Jump to content

Sami Yusuf

Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Mjahangir777 (talk | contribs) at 16:14, 11 April 2019 (add a source for his nationality). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Sami Yusuf
Background information
BornJuly 1980 (age 43–44)
Tehran[1], Iran
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • composer
  • record producer
  • singer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)
Years active2003–present
Labels
Websitewww.samiyusufofficial.com

Sami Yusuf is a British [5]singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, and humanitarian from London.[6] Yusuf gained international attention with the release of his debut album, Al-Mu’allim, in 2003.[7] Now with over 34 million albums sold,[8][9] he performs at packed venues around the world.[10] The BBC, CNN,[11] ARTE,[12] FRANCE 24,[13] Reuters,[14] Time,[15] Rolling Stone, and Music Week[16] are among the media outlets that have covered him and his work. His seventh studio album, Barakah, was released in 2016.[7]

In recognition of his humanitarian work, in 2014 Yusuf was appointed United Nations Global Ambassador for the World Food Programme.[17][18][19]

Early life

Sami Yusuf was born on 1980 in Tehran to Azerbaijani parents.[20][21][22]. His grandparents are from Baku, Azerbaijan. His grandparents left Baku when it was recaptured by the Bolsheviks after the First World War.[23] From an early age, Yusuf showed great interest in music.[7] He was influenced by the wide range of musical genres available to him in his home town of Ealing in West London, immersing himself especially in Western classical music and Middle Eastern music.[24] He learned piano and violin as well as traditional instruments including oud, setar, and tonbak.[25] In 2003, although considering pursuing a career in law, he produced and released his first album.[20] It quickly became an international success and launched Yusuf's professional music career.[24]

Music career

'Spiritique' is the name Yusuf has given to his unique musical style that blends elements of Western and Eastern sounds. The overarching theme of Yusuf's lyrics is one of an inclusive spirituality.[26][27] His first album, Al-Mu’allim, in English with some Arabic lyrics, became a huge success especially across North Africa and the Middle East.[7] It was followed by My Ummah, and together album sales quickly reached 10 million.[28][16] Yusuf has performed across five continents. His concerts— including ones at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the Wembley Arena in London,[29] and the Velodrome in Cape Town, South Africa— are sold out.[30] 250,000 people came to hear him perform in Taksim Square in Istanbul.[31][32][33] Time Magazine called Yusuf "Islam's Biggest Rock Star";[34] The Guardian wrote of him, "The Biggest Star in the Middle East is a Brit";[35]

Albums

2003 – 2014

In 2003 Yusuf released his debut album, Al-Mu`allim, an album that he produced, wrote, and performed.[36] Its feature song, "Al-Mu'allim", became a hit in the Middle East, North Africa, and South-East Asia topping the charts in Egypt and Turkey for twelve consecutive weeks, selling millions of copies worldwide and reaching a diverse audience.[37][38] The last track of the album, "Supplication", was used in the Golden-Globe award-nominated film, "The Kite Runner".[14][39]

Yusuf garnered increased worldwide recognition following the release of his second album, My Ummah, in 2005.[40] The album, using both Eastern and Western sounds, utilized wide-ranging musical instrumentation. Considered a breakthrough album by Sami Yusuf, it sold over four million copies globally[41] and was well received particularly by young people, who identified closely with the themes of Yusuf's lyrics.[37][42]

Wherever You Are, Yusuf's third official album, was released in March 2010. Rolling Stone called the album "beautifully produced".[43] With its release, Yusuf welcomed what he termed a "new chapter" in his professional career and music.[44][36]

Yusuf's fourth album, Salaam, was released in December 2012.[45] Within 4 months of its launch it achieved platinum status in Southeast Asia and was the best-selling album in the Middle East and North Africa.[46][47][48] The album includes the song "Hear Your Call," composed by Yusuf to call attention to the situation of people who are affected by natural disasters.[48][49][50][51]

2014 - The Centre

The Centre was released in 2014 and is a collection of thirteen songs in which Yusuf hopes his listeners will find inspiration to seek their individual spiritual centres.[52][39] It’s a new sound that has multicultural influences, employing traditional as well as contemporary Middle Eastern, North African, and European poetry, instrumentation, and melodies.[53][54]

2015 - Songs of the Way

Yusuf's sixth album, Songs of the Way, was released in January 2015. All lyrics are by the noted philosopher Seyyed Hossein Nasr and are from his books of poetry, Poems of the Way and The Pilgrimage of Life. Except for two tracks in Persian and Arabic, the songs are in English.[55][56][52]

2016 – Barakah

Main article: Barakah (album)

Barakah, Yusuf’s seventh album, was released in February 2016 by Andante Records.[57] It is the result of extensive research into the traditional music and poetry contained in the album. Yusuf said it is his musical response to the increasing chaos and noise of today’s world, and his wish is that these music and lyrics offer a window onto an inner oasis of peace and harmony.[58][59] The song ‘Mast Qalandar’ from Barakah reached #1 on World Music charts on iTunes and BBC Music.[60][61][62][63]

