Hany Shaker, regarded as the Prince of Arab Singing, has passed away following a long illness, his health having deteriorated while he was being treated in France. The Egyptian singer died on Sunday, May 4 and was in the hospital after suffering from a complex health condition, which involved respiratory complications and severe colon bleeding. He also needed specialised medical procedures and blood transfusions.

The singer, who released more than 600 songs throughout his career, is understood to have shown signs of improvement before a sudden relapse led to respiratory failure. This prompted the star’s admission into intensive care, and he had to be placed under close supervision by medics.

The news of his death has sent shockwaves across Egypt, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issuing a tribute.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the Egyptian people and lovers of authentic art on the death of the artist Hany Shaker, who enriched the world of music with his most beautiful artistic creations on all national, social, and humanitarian occasions, thanks to his distinctive voice and refined performance,” the leader said on Facebook.

Hany, born in Cairo, was one of the country's biggest stars and released 29 albums. His career began in the 1960s, and he was discovered by composer Mohammed El Mougy in 1972. Hany was also the head of Egypt’s Musicians’ Syndicate in 2015 and 2019.

During his time there, he implemented measures and decisions to regulate and develop the artistic scene, including measures to combat offensive language in songs.

Tributes are pouring in from fans as they learn of the sad news, with one writing on X: “All the anecdotes of Hany Shaker are making my heart break. What a great loss. Rest in peace.”

A second said: “The great Egyptian Arab singer Hany Shaker has passed away, a great loss for music; he had a voice that was in itself a musical instrument, and he was the first singer I ever saw live, and it was stunning.... Allah Yerhamou.”

Another said: “May ALLAH have mercy on the artist of Egypt and the Arab world, Hany Shaker, one of the pillars of Egypt's cultural and vocal soft power, who passed away today following a medical journey in the French capital, Paris.”