Meet Jordanian pop star Jaafar

Jaafar (Publicity Photo)

Back Story – Jordanian pop singer and songwriter, Jaafar, recently released his new single and first major label release “Ra7at 3aleki” – which translates to “You’ve Missed Your Chance”- following the announcement of his five-year signing agreement with premier record label Universal Music Group MENA (UMG MENA).

Jaafar first exploded onto the Jordanian music scene in 2013 with the hit song “You Got Me Good” that was released “accidentally” after falling into the hands of a local radio promoter. The song became one of the most successful summer songs in Jordan that year. In 2015, he released his first U.S. single “Sixteen”, which performed impressively for an unsigned independent act, receiving widespread radio airplay and climbing the Billboard charts plus other major U.S. national radio charts, leading to features in People and The Huffington Post. In following years, he was able to release four more singles, which ultimately led him to opening for various Arabic Pop heavyweights such as Amr Diab and Cheb Khaled, and to grow in the eye of mainstream Western media.

His current pop-vibe radio ready song was written directly by Jaafar, and produced by famed Lebanese producer Hadii Sharara (French Montana, Wael Kfoury, Nancy Ajram). It is paired with a lighthearted entertaining music video which features Jaafar in his bedroom attempting to come up with an idea for a music video, and having a lot of fun in the process! The music video was self-directed by Jaafar, and marks his first directorial effort. ~ Bio

Anybody having this much fun with great music is worth meeting and thus The Hype Magazine got Jaafar to weigh in on a few things!

From the outside looking in, who is the artist Jaafar?

I’m a product of my environment. I grew up and lived in Jordan until I graduated high school. I then went to art school in London for a year, then I moved to the States. I love both Middle Eastern Music and Western popular music. I was brought up on both. My music always has a fusion element to it.

What brought you to the entertainment industry, music specifically?

I’ve always loved music. My first concert was Sting live in Amman when he was touring for his album Brand New Day. I had actually gone to see his opening act, , who is a very famous Algerian Rai artist. I didn’t necessarily know that much about Sting… I knew Desert Rose because Cheb Miami was featured on it. I was blown away by the concert and the music. I think after that concert it clicked that you could actually do this for a living. I don’t remember ever wanting to anything else though.

What do you get from music?

Joy!

Tell us about your current project.

I just signed a record deal with Universal Music MENA. I’m working on new music now. Actually I’m almost done recording. We’re going to be releasing new songs every couple of months this year, God willing! I’m really excited for everyone to hear the new music.

For new listeners, what song of yours would you pick as an introduction to you as an artist?

Out of my currently released stuff probably Dalia. I love that song and it was a turning point in my career as a songwriter.

Tell us a bit about your work and passions OUTSIDE of music…

I’m really a pretty low key guy outside of music. That’s something that always surprises people. I love horses. My dad is an Arabian Horse breeder, so I basically grew up at the stables… and I still try to spend as much time as possible around horses or riding. Otherwise, really I’m just hanging out with friends and family, watching a movie or playing cards. I’m a big movie buff.

Last but not least, HYPE wants to know…What’s your CRAZIEST “Where they do that at?!” aka WTF?! moment…

Getting recognized outside of Jordan and the Middle East in general is always crazy to me. Good crazy though. One time in particular I was in Los Angeles with my sister about to walk in to a store. This guy jumped out of a car and ran towards us with a camera. My sister bolted! I was looking around thinking Justin Timberlake or somebody was behind me. He scared us! It was all good though. Except for the fact that I looked like a total newb!

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Tags: Jaafar, pop music

About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.