According to Yusuf, the new album aims "to respond to the growing extremism in our world with a call for a return to harmony and balance."[64]

2018 – SAMi (EP)

Sami Yusuf releases his new EP 'SAMi' as a side project by this prolific artist that grew out of his desire to explore his British musical roots. The sound is contemporary and minimalist; the lyrics shine a light on the path that Sami has traveled on his own spiritual journey. It’s a side of the musician that is fully developed here for the first time. The songs are direct; they are personal. And they are about transcendence—about seeing the big picture and where we fit in. [65]

The song collection, with its accessible sounds and direct lyricism, finds Yusuf’s exploring the western sounds emanating from his childhood growing up in London. [66]

SAMi has sold well and topped a number of iTunes charts since its release, and Yusuf says he is grateful and somewhat surprised that he wasn’t criticised for the commercial nature of the project. [67]

2019 – Ecstasy

Sami Yusuf will release his next album later in the year. “The album is called Ecstasy. We deliberately chose that name because Ecstasy has this weird connotation. People think it is a drug, but actually ecstasy is a state that people attain or reach when they are going through a spiritual experience,” he said. [68]

Notable tours and concert performances

Playing in Farum Arena, Denmark, Grugahalle in Germany, and De Doelen in Netherlands, Yusuf introduced his forthcoming album, Wherever You Are.[69] He performed in Azerbaijan for the first time in 2006, for the second time in 2015 (14-15 March), and 22 March 2017 in Heydar Aliyev Palace in Baku, 250,000 people attended his performance in Taksim Square in Istanbul to see Yusuf perform in 2013.[70] Yusuf has played across four continents, packing venues such as Wembley Arena in London, Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and The Velodrome in Cape Town, South Africa. He sings in English, Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Azeri, Malay and Urdu and is backed by a range of both classical and ethnic instruments.[71] Yusuf also performed in Washington DC.[72]

Yusuf performed in Dubai for the first time in December 2016. Sami premiered the song Glorification, inspired by the poetry of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.[73]

Humanitarian work

Since early in his professional career, Yusuf has participated in humanitarian initiatives through performing benefit concerts, releasing charity singles, and acting on behalf of organizations working to relieve suffering and poverty.[51] In response to the 2010 Pakistan floods that wreaked havoc in the country and affected 20 million lives in the summer of 2010, he promptly released a charity single entitled "Hear Your Call", performed in English and Urdu, to raise funds for the displaced Pakistanis in a joint-effort with the UN-sponsored charity organization Save the Children.[74][75]

In 2014, he was appointed "UN Global Ambassador" for the World Food Programme.[76]

Honors and awards

In 2009, Yusuf was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters in recognition of his "extraordinary contributions to the field of music" by Roehampton University, London.[77][78]

Widely regarded as the highest profile Muslim musician in the UK, Yusuf has appeared each year on the list of the "World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims" since 2010.[79][80] In 2014, the United Nations appointed him Global Ambassador Against Hunger, and in 2015 the UN appointed him as an "Elite Ambassador" for the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week.[81][82]

In 2016, Yusuf received a Recognition Award for his contributions to promoting the message of peace and tolerance as part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum World Peace Initiative.[83]

Discography

Studio albums

Album Year
Al-Mu`allim 2003
My Ummah 2005
Wherever You Are 2010
Salaam 2012
The Centre 2014
Songs of the Way, Vol. 1 2015
1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 2015
Barakah 2016
SAMi 2018

Live albums

Album Year
Live at the Wembley Arena 2007
Live at the Katara Amphitheatre 2013
Live in London 2015 2015
Live at the Dubai Opera 2016
Live in Concert 2019

2018-2019 Singles

Album Year
Let Us Not Forget January 2018
Mawlana January 2018
Shadowless February 2018
Al Faqīr May 2018
Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum Feat Abida Parveen Feb 2019

