Self-taught in Yemen as a teenager on the oud, an Arabic instrument resembling a fretless lute, and after moving to the United States, he has an online following with cover versions of pop songs that deftly blend Western and Middle Eastern influences. Ahmed Al-Shaiba, who built the company, was in a car accident on September 28. he was 32 years old.
His brother, Ali Shibah, was confirmed dead in New York state, but did not provide further details.
In the studio of his apartment in Mamaroneck, Westchester County, New York, Al-Shaiba recorded videos playing popular songs, movie themes, and instrumental versions of Arabic music, sometimes with other musicians. Sometimes unaccompanied – and posted on his YouTube. channel. He also played percussion instruments such as guitar and conga. Duffbig drum.
His oud playing added a decidedly Middle Eastern sound to his version of Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito,” which has racked up nearly 7.3 million views on YouTube. “Faded” by Alan Walker (6.9 million); Ed Sheeran’s “Your form” (6.8 million); and other songs. His oud seems to deepen the alienation that Simon & Garfunkel brought. “Sound of Silence” (about 1.8 million), bringing a different kind of energy to Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” (1.4 million).
In total, his YouTube videos have been viewed nearly 113 million times.
A charismatic performer who enthusiastically interacted with fans on YouTube and social media platforms, Al-Shaiba also created his own take on the music of “Star Wars” (during which he designed Darth Vader’s helmet and Yoda’s disguised as a mask). The Hobbit: An Unexpected Adventure”.
One of the last videos he posted to TikTok before his death was a snippet of his version of the music for HBO’s “Game of Thrones” prequel, “House of the Dragons.”
“He was one of a kind,” said founder Rabid Kahalani yemen bluesYemeni, West African, Latin and Jazz music influenced the band, said in a telephone interview. I had a touch,” he added.
Al-Shaiba has occasionally performed and opened with Yemen Blues at Joe’s Pub, Brooklyn Bowl and Symphony Space in New York City. He has also performed in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait.
However, brother Ali said in an email: That’s why he remained broken.
Kahalani once asked Al-Shaiba why he recorded so many covers.
“He said something wonderful to me: ‘I want people to understand that oud is not just Arabic, it’s everything.’ But what’s really special is how he It really opened the gates of God by playing traditional Yemeni music.”
Ahmed Alshaiba was born as Ahmed Nasser Shibah on May 15, 1990 in Sana, Yemen. His father Nasser was a businessman and his mother Fanda Zeyad was a housewife.
Ahmed didn’t have musical ambitions until he was 14 years old. He saw his brother Hussein take lessons in an oud that his sister Malka had bought him as a gift in Egypt.
“When the other brother lost interest, Ahmed picked up an oud and started traveling on his own,” Ali Shiva said.
In a 2018 interview with The Times of Israel, Al-Shaiba said: I listened to the song and was able to play it immediately. He skipped school and spent time at a music store, saying, “I helped clean and tune every oud instrument that shipped. In return, the owner let me stay in the shop to practice.” .
Al-Shaiba moved to the United States in 2012 and began posting cover songs online while working at his brother’s convenience store in Mamaroneck for several years. In 2017 Australian singer Sia posted: His version of her song “The Greatest” Over 1.7 million views on Instagram
Al-Shaiba told the Times of Israel that he “had doubts about its success in the United States.” Encouraged, he soon quit his job and pursued music full-time.
A month before Al-Shaiba died, he First album “Malahide””, and has been working on it for several years. he wrote all the songs.
Along with his sister Malka Shiva and brothers Ali and Hussein Shiva, Mr. Al-Shaiba is also widowed by his mother. Two other sisters, Fauzia and Tahaba Shiva. Her two other brothers, Mohammed and Najib his Sheba.
At the interview and mini-concert TED studio In 2017, Al-Shaiba spoke about his passion for oud.
“When you’re playing this instrument, you’re embracing it,” he said. “You can feel the sound coming out of the body of this wonderful instrument.”