Elissa - إليسا

Elissa, born Elissar Zakaria Khoury in 1972, is one of the most prominent Lebanese singers of the Arab pop scene. She began her career in the early 1990s after appearing on the Lebanese talent show Studio El Fan, and released her debut album «Baddi Doub» in 1998, which brought her early recognition despite some controversy over its music video. Her 2002 album «Aayshalak» marked a major breakthrough, establishing her as a leading voice in Arabic pop with its emotionally charged ballads.

After signing with the Saudi label Rotana, Elissa released a string of successful albums including «Ahla Dounya», «Bastanak», «Ayami Bik» and «Tesada'a Bemeen», cementing her reputation as the «Queen of Emotions» for her expressive, romantic vocal style. Her music blends contemporary Arabic pop production with heartfelt, often melancholic lyrics about love and longing, a formula that resonated widely across the Arab world.

Beyond music, Elissa has built a public profile as a television personality, actress and businesswoman, and her collaborations, including the duet «Betghib Betrouh» with Ragheb Alama, have become staples of Lebanese pop. Decades into her career, she remains one of the region's most recognizable pop vocalists.