MASSARI
It isn’t everyday that
Canadian independent urban artists achieve the level of success that
Ottawa-based Massari has received in such a short period of
time. Massari’s debut album 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 Canada’s breakthrough R&B
recording artist Massari and Ottawa-based independent label Capital
Prophet Records.
In less than six months of
release, Massari has had his first three singles and videos in the Top
20, a # 1 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).
The 24-year old Sagittarius,
born in Beirut, Lebanon, moved with his family
to Montreal 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 musical 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.
In 2002, Massari recorded and
released “Spitfire” which garnered heavy rotation on Ottawa radio
stations. He returned in 2005 with his self-titled debut album
release on May 31st, 2005 through MapleNationWide/Universal.
For this record, Massari worked closely with Da Heala
of the Capital Prophet Records production team. The album, with
its upbeat club-style tracks, mid-tempo joints and smooth ballads
draws influences from Massari’s middle-eastern origins. “Because
of my background, my music is heavily influenced with middle-eastern
melodies.”, explains Massari.
Massari (pronounced Ma-Sar-ee) - whose Arabic
name literally translated means ‘money’ - has taken the industry
by surprise in Canada. A national indie phenomenon Massari's
self-titled album debuted on the Top 40 SoundScan Chart at #29, and #6
on the R&B chart. The album sold out nationwide in its first couple
days of release and has remained in the Top 100 on the Top 200
SoundScan Chart since its release. The lead off single, “Smile
For Me” features former Bad Boy Entertainment recording artist
Loon. “It didn’t matter if he was an established artist or
not, it was just the quality of the record, the quality of the music
that made me want to get involved”, says Loon about his
involvement with Massari and Capital Prophet Records. The end result
was a hit single that spent 24 weeks on the Top 40 chart, peaking at
#18 (BDS CHR) in Canada. Canadian award-winning music video
director RT! was responsible for making the “Smile For Me” video one
of the hottest urban videos by a Canadian artist. The video was
immediately added to heavy rotation at MuchMusic and MuchVibe and
received two 2005 MuchMusic Video Award nominations for Best
Independent Video and MuchVibe Best Rap Video.
His
second single “Be Easy”, bettered his first outing and
spent close to four months in the Top 10 (peaking at #4) on the Top 40
Chart (BDS CHR). The video, once again directed by music video
director RT!, was instantly added to heavy rotation across the board
on video outlets and peaked at the coveted #1 position on the
MuchMusic Top 30 Countdown. Riding high on the success of “Be Easy”
comes the much-anticipated third single “Real Love”.
The romantic ballad shows a softer side to Massari with its
beautifully innocent and heartfelt lyrics.
The single found its
way into the Top 20 at Canadian CHR/TOP 40 radio after only four weeks
and the video was added into heavy rotation across the board at video
outlets. The video directed by RT!, produced by John Nadalin and
executive produced by Tony Sal (Capital Prophet Records) brings to
life a fabulous story of love, fate and destiny.
Already the biggest selling
Canadian R&B artist of 2005, Massari is about to take things global
with a recently inked major record deal with Universal Music in
Germany for release of his debut CD in Germany, Austria and
Switzerland, along with releases confirmed for 18 territories around
the world.
Massari will be touring the
Middle East soon
