Omar Souleyman

A popular artist on the Syrian folk-pop circuit, Omar Souleyman is a wedding singer specializing in a high-octane version of dabke, a traditional style of music performed during line dances at weddings and other celebrations. A prolific artist, Souleyman and his band have recorded over 500 cassettes — mostly live recordings made at his wedding gigs — that have become a staple of music kiosks in major Syrian cities. Cutting a striking figure with his oversized sunglasses and mustache, Souleyman, a soulful but fairly conventional vocalist, is better known for his outlandish live performances — bizarre, carnivalesque affairs featuring breakneck techno-style synths and beats, with collaborator and multi-instrumentalist Mahmoud Harbi whispering lyrics into Souleyman’s ear.

In 2007, U.S. label Sublime Frequencies issued Souleyman's Western world debut, a collection culled from cassette releases entitled Highway to Hassake. Dabke 2020 and Jazeera Nights followed in 2009 and 2010. Souleyman, whose music has been increasingly sampled by international DJs — began touring in Europe and the United States to large audiences. In 2011 he scored a slot at the Glastonbury Festival, and was chosen by Caribou for All Tomorrow's Parties' Nightmare Before Christmas event. He issued more cassettes in Syria from his Western travels, and issued the compilation Haflat Gharbia: The Western Concerts on Sublime Frequencies. The album featured selections by Souleyman and his band performing across Europe, in Australia, and in the United States. Souleyman also remixed "Crystalline" from Björk's series of singles preceding the release of Biophilia; he also recorded the cut "Mawal" as a B-side for the project. In October of 2013, he released Wenu Wenu, again with his keyboardist and constant collaborator Rizan Sa'id. The set was produced by Four Tet's Kieran Hebden, and Souleyman's first album to be primarily recorded in a studio.