In true Abu Dhabi fashion, one superstar just isn’t enough; this is why the Platinum Colombian singer will share her evening with the best-selling Arab singer of all time, Egyptian legend Amr Diab.
The man really is a legend: his global sales have already beaten the 50 million mark, and the singer/songwriter has won the World Music Award for Best Selling Middle Eastern Artist four times, in 1998, 2002, 2007 and 2009. He followed those up in 2010 with two African music awards, Best Male Act of Africa and Best North African Artist, during the African Music Award Festival in London.
Shatha Al Romaithi, of Flash Entertainment, says, ‘Amr Diab is an incredible example of a hugely talented artist who has consistently put out music that inspires and entertains, and that has stood the test of time. We wanted to bring Amr Diab and Shakira together to give Abu Dhabians a night they’ll remember – imagine, two superstars of that calibre, both on the same night. The artists are thrilled to be working with each other.’
And if you’re not a fan of Arabic music, we guarantee you’ve still heard ‘Habibi’ from Diab’s 1996 album, Nour El Ain; one of the most remixed Arabic songs of all time.
Amr Diab
Age: 49
Google search results (in English): 5,300,000
Albums released: 11
Most popular song: ‘Habibi’
Most memorable lyric: ‘My darling, light of my eyes, she is my fantasy’
Most frequently exposed body part: Chest
Relationship status: Married to Zina Ashour
Nationality: Egyptian
Height: 5’10”
Hips: Uhhhh… does anyone really want to know?
Amr Diab play Yas Island Abu Dhabi on April 29. Tickets from Dhs250. VIP tables of 10 are Dhs10,000. Weekend hotel packages range from a daily Dhs450 for a three-star stay up to Dhs750 for a five-star hotel. The Yas Hotel’s offer of Dhs750 per room per night includes access to Rush or Skylite as well as a pair of fan pit tickets. Hotel bookings are done through individual hotels. www.timeouttickets.com
