jordan pulse -

Interview by Atef Abu Hajar
Artist Osama Jabbour is considered one of the Jordanian artists who possesses a rich and diverse experience. He combined art with aviation, working as a flight instructor for cabin crew with nearly 7,000 flying hours, and had the honor of flying with His Majesty the late King Hussein bin Talal, may his soul rest in peace.
He has represented Jordan in dozens of Arab and international festivals, emphasizing his pride in his artistic participation, including concerts and Jarash Festival performances that opened with special Royal attendance.
Jabbour is also a player and coach in Taekwondo and Judo, holding a 2nd Dan black belt. He has participated in car rallies held in Jordan and several other countries, alongside practicing water skiing, thus combining art, sports, and a spirit of adventure and challenge.
Jabbour stresses the importance of granting justice and support to Jordanian artists and creators across various artistic fields, noting that Jordan possesses distinct talents and voices that deserve attention and opportunity. He points out that while the syndicate performs its role, there remains a persistent need for further support and appreciation for Jordanian artists both within and beyond the syndicate's walls.
After long years of stardom and success spent in the world of singing, moving between stages and festivals inside and outside Jordan, Jordanian singer Osama Jabbour decided to break his silence and speak candidly about his artistic career and the challenges he faced along his journey.
Jabbour—who has participated in dozens of Arab and international festivals and sung alongside major stars, including Melhem Barakat and Cheb Khaled, on the stage of the Palais des Congrès, the largest theater in Paris—affirms that he has many untold stories. He notes that his silence over past years was not out of weakness, but out of respect for his country and his artistic history.
In this interview, Jabbour opens a number of files related to Jordanian festivals, media, the role of artistic institutions, and the presence of the Jordanian artist, while recalling milestones from his career and memories with major artists and national figures.
Q1: After a long artistic career, what prompted you today to break the barrier of silence and speak so candidly?
Answer: I feel I have a lot to share, and perhaps the time has come for me to speak frankly. I have spent long years in art, participating in dozens of festivals in Jordan, the Arab world, and beyond. I possess professionalism and extensive experience, and the time has come for me to speak and find someone who listens. I chose silence for a long time because I love my country and respect our institutions, but silence does not mean a person has nothing to say.
Q2: Do you see that there has been negligence toward you by some Jordanian festivals, and what specifically pains you?
Answer: What pains me is feeling at times that the Jordanian artist does not receive the status they deserve in certain festivals, while priority is granted to artists from outside Jordan. I am not against the presence of Arab or foreign artists—on the contrary—but I demand balance and justice. Why shouldn't the Jordanian artist have a real presence in festivals hosted on their homeland's soil?
Q3: What about the Jarash Festival, which is considered one of the most important festivals in Jordan?
Answer: The Jarash Festival holds great standing, and I share a history and memories with it. I participated in previous editions, and my name was associated with the South Theater, but I later found myself placed on the North Theater at a certain stage. I have many observations about what transpired, and I believe an artist with history and an audience should be treated in a manner commensurate with their experience and stature. I say this out of concern for the festival and the image of Jordanian art.
Q4: Do you believe the Jordanian artist also suffers from a problem in local media?
Answer: Yes, and this is one of the issues that pains me most. There are programs and television channels that have not hosted me for many years, despite my extended artistic experience and an audience that knows me. I feel that certain media spaces have become restricted to specific names. I am not asking for more than a fair opportunity, where the criterion for hosting is the artist, their history, and what they present—not personal relationships or interests.
Q5: You spoke about favoritism and personal relationships in the artistic and media spheres... Are you not afraid these statements will spark widespread controversy?
Answer: I am speaking about my professionalism, my impressions, and what I experienced over long years. I am not afraid to speak the truth as I see it, but at the same time, I do not wish to wrong anyone or issue general judgments. There are many things I have seen and heard, some of which I keep the details of to myself. What I want is for us to review our artistic and media reality honestly, and to place talent and competence above relationships and compliments.
Q6: You indicated that some of your musical works reached other artists... Do you see a shortcoming in protecting the rights of the Jordanian artist?
Answer: I believe this is a very important issue. I have dozens of songs that I am proud of, some of which reached other artists and were performed in various Arab countries. An artist rejoices when their song reaches people, but at the same time, their intellectual and artistic rights must be respected. We need greater awareness regarding the rights and works of the Jordanian artist, as well as mechanisms to safeguard their name and effort.
Q7: Despite feeling marginalized, why didn't you seek wider reach outside Jordan?
Answer: I could go to any Arab platform and talk about my experience, as I have much to say, but I chose to maintain my self-respect and respect for my country. I love Jordan and take pride in presenting my art from within it. I did not enter art through connections or relationships, but through its true door: talent, hard work, and diligence.
Q8: Many have spoken about the power of your voice and presence... How do you describe the musical style you believe in?
Answer: I love singing that carries genuine emotion: affection, longing, nostalgia, love, and belonging to the homeland. I believe a song should elevate public taste, not just be mere noise. When I sing, I want the listener to feel that there is a real story and true feelings behind the words and melody.
Q9: Do you have testimonials from major artists confirming that you deserved greater space in the Arab world?
Answer: Yes, I heard many statements from major artists, directors, and musicians throughout my career. Among the phrases that remained in my memory is that the level of my singing was greater than the space I received in Jordan. The great artist Melhem Barakat also told me words that I cherish. Likewise, I had relationships and friendships with a number of Arab artists, including George Wassouf, whose testimony I treasure when he described me as possessing an important voice across the Arab world.
Q10: In conclusion to this interview, what is your message to those responsible for festivals and media, and to the Jordanian public?
Answer: My message is: Grant justice to the Jordanian artist. I am not demanding the exclusion of any Arab or foreign artist, but rather demanding that the Jordanian artist receive their natural right in their country. We have voices, talents, and an artistic history that deserve attention.
Personally, I am proud of Jordan and everything I have offered it. I am also proud of the honor I received in Morocco, including obtaining the Golden Microphone, and I cherish a memory very dear to my heart: the photo that brought me together with His late Majesty King Hussein bin Talal when I had the honor of singing on his birthday.
I may have remained silent for a long time, but I have never abandoned my art or my country. What I ultimately hope for is that the criterion for judging an artist remains their voice, their art, their history, and their audience—not relationships and favors.