Acclaim and recognition

References

  1. ^ The Guardian: Muslim superstar
  2. ^ "Fairwood Music - Roster". www.fairwoodmusic.com. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  3. ^ M, Afrah (17 May 2015). "A.R.Rehman and Sami Yusuf Together after Ten Years - The Music of Pakistan - pakmediarevolution.pk". Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  4. ^ https://www.somethinghaute.com/sami-yusuf-and-abida-parveen-collaborate-for-devotional-track-ya-hayyu-ya-qayyum/
  5. ^ https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/apr/27/1?INTCMP=SRCH
  6. ^ "Singer Sami urges Pakistan relief". 2 September 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2017 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  7. ^ a b c d "Acclaimed devotional-music singer Sami Yusuf on his latest album Barakah". Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  8. ^ "Centered: The Music and Passion of Sami Yusuf - The Islamic Monthly". 6 February 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  9. ^ "With UAE concert, Sami Yusuf does his bit for Syria". 17 December 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  10. ^ Editor, David Tusing, Deputy tabloid! (5 March 2013). "Sami Yusuf launches new album 'Salaam'". Retrieved 10 October 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ samiyusufchannel (30 January 2009). "Sami Yusuf - CNN Interview". Retrieved 14 October 2017 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ Sami Yusuf (12 December 2014). "Sami Yusuf - Exclusive Interview - ARTE Metropolis (French)". Retrieved 14 October 2017 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ "The popular Sami Yusuf is on tour - France 24". 2 June 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  14. ^ a b "Star Yusuf hopes music helps Muslim image". 18 August 2007. Retrieved 14 October 2017 – via Reuters.
  15. ^ WISE, LINDSAY (31 July 2006). "Meet Islam's Biggest Rock Star". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  16. ^ a b "Fairwood Music signs worldwide publishing deal with Sami Yusuf - News - Music Week". www.musicweek.com. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  17. ^ "Singer Sami Yusuf Joins WFP As Global Ambassador Against Hunger". Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  18. ^ Section, United Nations News Service (26 August 2014). "UN News - Singer Sami Yusuf joins roster of UN Global Ambassadors Against Hunger". UN News Service Section. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  19. ^ "Sami Yusuf joins WFP as anti-hunger amb". theiranproject.com. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  20. ^ a b Edemariam, Aida (5 November 2007). "Aida Edemariam talks to singer Sami Yusuf". Retrieved 10 October 2017 – via www.theguardian.com.
  21. ^ Сами Юсуф: «Азербайджан – моя историческая Родина» — Day.az Archived 2018-02-25 at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ Sami Yusuf — MBC Interview 2009 (Part 1 of 2) (3:46)
  23. ^ Brown, Jonathan (3 October 2007). "Holy rock star: The voice of Islam". Retrieved 16 August 2018 – via www.independent.co.uk.
  24. ^ a b "Holy rock star: The voice of Islam". 3 October 2007. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  25. ^ "An ambassador for peace: Sami Yusuf". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  26. ^ http://kleber.net, Kleber Design Ltd -. "Sami Yusuf – A message of hope". World Music Network. Retrieved 10 October 2017. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  27. ^ Editor, David Tusing, Deputy tabloid! (11 August 2010). "Sami Yusuf talks about spiritique, his new sound". Retrieved 10 October 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ "Star Yusuf hopes music helps Muslim image". 18 August 2007. Retrieved 10 October 2017 – via Reuters.
  29. ^ "Sami Yusuf, Islamic rock star - Music - Entertainment - theage.com.au". www.theage.com.au. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  30. ^ Worldfolio, The. "Muslim media and entertainment go international". Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  31. ^ "British Ambassador attends the concert of Sami Yusuf, the great British Muslim singer - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  32. ^ "Sami Yusuf - WFP - United Nations World Food Programme - Fighting Hunger Worldwide". www.wfp.org. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  33. ^ "Sami Yusuf live in Malaysia". Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  34. ^ WISE, LINDSAY (31 July 2006). "Meet Islam's Biggest Rock Star". Retrieved 10 October 2017 – via content.time.com.
  35. ^ Rahman, Samia (27 April 2006). "The biggest star in the Middle East is a Brit". Retrieved 10 October 2017 – via www.theguardian.com.
  36. ^ a b "Light in a dark world: Sami Yusuf". Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  37. ^ a b "Singer Sami Yusuf And WFP Join In Support For Drought-Stricken Horn Of Africa". Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  38. ^ "Al Mu'allim - Sami Yusuf Official". samiyusufofficial.com. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  39. ^ a b Editor, David Tusing, Deputy tabloid! (5 February 2015). "Sami Yusuf's blessed life". Retrieved 14 October 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  40. ^ "My Ummah". 18 March 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2017 – via Amazon.
  41. ^ "Sami Yusuf to hit the National Stadium Saturday". 27 September 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  42. ^ "Mawazine presents Sami Yusuf and Nawal Al Zoghbi". Festival Mawazine. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  43. ^ "Sami Yusuf to perform in the Washington DC area". 30 August 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  44. ^ Reporter, Samia Badih, Staff (9 November 2010). "Sami Yusuf releases new album in Dubai". Retrieved 14 October 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  45. ^ Editor, David Tusing, Deputy tabloid! (5 March 2013). "Sami Yusuf launches new album 'Salaam'". Retrieved 14 October 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  46. ^ "Sami Yusuf hopes to draw in the ME big bucks with 'Peace'". 2 December 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  47. ^ "Sami Yusuf". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  48. ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 June 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  49. ^ "Singer Sami urges Pakistan relief". 2 September 2010. Retrieved 14 October 2017 – via www.bbc.com.
