Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Here is the rewritten article:

Close to the heart and lighthearted just like him. Waad Barakat draws you in with the simple and spontaneous language in which he addresses you. The period of his father’s absence and his departure 8 years ago taught him a lot. “This period allowed me to discover him again. I analyzed his personality, his advice, and his words to me. I stopped at small details that I did not give importance to. I understood him and knew his artistic value, which was something that not many people, nor he himself, appreciated.”

Waad speaks enthusiastically about his father, recalling his meetings and diaries with him when he accompanied him on a hunting trip. And also when he accompanied him in recording his songs or in creating a melody of his own.

“I learned from him his quick wit in composing. Today I have about 40 melodies ready. ‘I will soon release a new song written by my friend Ali Khalifa.’

He is preparing to release new songs in different dialects (Waad Barakat)

Waad Barakat tells Asharq Al-Awsat that he was never planning to switch to singing. “There is no doubt that I loved rock star music and admired its stars like Michael Jackson. The Western song became my favorite song and I played the guitar. One time, I surprised him on a TV show and sang one of his songs. I will never forget his comments afterward, as he told me that I needed a lot of effort and confidence to stand on stage. Also pay attention to the exits of letters. Indeed, I took it into consideration and worked to implement it.”

The encouragement Waad received from his family and friends prompted him to change his decision. “Many people at that time urged me to enter this field, and they convinced me to do so. I thought it would be easy as I am Melhem Barakat’s son. Then one after another started abandoning me. But I never forget what my father used to say about the art profession. It confirms to me that a true artist is born from the womb of suffering. He must cry, be defeated, break down, break his heart, and feel humiliated in order to reach his goal. My father suffered two hardships before proving his artistic standing. His advice came from a real experience he lived.”

He describes his late father as an artist who will never be repeated (Waad Barakat)

Today, Roger Rizkallah stands next to him, managing his work and keeping pace with his journey. “I am lucky to have him standing by my side, and I thank him for that.”

Waad Barakat goes on to talk about his late father. He talks about his good qualities and some of his bad deeds frankly. He admitted to Asharq Al-Awsat: “At one point, Melhem Barakat became homeless and neglected his family. I remember that I lived through a difficult period. I was so angry with him that I couldn’t forgive him. In one of his television interviews, he publicly apologized to his family. My mother asked me not to be upset with him after that. Since that night, I have forgiven him and realized that I love him very much from the bottom of my heart.”

Sticking to the Lebanese song is one of my first goals and it will not prevent me from singing in other dialects

Melhem Barakat promised

Waad bearing his father’s name was not an easy matter. He explains: “The pregnancy was difficult, and anyone who thinks I am lucky for this reason is mistaken. The negatives from this matter far outweigh the positives. In many ways, there is an obstacle instead of the opposite. In my opinion, no son of a giant artist was able to achieve what his father achieved except Ziad Rahbani. For a son to be an artistic copy exactly like his father is difficult. I get upset when they compare me to him, because it will not happen again. I will never be able to reach what it was. I will not be Melhem Barakat.”

I have about 40 melodies ready, and soon I will release a song written by Ali Khalifa

Melhem Barakat promised

Waad studied music arrangement, and would love to establish his own recording studio. But fate wanted him to follow his father’s path. Will he, like his father, cling to the Lebanese song and fight for it? He told Asharq Al-Awsat: “It is one of my first goals, but that will not prevent me from singing in other dialects.”

I resent the comparison between me and him, and I will never be Melhem Barakat

Melhem Barakat promised

On the eighth anniversary of Melhem Barakat’s absence, will we hear a new work with his voice? He answers: “Some of them criticize me because I do not bring my father’s works to light. But they do not know that there are 6 songs recorded with his voice. But I cannot pay for her to be released. We found a way around it where we release each song individually. On the anniversary of his absence, we will hear him in the song “Shame on the one who does shame.” He continues: “I hope to sing his tunes in the near future.” But before that, I must define my identity and being in order to make my way as I should. “I do not like to impose myself as the son of Melhem Barakat.”

On the anniversary of his absence, we will hear him in the song “Shame on the one who does shame.”

Melhem Barakat promised

Waad Barakat does not forget one of his father’s phrases that had a great impact on him: “I once asked him if he was satisfied with what he did in his artistic career. He surprised me by saying, ‘The important thing is not what I have achieved and accomplished. The most important thing is what will remain and people will talk about it after my departure. At that moment, I did not understand what he said. But when I discovered that people were influenced by his art after his passing, I realized the meaning of what he said to me.”

There are songs recorded with his voice but I cannot afford to release them

Melhem Barakat promised

Today, he is attracted to the artistic scene by young talents, including singer Nassif Zeytoun. “I love this artist, and I admire his voice and his performance on stage.” Regarding the phenomenon of the Shami singer, he says: “I applaud this talent. But his rapid fame leaves me with many question marks.”

I applaud Al-Shami’s talent, but his rapid fame leaves me with many question marks

Melhem Barakat promised

I advise children to benefit from having their families around them. Personally, I regret not spending as much time with him as possible. The mother and father are two dear people who will not be repeated in our lives. Only when we lose them can we appreciate their importance in our lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Waad Barakat is dedicated to carrying on his father’s legacy and preserving his artistic memory. Despite the challenges and comparisons that come with being the son of a giant artist, Waad is determined to make a name for himself and find his own unique path in the music industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
   I have always loved music and have been surrounded by it from a young age. I never thought I would actually pursue a career in music, but after my father’s passing, I felt the need to continue his legacy.

2. What do you think is the biggest misconception about your father’s career?
   I think many people underestimate the sacrifices my father made to become a successful artist. They forget the struggles he faced and the hard work he put into his craft.

3. How do you handle the comparisons between yourself and your father?
   I resent the comparisons and wish people would focus on my own accomplishments rather than comparing me to my father.

4. What are your goals for your own career in music?
   I hope to continue my father’s legacy by releasing new songs and making a name for myself in the music industry.