Aziz Maraka

Aziz Maraka
Born
Abdul Aziz Maraka

(1983-06-22) 22 June 1983 (age 41)
Tunis, Tunisia
NationalityJordanian
Occupation(s)Performer, producer
Years active1996–present
Websitewww.azizmaraka.com

Aziz Maraka (Arabic: عزيز مرقة; born 22 June 1983), is a Jordanian composer, singer, performer, and producer.[1] Maraka created a music style called "Razz", an Arabic rock-jazz fusion that garnered regional attention.[2] He also released materials as Azis Maraka & Razz, including the album Master Copy.

Early life

Maraka was born in Tunisia to a Palestinian Jordanian father and a Lebanese mother. With the support of his parents, Aziz began performing keyboard for his school band. At the age of 12, he won a nationwide competition for original composition on keyboard. Moving to Jordan, after attending the Music School in Amman, he received a scholarship for PLUS Program to study in the United States. His first hit song, "Bent El Nas", was written as part of his senior graduation project, along with several other songs from his self-titled debut album. This album was later distributed by the Lebanese record label Ekaa in 2008.[3][4]

Career

Aziz released his first album Master Copy in 2008.[5] The song "Bint Al Nas" (Arabic: بنت الناس) (girl of the people in Arabic)[6] was the first of his songs to become known throughout the Arabic pop-music culture.[7] His next official radio release was in 2009, "Najeh", (Arabic: ناجح meaning Successful) for the senior class after passing their final exams. The song became hugely popular for teenagers across the region.[7] "Ma Baqool Assef" (Arabic: ما بقول أسف meaning I don't say sorry) debuted on radios in 2010.[7]

Maraka has performed with a new style of music, which he termed as "Razz",[8] an Arabic Jazz-Rock fusion.[9] Maraka traveled around the world in several festivals and events,[10] including a Red Bull soundclash event[11] with a local alternative rock band; JadaL.[7] The concert reportedly gathered a 4,000 people audience.[12]

In 2011, Aziz created his company "Maestro Entertainment" as a music and event production business. In October 2011, Maestro Entertainment launched "BAB 1" (Bands Across Borders) as the first annual concert and comedy platform in Jordan. It featured local popular comedian Mohammed Lahham and singers Farah Siraj, Yazan Haifawi, and Alaa Wardi.[13]

A BAB Music Festival was in August 2016 and featured a lineup of alternative and hip hop artists, including Adonis, DJ Sotosura, Muqata’a, Satti, El Far3i, Amer Al Taher, El Morabba3, Dakn, Edd Abbas, and Yazan Haifawi.[7]

Discography

Albums

  • 2008: Master Copy (Aziz Maraka & Razz)
  • 2010: Leka@Eka3 (in Arabic لقاءات إيقاع) (Aziz Maraka & Razz, Ressala, Mashrou3 Leila)

Videography

  • 2014 – Sme3tek – Directed by David Frost
  • 2014 – Meen Gallak – Directed by David Frost
  • 2014 – Time – Directed by David Frost
  • 2015 – Beat it (Cover) – Directed by David Frost[14]

References

  1. ^ "Aziz Maraqa".
  2. ^ ""طريق" في أول ظهور لها و"راز" تحاكي موسيقى الروك والجاز". Al Ghad (in Arabic). 3 June 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  3. ^ "عزيز مرقة أسلوب موسيقي جديد أدخله إلى العالمية". Layali Amman (in Arabic). 15 November 2015. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  4. ^ "Aziz Maraka: Patience is a Virtue". Red Bull. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  5. ^ "عزيز مرقة: الأغنية الفردية تحقق نجاحا أكبر من الألبوم وتواكب التغيير". Al Ghad (in Arabic). 30 August 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  6. ^ "My CD Review: Aziz Maraka – Master Copy". ARABOLOGYaccessdate=23 March 2017. 13 November 2012.
  7. ^ a b c d e "حوار خاص مع المطرب الأردني عزيز مرقة". Sky News Arabia (in Arabic). 8 November 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  8. ^ "Interview with the Razz-Master". 7iber. 5 December 2007. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  9. ^ "عزيز مرقة". Aramram (in Arabic). 1 January 2010. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  10. ^ "CULTURE Aziz Maraka concert a big hit in Cairo". Daily News Egypt. 28 November 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  11. ^ "RedBull SoundClash: What the artists had to say". VIEWS OF THE MIDDLE EAST. 3 September 2017. Archived from the original on 23 March 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  12. ^ "جدل ومرقة يشعلان أجواء ريد بل ساوند كلاش". Al Ghad (in Arabic). 3 September 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  13. ^ "Musical currents against the mainstream: Alternative music is audible in Amman if you know where to catch it!". Al Bawaba. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  14. ^ "الملحن الأردني عزيز مرقة يعيد تلحين أغنية للراحل مايكل جاكسون". Al Bawaba. 31 May 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2017.