Ya Salam

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.[3]

In late 2002, Ajram started to record her then-upcoming material. The recording sessions took place in studios around Beirut, Lebanon and Cairo, Egypt, including Saba and Boudy Naoum Studios in Beirut and Leila Studio in Cairo. As executive producer, Ajram's then-new manager Lamara enlisted a wide range of new collaborators for the album, including Lebanese famous songwriter Nizar Francis, Lebanese noted singer-composer Samir Sfeir and well known Egyptian musician and record producer Tarek Madkour, who created the track "Yay". In addition, Egyptian songwriter Mustafa Zaki, who wrote the title track "Ya Salam", Lebanese composer Salim Salameh, who composed three tracks in the album and Egyptian record producer Mohammed Mustafa, who also produced three tracks.[4][5]

Egyptian songwriter Fawzi Ibrahim and composer Mohammed Saad had created the track "Akhasmak Ah" in 2002 and offered it to Lebanese singer Aline Khalaf, who rejected the song and preferred another one entitled "Haymana", stating she had enough songs for her to record; at the time, Khalaf was working on her seventh studio album Law Andak Kalam. Then they reached out to Jiji Lamara, who bought the record and forwarded it to Ajram.[6]

In December 2002, "Akhasmak Ah" was released as the album's lead single, followed by the album official release on February 24, 2003.

• "Akhasmak Ah" was serviced as the lead single from the album in December 2002. Upon its release, the song received mixed reviews from critics; some of whom criticized its sound, while the others chose it as a stand-out track from Ya Salam. Its accompanying music video, directed by Nadine Labaki, was criticized due to its sexual content, and sparked protests in the Arab World. However, it was a huge hit, topping Arabic music charts for 10 continuous weeks.[8]
• The album's second single and title track was "Ya Salam". Released following the controversial "Akhasmak Ah" in May 2003, "Ya Salam" garnered positive critical reception. Commercially, the single gained impact on charts in the Middle East, peaking within the top ten in many countries. Its music video, also directed by Labaki, garnered positive reaction from media outlets by portraying a star with a sad life inspired from the 1960s. The video was awarded as the Best Music Video at the 4th annual Murex d'Or ceremony.[9][10]
• "Yay" was released as the third single from Ya Salam in October 2003. The single was well received by most critics, as well as managed chart success in several Arab countries. Its accompanying music clip, directed by Labaki, showed the "girl-next-door" side of Ajram. The single peaked at number one for 6 continuous weeks then dropped to number two for 5 weeks.[11]

Notes

• ^{^[a]} 'Yay' is alternatively titled ‘Seher Oyounoh’ (The Charm in His Eyes).

Adapted from the album liner notes.[12]

• Elie Saba – sound engineer (tracks 2,5,9)
• Mohammed Sakr – sound engineer (tracks 1,3,4,6,7)
• Khaled Raouf – sound engineer (tracks 1,3,4,6,7)
• Boudy Naoum – sound engineer (track 8)
• Raymond El Hajj – strings writing and conducting (tracks 2,5,9)
• Tony Haddad – digital mastering
• Rodrigue Najarian – photography
• Tony Karam – photography
• Georges Yucef – graphic design