According to official statements from the Egyptian Musicians’ Syndicate, Shaker suffered a severe colon hemorrhage earlier this year, which required an urgent surgery, including partial colectomy.
The situation became more critical when, earlier this week, he suffered from cardiac arrest, which required his transfer to France for treatment. According to sources, Shaker’s condition remains critical.
Shaker’s health crisis has prompted an outpouring of support from fellow artists and fans, with many calling for privacy and respect for the singer and his family during this difficult period.
Prince of Arab Singing
Hany Shaker, widely known as the Prince of Arab Singing, is one of the most prominent figures in modern Arabic music.
Born in 1952 in Cairo, Shaker’s career spans more than five decades, during which he has released hundreds of songs, most of them beloved by his fans.
Shaker began playing the piano during his school years before enrolling at the Cairo Conservatoire in the early 1970s. His breakthrough came in 1972 with the hit song Helwa ya Donia, composed by Mohamed El-Mougi, launching a career that developed alongside—and was influenced by—legends such as Abdel-Halim Hafez, Umm Kalthoum, and Mohamed Abdel Wahab.
Early in his career, he joined Abdel-Halim Hafez’s choir and later collaborated with leading composers including Baligh Hamdy, Ammar El-Shereei, and Mounir Mourad. His repertoire includes widely known songs such as Ali El-Dehkaya, Lessa Betesaly, and Yaritak Maaya.
Blending classical Arab musical traditions with more contemporary styles, Shaker has maintained enduring popularity across generations, remaining a defining voice in Egyptian and Arab music.
He also continues to perform and remain active on the Arab music scene, offering a steady presence in concerts and cultural events across the region.
Beyond singing, Shaker has also worked in cinema and held a significant institutional role as head of Egypt’s Musicians’ Syndicate (2015-2022).
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