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Mohammed Abdel Wahab (1907-1991)

composer, oud player, singer, actor

Mohammed Abd el-Wahaab 1907 – May 3, 1991 was a prominent 20th century Arab Egyptian singer and composer. He composed 10 songs for Umm Kulthum including Enta omri. He was the first Egyptian singer to move from silent-era acting to singing. He died in 1991, and he is considered one of the best composers of all times.He composed the “Ya Beladi”, the National anthem of the Kingdom of Libya (1951–1969). Adel Wahab’s contribution as composer goes beyond that of a mere singer. Abdel Wahab, the composer, stands alone as a pivotal genius.

 

Born in 1907 in Cairo, Mohamed Abdel Wahab made his first recording at the age of 13. He died in 1991 after a musical career spanning over 70 years. He rose from humble beginnings to become a legend in the world of Egyptian music and song. Mohamed Abdel Wahab started off writing traditional melodies. His captivating voice brought to mind the glorious days of Egyptian-Arab culture and gave his listeners afeeling of pride in their struggle against colonialism.

His early musical career coincided with the revival of Arabic music in the Middle East. Later he searched for new ways to enrich traditional song and started to combine oriental quarter-tone melodies with western themes. Representing a generation in transition, he wrought far-reaching changes to Egyptian-Arab music: he began to feature large orchestras combining western and eastern instruments and was not afraid to use new rhythmic formulas like tango, mambo, samba and rumba along with the traditional Egyptian rhythms. He starred in a number of successful Egyptian films during the 1930s and 1940s. They portrayed a westernized social elite and featured his compositions. Abdel Wahab introduced female singers like Leila Mourad in his movies. Able to reach a wider audience than ever before, many became stars. He composed over 1,800 romantic and patriotic songs for himself and other leading Egyptian and Arab singers. His compositions for Umm Kulthum, the greatest Egyptian songstress in history, brought both artists fame.

Despite the fact that Abdel Wahab composed many songs and musical pieces in classic Arab music, he was always criticized for his orientation to Western music. In fact, his introduced the Western rhythms to Arab songs in a way appropriate to the known forms of Arab songs. For example, he introduced in 1941 in his song Al Gondol the Waltz rhythm, and in 1957, he introduced the rock and roll rhythm in Abdel Halim Hafez’s song Ya Albi Ya Khali.

Legacy

His personal belongings were put in his museum in the Music institute in Cairo.

A statue was erected in Bab El-Sheriya square (where he grew up) to keep his memory.

As a memorial and honor for him, Omar Khayrat, Egyptian composer, had rearranged some of Abdel Wahab’s music and released them in an Album called Wahabiat.