Composer, musician, singer, actor, Mohamed Abdel Wahab was a giant in the world of Middle Eastern entertainment. This prolific artist composed some of the most classical Egyptian music.
Mohamed Abdel Wahab was born in 1907 in Cairo. As a child, he fell in love with music and acting, joining a drama troupe at the age of seven. Later, he sang at religious festivals. Although his family wanted him to study religion, Abdel Wahab pursued his passion for music. He trained formally in both Arabic music and Western music. He had a beautiful baritone singing voice and played the oud.
In the 1920's, Abdel Wahab became a close friend with a famous poet, Ahmad Shawky. Abdel Wahab set Shawky's words to music. Shawky helped Abdel Wahab become a star at opulent parties.
Abdel Wahab began to compose for stage musicals that innovatively began to incorporate Western elements. Always thinking of new ways to enrich traditional song, he often combined the oriental quarter tone melodies with western rhythms such as the tango, samba and rumba. He also mixed western musical instruments into large Arabic orchestras. Representing a generation in transition, Abdel Wahab is considered responsible for far-reaching changes to Arabic music and to giving modern Arabic songs their current musical form.
Besides composing and singing, Abdel Wahab became a well-known actor. His first movie was produced in 1933. He practically invented the Arabic film musical, introducing a romantic hero who was light-hearted and sophisticated. His films portrayed westernized elite society and featured non-traditional music. Audiences loved these films and still do to this day. Abdel Wahab starred in seven films, which continue to be regularly viewed on television throughout Arab countries.
In the 1950's, Abdel Wahab left film and concentrated on his singing career in a new and serious style. His songs were patriotic and included composing the musical scores for Egypt's national anthem and the national anthems of Oman and the United Arab Republic.
In the 1960's, he stopped singing, but continued to compose for other singers. It was during this decade that Abdel Wahab composed for one of his greatest rivals, Om Koulthom (see Who's Who article on Om Koulthom). He released "Ente Omri", a recording that became Egypt's all-time bestseller and gave both artists great fame.
Abdel Wahab worked well into the 1970's. While he appeared less and less in public, the popularity of his music never faded. Then in 1988, at the age of 81, he surprised everyone when he returned to the studio with a new composition.
In 1991, Mohamed Abdel Wahab died of heart failure. His career spanned 74 years and created a legend in the world of modern Arabic music and melody. He composed over 1800 romantic and patriotic songs.
Egypt honored Abdel Wahab with a huge military funeral. The long procession included the Prime and Foreign Ministers, Ministers of Defense, Interior and Culture, Arab ambassadors and many well know actors, musicians and singers. The media coverage was equal to that of a major world figure.
Newspapers covered his works for days after his death. Radio and television aired his songs and movies. With the passing of Abdel Wahab, the Arab world lost the founder of contemporary Arabic music. His work appealed to both young and old for more than half a century, and continues into the new millennium. A banner raised during the funeral procession, which read, best reflects this: "Adieu to Egypt's fourth pyramid".
Some of the songs which dancers have popularly used in performance include "Zeina", "Fyom Weleleh", "Aziza" and "Min Ghir Leh". Listed below are CDs, which include works by Mohamed Abdel Wahab:
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©2000 Jasmin Jahal