Mohammed Abdel Wahab (Mohammed Abd el-Wahaab, March 7, 1899 – May 3, 1991) was a prominent 20th-century Arab Egyptian singer and composer. He composed the "Ya Beladi" (also known as "Libya, Libya, Libya") the National anthem of Libya used by the Kingdom of Libya from 1951 to 1969 and again by the post-Gaddafi transitional government in 2011.
Born in Bab El-Shaariyah area of Cairo, Egypt (where his statue stands), Abdel Wahab played oud before the Prince of Poets, Ahmed Shawqi. Abdel Wahab acted in several movies. Mohammed Abdel Wahab was a very close friend to loved singer Abdel Halim Hafez.
Contribution to Arab music
Egyptian singer & composer Mohammed Abdel Wahab Statue at Bab El-Sharyia square, Cairo
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, he 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".
Abdel Wahab played oud before the Prince of Poets, Ahmed Shawqi, and acted in several movies. He composed ten songs for Umm Kulthum (أم كلثوم). He was the first Egyptian singer to move from silent-era acting to singing. He died of heart failure.
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.
via wikipedia.