The Algerian singer Kamal Rizk emerged victorious after a gruelling six-week battle as the latest season of the TV talent competition Munshid Al Sharjah drew to a close last week.
He saw off tough competition from more than two dozen contestants from Muslim countries with his smooth and expressive take on the Islamic music genre, nasheed.
Rizk, who is from Algeria, says he has been following the scenes of jubilation in his home country over his victory on the show, which broadcast live each week on Sharjah TV.
“They are absolutely ecstatic,” he says. “Algeria had two events this year where the streets were flooded with people to celebrate. The first was during Ramadan when the national team qualified for the final round of the World Cup.
"The second was me winning Munshid Al Sharjah. I can't wait to go back home and celebrate with them all."
The Algerian won’t be going home empty-handed. As part of his prize, he pocketed a cool Dh150,000, a new BMW and a contract with the Sharjah Media Corporation to record an album and make a music video.
With such a great victory comes a greater responsibility to be a role model. “One doesn’t sing nasheeds,” Rizk says. “You have to also live its message.”
How big a challenge was it to win Munshid Al Sharjah?
aIt was very daunting at first, to be honest. Once I qualified and arrived in Sharjah, I heard, for the first time, many of my international competitors and they had beautiful voices. So I never thought about how my aim was to win the competition. I just put my head down and worked hard and took it round by round until I got to the final and, thank God, eventually won.
When did you discover the nasheed genre?
It began as a child, when my father taught me how to recite the Holy Quran in a clear and melodious way. Once I started primary school, I began performing nasheeds at community events. I really got involved with the genre once I joined a nasheed group and that gave us plenty of opportunities to perform more widely, in addition to the confidence to enter Munshid Al Sharjah.
What you describe is similar to what aspiring artists from other music genres go through. Do you feel sometimes that people dismiss nasheeds as not being an art form like other genres?
Well, I personally believe it is an art form. When I speak to you, I speak to you as an artist as opposed to the term “nasheed singer”. I feel there is a growing understanding of the capabilities of the nasheed genre. You can see today that nasheed songs discuss a whole range of issues and they are not strictly spiritual. There are songs discussing societal issues as well and that makes it connect with more people. The genre is growing and there are even some television channels dedicated to nasheeds beginning to emerge in our region.
A distinct feature of nasheeds is the spiritual and wholesome nature of the lyrics. Does a nasheed artist have to believe in the subject matter to give an authentic performance?
That is a very important point. In the nasheed scene there is a saying that we use as a banner, and that is “Al Inshad Irshad”, meaning the nasheed singer is like a guide. He offers people advice to live a more wholesome life and avoid what God has forbidden. Nasheed songs actually teach us first, as singers, before we spread the message to other people. The nasheed singer needs to have good character first before he goes out to perform and engage with people.
As part of the prize, you will go into the studio soon to record your debut album. Have you started thinking of ideas for the project?
Not yet. Right now I plan to return to Algeria and relax with my family. After I am rested I will begin working on the album and listen to suggestions by some of the leaders of this field, from composers and lyricists to producers. One thing I want, though, is for the album to appeal to as many people as possible. I would love the album to have different styles with me perhaps singing in Arabic, English and French. I want the messages to be simple, yet meaningful.
