Massari

Massari
Birth nameSari Abboud
Born (1980-12-10) December 10, 1980 (age 44)
Beirut, Lebanon
OriginOttawa, Ontario, Canada
GenresR&B, pop
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
InstrumentsVocals, keyboard
Years active2001–present
LabelsUniversal Music, SAL&CO
Websitewww.massarionline.com

Sari Abboud (Arabic: ساري عبّود; born December 10, 1980),[1] better known by his stage name Massari (/məˈsɑːri/ mə-SAR-ee),[2] is a Lebanese-Canadian singer and songwriter.[1] He began his career in the early 2000s and went on to release two R&B albums, Massari (2005) and Forever Massari (2009), before releasing two pop EPs, Hero (2015) and Tune In (2018). He is managed by SAL&CO.

Early life and education

He was born in Beirut, Lebanon. His family relocated to Montreal, Quebec when he was 11 years old. At the age of 13, he and his younger brothers moved to Ottawa, Ontario, where he attended Hillcrest High School.[1] At age 13 he performed at a school talent show which was the first time he wanted to pursue that as his career.[3] [4]

Career

He started his musical career in 2001-2002[2] adopting the stage name Massari, a reference to his first name Sari and the Lebanese Arabic slang مصاري maṣāri  meaning "money".[5] He released his first song "Spitfire" (2002) which was aired on Ottawa radio stations.[5]

2005–2007: Debut self-titled album and success with CP Records

After three years of preparation, he released a self-titled album Massari on CP Records. His debut album resulted in four singles, receiving Gold certification in Canada, and he continued to have international success in Europe, Asia, the Middle East.[citation needed] Two of his early singles "Be Easy" and "Real Love" besides being two of his major hits in Canada, cracking the Canadian Top 10, they also charted notably in the German Singles Chart. Based on his initial success, Massari signed a record deal with independent record label, CP Records, becoming the prominent successful performing artist for the record company alongside rapper Belly.[2] On November 14, 2007, Massari and his record label, CP Records, came to a mutual agreement to end their relationship.[6]

2009–2010: Forever Massari and signing with Universal

During 2009, he released two tracks from the forthcoming album, namely "Bad Girl" and "Body Body". The album itself Forever Massari was officially released on Universal Records Canada on 10 November 2009. It included songs by writers and producers like Rupert Gayle, Alex Greggs, Derek Brin, Rob Wells and Justin Forsley.

2011–2013: Signing again with CP and Hero EP

In summer of 2011, Massari signed again with CP Records, after five years of his departure from the label. On June 20, 2012, Massari realized there was money to be made off of the Middle Eastern ethnic audience, and released a free single called "Full Circle" featuring Belly as the lead single from his first EP Hero. Massari's second single for the EP, called "Brand New Day", was released on July 1, 2012 (Canada Day).[2] Massari shot the video in Miami with Canadian director RT!. In January 2013, "Brand New Day" went Gold in Canada. It also charted on the Austrian Ö3 Austria Top 40, German Media Control Charts and Swiss Hitparade. The third single from the EP, "Shisha", features French Montana. It was released on May 21, 2013.

2017–present: Tune In

On March 24, 2017, Massari released a brand new song "So Long" along with a music video featuring former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach.[7] It is the first single from his third album Tune In. The album contains features from Mohammed Assaf, Tory Lanez, Beenie Man, Shaggy, Afrojack and producer DaHeala. On March 31, 2017, a follow-up single "Done Da Da" was released along with a music video which received over 7.2 million views within 3 weeks on Vevo.[8]

Artistry

Influences

He has been exposed to a wide variety of music styles. He says his biggest influence is George Wassouf[9] Massari says, "I sing from my heart and George Wassouf taught me to do that."[10] [11] [12] Many of Massari's songs are influenced by his Middle-Eastern origins. Most of his songs contain Middle-Eastern Arabic melodies.[5] Massari says, "Because of my background, my music is heavily influenced by Middle-Eastern melodies. Over the past few years so many artists are trying to bring Arabic styles into their music, but mine is authentic."[2] Massari sings and raps about women. "My music is made for the ladies because that's where I get my inspiration. You'll notice a lot of the music is upbeat and positive. Women give off so much energy; it's hard not to be inspired by them."[2]

Music style

A large portion of Massari's work incorporates elements of both singing and rapping, depending on whether or not another artist is featured on the track. Overall, Massari incorporates elements of R&B, hip hop, and pop in his music.[2]

Personal life

Massari is fluent in English, Arabic and French.[13]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
CAN
Massari 29
Forever Massari
"—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released.

