Variety Magazine just named Lebanese-Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, music manager, and record executive Wassim ‘SAL’ Slaiby Manager of the Year.
Wassim “Sal” Slaiby manages artists like The Weeknd, Bebe Rexha, Doja Cat, French Montana, Belly, Nav, Massari, and Sabrina Claudio among others.
Slaiby announced the news on Instagram, saying: “…..we been grinding for 20 years. I’m grateful to our management teams and clients that trust in us. 2020 has been rough for all of us. It feels good for an immigrant to get this type of recognition. Thank you @variety for the Manager Of The Year Award! XO! FAMILY FIRST!”
Variety also honored Roddy Ricch as breakthrough artist of the year, Lewis Capaldi as the songwriter of the year, Maren Morris with the crossover award, Columbia Records chairman/CEO Ron Perry as the executive of the year, The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” as the record of the year, and Mustard as the producer of the year.
The magazine also published an interview with SAL a couple of days ago, where “Variety’s Hitmakers Manager of the Year Wassim “Sal” Slaiby talks about helming the careers of The Weeknd, Doja Cat, Brandy and more.”
They talk about his journey, which started in war-torn Lebanon and ended with him winning the title Manager of the Year.
Wassim Sal Slaiby is not just an amazing manager of celebrities but a successful Lebanese who holds his homeland in his heart and takes pride in his roots.
At the disaster that befell Beirut on August 4th, he and his wife Rima Fakih were among the first to take personal initiatives to help.
During that interview with the magazine, Sal talked about the Beirut explosion and the actions he and his wife took to help Lebanon and the victims.
He told Variety Magazine: “We couldn’t do anything. We partnered up with Global Citizen and raised $1.2 million in ten days. All the money went to the Red Cross, first responders, and the Children’s Cancer Center that was destroyed by the explosion.”
Rima Fakih is not less caring of her roots than her husband. She is actually the ambassador of the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon for 2020, a cause she holds dear to her heart.
Sal and Rima have dedicated efforts to support Beirut disaster relief. Their campaign was of high profile among world celebrities, prompting The Weeknd to also contribute $300,000 to the people of Lebanon.
