Zakaria Abdulla

Personal life

Zakaria Abdulla, was born in Hawler, Kurdistan, into a musical family. From his early childhood, he spent most of his life and interests on music. As a refugee, Zakaria experienced several difficulties and moved through several countries before finally settling in Sweden.

Career

Breaking away from traditional 2-beat march-like rhythms used in Kurdish music, Zakaria began blending other genres into his music, defining a new style of post-modern Kurdish popular music. Zakaria has an established young fan base, but his music appeals to people of all ages.

1998-2003

In 1998, his first album To Hatî (trans: "You Came") was well received by Kurdish audiences worldwide. It was recorded with the help of a popular Swedish musician. To Hatî was released as first music video in his career.

Late on 1999, he released his second album Bigerêwe (trans: "Come Back"), with some Kurdish musicians in Sweden. Bigerêwe, filmed in Sweden, was the only track with a video in this album.

In 2001 he released his third album Daye (trans: "Mom"), which comprised a mix of Fantezi and pop music. The videos for the tracks Daye and Boçî hatî (trans: "Why Did You Come?") were shot in Arbil.

In 2002, Zakaria released his silver album Rojgar (trans: "Days"), selling more than 1,500,000 copies. The album was recorded in Turkey. In this work, Zakaria used for the most Fantezi style. The hit video track from this album, Netbînim (trans: "If I Don't See You") was shot in Istanbul, later he made a video for the song Rojgar. The last video from this album was the kurdish dance hit Tu naza neke shot in Diyarbakir.

2004-Present

His next album Têlinaz (trans: "Lovely"), released in October 2004, sold more than 3 million copies worldwide, introducing him to non-Kurdish audiences. Têlinaz was recorded in Turkey, and comprised a mix of Fantezi and Pop music. The video for the song Têlinaz was shot in Istanbul with a large number of dancers and was also broadcast in Turkish television. The soundtechnique who was used was very high.

January 2007, Zakaria released his sixth album, titled Gencî Pîr (trans.: "Old youth") consisting of 12 songs. The album was largely a work of Fantezi spiced up with pop music and R&B. The song Roji Bextim became a successful R&B hit. Zakaria shot a musicvideo for this album in Istanbul and Cappadocia, called Gullê (trans: "Rose"), with an Italian model, playing the leading role. The video was released on December 25 such a Christmas present to his fans.

October 5, 2008, Zakaria received the invitation, with a respectful request to perform at the Re:orient festival in Sweden. To honor this invitation, he brought 22 professional and gifted musicians along from Kurdistan. Zakaria made history when he brought such a large group of musicians to Europe, this was never earlier achieved in that manner. The concert took place in Stockholm Concert House, the performance was well received among the fans and was noted in the Swedish media as a great success.

In November 2008 he receives the "Medal of honor" (Gold medal), and proclaimed Iraq’s and Kurdistan’s greatest artist of the NGO, based on the progress and success throughout his career. He is pointed here to be the artist to raise Kurdish music to whole new dimensions. There was a great number of audience presence at the ceremony. One fact, worth the trouble of pointing out; this occasion was aired live on 8 different Kurdish and Arabic channels!

7 April 2010 Zakaria released his latest album titled "Laperrey Spî" (White Page), consisting of 14 tracks. All the benefit of the album was granted to help lonely orphan and poor children, especially those who have become victims of war and because of lack and poverty have been deprived and cannot continue school and education.

Read more on his official website [1]

Discography

To Hatî (You came) - (January, 1998)

Bigerêwe (Come back) - (November, 1999)

Daye (Mom) - (January, 2001)

Rojgar (Days) - (May, 2002)

Têlînaz (Lovely) - (October, 2004)

Genci Pir (Old Youth) - (January, 2007)

Laperrey Spî (White page) - (7 April 2010)