jordan pulse -

Interviewed by: Atef Abu Hajar
Artist Mohammad Abu Ghareeb Recalls Milestones from His Artistic Career
His relationship with art was no coincidence; rather, it began at an early age when he discovered his talent for singing and acting. His journey started at home and in school, then moved to parties and weddings, eventually leading him to the Jordanian Radio and Cairo.
Abu Ghareeb carries in his memory numerous milestones from his artistic career, most notably his appearance in dramatic scenes alongside his uncle, the "Dean of Artists" Mahmoud Abu Ghareeb, during the era of black-and-white television. He then recorded his works at the Jordanian Radio before moving to Cairo to work in the studios of the late renowned musician Ammar Al-Sherei.
Abu Ghareeb emphasizes that art, for him, was never merely a means to fame, but a mission through which he sought to serve his country and present clean art that respects the audience. He notes that his father and uncle were his greatest supporters in his early days, and that self-reliance was a fundamental theme throughout his career.
In this interview, Mohammad Abu Ghareeb opens the pages of his memory, discussing his beginnings, his most prominent works, the challenges he faced, his vision for the song, and ultimately his decision to step away from singing at parties after performing the Hajj pilgrimage.
Q: How did your relationship with art and singing begin?
A: My beginnings were in my childhood. I loved singing and acting, and this was a God-given talent, not a climb or a search for fame. I started singing at school and at home. At the age of ten, I used to sing to my late mother when we went to my grandmother’s house in Al-Salt, as my mother’s roots were from there. That was during the 1960s.
Q: What about your start in acting?
A: When my uncle, the Dean of Artists Mahmoud Abu Ghareeb, came along, I participated with him in some dramatic scenes during the days of black-and-white television. That experience was one of the important milestones in my early artistic beginnings.
Q: And how did you transition to singing in front of an audience?
A: After that, I started singing at parties and weddings, and I used to sing for free because the important thing for me was to sing and practice my talent. During that period, I sang without audio equipment or a microphone, because my voice is of the strong, resonant "mountain" type, and I relied on the sheer power of my voice to reach the audience.
Q: How was your experience with the Jordanian Radio?
A: I went to the Jordanian Radio, and the late Rouhi Shaheen was one of the figures who accompanied that phase. I recorded the song "Sho Hal Hekaya Ya Reem" (What is this Story, O Reem?), which was one of the important works in my career.
Q: What about your trip to Cairo?
A: I traveled to Cairo and went to the studios of musician Ammar Al-Sherei, where I produced the song "Qalbi Ma'ak Marhoon" (My Heart is Pledged to You), along with a few other songs. Cairo was a significant milestone in my journey due to its great status in the world of Arab art and music.
Q: What are the most prominent works that contributed to your fame?
A: I have many works, including national and folk songs. The song "Ifrah Ma'aha Wa Ghanilha" (Rejoice with Her and Sing for Her) played a role in my fame, as well as "Qalbi Ma'ak Marhoon," alongside other works I presented during my career. My professional phase truly began in 1985. The real Arab breakthrough happened after my participation in the variety "Studio 86" with the late director Haseeb Youssef, in addition to my participation in the Jerash Festival and many other festivals in Jordan and abroad.
Q: Who are the people who supported your career the most?
A: The two people who supported me the most were my father and my uncle, Mahmoud Abu Ghareeb. Their support and encouragement had a massive impact on my continuity and pursuit of the artistic path.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge you faced during your artistic career?
A: The most difficult phase I faced was the lack of interest from the media and the officials in charge of the art movement in Jordan toward artists in the way I had hoped. Therefore, I relied entirely on my individual effort and at my own expense. My goal was to serve my country with a clean artistic message.
Q: What matters to you when choosing a song?
A: For me, the lyrics come first, then the melody, and finally the musical arrangement. The word is the foundation, and from it, the building of the song begins.
Q: What musical styles are closest to your personality?
A: The Egyptian folk style, the Jordanian urban style, as well as the Lebanese style—these are genres close to my feelings and my artistic personality.
Q: Did you ever think about stepping away from art?
A: Yes, I thought about stepping away from art ever since I performed the Hajj pilgrimage. Since that time, I no longer sing in nightclubs or parties, thank God.
Q: After this long journey, what is the dream you still wish to achieve?
A: My dream is for God to bless me with health, wellness, and grace, to grant me a good ending, and to pass away with God pleased with me. That is the dream I wish for.
Q: What do you say to your audience who has accompanied you throughout these years?
A: I say to them: Thank you for your love and support, and for respecting me as a human being and not just as an artist. I cherish this love and appreciation deeply; to me, they are more precious than any fame.
Q: A final word you direct to the readers and those who have followed your career?
A: All thanks to this website, and my deepest gratitude to you, Mr. Atef Abu Hajar, my dear friend, for this love and interest in the Jordanian artist, and I wish you all the best and success. To my audience and the coming generations, I say: Do not make fame your goal; rather, let value and the message be the foundation. I sang because I loved singing, and I presented what art I could to serve my country and bring joy to the people. Today, I am most proud of the people's love and respect for me as a human being before being an artist, and I ask God to write goodness and a good ending for me and for you.