Abu Bakr Salim Balfaqih

Abu Bakr Salim Balfaqih (March 17, 1939 - December 10, 2017), a Yemeni-Hadrami origins singer, poet, composer, and director, was one of the most famous Arab artists in the Arab and Gulf, known as " Abu Aseel, The Father of Khaliji Music". he excelled in various styles of Arabic singing, particularly the Hadhrami style, in addition to presenting many songs in the San'ani style, including "Miskeen Ya Nas", "Ya Layl Hall Ashku" (Oh Night, Do I Complain), "Wamgharad", "Ahabbat Rabbu Sana'a", "Rasooli Qawm", and "Asil Wallah Asil". Abu Bakr left Tarim, his hometown, in his youth and moved to and settled in Aden city in the mid-1950s, during a period when Aden witnessed a significant artistic renaissance.

He joined the artistic community as a percussionist for several artists, becoming acquainted with many of its poets, artists, and media personalities. Abu Bakr introduced himself to the artistic world through seasonal concerts held in Aden, achieving success by broadcasting recorded and live performances on Aden Television and radio.

He wrote his first song at the age of seventeen, titled "Ya Ward Mahalli Jamalak Bayn Al-Warood" (Oh Rose, Your Beauty Is Distinct Among Roses), and compiled a poetry collection named "Diwan Sha'er" before joining the world of music, containing poems he sang as well as those sung by other artists. He wrote and composed songs for prominent Arab artists, such as the late Warda Al-Jazairia, and his songs were performed by various Arab artists like Walid Toufic, Ragheb Alama, and Talal Maddah. Subsequently, he began composing some songs, both lyrics and melodies, including the song "Lamma Alaqi Al-Habib" (When I Meet My Beloved), which he sang for Aden Radio in 1376 AH/1956 AD, gaining wide acclaim.

This success led him to compose more songs such as "Khaf Rabek" (Fear Your Lord), "Ya Habibi Ya Khafif Al-Rouh", and "Sahran Layali Taweel". He also composed and sang several classical poems such as "Iskuni Ya Jaraah" by the Tunisian poet Aboul-Qasim Al-Shabi, "Laylat Sha'at Lana Bil-Noor", "Aqbalt Tamshi Roydan", and later he learned to play the oud. Throughout his artistic career, the artist Abu Bakr Salim received numerous awards and honors, including the Golden Cassette from a German distribution company, a UNESCO award as the second best voice in the world, the Cultural Medal in 1424 AH/2003 AD, and the Sana'a Capital of Arab Culture souvenir in 1425 AH/2004 AD, among many others. Abu Bakr Salim passed away on Sunday, 22 Rabi' al-Awwal 1439 H, corresponding to December 10, 2017, in Riyadh after a long battle with illness at the age of 78.