Omar Souleyman

Syrian wedding singer Omar Souleyman specializes in a high-octane version of dabke, a traditional style of music performed during line dances at weddings and other celebrations. Souleyman is prolific. He has recorded over 500 cassettes (mostly live recordings made at wedding gigs) that have become a staple of music kiosks in major Syrian cities. 2007's Highway to Hassake, a compilation on the Sun City Girls' Sublime Frequencies label, was compiled from these many cassettes and caught the ears of critics and club-goers across the globe. Souleyman cuts a striking figure with his...