Kadim Jabbar Al Samarai, known globally by his stage name Kadim Al Sahir, is an Iraqi singer, composer, and songwriter born in Mosul on September 12, 1957. Nicknamed the "Caesar of Arabic Song," he is one of the most successful artists in the history of Arab music, with album sales exceeding 100 million copies. He grew up in a modest family with nine siblings. He studied music for six years at the Baghdad Music Academy, graduating in 1987. His career began in the late 1980s with the song "Obart Al Shat" (I Crossed the River), which became a major hit in Iraq. He later achieved international stardom through his iconic collaboration with the poet Nizar Qabbani, composing and performing over 30 of his poems, most notably "Inni Khayyartuki," "Zidini Ishqan," and "Madrasat El Hob." Al Sahir also served as a coach on the television talent show "The Voice Ahla Sawt" for several seasons, further cementing his popularity with younger generations. In addition to his Iraqi nationality, he holds both Qatari and Canadian citizenship and resides between several countries, including Spain and Morocco.

Kadim Al Sahir is renowned for presenting Arabic music at the world's most prestigious venues. He has performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London on multiple occasions, as well as other global stages like the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and the Sydney Opera House, establishing himself as one of the few Arab artists to achieve this milestone. He has received numerous prestigious international awards and honors for his artistic contributions. In 2004, he won the BBC Radio 3 Award for World Music for "Best Artist in the Middle East and North Africa." He was also awarded the Key to the City of Fes, Morocco, a symbolic honor reflecting his significant cultural status in the Maghreb region. Beyond his music, Al Sahir is known for his commitment to humanitarian causes. He was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Iraq in 2011 and later became a Regional Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa in 2015, using his platform to advocate for children's rights in the region.

He graduated from the Teachers' Institute in Baghdad and worked for a period as a music and art teacher. Following this, he enrolled at the prestigious Baghdad Music Academy, where he specialized in playing the Oud and studied for six years, graduating in 1987.