Kadim Al Sahir was born on December 12th 1957 in Mosul, Iraq. He studied music for six years at the Institute of Music in Baghdad where he learned to play guitar and lute “oud”.
One year into his studies at the institute, Kadim composed his first song, Ayna Anti. This was the beginning of a lifelong contribution to Iraqi art and music. By the late 1970s, Kadim was also working as a music teacher. Following an appointment as a village school in Northern Iraq, Kadim helped countless young musicians develop their skills and connect to the soul of musicianship in a way that has made him beloved to so many Iraqis.
He was renowned for his performance of Nizar Qabbani poems, and in 1984 released his first album, Shajarat Al Zaytoon (Olive Tree). It was the first of nearly 20 albums, all featuring a combination of soulful ballads and poignant Iraqi lyrics. His is a sound that is at once romantic and traditional – heartfelt, memorable, and uniquely Kadim Al Sahir.
Kadim has been honored at an array of international forums and garlanded with countless awards for his contributions to music. He is the only Arab artist to perform at Royal Albert Hall in the United Kingdom, and after Madonna, he was the second person in the world to be awarded the Key to the City of Sydney, Australia. During the Fez Festival in Morocco, he was given the Key to the City of Fez, and in 2012, Kadim Al Sahir joined The Voice talent show coaching panel. He is, without any doubt, a global musical superstar.
Al Sahir – Asiacell Brand Star for the Year 2015
Asiacell’s choice of Kadim Al Sahir as brand ambassador was no accident. We see this appointment as a true reflection of our belief that Iraq’s future success and reconstruction depend on the hard work and passion of self-motivated people with the vision to dream, and the energy to excel. We’re inspired by success stories where people unlock their full potential and dedicate themselves to working for a better future with enthusiasm, determination and persistence. The life of the ‘Caesar of Arabic Song’ is amongst the greatest of those tales.
Kadim Al Sahir, the great Arab artist, doesn’t just represent the Asiacell brand: he is also a charismatic symbol of leadership and positive change, of hard work to overcome all obstacles. His road to success and his personal values are compatible with Asiacell’s vision for success. Together, we will go beyond geographical borders and inspire Asiacell subscribers with leadership in art, technology and humanity.
About this partnership
Kadim Al Sahir’s remarkable musical achievements have earned him fame, respect and admiration. As the leading telecommunications company in Iraq, Asiacell identifies with the kind of determination needed to excel at this level. We’re constantly working to offer our large and growing customer base better, more integrated communications services. We want our subscribers to be able to connect with the people that matter to them, all over Iraq, and we want them to rely on Asiacell to make that interaction the best it can be. With this goal, we take inspiration from the way Kadim respectfully and professionally connects with his fans, giving them a world-class experience every time.
As a result of this shared vision and approach, we are thrilled to name Kadim as Asiacell’s brand ambassador for 2015. The agreement was signed at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beirut, Lebanon, in a moment we believe marks a turning point towards a brighter future for Iraq and its people.