  50. ^ "UK singers support flood relief campaign - The Express Tribune". 4 September 2010. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  51. ^ a b "Sami Yusuf records single for victims of Pakistan floods - News - Music Week". www.musicweek.com. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  52. ^ a b "Gems of thousand years - Yusuf to unveil 'Barakah' - ARAB TIMES - KUWAIT NEWS". 5 December 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  53. ^ "The Centre: Album Review Sample - AcademicHelp.net". 10 February 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  54. ^ Muham mad (17 September 2014). "Sami Yusuf BBC News". Retrieved 14 October 2017 – via YouTube.
  55. ^ "World-renowned Sami Yusuf newest album released". 5 January 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  56. ^ "Songs of the Way, Vol. 1 - Sami Yusuf Official". samiyusufofficial.com. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  57. ^ "Gems of thousand years - Yusuf to unveil 'Barakah' - ARAB TIMES - KUWAIT NEWS". 5 December 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  58. ^ ""Barakah" by Sami Yusuf on iTunes". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  59. ^ Report, Staff (4 August 2016). "Sami Yusuf to launch new album in Dubai". Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  60. ^ Editor, David Tusing, Deputy tabloid! (20 April 2016). "Sami Yusuf teams up with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan". Retrieved 14 October 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  61. ^ "Rahat Fateh Ali Khan would love to collaborate with this artist - The Express Tribune". 22 July 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  62. ^ "'Mast Qalandar' #2 on the official BBC Asian Music charts! - Sami Yusuf Official". samiyusufofficial.com. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  63. ^ http://samiyusufofficial.com/mast-qalandar-reigns-at-1-on-itunes/) Add https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/playlists/zzzz6z
  64. ^ Videography, Irish Eden Belleza, (11 August 2016). "Sami Yusuf: 'Barakah' is my response to atrocities carried out in the name of Islam". Retrieved 14 October 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  65. ^ https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/music/sami-yusuf-take-musical-ride-home-with-new-ep-1.60968710
  66. ^ https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/music/exclusive-singer-sami-yusuf-announces-new-album-for-this-year-1.812830
  67. ^ https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/music/sami-yusuf-if-one-has-a-strong-spiritual-discipline-it-lessens-the-burden-1.813322
  68. ^ https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/music/exclusive-singer-sami-yusuf-announces-new-album-for-this-year-1.812830
  69. ^ All tours and concert details listed in the SYO Timeline. Samiyusufofficial.com. Retrieved on 2011-07-30.
  70. ^ Report, Staff (29 July 2013). "Sami Yusuf to perform in Oman". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  71. ^ Sami Yusuf Tour and concert List . Samiyusufofficial.com/tour. Retrieved on 2014-09-26.
  72. ^ Sami Yusuf in DC. Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine Samiyusufofficial.com. Retrieved on 2014-09-26.
  73. ^ Report, Staff (26 October 2016). "Sami Yusuf to perform in Dubai for first time". GulfNews. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  74. ^ BBC: Singer Sami Yusuf Donating Music Profits to Pakistan. 2 September 2010
  75. ^ Muslim Rock Star Helps Flood Victims. CNN video. 9 September 2010
  76. ^ "Private sector". www1.wfp.org. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  77. ^ "Honorary Degrees". University of Roehampton. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  78. ^ "Sami Yusuf - Doctor of Letters Graduation Ceremony". Vimeo. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  79. ^ "40 Out of 500 Influential Muslims in the World Are American". 26 June 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  80. ^ "Yusuf, Sami - The Muslim 500". themuslim500.com. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  81. ^ "Singer Sami Yusuf Joins WFP As Global Ambassador Against Hunger". Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  82. ^ Nations, United (26 August 2014). "Singer @SamiYusuf joins @WFP as a Global Ambassador -- against #hunger". Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  83. ^ Reporter, Noorhan Barakat, Staff (23 February 2016). "Four Poets of Peace honoured in Dubai". Retrieved 10 October 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  84. ^ The biggest star in the Middle East is a Brit. The Guardian. 27 April 2006
  85. ^ Riz Khan (2 October 2007). "Sami Yusuf: King of Islamic Pop". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  86. ^ Riz Khan – Sami Yusuf: King of Islamic Pop – 1 Oct 07. YouTube
  87. ^ IOL Archived 11 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Islamonline.net (2010-01-20). Retrieved on 2011-07-30.
  88. ^ RISSC Archived 29 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Rissc.jo. Retrieved on 2011-07-30.
  89. ^ 30 more famous Britons you've probably never heard of. BBC. 10 August 2009
  90. ^ Silatech Archived 12 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  91. ^ Roehampton University. Roehampton.ac.uk. Retrieved on 2011-07-30.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sami Yusuf.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sami_Yusuf&oldid=892010544"