Composer | Global Oud Virtuoso | Specialist in Cinematic Music

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Yousif Abbas is an internationally acclaimed Iraqi composer and oud virtuoso, celebrated as the youngest oud instructor in the Arab world. He graduated with honors from the renowned “Beit Al Oud” in Cairo at just 13 years old. Known for his distinct musical voice, Yousif fuses traditional Arabic melodies with contemporary cinematic language, making him one of the leading figures in redefining the sound of Middle Eastern music for film and television.

Early Life & Musical Journey

Born in Babylon, Iraq, in 1994, Yousif began his musical path at age 12. His extraordinary talent quickly attracted the attention of prominent composers across the Arab world. Egyptian maestro Ammar El Sherei dubbed him “The Miracle of the Oud” for his exceptional ability in performance and composition. By the age of 13, he had already become the youngest certified oud instructor in the region.

Yousif founded his own ensemble for contemporary oud performance and later collaborated on international film and television productions. His compositions and musical arrangements have appeared in globally recognized series including:
• The Crown – Netflix
• The Leftovers – HBO
• Westworld – HBO
 
He contributed original compositions, arrangement, and additional score development for key sequences in these acclaimed productions, infusing each with his signature blend of Eastern tonality and cinematic depth.
 
Among his latest achievements is scoring the music for “Al-Naqeeb”, a critically acclaimed Iraqi series that earned him the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Award for Artistic Innovation, and composing for “Dar Al-Mansiyeen”, which received the Award for Artistic Excellence.
 
Yousif’s most prominent project to date is the American TV series “Debriefing the President”, based on the memoir of CIA officer John Nixon. His multifaceted contributions include:
• Composer of the complete original score
• Dialect coach and trainer for lead actor Waleed Zuaiter (portraying Saddam Hussein)
• Iraqi-Arabic language editor and cinematic translator
• Supervisor of Iraqi Arabic voiceover and ADR
• Cultural and historical consultant
• Actor in select scenes
1. ‘Awad Akhdar (Green Stick)
His debut TV score, making him the youngest composer for a drama series in the Arab world. The music displayed a profound emotional sensitivity that exceeded his age.
2.Tasjeel Khurooj (Log Out)
An intense soundtrack blending electronic elements with orchestral textures to depict emotional tension and suspense.
3.Watan (Homeland)
A patriotic Iraqi production where Yousif expressed national identity through rich maqam-based themes and cinematic layering.
4.Baghdad Al-Jadeedah (New Baghdad)
A sonic portrait of modern Baghdad combining oud with contemporary instruments to reflect the city’s social complexities.
5.Telt El Talata (Third of Three)
Yousif’s first Egyptian drama, starring Ghada Abdel Razek. A psychological and multi-layered score that used thematic variation to reflect shifting personalities.
6.Dar Al-Mansiyeen (House of the Forgotten)
A Ramadan hit praised for its emotional depth. His music earned an Artistic Excellence Award and became one of the show’s defining strengths.
7.Al-Naqeeb (The Captain)
A standout production that earned Yousif national acclaim. The music played a vital role in the show’s emotional arc and earned him a formal commendation from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani for his artistic contributions.
Yousif has represented Iraq in many prestigious festivals:
• Arab Music Festival – Cairo Opera House
• Beiteddine Festival – Lebanon
• Damascus Opera House – Syria
• Oud Festival – Baghdad
• Carthage International Festival – Tunisia
• Katara Cultural Festival – Qatar
• Saudi Seasons – KSA
• And others
• Golden Tanit Award – Best Oud Player, Carthage Competition (Tunisia)
• Best Musician Award – Baghdad International Festival
• Iraqi Medal of Excellence – for representing Iraq globally
• Creativity Award – Academy of Arts, Cairo
• Cultural Achievement Shield – Ministry of Culture, Morocco
• Prime Minister’s Creativity Award – Iraq (2023)
Yousif’s work marries Iraqi maqam and Arabic traditions with global cinematic storytelling. His discography includes orchestral works and albums like Tar Babylon (2013).
 
Signature compositions include:
• All Roads Lead to Rome – Winner of the Italian Creativity Award
• Baghdad I See – A nostalgic musical memoir
• Day of the Fall – Reflecting the emotional gravity of Baghdad’s collapse
• The New Pathways
• Crossing the Tigris

He has led masterclasses and workshops across the Arab world, nurturing the next generation of composers and oud players in Iraq, Syria, Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait.

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