Bashar al-Shatti (; born 22 September 1982) is a Kuwaiti singer, songwriter and actor, and plays piano and guitar. He began his career as an orchestra chorale member.
He served as a judge in the singing competition ''
Arab Idol
''Arab Idol'' is an Arabic television show, based on the popular British show ''Pop Idol'' created by Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment and developed by Fremantle Media and recorded in Beirut, Lebanon. The first season premiered on 9 December 201 ...
''.
''Star Academy''
Bashar's fame started along with the reality television show ''
Star Academy
''Star Academy'' is a Dutch-developed reality television talent show format that first aired in the Netherlands as '':nl:Starmaker (televisieprogramma), Star Maker''.
Format
There are many versions of the show, each country having its own sl ...
'' on
LBC
LBC (originally the London Broadcasting Company) is a British phone-in and talk radio station owned and operated by Global and based in its headquarters in London. It was the UK's first licensed commercial radio station, and began to broadc ...
.
There were rumors of a love affair between him and Moroccan contestant Sophia Marikh.
[
] ''
Gulf News
''Gulf News'' is a daily English language newspaper published from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. First launched in 1978, it is distributed throughout the UAE and also in other Persian Gulf countries. Its online edition was launched in 1996. Thro ...
'' reported that teenagers welcomed him as a superstar.
Bashar was the runner-up, but lost to Mohammed Attiyeh of Egypt.
The following October, according to an ''
Al Bawaba'' report, police investigated al-Shatti following a scuffle in Marina Mall in Kuwait. The report stated that fans gathered for pictures and autographs at a coffee shop where he and his brother were sitting, and that al-Shatti got into a physical altercation with some young hecklers, who later called the police.
Later career
After ''Star Academy'', he signed a multi-record deal with
Rotana Records
Rotana Music Group () is a Saudi Arabian record label and the music division of the Rotana Media Group. It was established by the Nagro Brothers, Mohammed, Khalid, Waleed, Ahmed and Nezar Nagro in 1987 and was later sold to Saudi billionaire Pri ...
. Al-Shatti recorded two records with Rotana. In 2008, he terminated his contract with Rotana to cooperate with
Arab Radio and Television Network (ART) and release a third album.
Al-Shatti has collaborated with Kuwaiti artist
Nabil Shuail. Al-Shatti composes for television serials and cartoons, and has written religious music.
He participated in the composition of the Alwatan TV inauguration operetta.
Al-Shatti recently branched out into an acting career, taking a role on an MBC television series.
Additionally, he was the artist panellist on Qualitynet's home video contest, "Fakkar Ana Khouf?" which was decided on 15 December 2012.
Impact
In ''Arab Television Today'', British media author
Naomi Sakr described Al Shatti as "charismatic".
has called him "a pan-Arab heartthrob".
Personal life
Bashar has three brothers and one sister.
[
] He married in early 2011. He has a son, Abdul Rahman.
[
] He has also voiced his views on the Syrian revolution, saying, "Aside from being an artist, I am first a human. It isn't human to accept murder, massacres and crimes against children."
Discography
*''Bashar Al-Shatti'' (Rotana, 2005)
*''Thany Marra'' (Rotana, 2006)
*''Akwa Men El Awal'' (ART, 2009)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shatty, Bashar
Kuwaiti male singers
Kuwaiti people of Iranian descent
Living people
1982 births
Rotana Records artists
Contestants from Arabic singing competitions
Arabic-language singers of Kuwait
Pianists