Rashed Al-Majed (born 27 July 1969 ) is a Saudi singer, actor, musician, and record producer. He has been active since 1984. Rashed Al-Majed is one of the most famous singers in the Middle East and has released almost 40 records. His songs often have emotional and romantic themes. He has worked with the Saudi national operetta in Jenadriyah and has recorded with them more than eight times. He has performed numerous concerts in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, France, and the United Kingdom. In addition, he is one of the largest producers in the Middle East, owning the Art Jazeera channel and a 50% stake in Platinum Records with MBC Group.

Early life

Rashed Almajid was born to a Saudi father and Bahraini mother on 27 July 1969 in Manama, Bahrain. Almajid has two brothers and four sisters. Almajid spent most of his childhood in Bahrain and obtained a high school diploma there. Almajid's artistic journey started at the age of 15, specifically when his teacher Hamad Al-Hamad appreciated his talent and predicted a bright future for him. His teacher also wrote many of the melodies of his early songs. Almajid's first song Hilwa Ya Al Bahrainiya (You Pretty Bahraini girl) was broadcast through Bahrain TV in the show Bab Asindibad (Sinbads Door).

Career beginnings

Almajid's first public album went to market late 1984 which was called Aah Ya Qalbi (Oh My Heart) while Almajid was still fifteen. The album included five songs of which most were co-produced with his teacher Hamad Al-Hamad. The most famous of these songs was Al-Barha (Yesterday), which was the opening theme of the show Nimr Bin Idwan. In the year 1986, Almajid released his second album titled Lee Bint Aam. A song from that album with the same title had the biggest success and the best response from fans especially in Arab States of the Persian Gulf. In the year 1987, Almajid released the album Khal Al-Taghali in the style of Arabian Jalissa where a lot of Oud sounds were used. This year was a very important year in Almajid's career as it was the first time he was chosen to sing in the Ginadryah festival in Saudi Arabia. His performance lasted 45 minutes and was created and orchestrated by Al-Hamad, who used a lot of folklore and contemporary Arabian melodies. In 1988 and 1989, Almajid released three albums: one Jalissa style and two studio albums. Some of the most famous hits from these albums include: Jatini Taqoli, Sayyad Al-Ghawani, Qasat Daiaa Abaid, Dai’atni, Wadatni, etc. In 1990, Almajid released an album entitled, Tal Intithari, which was produced with Tawkeelat co-operation for artistic productions. In the same year, he also released the album Hoob Al-Watan which coincides with the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait. Hoob Al-Watan (Love of Country) was one of the most praised works of Almajid and the first album to be released by Aljazeera Arts and Productions (Which Almajid later bought). Then in the year 1992, he released the album called Abshar Min. This album further elevated Almajid's status in the market. Two of the most famous songs of that album were: Ayooni and Ma Yanfa. The year 1993 was considered to be a turning point for Almajid. He achieved stardom when he released two records that year: Adunya Hathooth and Allah Kareem. Songs from these albums spread vigorously throughout different radio and TV stations as they won many music awards. That same year, Almajid experimented with acting on the set of La Lilzawjat (TV series), but did not receive positive feedback from the viewers. He performed some of his songs in this TV series. A year later, Almajid's fame was still growing due to his two albums Shartan Al Thahab and Aghla Habeeba, both released in 1994 and 1995 respectively. The album Shartan Al Thahab achieved outstanding sales. In 1996, Almajid released a patriotic themed album entitled: Safwat Malook Al-Arab. The album release coincided with the healing and recovery of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. For this album, he collaborated with the artist Mohammed Abdu and the poet Prince Khalid bin Faisal Al Saud. In the same year, Almajid released the album Al-Musafir, which contained the song Al-Musafir that conquered the top of most Arab music charts. This album is Almajid's highest selling album; it is estimated at one million copies sold. Some of the notable songs of that album include: Sawlifak, Weinak Habibi, Wahshtni, Tafnan, Ash Min Shafak, Al-Mahba, etc. In late 1997 and early 1998, Almajid released two new records: Asaudia (for the celebration of the Saudi football team reaching the World Cup) and Tadhak Aldunya. Both albums received excellent feedback and success. Between 1999 and 2001, Almajid released another two albums: Ala Meen Tel'abha and Weily. The most distinct characteristics of Almajid's music emerged between 1997 and 2001 under the supervision of Kuwaiti producer Mishal Al-Arouj and co-production with Tarek Akif. Almajid's career extended more than three decades. Throughout these years, he was able to expand Arabic music and establish a wide fan base throughout the Persian Gulf region and North Africa.

2002–2006: The Emirati genre and singles

In 2002, Almajid released the album Mashkalni which sparked a lot of media attention, mainly due to the new direction Almajid was taking by adding a very distinct Emirati flavour to his songs. Hussain Al Jasmi (singer) helped in the composition of the album's title song Mashkalni. During that period, Almajid became very publicly active and went on many talk shows and interviews which allowed him to gain even more momentum in his new found style. It is worth noting that Emirati style music was not very widespread when Almajid incorporated it into his music. The most notable TV show Almajid went on was The Lebanese show Khaleik Fi Al-Bait, hosted by Zahi Wahbi. In the year 2003, Almajid released the Iraqi-influenced song Ayoon within the album Hadaya. This song topped many Arab music charts even though the music video (which had the cost of US$120 thousand) received criticism in the media. From 2003 onwards, Almajid stayed away from releasing studio albums and was content with releasing singles, mostly with an Emirati influence. He also had and continues to collaborate with singer and producer Fayez Al Saeed and the poetry of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, who writes under the name pen name Fazza.

Studio albums

1985 : Ah Ya Qalbi 1986 : Lee Bint Aam 1987 : Khal Ataghli 1988 : Qasat Daia Abaid 1988 : Awal Abi Qurbak 1989 : Ya Mlieh 1990 : Hob Al-Watan 1990 : Tal intithari 1991 : Abshar Min Ayooni 1992 : Ya Subhan 1992 : Adunya Hathoth 1993 : Allah Kareem 1994 : Shartan Al Thahab 1995 : Aghla Habiba 1996 : Al-Musafir 1996 : Safwat Malook Al-Arab 1997 : Haflat Paris 1998 : Shamat Hayati 1998 : Asoudia 1998 : Tidhak Adunya 1999 : Ala Min Tilabha 2001 : Waili 2002 : Mashkalni 2003 : Al-Hadaia 2005 : Alhal alsaab 2007 : Salamat 2009 : Noor ayni 2013 : Moseeba

Singles

Charted songs

Music videos

1993 : Ashki 1992 : Adunya Hathoth 1994 : Allah Yejeebak 1994 : Rajwai 1994 : AlQamra 1994 : Faman Allah Ya Al-Musafir 1994 : Serak Mai 1995 : Aghla Habiba 1994 : Al-Musafir 1996 : Habibi Maya 1996 : Washtni 1996 : Al-Maabha 1996 : Ya Ainha 1998 : La Ja’a Waqat Al-Jad 1998 : Ya Nasina 1998 : Ya Rashad 2002 : Waily 2002 : Mashkalni 2003 : Al-Ayoon 2005 : Nasinakum 2006 : Afnak 2007 : Sahi Lihum 2009 : Gaza