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In 1999 The Best Of Amr Diab is released
early in the year. It includes Ana Mahama Kbert Soghayyar, a tribute to such
influential legends as Abdel El Halim and Omm Kalthom. A spectacular video is
shot to accompany this song. On July 28th, Amarain is released and includes
duets with Algerian Rai superstar, Khaled, and Greek Diva, Angela Dimitrou. The
title track is released as a video and the song itself is heard constantly and
continually throughout Egypt for months on end. Amr tours North America from
mid-September to mid-October and is well-received in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa,
New York, Chicago, San Francisco, LA, Detroit, Houston and Washington. On
December 4th the Diab family expands by two when twins Kenzy and Abdullah are
born in Washington DC.
In 1998 the studio album, Awedony, is
released in July, the title track video clip having been shot on the banks of
the Nile in Upper Egypt. The CD is another huge success. On May 6, Amr is
honored at Monaco's World Music Awards as the 1998 "World's Best Selling Middle
Eastern Artist", hardly surprising given that since its release Nour El Ain has
gone triple platinum. Diab reportedly donates monies raised by the awards
ceremony towards establishing a hospital in Cairo's Muqattam district.
In 1997 Habibi - The Remix Album is released
and is wildly popular on dance floors throughout Europe. Diab wins three awards
(Best Video, Best Song, Artist of the Year) at the Annual Arabic Festival.
In 1996 Nour El Ain is released mid-year and
is a huge success both in the Middle East and internationally. In fact, it
becomes the best selling album ever released by an Arabic artist. The
accompanying video clip (produced by Alam El Phan, as was the CD) is a lavish,
expensive production.
In 1995 the video clip accompanying the
release of Rageen is much-hyped for its combination of both B&W and color
camera work. Zekrayat is also released.
In 1994 Weylomony is released, debuting Amr's
incorporation of Spanish guitar.
In 1993 Ya Omrena is released. The track, Kan
Andak Ha', proves very popular as does the accompanying video clip shot against
a scenic mountain backdrop. Amr plays opposite Omar Sharif in the movie, Dehk
We La'ab (Laughter & Fun) which opens in 1993 at the Egyptian Film
Festival.
In 1992 Ayyamna is released, wholly arranged
by Hamid and including the hit, El Mady. The movie, Ice Cream Fe Gleem, is
released and stars Diab alongside a cast that includes such talents as Simon,
Ezzat Abo Ouf, Hossam Hosny, Ashraf Abdel Ba'ei, Gihan Fadel, Hussain El Emam
and Alaa Waly-El Din. The movie's soundtrack is also released in 1992, the most
popular songs proving to be Raseef Nemra Khamsa and Hatmarrad Alwad' Elhali.
Amr is selected to sing the central song (Bel Hob Etgamaana) at the Fifth
Olympic African Tournament. This year, he also co-produces the song Ainy for
Egyptian singer, Simon (he won't produce again until 2001 with Wala Ala
Balo).
In 1991 Habibi is released; Diab uses the
saxophone in his work for the first time. Africa is released by Delta
Sound.
In 1990 Amr represents Egypt at the 5th
Tournament of African Sports and sings in Arabic, English and French during a
concert televised by satellite throughout the Arab world and highlighted on
CNN. Matkhafeesh is released; the accompanying video clip is filmed inside
Amr's Cairo home and features ex-wife Sherin Rida (mother of his daughter,
Nour). He is purportedly the first Arab artist to make a video clip. In North
America, Amr becomes the first young Arabic singer to perform at the Kennedy
Center in Washington, DC (the only other Arabic artists ever invited were
Fairouz and Wadei Al Safy). It is reported that Diab was interviewed at a
Washington TV station for four hours. Amr's 2nd movie, El Aafareet, is released
with a cast including Madhat Kamel and Naaema El Sagheer.
In 1989 Shawa'na is released, arranged by
Hamid El Shaery who will prove to play a significant role in the coming
years.
In 1988 Hala Hala is released and its title
track becomes a hit. Mayyal is also released. In August, Amr marks his
cinematic debut with the release of the movie, El Saginatean, (Two Prisoners)
where he stars with Elham Shaheen and Youssef Shaaban.
In 1987 The album Asef La Yougad Hal Akhar is
released and is followed up by the release of Khalseen. The latter proves to be
a major hit which establishes Amr as an up-and-coming star.
In 1986 Diab graduates from Cairo Academy of
Art. Ya Tareek is released, Diab's very first album. Diab's 2nd album, Ganny
Men Albak, is also released in 1986.
In 1983 Amr records his very first song, El
Zaman, (lyrics by Hani Zaki, music by Hani Shnouda) but the recording is a
failure.
In 1982 Amr arrives in Cairo (direct from
Port Said) and enrolls in the High-College for Arabic Music. In 1981 Amr is
"approved" (accepted as a professional) by Egyptian Radio and Television.
In 1967 Amr joins the school band in the Port
Said Laissait, his primary school. On July 23rd, he makes his first official
school appearance at the Festival at Port Said where he visits the local
broadcasting station and sings Biladi Biladi (Egypt's national anthem) on
Egyptian Radio. For his efforts, he wins a guitar and receives recognition from
the Governor of Port Said.
In 1961 Amr Diab was born in Port Said, Egypt
on October 11th (Wednesday 1 Jumaada Al-Awwal 1381 A.H.). His father, Abdul
Basset Diab, worked for the Suez Canal Corporation as Chairman of Marine
Construction & Shipbuilding. Abdul himself had a fine singing voice and is
credited for encouraging his son to sing.
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His fan base is increasingly
international, mainly due to his masterful combination of western and Arabic
rhythms. Now in his forties, he shows no signs of letting up. Each Amr Diab
release in this, the first decade of the 21st century, is eagerly anticipated
and wildly acclaimed.
