Melhem Barakat


Melhem Barakat, also known as Melhim Barakat, or Abou Majd was a Lebanese singer, songwriter, and melodist. He has toured Australia, South America, Canada, and the United States.

Career

Barakat started his career in the 1960s. He participated as an actor and singer in many of the Rahbani Brothers' musicals and operettas.
Since the 1990s Melhem Barakat had several popular songs, such as "Habibi Enta," which was later sung by his ex-wife May Hariri. He also collaborated with Najwa Karam, Karol Sakr, Shatha Hassoun, and Majida El Roumi.

Biography

He composed music for some of the best Arab singers of the past century, including Sabah, Samira Tewfik, Wadih El Safi and Majida El Roumi. Barakat was known for his energetic songs that mixed classical music with his personal improvisations.

Family and background

Melhem Barakat first married the Lebanese singer Sabah's sister, Souad. Then he later married Randa Azar with whom he had three children: Majd, Waad and Ghinwa. His third and final marriage was to May Hariri with whom he had a child: Melhem junior, before the couple divorced. He was Antiochian Orthodox Christian.

Death

He died from cancer on 28 October 2016 at Hôtel-Dieu de France hospital in Achrafieh, Lebanon. He was 74. His funeral took place at Saint Nicolas Church in Achrafieh, Beirut.
Many Lebanese singers and politicians were present at the funeral mass, including Ragheb Alama, Fares Karam, Majida El Roumi, Rola Saad and Barakat's ex-wife May Hariri.