JEDDAH, 6 February 2006 — The debut album of Ottawa-based Massari has remained in the Top 100 on the Top 200 SoundScan Chart since its release and has now reached ‘Gold’ record status in Canada making 2005 the year for the country’s breakthrough R&B recording artist and Ottawa-based independent label Capital Records.
In less than six months of release, Massari had his first three singles and videos in the Top 20, a Number One video on the MuchMusic Top 30 Countdown, nominations for two 2005 MuchMusic Video Awards (best independent video, MuchVibe best rap video), and nominations for two 2005 Canadian Urban Music Awards (best new artist, R&B/soul recording of the year).
According to Music Master, based in Jeddah and Alkhobar, Massari’s self-titled debut album includes the smash hits “Smile for me” featuring Loon, “Be Easy,” “Real Love,” “Rush the floor” featuring Belly and “Inta Hayati.
The 24-year-old Beirut-born moved with his family to Montréal at the age of 10 to break out of the unrest within the population at that time. Later, at 13 he moved to Ottawa where he currently resides.
The trilingual artist — he speaks English, French and Arabic fluently — cites Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin as music influences.
However, growing up he has been exposed to various styles of music and because of that his biggest influence is legendary Arabic singer George Wassouf.
