Then the year 2001 came along and with it Khoury launched his first official album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
Khayal El-Omer (خيَّال العمر). The very next year, Khoury shot his first video clip "Ya Shog" (يا شوق).
Khoury has twice been awarded the Murex d'or
Murex d'or
The Murex d'Or is a Lebanese award created by Lebanese physicians, Zahi and Fadi Helou to recognize achievements in the domain of art in Lebanon, the Arab region and the world. The first Murex d'Or ceremony took place on June 4, 2000...
. He first won in 2003 and then in 2004 he was awarded another Murex d'or for Best Multi-Talented Artist (singer, composer, music video, song and album). Kil Al Asayed (كل القصايد) was one of the best selling albums of 2004.
In 2005, Khoury landed a five-year contract with the major production company Rotana Records
Rotana Records
Rotana Records is the Arab World's largest record label. It is owned by the Rotana Group, established by the Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, who sometimes personally signs artists to the label. Rotana Records is part of a huge media empire that includes a film production company, a magazine in...
. He also released his first major album Kil Al Asayed in May 2005. The album and the title song were successful and their popularity spread fast. It was this album that made Khoury famous in the Arab World
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
. In 2006 Khoury released an additional album Asr El Sho (قصر الشوق). His third album "Ana Wl Leil" was released on March 2008. Khoury's last album with Rotana Rajain contains 10 tracks and was released in 2010. In January 2011, he announced that his contract with Rotana has ended and he's heading for self-production.
Marwan Khoury is considered one of the most currently known Lebanese composers, but is also known as a singer. He has performed live at the Cairo Opera House
Cairo Opera House
The Cairo Opera House , part of Cairo's National Cultural Center, is the main performing arts venue in the Egyptian capital. Home to most of Egypt's finest musical groups, it is located on the southern portion of Gezira Island in the Nile River, in the Zamalek district west of and near downtown...
and the Carthage Film Festival
Carthage Film Festival
The Carthage Film Festival is a biannual October film festival hosted by the government of Tunisia. It alternates with the Damascus International Film Festival....
of Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
Personal life
Marwan is currently single. Rumors linked him with singer Carole SamahaCarole Samaha
Carole Samaha is a Lebanese musician and actress. She has released five studio albums. Samaha has a masters degree in acting and directing, which she earned in 1999. In 2004 she won the Arab Music Award for best female newcomer...
since the success of their duet Ya Rab but both of them assured the press that both of them are just friends and share the same musical tastes.
Albums
| Year | Album Name (EN) | Album Name (AR) | Tracks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Khayal El-Omer | خيّال العمر | 6 |
| 2004 | Kil Al Asayed | كل القصايد | 9 |
| 2006 | Asr El Sho | قصر الشوق | 10 |
| 2008 | Ana Wil-Lail | أنا والليل | 12 |
| 2010 | Rajain | راجعين | 10 |
Singles
| Year | Name (EN) | Name (AR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | "Kasak Habibi" | كاسك حبيبي | released with a collection album Negm we gheney |
| 1994 | "Fik Yamma Balak" | فيك يمّا بَلاك | also released with Khayal El-Omer |
| 1997 | "Lasbor Ala Welah" | لاصبر على ويله | also released with Khayal El-Omer |
| 2007 | "Ya rab" | يارب | ft. Carole Samaha Carole Samaha Carole Samaha is a Lebanese musician and actress. She has released five studio albums. Samaha has a masters degree in acting and directing, which she earned in 1999. In 2004 she won the Arab Music Award for best female newcomer... ; also released with Ana Wil-Lail |
| 2007 | "Dawayer" | دواير | for Awqat Faragh (أوقات فراغ) movie |
| 2007 | "El-Arab" | ا لعرب | duet with Nehal Nabil |