Extended plays

Title EP details
Hero
  • Released: May 17, 2015
  • Label: CP Music Group
  • Format: CD, Digital download
Tune In
  • Released: July 20, 2018
  • Label: Massari & Co.
  • Formats: CD, digital download

DVDs

  • 2006: Massari: Road to Success

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Album
CAN
[15][16]
AUT
[17]
GER
[18]
POR
[19]
SWI
[20]
ROM
[21]
LEB
[22]
2005 "Smile for Me" (feat. Loon) 18 12 Massari
"Be Easy" 4 70 16
2006 "Real Love" 9 48 48
"Rush the Floor" (feat. Belly)
2008 "Say You Love Me" non-album singles
"In Love Again"
2009 "Bad Girl" 77 Forever Massari
"Body Body" 81 81
2010 "Under the Radar"
2011 "Dance for Your Life" non-album single
2012 "Full Circle" (feat. Belly) Hero
"Brand New Day" 41 26 29 24 24
2013 "Shisha" (feat. French Montana) 37 37
2014 "What About the Love" (feat. Mia Martina)[23]
2017 "So Long" 7 Tune In
"Done Da Da" 21 15 15
"Number One" (feat. Tory Lanez) 81 20
2018 "Roll with It" (with Mohammed Assaf) 1
"Why" (with Shaggy)[24]
"Tune In" (feat. Afrojack & Beenie Man)
"Ya Nour El Ein" (feat. Maya Diab & French Montana) 1 non-album singles
2019 "Albeh Nkasar"[25] 14
2020 "I See the Dream (Badna Salam)" (with Ali Gatie) 1
2021 "Be Mine"
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released.

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Soul on Fire"
(KMC ft. Beenie Man & Massari)
2006 Soul on Fire
"Ya Dunya"
(Belly ft. Massari)
2007 The Revolution
"Latin Moon"
(Mia Martina ft. Massari)
2011 Devotion
"That Kinda Love"
(Sol City ft. Massari)
non-album single
"La noche entera"
(Pachanga ft. Massari)
2015 La era positiva
"Sherazade"
(Kurdo ft. Massari)
2016 Verbrecher aus der Wüste
"Asheghet Manam"
(Tohi ft. Massari)
non-album single
"Ana Lahale"
(Elyanna ft. Massari)
2020 Elyanna
"Arabi"
(Mohamed Ramadan ft. Future & Massari)
2024 non-album single

Awards and nominations

Award Date Category Nominee Result
MuchMusic Video Awards June 19, 2005 Best Independent Video Massari ft. Loon – "Smile For Me" Nominated
Best Rap Video Nominated
Canadian Urban Music Awards November 29, 2005 R&B/Soul Recording of the Year Massari Nominated
Best New Artist Massari Nominated
MuchMusic Video Awards June 18, 2006 People's Choice: Favourite Canadian Artist Massari – "Real Love" Nominated
Best Pop Video Massari – "Be Easy" Won
Best Independent Video Nominated
Best Cinematography Nominated
Juno Awards April 2, 2006 R&B/Soul Recording of the Year Massari Nominated
SiriusXM Indie Awards March 22, 2013 Dance Artist or Group of the Year Massari Won
SiriusXM Indie Awards May 10, 2014 Must Follow Artist of the Year Massari Nominated
Murex d'Or September 3, 2014 Massari Won

Citations

References

  1. ^ a b c "Massari biography". imdb.com. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Waly, Amr (26 February 2007). "Massari's Life Story". Archived from the original on 2010-05-30. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Singer/Songwriter Interview: Massari". 1968 Magazine. Winter 2014.
  4. ^ "Wopi.es la Comunidad paradisiaca". 6 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Massari Biography". LetsSingIt. 5 July 2009.
  6. ^ "Massari". Tube Lyrics. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  7. ^ "Singer Massari Delivers 'So Long' Video Starring Former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-05-05.
  8. ^ "Massari Debuts 'Done Da Da' Video, Talks Middle Eastern Roots & Forthcoming U.S. Debut 'BEIRUT'". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-05-05.
  9. ^ "Massari". Massari | American Music Channel. American Music Channel. 2012. Archived from the original on 9 December 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  10. ^ "Massari". Jackhouse. URBNET. 2012. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  11. ^ https://massari.wopi.es [bare URL]
  12. ^ https://debocado.net/ [bare URL]
  13. ^ Towe, Brian. "Forever or nothing". MetroNews.ca. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011.
  14. ^ a b c "Gold/Platinum". 20 May 2023.
  15. ^ "Massari Album & Song Chat History". Billboard charts. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  16. ^ Billboard - Massari page
  17. ^ Austrian Singles Chart peaks: Massari page Archived January 29, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ German peaks[dead link]
  19. ^ aCharts.com Massari discography
  20. ^ Swiss Hitparade peaks: Massari page
  21. ^ http://romanianchart.blogspot.ca/ [user-generated source]
  22. ^ "The official lebanese Top 20 - Massari".
  23. ^ "What About the Love (Feat. Mia Martina) - Single by Massari". iTunes. January 2014.
  24. ^ "Why - Single by Shaggy & Massari". 16 March 2018.
  25. ^ "Albeh Nkasar - Single by Massari on Apple Music", iTunes, 25 October 2019, retrieved October 28, 2019