Asmahan- أسمهان

Review by Chirine Yamout

The short: 

Amal Al-Atrash, known by her stage name as Asmahan, was an Egyptian singer from a Syrian background. She was one of the few female voices in Arab music world to pose serious competition to that of Umm Kulthum.

The long: 

Asmahan was considered one of the most distinguished singers of her time. She was discovered at an early age, when Dawood Hosni, one of Egypt’s most famous composer, was visiting her brother Farid Al Atrash, another distinguished singer of his time, and heard her singing in her room and later insisted she sings for him. She rose to fame at the young age of fourteen and was introduced at a public concert at the prestigious Cairo Opera House. She had a role in WWII where she was on a secret mission to convince her people in Jabal Al-Druze in Syria to support the British and Free French forces in invading Syria through their territory, and received a large sum of money from the British for helping the Allies invasion. She was killed in a mysterious car accident in July 1944 and is buried in the Fustat plain in Cairo.

To listen or not to listen:

Of course, listen! Magnificent voice, with music that would take you back in time. If you’re a fan of dark academia, you’ll be in for a ride as Asmahan reigns Arabic dark academia.