Melhem Barakat

Melhem Barakat (Arabic: ملحم بركات‎‎; 4 April 1942 – 28 October 2016), also known as Melhim Barakat, or Abou Majd was a Lebanese singer, songwriter, and melodist. He has toured Australia, South America, Canada, and the United States.[1]

Melhem Barakat
ملحم بركات
Barakat performing in August 2012
Background information
Born(1942-04-04)4 April 1942
Kfarshima, Lebanon
Died28 October 2016(2016-10-28) (aged 74)
Achrafieh, Lebanon
GenresLebanese music
Arabic pop
Occupation(s)
Years active1960–2016
Labels
  • Relax-In International
  • EMI Arabia
Websitemelhembarakat.com

Career

Barakat started his career in the 1960s. He participated as an actor and singer in many of the Rahbani Brothers' musicals and operettas.[2]

Since the 1990s Melhem Barakat had several popular songs, such as "Habibi Enta," which was later sung by his ex-wife May Hariri.[3] He also collaborated with Najwa Karam, Karol Sakr, Shatha Hassoun, and Majida El Roumi.[4]

Biography

He 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.[5]

Family and background

Melhem Barakat first married the Lebanese singer Sabah's sister, Souad. Then he later married Randa Azar with whom he had three children: Majd (Hence Melhem's surname abu-majd), Waad and Ghinwa. His third and final marriage was to May Hariri with whom he had a child: Melhem junior, before the couple divorced.[6] He was Antiochian Orthodox Christian.[7]

Death

He died from cancer on 28 October 2016 at Hôtel-Dieu de France hospital in Achrafieh, Lebanon. He was 74. His funeral took place at Saint Nicolas Church in Achrafieh, Beirut.[7] 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.[8]

References
  1. "Home". Melhembarakat.com. 22 February 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  2. "Melhem Barakat Yearns for Lost Love". Albawaba.com. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  3. "Melhem Barakat". Fanoos.com. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  4. "Shatha Hassoun Collaborates with Melhem Barakat". Waleg.com. 29 May 2009. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  5. "Iconic Lebanese musician Melhem Barakat dies at 71". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  6. "Melhem Barakat n'est plus". Lorientlejour.com. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  7. "Lebanon bids farewell to legendary singer Melhem Barakat". Khazen.org. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  8. "Funeral of Melhem Barakat". Beiruting.com. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
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