DUBAI, 4 September 2007 — Famous Moroccan singer Rajaa Belmaleeh died of cancer at the age of 45 in her native town of Rabat on Sunday, according to family sources. Though Rajaa was suffering from cancer since early last year, she had nearly recovered and released her last album, “Hasib,” three months ago, her Egyptian husband Muhammad Sharafeddin said.
With a career spanning over 20 years, Rajaa was known for brilliant musical performances and albums. She was honored with the Best Singer award at the Libyan Songs Festival in 1990, the Cairo International Music Festival in 1995, the Arab Music Festival at the Egyptian Opera House and Tunisian Music Festival in 1996.
Rajaa set out on a musical career in the 1980s after winning first place in the popular singing competition called “Adwa Al-Madinah” organized by a leading Moroccan music producer, Hameed Al-Alawi. Her first album “Ya Jar Wadina” was released in 1987 and garnered mass appeal. This was followed by another popular album, “Hakaza Al-Dunya.”
In the early 1990s she moved to Cairo where her next album “Sabri Alayka Tal” was a great hit. She eventually became a UAE citizen and settled in Abu Dhabi. She is survived by her husband and son Omar.
