Picture this: It’s 2020, you’re in quarantine and you’ve just made your third Dalgona coffee for the day, finished up your Chloe Ting workout, and have already browsed through all the Coronavirus memes that popped up on your IG feed. Now, it’s time to sit on TikTok for hours upon hours during quarantine where you come across the most undeniably catchy song. You know the one, it goes: ‘Ra-pa-pa-pa-ra-pa-ra-pa.’
At only 17 years old, Jordanian talent Issam AlNajjar blew up on *all* our socials, and his first song ‘Hadal Ahbek‘, translated to ‘I’ll Keep Loving You‘ in English, sky-rocketed his music career. So much so, that by 2021 he was the first artist to be signed to Universal Arabic Music, a division of Universal Music Group.
@issamalnajjarr Its the first ever Arabic song that is number #1 globally 😳❤️. #hadal_ahbek #hadalahebek #paparapapa ♬ You give me butterflies – 🤠👌🏻
In the same way that the game-changing app TikTok dominated 2020 onwards, Issam AlNajjar became a superstar in no time, chosen by The Weeknd’s manager Wassim Slaiby. His success wasn’t all thanks to TikTokers like Addison Rae, Caroline Carr, and David Dobrik using his audio though. Issam’s impressive vocals, relatable lyrics, and acoustic tunes set him apart from the handful of Gen Z Arab rising stars, making him the ~ blueprint ~.
Hoodie by Buscemi. Trousers, Issam’s own.
Our August Digital Cover Star hails from Amman, likes his iced coffee sweet, is a night owl, and can play the piano, electric, and acoustic guitar. Music is a “great privilege” and one of his favourite ways to express his “emotions, feelings, and experiences” he tells Cosmo ME. Currently, Issam AlNajjar has gone on tour across the Middle East for the summer, was the opening act for Maroon 5’s concert earlier this year in Abu Dhabi (cajj), and has released his first studio album ‘Baree?’
He is, in fact, doing the *most*.
Read our cover story Q&A with our August Digital Cover Star Issam AlNajjar below…
Cosmo ME: So, who is Issam AlNajjar?
Issam AlNajjar: I’d like to say that I’m living proof that dreams do come true. I’m a young Jordanian artist, who- in almost a year- went from recording cover songs at home to signing with the leading international label Universal Arabic Music, topping a number of Spotify music charts, being featured on Spotify’s Time Square, releasing 2 albums and going on a world tour.
Hoodie by Buscemi. Trousers are Issam’s own.
C: How long have you been making music and have you always known that this was the industry you wanted to get into?
I: My journey with music began about two years ago, towards the end of 2020. At the time I was feeling lonely as my family had recently left for the US. My friend bought me a guitar as a gift, and I started creating music over the next couple of months and posting my homemade music videos on social media.
I then wrote the emotional but upbeat song ‘Hadal Ahbek‘, and after working on it, I posted a video on Instagram of me playing and singing the song. To my surprise and happiness, the song really seemed to connect with people, and went viral, becoming a huge success.
Music has always been an important part of who I am and the best way for me to express my feelings, emotions, and experiences. And being able to now share my expression with different people around the world who can enjoy the art, or maybe feel emotion or inspiration through my music is a great privilege which means a lot to me.
T-Shirt by Marni. Trousers, shoes, and accessories are Issam’s own.
C: What was your initial reaction once you went viral?
I: It literally happened overnight. The song went viral on the 15th of March last year, and I was so excited. Its success exceeded my expectations. It was crazy, I felt overwhelmed.
C: Who would you say your top three music inspirations are?
I: I generally prefer Western music rather than traditional Arabic music. I studied pop artists like Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, and Ed Sheeran and admired the creativity of iconic artists like Queen and The Weeknd, whom I consider a true source of inspiration for me.
C: How do you deal with pressure and keeping your mental health in check as a young Arab artist?
I: I try to stay down to earth. The support I get from my family and my second family which is Universal Arabic Music helps me a lot to face my fears and shields me from the downsides of fame.
Shirt, and shorts are both by Yoox. Bracelet is Issam’s own.
C: What advice would you give to Arab artists like you that want to make it big in the music industry?
I: I hope I can inspire Arab artists to do what they love. Believe in your dreams, because if I could achieve this success, so could you.
C: How do you feel about representing the Arab region in Hollywood, and do you feel like there is a lack of Arab representation in the music scene?
I: I do feel like there is a lack of Arab representation, that’s why I feel like I have a responsibility towards other Arab artists as well. One of my roles is to keep making music and keep building my fanbase that can bring awareness to Arab artists around the world.
C: What do you have planned for the rest of 2022?
I: I kicked off my first music tour named after my smash-hit song ‘Hadal Ahbek’ by opening for Maroon 5 in Giza and Abu Dhabi recently. I’ll also be performing 14 solo shows by the end of July, and following my debut album “Baree”, I’ve been working hard on the production for a new album. And hint, it’ll be slightly darker than my previous one which is more about my love stories.
Editor in Chief: Milli Midwood
Photography: Adel Rashid
Styling: Walaa AlAqra
Digital Editor: Sara AlHumiri
Content Producer: Twinkle Stanly
Videographer: Hany Mohamed
Grooming by La Loge
Discover more from our Summer Issue here.