The Kings and Queens of Arabic Music
A Primer on the Golden Age and the Great Four of Arabic Music
You’ve probably heard fellow dancers refer to certain music as “the classics” or “songs every bellydancer should know” or the “golden age music” … but where is this coming from? Who are these singers, musicians, and songs? How does everyone know who they are?
The Golden Age of Arabic Music and Cinema
These phrases typically refer Arabic music made during the 20th century known as The Golden Age. The Golden Age spanned from the 1930s to the 1970s and was a transformative period for Arabic music and cinema. Cairo was the cultural center of this Golden Age, producing hundreds of movies (mostly musicals) that featured famous singers, composers, and bellydancers.
The music of The Golden Age was distinctly different from past generations. Arabic music notation became standardized in 1932 at the Congress of Arabic Music held in Cairo, Egypt. This standardization opened new opportunities for composers, musicians and singers including:
Shifting from small chamber ensembles called a tahkt* 4 or 5 members, bands became large 40-piece orchestras called a firqa*.
Incorporating Western instruments into their music such as guitar and accordion.
Writing longer compositions appropriate for cinema instead of shorter folk songs.
* Firqa | فرقة – Arabic orchestra (western influenced, large)
* Tahkt | التخت – Arabic ensemble of 2-5 members including a qanoon, oud, (kamanjeh) violin, ney, and riqq.
The Golden Age created some of the most recognized singers, composers and songs in Arabic music today. Just as we can easily recognize classics like “Singing in the Rain” and “Over the Rainbow”, so can Arabs recognize these songs and musicians. Growing up in an Arab family, I have fond memories of listening to these classics at family gatherings. My oldest uncle, Umo Nasser, preferred Farid al-Atrache. Umm Kalthoum dominated the playlists at my Umo Munir’s house, and my dad was always belting along to an Abdel Halim Hafez song at home.
The following artists are considered the “Big Four” of Arab music. Each have entire articles, biographies, novels, and/or documentaries on their contributions to Arabic music. My purpose is to briefly mention each with additional resources to help you continue your own research. If you would like a deeper dive, I highly suggest this article on Suhail Salimpour’s website, don’t miss the footnotes with great resources too!
Icons of Arabic Music
Sayyed Darwish
Known as the father of modern Egyptian music, Darwish blended Western and Arabic styles – including the use of harmony and European instruments. His patriotic songs spoke against British rule, and despite his untimely death at 31, his influence endures. His era was more in the 1920’s – 30’s, pre–Golden Era, but I had to include his works as they influenced so many in the Golden Age. While Sayyed Darwish is not considered one of the “Great Four”, I included him as his work was so influential to the Golden Age.
Famous Songs:
Salma ya Salama
El Helwa Di
Zouruni
Ya Mahla Noura
Farid al-Atrache
Dubbed the "King of the Oud," Farid's career spanned recordings of over 500 songs and starring roles in 31 films. His deep poetic love songs and performances are legendary. Here is a link one of his most famous oud solos that is still recognizable in the Arab world today. You might recognize some of the riffs in this improvisation as well!
Famous Songs:
Gamil Gamal
Habeena
Noura
Ya Habaybi Ya Ghaybeen
Abdel Halim Hafez
Known as "el-Andaleeb el-Asmar" (the dark-skinned nightingale), Hafez's unique voice and romantic songs resonated with many. I like to think of him as the Frank Sinatra of Arabic music. The tone of his voice was much more emotional than his counterparts, which wasn’t the normal occurrence at the time. His music had romantic and patriotic themes and continues to inspire in modern times, notably during the 2011 Arab Spring.
Notable Songs:
Gana el Hawa
Zay el Hawa
Sawwah
Ahwak
Ana Kol Maoul El Toba
El Hilwah
En Rah Minnak Ya Ein
Maddah al Amar
Mawoud
Nebtidi Mnain El Hikaya
Um Kalthoum
Arguably the most legendary singer in the Arab world, Umm Kalthoum's tarab* music captivates audiences with its emotive power. Her concerts, often lengthy, were a journey through poetic repetition and variation. Most of her songs average 45 minutes and could go up to 2-3 hours when sung live. Most the classics we dance to are only a section of these beautiful songs. I encourage every dancer to listen to the full-length pieces and experience the different movements within each song.
Tarab | طرب – Musical ecstasy
What do Aziza, Zeina, Nebtidi Mnain El Hikaya, Enta Omri , Leilet Hob and Amar 14 have in common? The composer Mohamed Abdel Wahab!
Mohammed Abdel Wahab
A prolific composer, Abdel Wahab's modern approach to Arabic music included using Western instruments. He composed nearly 2000 songs and collaborated with top artists, leaving a legacy. The famous dancer Nagua Fouad engaged Abdel Wahab to create the first composition specific for a dance performance – Amar 14.
Ymsafer Wahdak
Aziza
Zeina
Amar 14
Bent el Beled
Nebtidi Mnain El Hikaya
Enta Omri
Leilet Hob
Ahwak
Daret el Ayam
Fakkarouni
Khatwet Habibi
En Rah Minnak Ya Ein
Legacy and Influence
The Golden Age of Arabic music and cinema not only produced timeless music but also laid the foundation for future generations. The icons of this era were not just performers; they were cultural ambassadors who bridged the gap between traditional Arabic music and modern influences. Their music continues to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Arab world.
The Kings and Queens of Arabic Music have left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape. Their contributions continue to be celebrated, reminding us of the profound beauty and complexity of Arabic music. Through their work, the Golden Age remains a golden standard, influencing contemporary music and cinema in the Arab world and beyond.
Key Milestones and Events:
1932: Cairo Congress of Arabic Music.
1933: Mohammed Abdel Wahab stars in the first Egyptian musical, Al-Warda al-Beida.
1935: Um Kalthoum stars in her first film, Widdad.
1936: Bellydancers like Badia Masabni appear in Egyptian cinema.
1941: Farid al-Atrache stars in Intisar al-chabab.
1952: Egyptian Revolution and the overthrow of King Farouk.
1955: Abdel Halim Hafez stars in Lahn El Wafa'.
1964: Collaboration between Omm Kathoum and Mohammed Abdel Wahab on Enta Omri.
1974-1977: Deaths of major stars like Farid al Atrache, Um Kalthoum, and Abdel Halim Hafez.