Ya Salam
| Ya Salam يا سلام |
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| Studio album by Nancy Ajram | ||||
| Released | February 24, 2003 | |||
| Recorded | 2002–2003 | |||
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| Length | 39:37 | |||
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| Nancy Ajram chronology | ||||
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| Collector's Edition cover | ||||
Cover for 2-disc Collector's Edition
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| Singles from Ya Salam | ||||
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Ya Salam (How Great) is the third studio album by Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram. It was released on February 24, 2003 by Relax-In and Megastar. Ajram worked with all new collaborations, including Tarek Madkour, Adel Ayesh, Samir Sfeir, Salim Salameh and Tony Saba. Described as a turning point in Ajram's career, it represents a departure from the classical sound of her previous releases, Mihtagalak (1998) and Sheel Oyounak Anni (2001). Apart from the sound, she also endorsed a new image for the release going from an innocent girl to an edgier and more sexual look.
Upon its release, the record received generally positive to mixed reviews from music critics, some of them praised its composition and Ajram's new musical direction, while others criticized its lack of musical focus. Thanks to Ya Salam, Ajram received several Awards, including Murex d'Or and The Golden Lion Award.
Ya Salam spawned three singles, the lead single "Akhasmak Ah" was met with criticism and controversy due to its sexual music video but was an international hit. The follow-up "Ya Salam" was praised by critics and garnered chart success in the Arab World. The last single, "Yay", became a top 10 hit in various Arab countries. Ajram performed several songs from Ya Salam live during a number of shows, notably during El Hawa Hawana on Dream TV with Hala Sarhan, the 2003 Sham El Nessim Festival in Egypt and Jerash Festival in Jordan. In support of the album, Ajram embarked on her first Middle Eastern concert tour. The album was reissued in 2007, packaged with both audio and visual discs with a different artwork.
By chance, Ajram met the renowned Lebanese producer and artist manager Jiji Lamara through a mutual friend, songwriter and composer Suhail Fares. They shared the same interests, as Lamara looked for a new talent after splitting with Aline Khalaf, while Ajram had no artist manager back then. After a short period they signed a six-month contract extension as they get along to continue. In mid 2002, they began work on her third studio album. Looking to transition from the folk and classical styles of her debut album (1998) and second album (2001), Ajram took creative control over her next album project, both musically and lyrically, under supervision of Lamara. She also changed her public image and established her new alter ego. Musically, its music incorporates pop with influences from different genres, including ballad and rock.
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Wikipedia