Does money really make the world go around? Well, one thing is for sure, money goes around the world, but in the more human shape of Massari. The Lebanese/Canadian R'n'B singer has been touring the world for over two years now and included Dubai in his schedule.
With his 13-strong team, Loud magazine brought Massari to play live at Chi at the Lodge recently and had the girls screaming.
Money
How could they not? He's handsome, young, famous and, well, rich. But to the singer, money can represent different things, which is why he chose the name Massari — meaning money in Arabic.
"I chose this name because it's never been used before. But also so that when people say 'money' they remember love, beautiful music, freedom, understanding and compassion and all the things that really matter in this life."
Struggle
Massari was born in Lebanon as Sari Abboud, but moved to Canada with his family when he was 10 years old. It was only when he got much older that he discovered his musical talents.
"I grew up really poor, okay? Like, very, very poor in the projects. So I never really had the chance to take any singing lessons or any piano lessons or anything." He spoke softly as he fiddled with the magazines on the table that divided us.
"At first it was just a hobby and then it became a way for me to get out of the hood and out of the struggle — to be able to do something for my family."
Dark secret
Massari smiled as his square and quite large, sparkling, blue earrings and blinging necklace that carried a bejewelled letter M, blinded me. It was obvious that he has come a long way since his youth.
And was he wearing green-coloured contact lenses?
"Maybe..." He laughed as though I had discovered one of his dark secrets.
"People ask me if I contradict myself. But when I go to work, this is my suit. This is my outfit. I have to appeal to the public. I have to look a certain way. A lot of the youth look at me, how I dress and what I say. And I do as I say. What's cool is that I don't have to pretend. This is me. If you don't like it, then I'm sorry that I can't..." he trailed off. "I can't please everybody."
Awards
Massari seems to be pleasing quite a few people so far with his musical career that includes five nominations at the MuchMusic Video Awards in 2006 — four for Be Easy and one for Real Love. He also won the award for Best Pop Video, during the 2006 MMVAs, for Be Easy. His self-titled debut album was released in Canada in 2005 through MapleNationWide/Universal and was sold out nationwide in just two days.
Massari admits that shooting to fame so quickly was overwhelming.
Shock
"It's almost like a shock. You never get used to it. I am very proud to be able to stay humble and grounded. The way I see it, I am not better than anybody and nobody is better than me. Some people only choose to work harder than others. And I chose to dedicate my whole life to this," he said.
Massari's next album is currently in the works and with an almost boyish enthusiasm he said, "I'm really, really excited about recording my second album. I compose and write all my music. So, I have like books just ready to go.
Team
"I can't wait to show my fans what I've learned. You really learn a lot when you're on tour."
Touring with his team, whom he spoke of with great pride, has definitely taught Massari one thing. "I always speak of me and my team as us. There is no I in team. But there is an I in win," he said with a sparkle in the eye and an unbeatable smile.
10 questions: Under your skin
1. Most embarrassing moment:
Oh my God. One time I was getting ready for this show in Australia. We did the mike check and everything was ready to go. I was getting ready to go on stage — everything's all hype. I have the earpiece on and I get on stage and get halfway through the song when I realise that everything's muted! I really laughed about that.
2. What would you do if you were king of the world:
I would make sure there's not one hungry mouth on this planet. Everyone would be free to practise whatever religion they want.
3. Likes and dislikes of your body:
Well, I guess I like my chest. I don't like my...calves.
4. Change anything in your past, what would it be:
Never! I would never change a thing. Everything that has happened to me has happened for a reason. As much as it has hurt me or whatever, it has brought me to this point.
5. Three famous people, dead or alive, to have dinner with: Tupac Shakur. I think that would be very interesting. My grandma. The Pharaoh of Egypt. We would need a translator though, so can I bring 4 people?
6. What makes you laugh:
Good times, you know? Being with people I love. I feel that it's the simple things in life that we should enjoy. You can go to the best spot in the world but if you're not with the right company...
7. Last day on earth to live:
Oh my God, I would give all my money to charity. I would have a 24-hour concert for charity.
8. Bring to a deserted island:
How about 5 things? If it was one thing, I would bring a canoe. So I can always go back and forth.
9. Best and worst thing about Dubai:
The best thing about Dubai is of course the way that it looks and how people go, wow, this is the Middle East. This used to be a desert. So cool... the architecture. The thing I don't like is the traffic. Because, uh, they need to work on that. Something has to happen.
10. Final words:
Love and live forever. Love and give like you're going to live forever and pray like you're going to die tomorrow.
Personal stats
Age: 26.
Star sign: Sagittarius.
Nationality: Lebanese/Canadian
Home base: Ottawa, Canada.
Status: Single with a capital S!
Food: Mloukhyei — it's a famous Arabic dish.
Film: 300. I feel it's our (my team) story.
Actor: I love Al Pacino.
Music: Michael Jackson. All of his music. Fayrouz.
Sexiest woman: Shakira. I am really attracted to cute with a twist of sexy.
Breakfast today: Turkey sandwich.
How do you like your eggs: Scrambled.
Clothes: I have my own style. I just put things together. I have a fashion label coming out called Massari Forever.
Perfume: Armani Mania.
Country: Oh you can't ask me that!
Sport: Soccer.
Car: Mercedes Benz.
Season: Summer.
Intro/extrovert: Extrovert.
Hobby: My family. I try to spend time with them as much as possible.
Bad habit: I'm very hard on myself. But I feel that it's a good quality.
Pet hate: People who are snobbish, ignorant and arrogant.
Dog/cat: Dog.
Coffee/tea: Tea
Sweet/salt: Sweet.
