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Singer-songwriter and music activist
She became famous for her 2006 debut album and the hit single 'Simple Love Song', which topped the charts and became the most-played song in Israel that year.
Aya Korem is an Israeli singer and songwriter who rose to fame in 2006 with her debut album, which sold 30,000 copies and earned gold certification. She studied at Rimon School of Music alongside Miri Mesika and Keren Peles in the legendary 2001-2004 class. Her song 'Simple Love Song' was the most-played song in Israel in 2006.
Born in Nof HaGalil (Nazareth Ilit) in 1980, Korem served as a tank instructor in the IDF Armored Corps after high school. She enrolled at Rimon School of Music in 2001 just to pass time until deciding on a career, originally dreaming of becoming an architect. Before her singing career, she worked temporary jobs including cake baking at a bakery.
Korem lives in Tel Aviv. Her mother Shlomit Korem was the first female police station commander in Israel, leading Migdal HaEmek station, and her father is an engineer. She joined the musical collective My Favorite Enemy in 2009, collaborating with Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian and European musicians, performing worldwide including before the US Congress and President Barack Obama.
Her debut album sold 30,000 copies and achieved gold certification in 2006
The song 'Simple Love Song' was the most-played song in Israel in 2006 according to ACUM
She wrote the humorous song 'Yonatan Shapira' about a pilot who signed the pilots' letter, which he did not appreciate
Led a successful legal battle against record label Anana from 2010-2015 to escape an 18-year contract
Initiated legislation known as 'Aya Korem Law' passed in 2017 that limits music industry contracts to seven years maximum
Released 10 albums between 2006 and 2025
Co-hosted the TV show 'Israeli Duet' with Danny Robas for two seasons on Educational Television
Performed in the musical 'The King and I' alongside Miki Geva
Studied in the famous Rimon class alongside Miri Mesika, Keren Peles, Ohad Hitman and Eric Berman
I enrolled in the music college just to pass some time until I decided what I really wanted to study, but ended up having a successful music career
And then somebody will say: your time is over, and now let someone else take the stage
Enrolled at Rimon School of Music, studying with future stars Miri Mesika, Keren Peles, Ohad Hitman and Eric Berman
First public exposure with song 'You Will Never' performed by Miri Mesika
Released debut album 'Aya Korem', which sold 30,000 copies and achieved gold certification
'Simple Love Song' became the most-played song in Israel and reached number 1 on Reshet Gimel chart
Released second album 'Foreign Language' with jazz, cabaret and country influences
Joined musical collective My Favorite Enemy with Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian and European musicians
Began legal battle against Anana record label to escape 18-year contract signed in 2005
Released third album 'Taming the Horses' independently without record label support
Won legal battle and was released from contract with Anana after five-year struggle
Aya Korem Law passed in Knesset, limiting music industry contracts to seven years maximum