Elissa's black list keeps getting longer

Elissa has requested that production company ‘Rotana’ not air her latest music video for the song "Lao Ta'rafouh" (If You Knew Him), directed by Salim Turk, since it is not up to her standards.

Elissa announced that she will no longer work with directors Salim or Saeed Al Marouq after both men publicly criticized the singer and never apologized.

Elissa said that composer Jan Saliba is also on her ‘black list’ of people she does not wish to cooperate with after he announced that he will work with new comer Melissa, instead of Elissa, according to the UAE based daily, Al Bayan.

Elissa is currently holding work sessions to prepare for her upcoming album produced by ‘Rotana,’ to be released in the summer of 2007.

‘Rotana’ held a special ceremony honoring Elissa’s award as the ‘number one Arab artist’ at the 2006 World Music Awards. ‘Rotana’ president Salem Al-Hindi attended the event, covered extensively by the Lebanese media. The celebration was for her great achievement, said Al-Hindi.

“As an artist, I sing for beauty, freedom and love,” said Elissa when presented with the award for her latest album “Bastanak” (I’m Waiting for You).

Elissa said that she was honored to receive the award for a second time and dedicated it to Lebanon and its people, who suffered greatly in recent months, while giving her acceptance speech at the event in London.

“Bastanak” received the highest sales throughout the Middle East and North Africa region, reaching as high as 350 thousand albums.

Her first award, last year, was for her album “Hubbak Waja” (Your Love is Painful).

Elissa is the only Lebanese artist to win the award and has reached international fame with her unique style.

From Al Bawaba