Ismail Alfarwachi, The Iraqi Pop Sensation Comes To America

Part of the magic behind the success and the awesomeness of Iraqi singer/composer Ismail Alfarwachi is that he took a different route to fame. He broke out of the mold and made fresh music--something Iraqi composer still struggle with. His music and his style are so different than the usual Iraqi melody.

Heis deeply rooted in Iraqi history through his ancestors in the city of Karbala. Like many before him his interest in music started in his early days at school where he would participate in school concerts. He would study music in college and kick off his career in 1989 as a musician in a band. That have not helped establish his name, but his songs were instant hits with the Iraqi youth. "Ya Benya", "Walah Ahibaj", "Ya Qalby to name few"

However his days as a singer have not arrived yet, as he was composing for the top Iraqi singers at that time, his work helped bring success to many local talents. The turning point in Ismail's career came in 1990 with the release of his "Dos Ala Qalby", Arabic for "step on my heart" That albums helped defined his career and have brought him the name recognition he has longed for.

The album ushered in a new era of Iraqi pop. His journey counties as Ismail was drafted in the Iraqi army at the time of the First Gulf War. He would lose his right leg, a tragic event enough to shatter all his dreams and aspirations. But Ismail did not let that stop him, and kept on rocking.

In 1992 he released his second album, titled "Hayrah", the title song--which was a cover ended up becoming a modern day classic song. that means it's really hard to find any Iraqi who has not memorized or danced to this song. The success of his album have brought Ismail joy and consoul in the wake of the loss of his leg. Ismail started making music videos for his songs

Throughout his career, he released 6 albums, the last one came in 2000. Ismail has left Iraq due to political pressure and instability. Ismail Alfarwachi lives in Toronto Canad, and tours the world performing to Iraqi and Arab communities, in the Australia, Canada and Europe.


Ismail will be touring the United States this month, and I will be seeing him as he stops in Virgina for concert.

Ismail Alfarwachi. اسماعيل الفروه جي لو ايسمعوني هلي