Nancy 7

Ajram gave the first preview of the album during Neshan's show " IL Maestro" in Ramadan 2009, when she sang parts of two songs, "Sallemouly Aleih" and "Sheikh El Shabab".[3] The former was excluded from the album, and was released as a single at the 2010 New Year's Eve, and achieved huge success among Arab radio stations.[4] This was Nancy's first cooperation with Egyptian producer Tamim, who did the arrangements for three songs of the album. Nancy then announced she will be singing a song that refers to her relationship to her parents and child, "Hkayat El Deni" (Stories of Life), previously named "Ghafwet Eini". News of "Bayyaa' We Shater" was also announced beforehand, as it was previously known as "Assly". The album was rumored to have been titled "Bel Hadawa" which was to be album's lead single. However, the song leaked unofficially several months before release and the lead single had changed.[5] In her appearance on "Khaleek Bel Beit" with Zahi Wehbi, Nancy explained:

My album will include many new changes. There will be a shift to more serious songs in terms of lyrical content, as well generally calmer music with both modern and traditional sounds. However, I will remain true to my same identity for which my fans like my music most, which is fast, upbeat songs.[6]

Initially, the album titled was rumored to have changed from "Bel Hadawa" (which leaked months before release) to "Einy Aleik". A few weeks before release, however, it was announced that the final decided album title was "7", marking Nancy's seventh studio album in her career.[7]

The album was initially scheduled for release by early summer of 2010, but due to the occurrence of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, for which Nancy recorded the official Middle East song, as well the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan, it was delayed until early September.[8] The final release date was announced to be September 6, and six songs were distributed to pan-Arab local stations to promote the album, as well a teaser ad on her official Facebook. Ajram promoted the album majorly online, via her official website and Facebook fan page, which is the biggest Arabic fan page on the site. The whole album, however, leaked on the internet and become available for download on dozens of forums on September 2, and the company accidentally announced the release of the album on that day.[9]

Tarek Madkour arranged four tracks in this album of Egyptian Maksoum genre, deviating from his rock/soft rock productions in Ajram's previous album. "Bayyaa' We Shater" is considered the album's best continuation of Ajram's signature maksoum style in previous singles such as "Moegaba" and "Ashtiki Minno". The composer, Mahmoud Khayami, succeeded at presenting this style to Ajram which was completely different from the soft ballad single "Wana Ben Ideik" in her previous album. "Belhadawa", Madkour's second song in the album, is more traditional and 80's influenced from Egypt. The song, which is viewed stronger on the lyrical side, received less positive reviews than "Bayaa We Shater" did.[7]

Tarek Madkour, produced four tracks in the album.

This is the first best-seller for Ajram that does not include a cooperation between Samir Sfeir and Tarek Madkour. Sfeir presented three songs in this album, each of which marks a special feature of the album. "Meen El Ma Ando" is influenced by the 70's Western disco music, which is a brand new style for Ajram. The song talks about the importance of elements of love and youth in one's life. "Ya Kethr" is Ajram's second Khaliji-dialect song by Sfeir after "La Teloom" in Ah W Noss. Before the release, Ajram explained that she has her bets on this song to be a big Khaliji hit, and it indeed received the most positive reviews from critics since her Khaliji hit "Mishtaga Leik" in 2006. Sfeir's final song, "Hkayat El Deni", is ballad that deviates away in topic from the previous love songs of the album. In this touching song, Ajram explains, the lyrics refer to her relationship to her parents and how much more she appreciates their efforts towards her now that she became a mother herself.[7]

Mohammed Rahim also composed three songs in this album. "Fi Hagat" was selected as the lead single, and is a sad song about the feelings of an unappreciated lover. Rahim also presented two Egyptian songs of the lighter, simpler context, "Okay" and "Einy Aleik" which was rumored to have been the old album title. Both these songs show Ajram exploring deeper into contemporary Egyptian music. Walid Saad presented Ajram with three songs initially, one of which "Sallemouly Aleih" was excluded from the album and released as single months ahead. His song "Emta Hashoufak" presents a brand new style to Ajram reminiscent of sad Latin ballads. "Kol Ma Teddi" samples Cher's The Music's No Good Without You.[10]

"Sheikh El Shabab" was a fan favorite even before the album's release, as Ajram sang part of it in a TV show. The interviewer, Nechan, had previously recorded his voice on the track's beginning to present it, but the idea had been called off later on.[11] "Sheikh El Shabab" is composed by Salim Salama, and continues Ajram's Lebanese pop genre previously presented by Salama in "Mashi Haddi" and "Ehsas Jdeed", which are from Ajram's big hits.

Pre-release promotional campaigns for 7 were huge; billboards featuring the album cover filled the streets of Lebanese and Egyptian cities in late August 2010. TV channels showed a 16-second preview of the music video of "Fi Hagat," which was previously added to Nancy's official Facebook page. The latter has also been a promotional tool, posting updates and news about the then-upcoming seventh album.[12]

The album's singles are noticeably different in style from all of Ajram's previous single releases. Ajram also held a poll on her official Facebook page for the fans to vote for their favorite songs on 7 in order to select the ones that will be released as singles.[13]

• "Fi Hagat" was chosen as the album's lead single. The music video was directed by Nadine Labaki, as a comeback after a 4-year absence. The music video sequels Ajram & Nadine's big hit "Lawn Ouyounak" where Ajram hides her feelings of being under-appreciated. The video was previewed on Ajram's official Facebook page, as a 16-second sneak peek before release. The song was later delivered to radio and was released digitally. The video premiered on September 4, 2010, on Arabica TV and MTV Lebanon.[12]
• "Sheikh El Shabab" was lined up as the album's second single on December 23, 2010. Its music video was directed by Leila Kanaan becoming her fourth collaboration with Ajram. Contrary to the lead single, "Sheikh El Shabab" has a comical music video which her manager described as "the best music video we've shot yet". The song scored notable success prior its official release and reached No. 2 on Ajram's Facebook poll for fans' favorite songs on 7.[14]
• "Ya Kether" was confirmed to be the third single from the album on Ajram's official Facebook page, where pictures from the set of the video were posted. The pictures show Ajram with her daughter who she brought on set, marking her first public appearance ever to the media.[15] However, the single was officially released on May 13, 2011.
• "Meen El Ma Ando" was confirmed by Ajram as the fourth single from 7 right after her Eid concert in Casino Du Liban. It was used as a promotional single for the next DAMAS Farfasha campaign which was officially released on October 31, 2011.[16] Even though "Einy Aleik" had scored higher in the Facebook poll on her official page, reports explain that Ajram does not intend on releasing any Egyptian dialect singles in the meantime, until the time is appropriate in Egypt. An official music video was supposed to be filmed in March 2012 but it was delayed and later scrapped entirely due to bad weather conditions at the time.[17]

Standard edition

Adapted from the album liner notes.[1]

• The music video for "Fi Hagat" hit YouTube views four months after it was uploaded, becoming the most viewed Arabic video on the site.[42]
• Ajram became the first Arabic artist to ever collect more than one Million likes on Facebook.[43]
• 7 topped HitMarker albums chart for 42 consecutive weeks, the longest run on the top of the chart by any album.[22]
• The album's first two singles occupied the apex of HitMarker for more than six months.[2]
• The album is topping the Virgin Megastore Charts all over the Arab world 1 year after its release.[20]