Abu Baker Salem

Abu Baker Salem (Arabic: ابو بكر سالم, born March 19, 1939) was a Yemeni-Saudi singer, poet, songwriter. Born in the town of Tarim, Yemen, and then moving to Aden, Salem created poems that would be turned into song and broadcast on local radio stations. He rose into local prominence at the age of 17 with his own song and book compiling all of his poems. Salem later moved to Saudi Arabia, continuing to produce and sing songs that become popular throughout the Arab World. Salem is one of the most iconic Gulf singers, being bestowed several awards from his home country of Yemen and Saudi Arabia for his contributions to the genre.^[1]

Abu Baker Salem died on December 10, 2017 at the age of 78 due to health problems.^[2]

Biography

Abu Baker Salem was born in the historic town of Tarim, Yemen. He moved to Aden, Yemen where he took up singing and writing. Several of his poems were turned into songs and broadcast on local stations. He moved from Yemen to Saudi Arabia in 1970 and lived between Aden, Beirut, Cairo and Jeddah before finally settling in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.^[1]

At the age of 20, Salem was singing religious songs and then later became a teacher.

Personal life

Abu Baker was married to two women, from a Yemeni origin as well. One of his sons, Aseel announced his father's death on Twitter.

Career

Abu Baker salem started singing at the age of 17 releasing his first song "You are the most beautiful among all roses". He later compiled a book with all of his poems titled "A Poet First, a Singer Afterwards". Salem gained notoriety throughout the Arab world, gaining recognition and awards from Yemen and Saudi Arabia. At the time of his death, singers including Elissa (singer) and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council publicly mourned his death and recognised his contribution.^[2]

References