Adaweyah, born on 3 July 1945 in Cairo, was one of the most influential figures in Arabic music.

He rose to fame in the 1970s with music that blended traditional Arabic folk sounds with contemporary rhythms. This created a unique genre known as Shaabi music, also electro-Shaabi or Mahraganat, which was particularly popular among the working class. 

Adaweyah’s rise to prominence began with his hit songs, which resonated with Egyptians' everyday struggles and joys.

His lyrics often addressed love, life, and social issues. Some of his best-known songs include Zahma Ya Donya Zahma, Essah Eddah Embo, Ya Bent El-Sultan, and Karakashangy.

Throughout his career, Adaweya faced both praise and controversy.

While many admired his raw talent and relatability, others criticized his music for its unpolished sound. They saw it as too unconventional for Egyptian mainstream music.

"Adaweyah emerged in an artistic context where songs were divided into three main categories. The first has remained attached to classical Arab melodies, intending to preserve the national identity altered by the defeat of 1967. The second was represented by those who, under the shock of this defeat, sought refuge in Western songs to express a kind of rejection and discontent. As for the third category, it manifested itself in the songs of Adaweyah to express disillusionment and cynicism, hence the phenomenal success of this form of music," Sayed Mahmoud wrote about Adaweyah in 2019.

"Adaweyah opposed the figures of classical song such as Abdel-Wahab, Umm Kalthoum, and Abdel-Halim, who remained faithful to the romantic and patriotic themes. They received their legitimacy from records and the radio. Adaweyah, however, was the expression of a parallel world, on the periphery, betting on a new medium: the radio cassette introduced to Egypt by the expatriates who left to work in the Arabian Gulf countries," he added.

"Adaweyah was the subject of all the accusations against the Mahraganat singers today. In the eyes of critics, these songs did not make sense, but millions liked them and found in them a consolation capable of making them forget their painful reality," Mahmoud concluded.

Through thin and thick, Adaweya remained steadfast, continuously evolving and contributing to the Shaabi genre.

His music continues to be celebrated today, and he remains a legend in Egyptian and Arab music history. He is revered not just for his singing but also for shaping the cultural landscape of his time.

In 1989, Adaweya had an accident that affected his health, but he managed to make a successful return to the music scene later on, collaborating with younger artists.

One such collaboration was the song El-Nass El-Rayqa with Lebanese singer and composer Rami Ayach in 2010.

The singer and his son Mohamed have also performed together numerous times. Their most successful collaboration was in the 2011 music video El-Mouled.

Adaweyah's last song was Ala Wadena (As We Are), with lyrics by Amir Shiko and music by Abdo El-Soghair. Mahraganat key player Dezel of El-Madfaagya arranged it.

In the music video directed by Hossam El-Husseini, Adaweyah was also joined by his son and famous actor Mohamed Ramadan.

In 2023, the singer appeared during Hani Shenouda’s 80th birthday celebrations in Riyadh.

Adaweyah shared the stage with Amr Diab, Mohammed Mounir, Angham, Mai Farouk, Moustafa Hagag, and Cairokee in the star-studded tribute concert titled Memories.

Adaweya's success was not limited to popular music alone. His fame in the music industry led filmmakers to cast him in films.

He participated in around 27 films as an actor and singer. Among the known titles are Al-Motasawel, El-Banat Aiza Eih, and Ya Rab Walad.