The Arabic music world has been empty of Iraqi popular artists for the most part. Ridha Al-Abdullah has managed to rise from the debris of a terrorized civil society, and become one of the most popular and well-respected Iraqi singers. His boyish looks and charismatic presence hold a bright future for the talented Baghdad. Ridha sits down for an exclusive one on one back stage after one of his concerts in the Gulf. shakomakonet takes this rare look into the past, mind, and aspirations of this young star.

shakomakonet: Tell us about how your journey began with music?
Ridha Al-Abdullah: As a child, I always loved music, and I wanted to be a singer. At the age three, I sang in public for the first time during Eid festivities. I was just like any other child who wanted to be a doctor or an engineer, its just that I wanted to become a singer. I used to always sit and sing with my friends, and they would tell me that I had a nice voice. I believe that humans are born with musical talents, I am very blessed in that way.

shakomakonet: How did you turn your love for music as a child into a career?
Ridha Al-Abdullah: Just like everything else, it all starts with school. I went to the Baghdad Institute for Fine Arts, and what drove me to go there was my love for the Oud (lute), and I finished in the top ten of my class. In 1996, I decided to leave Iraq and head to Jordan, where more opportunities awaited me. After spending four years there, I moved to Dubai where I launched “Mili7 wil zad.” (Salt and Food) It was a song from Iraqi folklore, but I remixed it to fit my style, and that song was my real launch onto the Arabic world.

shakomakonet: During your earlier years, was there anyone in particular who guided you in the right direction?
Ridha Al-Abdullah: It is without a doubt that my older brother, Ibrahim has had the greatest influence on me. He followed up with my talent, and pushed me to go to school. I lived alongside his art for a long time, and that made him some sort of mirror, in which I could myself grow. He is a brilliant artist, and was older than me, which meant that he was a real living hero for me. He urged me to be disciplined in my work, and to this day, that has been the key to my success.

shakomakonet: Were there any popular singers that influenced your music?
Ridha Al-Abdullah: Nadhum Al Ghazali mesmerized me with his beautiful concepts and magical voice. To this day, I sing his songs in tribute.

shakomakonet: Many people would say that you have been most influenced by Kadhum El Saher. In fact, many would say that you copy him. What do you say to that?
Ridha Al-Abdullah: It is an honor to be compared to the likes of Kadhum. Especially, when he had his start fourteen years before I did. That means that I have been able to cut the time difference through hard work. Being compared to the likes of Kadhum, Fadhil Awad, Saadoun Jabber, Hussein Nima, Yas Khidhir, or Hatim Al-Iraqi. These are all great singers, and being compared to them is not something that would trouble me. In fact, it makes me feel better.

shakomakonet: So many of your Iraqi colleagues live and work outside Iraq. Is there a sense of community between you.
Ridha Al-Abdullah: It is beautiful. For example, Kadhum and I are always in touch. Many of us are classmates or have gone to the same school for the arts in Baghdad. We are all one family.

shakomakonet: Has that made being outside Iraq less difficult for you?
Ridh Al-Abdullah: Yes, but nothing can take away the pain of being far away from Iraq. To me, Iraq is everything. It has been tough adjusting to new places and faces. Although the experience has been new and enjoyable, but it just makes me miss Baghdad more. I haven’t been back since I left in 1996, but it feels like yesterday.

shakomakonet: How is Iraqi music different than Arabic music?
Ridha Al-Abdullah: Iraqi music doesn’t exist outside the realm of Arabic music. Its just a different color. It is my identity. It can be said, however, that Iraqi music takes up a lot of space in the Arabic music world. Through its influence and popularity.

shakomakonet: Ridha, what do you look for in your music?
Ridha Al-Abdullah: Every human loves beauty. There is nobody that rejects beauty. I compose all the music for my songs, but I am constantly looking for beautiful words to sing with them.

shakomakonet: Are there any songs that you have released that you wish you hadn’t because you didn’t feel that they were up to your standards?
Ridha Al-Abdullah: None of my songs and compositions are released unless I am completely in touch with them. Experience has taught me a lot. In all my albums, I embrace the words and the composition, tire over them endlessly, and then release them. I stay up for nights on end with poets and musicians. I am not satisfied easily. I am meticulous with every little detail. I am always driven by my fans’ love for me. It is a huge responsibility.

shakomakonet: You speak of your fans with such high regard to them, performing live on stage must be a very gratifying experience for you. Tell as more about that.
Ridha Al-Abdullah: On stage, I feel as if everyone in the audience is actually in my heart. Including myself. The fans and I are one.

shakomakonet: Will you be performing in Iraq anytime soon?
Ridha Al-Abdullah: Everyday I pray that I can come back. If God is willing, Iraq will be safe again.

shakomakonet: Would you combine on a project with another singer, a woman? Duos seem to be the craze right now.
Ridha Al-Abdullah: It comes down to how careful a person is about his or her work. A duo is a great concept, but its an idea that has been carried out by a lot of my friends. I would do it if it was presented in a new way. But I wouldn’t do a duo just for the sake of doing it. The piece must be up to my artistic standards. I am very careful with my work.

shakomakonet: Ridha, what is your favorite music video of one of your songs?
Ridha Al-Abdullah: I might be selfish in saying this, but I like all of them.

shakomakonet: Finally, do you have anything you would like to say to your fans?
Ridha Al-Abdullah: I want you to tell them, that an artist can never exist without an audience. I am afraid that they might not like my work. I want to give them something worthy of their love. I am always worried. I live for them and through them.

Special thanks to all those that helped in recording and documenting this interview. Without you, this would not have been possible.