Arab Singer Etab (Black History)

Since much of the West is uninformed about how African the Arabian Gulf is historically

Ali Hawash, Arab News

Publication Date: Tue, 2007–08–21 03:00 — CAIRO, 21 August 2007

.

.

Saudi Arabia’s first female singer Etab died Sunday night surrounded by family members after a long battle with cancer. She was buried early yesterday in a cemetery in 6th of October city, 20 km southwest of downtown Cairo.

Condolences poured in from artists, fans and fellow singers throughout the Arab world as the crooner was remembered. With more than 15 albums to her name, she is known for hits such as “Jani Al-Asmar,” “Alashanah” and “Hiya, Hady w’Huwa.

The 66-year-old singer started her career in the early 1960s where her strong personality made her stand out amongst other singers. She credited the late Saudi legend Talal Maddah as being instrumental to her success.

She also had a brief stint as an actress and appeared in three movies.

Etab was born in Saudi Arabia and married an Egyptian man who worked in the Saudi Information Ministry in 1978. She soon moved to Egypt where she gave birth to a boy and a girl, Ahmad and Dareen. She received Egyptian…