Who Is Melhem Barakat, The Arab Singer Being Honoured As Google’s Doodle of The Day?

The Lebanese singer is being celebrated today by the search engine on what would have been his 76th birthday…

Best known for celebrating icons and memorable moments, Google Doodles honours culture in its own special way, putting it front and centre on what is, arguably, some of the best “real estate” space on the web.

Today, the search engine’s home page shows an illustration of the Lebanese singer, Melhem Barakat, in remembrance of his legacy. Influenced by the renowned musician Mohamed Abdel Wahab, his unique musical style and elaborate performances have made him one of the Arab world’s biggest sensations.

Who Was Melhem Barakat?

Barakat started his career in the 1960’s as a singer and songwriter; he continued to compose music throughout his life embracing his signature style which was to combine classical elements with improvisations, quickly established a large fanbase with some of his most famous hit songs including Habibi Enta, Badak Maleoun Seneh and Ya Hobi Elly Ghab. 

Melhem Barakat’s Biggest Achievements

Aside from collaborating with some of Arab world’s biggest singers including Najwa Karam, Karol Sakr and Majida El Roumi, in 2008, Barakat received the prestigious lifetime achievement award at Lebanon’s annual Murex d’Or ceremony.

Even after his passing away in 2016, his music has left an unmatched imprint in the industry keeping him a relevant memory in our minds till this day.

Lead images courtesy of Instagram/@melhembarakatofficial