Who is Abu Bakr Salem?
Abu Bakr Salem, born Abu Bakr bin Salem bin Zain bin Hassan Balfqih, is a renowned Saudi singer, composer, and literary figure with Yemeni heritage. He began his artistic journey at a young age, writing the song “Ya Ward Mahla Jamalak Bayn Al-Waroud” when he was merely seven years old. This composition was recorded and broadcast by the Aden Radio in 1956. Additionally, he published a poetry collection titled “Diwan Sha’ir Qabl Al-Talab,” which featured numerous songs he wrote, some of which he performed himself, while others were sung by different artists.
Birth and Upbringing of Abu Bakr Salem
Born on March 17, 1939, Abu Bakr Salem falls under the Taurus zodiac sign. He married twice; his first marriage was to the daughter of Sheikh Jalil Omar Al-Irfan in Aden, with whom he had two daughters, Anham and Alhan. In his second marriage, he wed a woman from Hadhramaut in Saudi Arabia, and they had a son named Aseel. He passed away in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, on December 10, 2017, at the age of 78, following a prolonged battle with illness.
Abu Bakr Salem’s Artistic Journey
For three years, Abu Bakr Salem worked as a teacher, during which he met numerous poets and musicians while settling in Aden, including prominent figures such as Ahmed Al-Qasim, Mohammed Murshid Nagy, Lotfi Jafar, and Fadl Al-Naqeeb. He gained widespread recognition through the airing of his songs and recorded performances on Aden Television. In 1958, he recorded all his artistic works in Beirut before relocating in 1975 due to the war, moving back to Aden and later to Jeddah, where he lived and acquired Saudi citizenship.
Notable Achievements of Abu Bakr Salem
Abu Bakr Salem accomplished numerous milestones throughout his career, earning various awards, including:
- Recognition Award from the Saudi Students Club in Cairo, awarded in 1983.
- Appreciation Award from the Andalus Festival held in Kuwait, awarded in 1989.
- Best Performance Award from the Abha Festival, awarded in 1999.
- Honorary Award at the February Festival held in Kuwait, in 1999.
- Recognition Medal at the Song Festival in 2001.
- First-Class Medal awarded by the King of Bahrain in 2001.
- Golden Cassette Award for the song “24 Sa’a.”
- Golden Record Award for the hit song “Emta Ana Ashofak,” which sold over 4 million copies in 1968.
- Second Best Voice in the World Award from UNESCO.
- Honored by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage in Oman in 1995.
- Appointed as an honorary member of the supporting association for educational institutions in Hadhramaut in 2001.
Major Albums of Abu Bakr Salem
Abu Bakr Salem released numerous albums, among the most notable include:
- Musafirin.
- Session of Memories.
- Closed Paths.
- My Papers.
- Gulf Voice Sessions.
- Journey of the Loved Ones.
- Ma Yahtaj Ya Issa.
- O Breeze of Magic.
- Fire of Longing.
- Where Are You.