George Wassouf (; born 23 December 1961) is a Syrian singer. In a career spanning more than four decades, he has released more than 30 albums, with a significantly large audience of fans throughout the Arab world. Dubbed Sultan El-Tarab (), he is one of the most successful Arab singers selling over 60 million records worldwide.

Early life and career

Wassouf was born in Kafroun, Syria to a Greek Orthodox Christian family. Wassouf started singing at the age of 9 in his hometown Kafroun. He was discovered by his first manager and producer George Yazbeck at a wedding party that Wassouf was performing at, aged 12 years old. At the age of 16, he was called Sultan El-Tarab (The Sultan of Music) by the Lebanese journalist George Ibrahim El Khoury, a magazine director, with his classic song "el-Hawa Sultan".

Personal life

George Wassouf married his first wife, Shalimar, at the age of 21. They had three children: Wadih, Hatem and George Jr. The couple separated after 28 years of marriage in 2009. On January 6, 2023, their eldest son Wadih died due to complications from a gastric bypass surgery.

In 2014, he married Qatar rally champion Nada Zeidan, his second wife. They divorced in 2016. Their daughter, Oyoon, was born in October 2015.

Wassouf was a prominent supporter of President Bashar al-Assad's government throughout the Syrian Civil War.

In 2008, he was arrested in Sweden for possession of cocaine.

Discography

  • 1983: Ouwidni Salmtek Byied Allah
  • 1984: El Hawa Sultan
  • 1992: Rouh El Rouh
  • 1993: She' Ghareeb
  • 1995: Kalam El Nass
  • 1997: Leil Al Ashiqeen
  • 1998: Lissa El Dounya Bi Khair
  • 1999: Tabeeb Garrah
  • 2000: Dol Mush Habayib
  • 2001: Zaman El Ajayib
  • 2002: Inta Gherhom
  • 2003: Salaf Wi Deine
  • 2004: Etakhart Kteer
  • 2006: Heya El Ayam
  • 2008: Kalamak Ya Habibi
  • 2009: Allah Kareem, Shoukran
  • 2012: Best of Wassouf
  • 2015: Shtaanelak

Live Albums

  • Sings Oum Kolthoum Vol. 1, 1983.
  • Sings Oum Kolthoum Vol. 2, 1995.
  • Sings Oum Kolthoum Vol. 3, 1997.
  • Sings Abdel Halim Hafez, 1998.
  • Sings Warda, 1999

Singles

  • "Ahla Ayam El Omr", 1995.
  • "Amri Lellah", 1995.
  • "Mahlak Tmahal Ya Malak", 1995.
  • "Rahal El Batal", 2000.
  • "Ferhat Rejouak Ya Loubnan", 2010.
  • "Dawarat El Ayam", 2010.
  • "Aady Ya Donia", 2011.
  • "Biyehsedouni", 2011.
  • "Seket El Kalam", 2013
  • "Bisaalouni Aleik", 2013.
  • "Ya Oumi", 2013.
  • "Zekrayat", 2013.
  • "Shouq El Omr", 2013.
  • "Tarakni Ghab", 2014.
  • "Bandahlak", 2017.
  • "Malikat Gamal El Rouh", 2018
  • "Hal El Garih", 2019.
  • "Sahi El Leil", 2020.
  • "Byetkallem Aalaya", 2022.
  • "Noss Omry", 2023.

Clips

  • Yalli Taebna Senin Fi Hawah, 1986.
  • Ya Moualdani, 1986.
  • Kalam El Nass, 1994.
  • Erda Bel Nassib, 1996.
  • Lissa El Donya Bkheir, 1998.
  • Tabib Garah, 1999.
  • Ana Assef, 1999.
  • Dul Mush Habayeb, 2000.
  • Ma Teoulou Leih, 2000.
  • Zaman El Agayeb, 2001.
  • Youm El Wadaa, 2001.
  • Salaf We Dayn, 2003.
  • Etakhart Ktir, 2004.
  • Sehert El Leyl, 2004.
  • Leilat Wadaana, 2006.
  • Asaab Fourak, 2008.
  • Aallem Albi El Shouk, 2008.
  • Ferhat Rejouak Ya Loubnan, 2010.
  • Dawarat El Ayam, 2010.
  • Biyehsedouni, 2011.
  • Malikat Gamal El Rouh, 2018.
  • Hal El Garih, 2019.
  • Sahi El Leil, 2020.

References