Kazem El-Saher, or better known as Iraq's diplomatic ambassador to the world, has become a true legend of Arabic music. He's been referred to as the "Mohammed Abdel Wahab and Abdel Halim Hafez of the 90's". He's the most successful /appreciated /best selling classic Arabic artist at present. Kadim Al Sahir is the voice of conscience for Arabs through song. His musical life began in childhood. At age ten, his instrument of choice was the Oud, and by twelve he was writing qasa'ed (poems). Classically trained in Baghdad's prestigious Music Academy, his career began as a songwriter for other Iraqi artists before he carved out his own unique place in the world of Arab entertainment with his emotive singing style and fusion of classical Western music with Arabic folk music. Kazem became popular with his debut hit "Abbart-El Shatt". Then after he traveled abroad of Iraq, to promote his music through concerts. Following the discovery of Kadim's recordings by an Egyptian television executive, he performed on the Egyptian broadcast where he was an instant success. This was the launch pad to super stardom. In 1994 when he relocated in Cairo, and although he would return to Iraq annually, he found himself cast as the voice of the Arabic people. Known as a perfectionist and lauded for his nontraditional use of long-forgotten maqamat (scales or chords). Kazem has been at the forefront of a return to romantic classicism in Arabic music in addition to reviving interest in traditional Iraqi music and culture. Words matter in the Arabic song, and Kadim is one of the few stars of sufficient magnitude for famed poets like Nizar Qabbani, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Kareem Al Iraqi, Abdel Wahab Mohamed, Asaad Al Ghurairy, Dr. Mane' Saeed Al Otaiba, Azeez Al Rassam, Hussain Al Marwani, Taher Salman, Talal Al Rashid, and others, to pen verses for him. Kazem is unabashedly classical, a modern superstar, with a strong foothold in tradition, yet still he manages to appeal to young people bridging the gap between old and new. He is heralded as the most popular and critically acclaimed artist in the Arab world. Kazem has also participated in many big festivals, including Jerash (Jordan), Kirtaj (Tunisia), the Arabic song festival (Egypt), in June 2000 the 1st annual Mondo Melodia International Music Festival (USA), along with Greece's biggest superstar George Dalaras and Iran's Bijan Mortazavi, as well as other supporting acts. Kadim has also played a role in a TV series called "Al Musafir". Though Kadim's dreams are not exclusively about music, music remains his heart and soul. He continues to fine-tune his art: writing, composing, arranging, and producing his music. Kazem has released 11 albums to date. In the last ten years, his albums have sold over twenty million copies. He has also had around 15 video clips produced to date. His last three albums and their corresponding hits are as follows - from the album "Fi madrasat al hob" : ya mdalal - wein akthak - lak wahsha- zidini ishqan - bab al jar; from the album "Ana wa Leila" : illa anti - ashkeek limeen - bil hadawa; from the album "Habibati wal matar" : Hiya - qooli ahiboka - mushtaq - lastu fatinati. His new album, May 2000 release, is titled "Al hob al mustaheel", meaning "an impossible love.
Source: http://www.angelfire.com/blues/darker19/Kazemsbio.htm
