by Marisa Brown Born February 20, 1972 in Karlsruhe, a city in the southwest part of the country, to a German mother and Iraqi father, Laith Al-Deen grew up with aspirations of being a professional musician, but didn't have much luck until 1998, when he was chosen to sing on the German band Vega's album and accompany them on their tour. This turned out to be the break he needed, and, working with producer Stevie B-Zet, he released his debut album, Ich Will Nur Wissen, in 2001. The next year Melomanie came out, and in 2004, Al-Deen's most successful record, Für Alle, hit shelves and the number one spot on German charts. A live album from the corresponding tour brought the singer further into the spotlight, and, continuing in his string of releases, Die Frage Wie came out in 2005, and after a short break, Al-Deen issued Die Liebe zum Detail in mid-2007.