On July 26, 2025, the Arabic music world was rocked following the passing of iconic Lebanese composer Ziad Rahbani. A great influence on the Arabic music genre, Rahbani gave us all classics throughout his career. The Lebanese composer and pianist combined opera, jazz, and traditional Arabic folk music into “oriental-jazz,” a unique marker of his work. After the loss of the legendary composer, the Arab world and fans of Rahbani gather in grief to pay their respects to the Lebanese icon’s legacy.
Who is Ziad Rahbani?
Born January 1, 1956, in Antelias, Lebanon, Rahbani was welcomed into a musically inclined and theatrical family. Son of the world-famous Lebanese vocalist, Fairuz, and composer and musician, Assi Rahbani, it was clear that music was in Rahbani’s blood from the start. From a young age, Rahbani began writing songs for his mother, Fairuz. His first song, “Sa’alouny El Nas,” known as “The People Asked Me,” became an instant success in 1973 and an overall classic in the Arab world. Rahbani continued to compose many of his mother’s songs, some including “Kifak Inta,” (“How Are You,”) “Al Bostah,” (“The Bus,”) and “Sallimleh Alayh” (“Say Hello.”)
Rahbani’s Musical Legacy
Not only did Rahbani rock the world with his passing, but he had shaken the entire Western and Eastern music industries all throughout his composing career. Many of the hits he’d written for Fairuz became international success stories. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his admiration for Fairuz on Instagram over the past year, per Roya News. In his post, he paid respect to the Lebanese singer on her 90th birthday:
“Fairuz’s voice continues to soothe the hearts of Lebanese and Palestinians seeking the warmth of peace. To the one who embodies the dignity of this region, here’s to a hundred more years!”
Rahbani’s music also touched American hip-hop and R&B singer-songwriter Beyoncé. Known for her use of Arabic scales and Middle Eastern influence in her songs, Beyoncé even sampled Fairuz’s “Le Beirut” during a concert in Dubai!
@scenenoisetiktok Crossover episode of the century? #scenenoise #beyonce #beyoncedubai #fayrouz #atlantistheroyal
♬ original sound – SceneNoise
The World Loses an Icon but Still Celebrates His Music
This week, the music world continues to mourn the loss of Rahbani. Arab music icons, including Ragheb Alama, Nancy Ajram, Elissa, Haifa Wehbe, and Majida al-Roumi, were among the attendees of the late composer’s funeral procession. At the end of the day, the music world lost an unforgettable composer, and hearts continue to go out to Rahbani’s mother, Fairuz, who lost both the light of her musical life and her son.
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