AMR DIAB – EL HADABA الهضبة
- Fanoos Magazine Oriana
- Mar 15
- 3 min read
Sultanette
Amr Diab, the iconic Egyptian singer, whose music most of us have danced to, has achieved
the Guinness World Record title for "Most World Music Awards for Best Selling Middle
Eastern Artist”.
Recipient of seven World Music Awards and of many other accolades, Amr Diab is
affectionately nicknamed “El Hadaba” , meaning The Hill الهضبة, to define him as a pillar in
Mediterranean music jointly to Middle Eastern fusion.
He created since his early 80s debut until present day, a unique sound of his own, merging
the Egyptian tradition with the ever-evolving Arabic music trends.
Amr Diab is a singer and also a skilled composer and songwriter, with 97 active songs he
penned from his own catalogue, spanning over 4 decades.
Amr Diab is appreciated all over the world for his originality in songs talking about love,
longing and relationships. This fusion between Eastern and Western genres has earned him
the reputation of being one of the pioneers of modern Arabic pop music.
His ballads and upbeat anthems are timeless, and here is a quick list of three special album
mentions, which have catapulted him to international stardom in and out the Arab world
over the years of his remarkable career.
NOTABLE ALBUMS
1. "Nour El Ain" (1996): This album marked the height of his popularity and global
recognition. The hit single “Nour El Ain” represents is major commercial
breakthrough in the MENA region.
2. "Tamally Maak"(2000): A romantic album that solidified his position as a leader in
the Arab music industry. The eponymous single “Tamally Maak” is still the most
streamed Amr Diab success to this day, and is considered by Rolling Stone magazine
the Best Arabic Pop Song of the 21st Century.
3. "Kol Hayati" (2018): A mix of modern electronica and traditional Egyptian sounds,
reflecting his ongoing relevance in music. The hit single “Da Law Etsab” has been
featured on Vodafone Egypt commercials’ campaign.
Amr Abdel-Basset Abdel Azeez Diab’s life story is legendary.
He was born in 1961 in Port Said , Egypt from a middle-class family. He graduated in music
in 1986 from the Cairo Academy of Arts, being always exposed to music and highly gifted at
his vocal craft since his childhood.
Diab is one of the first singers to popularize music videos in the whole MENAHT region, and
remains one of the earliest Egyptian singers to appear in music videos.
Amr Diab has been married and divorced three times and has four children. He has always
kept his private life low profile to avoid media scrutiny.
Diab’s collaborations with artists like Khaled and Angela Dimitriou have expanded his
musical reach. His style, often referred to as “Mediterranean music,” blends Western and
Egyptian rhythms.
Alongside his touring life, Amr Diab’s music has been featured on six Hollywood movies in
the early 2000 and he has recently launched his first perfume, titled ‘ Amr Diab Eau De
Perfume 34’ on February 2021.
Veteran Egyptian writer Ibrahim Eissa will write Diab’s first TV series titled “ El Seera”.
The series will tackle Diab artistic journey starting from his beginnings in Port Said till he
became one of the biggest stars in the Middle East.
Diab has released over 30 albums, including hits like “Habibi,” “Ayyamna,” “Ya Omrena,”
“Amarain,” and “Tamally Maak.” His song “Wayah” won four African Music Awards in 2009.
In december 2023, he released “Makanak,”his latest album, featuring 12 new tracks.
Amr Diab is more than just a musician; he is a cultural icon.
He has shaped not only Arabic pop music, but also the broader entertainment landscape in
the Arab world. His music and influence transcend borders, making him a true ambassador
for Arabic music globally, connecting audiences across different generations.
Since October 2024 the return of Amr Diab’s entire catalogue across platforms not only
marks a significant moment for Arabic music fans, but also promises to introduce his vast
repertoire to new listeners worldwide.
He had previously moved under the former management, all of his albums exclusively to the
online platform Anghami.
Amr Diab has indeed now signed an exclusive deal with Sony Music Entertainment Middle
East. This partnership includes the acquisition of Diab’s entire music catalogue, with hit
songs like “Inta El Haz,” “Zay Manty,” and “Ya Ana Ya La,” alongside a new multi-album
agreement that promises exciting projects ahead.
As a result, all of Amr Diab’s albums, singles, and music videos are now available once more
on YouTube and across various streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music for a
broader distribution.
LINKS to some AMR DIAB’s essential videos:
1. Nour El Ein: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLJA-srM_yM
2. Amarain: https://youtu.be/z6RC2T3Q7rs?si=9e1s-n4FOf0ZaA2X
3. Tamally Maak: https://youtu.be/EgmXTmj62ic?si=TChjCFdv40tDIk4o
5. Yetalemo: https://youtu.be/A6H5Xx2nFvM?si=3VdgzE8o6H2wq8_T
6. Elly Beina Hayah: https://youtu.be/_fLgknT8Hh0?si=TWJLDd11LfYz0tB-
7. Ya Amar: https://youtu.be/1z3pFuZ1iX4?si=IIMItCub3I7n3rF4
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