The Arab world's most successful recording artist, Father of Mediterranean Music, movie star extraordinaire, dedicated family man or simply the King of Arab Pop are all titles Amr Diab has picked up over the years.
But no matter how you refer to the Egyptian superstar, one thing is for sure — his concert in Dubai should not be missed.
The Arabic singing sensation is set to take Dubai by storm tomorrow in front of a capacity crowd of more than 15,000 people at Dubai Festival City.
So whether you've grown up with his tunes playing on the radio (or more likely MTV) or have never heard a note, tabloid! looks at why you should catch Amr Diab this weekend.
The last sell
Finally if all that just isn't enough to convince you, then get down to DFC and pick up a ticket if only for the chance to catch the latest T8 laser in action.
T8 Robot is the latest and most unique entertainment concept which has taken the world by storm.
It's an Ibiza club laser show meets The Terminator and rumour has it he doesn't take any prisoners.
T8 is a life-sized robot which fires lasers across the night sky, dances and interacts with audiences of all ages. Be warned, the "adult" show can get a little hairy.
So take a chance and witness the all-new T8 (this model is the most technologically-advanced) built especially for Amr Diab's big Dubai night.
Go get yours
Tickets, priced Dh150, Dh250 (front standing) and Dh500 (very few left) are available at ticketmastersme.com and boxofficeme.com or at Virgin Megastore and all Enoc gas stations. Doors open at 7pm with Diab scheduled to go on stage at 10pm.
Started young
Diab started out more than 30 years ago, aged just six. He was born in Port Said, Egypt, into an artistic family. His father Abdul Basset Diab encouraged his young son to sing at a festival. They visited the local broadcasting station and he made his first singing appearance on Egyptian radio performing the national anthem. He was praised by the Governor of Port Said who gave him a guitar as a prize. Cute.
Awards galore
Diab has picked up two World Music Awards for best-selling Middle Eastern singer for his albums Nour Al Ain and Aktar Wahed. He also received a Platinum Award for the sales of Nour Al Ain.
The world loves him
Diab's loyal fan base is always impressive and Dubai is no exception. Fans have reserved, paid for and picked up tickets from as far afield as the US, UK, Germany, Iran and Switzerland to see Diab in Dubai. In his home country, tickets for concerts have known to sell out in less than one hour.
Acts and albums
Since graduating from the music facility at Cairo Academy of Art he has had 16 top-selling albums. The most popular are his first albums — Ya Tareeq (1985), Asef (1986), Ghanny Men Albak (1986), Hala Hala (1987), Khalseen (1988), Mayyal (1988), Shawa'na (1989) and Matkhafesh (1990). Then came his other hit albums Habibi (1991), Ayyamna (1992) and Ya Omrena (1993). He followed on and released the album Weylomony (1994), Rag'een (1995) and the popular Nour Al Ain (1996) and Awedony (1998). In 1999 he released his greatest hits album, Amarain.
Wanna be in the movies?
Diab has recently revealed he has signed a contract with the Good News Company and will start working on two movies, in addition to a TV series this year. The concept will bring Diab back to the screen after a long absence. If rumours are to be believed, Sharif Arafa will be directing these projects and will start working on them after Ramadan. In 1992 and 1993, Diab played two roles in Ice Cream Fe Glim and Dehk Wele'b Wegad Wehob — which was also chosen as the opening film in the Egyptian Film Festival that year.
Daddy cool
Diab is a great father. Nour, his daughter from his first marriage, is 20 now. Diab also has three children with wife, Zinah: twins Kenzy and Abdullah, who are 11, and daughter Karma who is nine.
Multi-linguist
Diab speaks several languages. He was chosen to perform and represent Egypt at the fifth Tournament of African Sports in 1990 where he sang in English, French and Arabic.
Diab's duet
Diab did a duet with Algerian singer Cheb Khalid for song Alby and with Greek Angela Dimitriou on Bahebbak Aktar.
Old-school
Diab is one of the only old-school Arab artists to really capture a true western style in his music, making it accessible to people from the world over. Diab says he favours innovation of new music, form and style. He merged the Arabian oriental theme of music and the western style of musical beats, arrangements and finalisation.
Diab's fave
Diab's favourite singer is Abdul Halim Hafez.
