For all the genuine affection and camaraderie on-screen, sitting on the judging panel as part of the Arab version of The Voice is becoming an increasingly lonely experience for Saber Rebaï.
Ever since the talent quest debuted on MBC in 2013, three of the four mentors – pop stars Assi Helani, Kadim Al Sahir and Sherine Abdelwahab – have seen their young charges go on to clinch the title.
When season four returns next year, the spotlight will be on Rebaï as he seeks to overturn his winless streak.
The suave Tunisian crooner, however, is taking it all in his stride. Speaking from Morocco’s Mawazine Festival earlier this year, the 49-year-old explains the show was never about the mentors in the first place.
“It is tempting to say there is a competition between us but there really isn’t,” he says. “Remember, at the end of the day, the winner is the actual performer and not the judge. The performer, with the help of their coach, must show their talent and hope it captures the hearts of the people. All we can do as judges is to appreciate what they give us and that’s always inspiring to see. Maybe next year I will win or maybe not, it doesn’t matter.”
Until then, Rebaï will be busy doing live shows, courtesy of an upcoming album due to be released later in the year.
A tasty sample was offered in March with the release of the lead single Mali Wa Mal El Nass (Why should I care?). Immaculately produced with big string arrangements, sturdy percussion and lilting tenor vocals, the track is another example of Rebaï's knack for delivering material both catchy and sophisticated.
With lyrics provided by the late Egyptian poet Abdel Rahman Al Abdoudi, the song conjures the image of Rebaï on a late-night stroll contemplating the volatility of relationships: “I’ve never interfered in others’ business, nor would I have them interfere in mine / Should I act upon others’ wits, you would not be mine.”
With the official video to be released within the month, Rebaï says Mali Wa Mal El Nass is an eclectic affair.
“It is really interesting melange,” he says. “You have a song done in an Egyptian pop style, composed by a Saudi Arabian [acclaimed producer Talal] and sung by a Tunisian. I am looking forward to seeing how people react to it once the video is out.”
Rebaï confirms the upcoming album will be a similar bag of varied styles. “We are in the final stages of the production work and I hope to have the album out pretty soon,” he says. “The album will have a range of styles, as well as Khaleeji songs. These kinds of fusions are important to me. Music has no passport. It is the only thing that unites us. It’s the universal language of the people, and I hope it helps us find the unity that we crave in the Arab world, and keep us away from those things that keep us apart.”
The turmoil in the region is never far from Rebaï ’s mind. Where his peers use their social media purely for career promotion, Rebaï’s Facebook feed often shows jarring images of traumatised children in the aftermath of battles in Syria and Iraq. The accompanying captions ask followers to donate to assisting charities or raise awareness on the seemingly never ending violence happening nearby.
A father of three, Rebaï describes the issues of the region as an open wound in the Arab world.
“We have so many challenges that we are trying to overcome peacefully and the are so many more things that are underreported,” he says. “For example, the children who have grown up through such carnage. Many have died, become injured and are growing up with no future. That to me is the ultimate tragedy – that is putting your finger deep in the wound.”
Rebaï ’s youth-centred charity work has been credited by the Arab Youth Media Forum, which bestowed him the role of official youth ambassador for this year. He is adamant the position is too important to be merely symbolic.
“It’s a responsibility and not a sacrifice. No matter who you are, I think as adults we all have a responsibility to be a role model for the youth,” he says. “And that comes in the way you carry yourself and how you deal with people.
“My role is to go to meet young people and listen to them. Find out what matters to them. This is something that I take seriously and which I do a lot of, but not advertise. The role is too important to me for it be simply about taking selfies with kids and all that nonsense.”
• Mali Wa Mal El Nass by Saber Rebaï is out now on iTunes
Next week: English world music star Natacha Atlas
sasaeed@thenational.ae