| Bio/Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | The Narcicyst (former) |
| Real Name | Yassin Alsalman |
| Profession(s) | Professor, Rapper, Singer, Author, Actor, University Instructor |
| Physical Stats | |
| Height (approx.) | 5' 8" (173 cm) |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Bald |
| Career | |
| Debut | Music Album: A Bend In The River (2003) Film: City Of Life (2009)  |
| Awards | • 2017: MMVA Video of the Year • 2017: Juno Nomination for Best Music Video |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 26 May 1982 (Wednesday) |
| Age (as of 2025) | 43 Years |
| Birthplace | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Zodiac sign | Gemini |
| Nationality | Iraqi |
| Citizenship(s) | Iraq-Canada |
| Hometown | Basra, Iraq |
| College/University | Concordia University, Montreal, Canada |
| Educational Qualification(s) | • BA in Political Science and Communication Studies • MA in Hip-Hop and Identity in the Media Studies Department |
| Religion | Islam |
| Food Habit | Vegetarian |
| Controversy | Banned From Performing In 2023, he was banned from performing in a few Arab countries due to his controversial lyrics. A few of his shows were even cancelled in those countries. He also used lyrics with religious and political discrimination for which he often receives criticism. ((INKL)) |
| Social Media | • Instagram • YouTube |
| Relationships & More | |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Family | |
| Parents | Father- Taghlib  Mother- Sawsan AlSaraf (visual artist)  |
| Siblings | Brother(s)- Sandhill Alsalman (music director), Nawaf (deceased)  Sister(s)- Hala Al‑Salman (filmmaker), Tamara Abdul Hadi (photographer), Sundus Abdul Hadi (author)   |
Some Lesser Known Facts About Narcy
- Narcy grew up in the UAE and Canada.
Narcy’s childhood picture
- In the 1970s, his parents migrated from Iraq to the UAE.
- When he was five years old, his family shifted to Montreal, Canada.
- In the early 2000s, he became one of the rappers to bring the Arab Hip-Hop movement. He then started working on his music production in a local studio in Montreal.
Narcy in 1998
- He was once a part of the Iraqi Canadian Trio Euphrates. With the group, he released a few Arabic music albums like A Bend In The River (2003) and Stereotypes Incorporated (2004).
Stereotypes Incorporated
- Narcy then started releasing solo music albums and adopted the stage name The Narcicyst. Some of his Arabic music albums released under the name are Fear of an Arab Planet (2007), The Narcicyst (2009), Mr. Asthmatic (2010), and Warchestra (2010).
The Narcicyst
- In 2010, he appeared at TEDx Dubai.
Narcy’s TEDx Dubai event
- He has acted in a few Arabic films like City Of Life, Verte, P.H.A.T.W.A., and Rise.
P.H.A.T.W.A.
- Since 2011, he has been working as a professor at Concordia University in Montreal. He teaches the Hip Hop: Past, Present, and Future course there.
- He has dubbed for a few online games like Civilization V for the character of King Darius and The Secret World for the character of Black Pharaoh Zombies.
- Narcy has authored a few books like The Diatribes of a Dying Tribe. Write or Wrong/Paranoid Arab Boy (2011), World War Free Now (2015), and Text Messages or How I Found Myself Time Travelling (2020).
The Diatribes of a Dying Tribe
- Some of his Arabic singles are Fly Over Egypt (2012), Fake News (2017), Time (2018), Superhero (2018), and Thoughts and Prayers (2018).
Fly Over Egypt
- He then changed his stage name to Narcy and released a few other music albums such as El Nargisee Project (2014), We Are The Medium EP (2014), World War Free Now! (2015), Love & Chaos (2020), and To Be An (Arab) (2024).
Love & Chaos
- He has been in the creative department of a few Arabic TV series Vice Guide to Film (2016) and Paul Elia: Detroit Player (2023).
Paul Elia- Detroit Player (2023)
- Narcy has performed live at various events.
Narcy at an event
- He is the head of the international body of artists We Are The Medium.
We Are The Medium
- He is the co-founder of the cultural hub Maktaba Bookshop.
Maktaba Bookstore
- Narcy has collaborated with various artists like Mashrou’ Leila, A Tribe Called Red, Yasiin Bey.
- In his leisure time, he enjoys travelling to different places.
Narcy during his vacation
- In his song “The Real Arab Money,” he called out the fake perspective showcased in the song “Arab Money” by the rapper Busta Rhymes.
- He was detained at the Washington D.C. airport for being a Muslim. He talked about the discrimination in his music video P.H.A.T.W.A.
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