Iconic Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum has been listed in Rolling Stone's "200 Greatest Singers of All Time" list.
The publication started the New Year with an update to its rankings, which began in 2008, honouring the best vocalists in music.
"This new list was compiled by our staff and key contributors, and it encompasses 100 years of pop music as an ongoing global conversation," Rolling Stone writes.
The criteria were based on originality, influence, the depth of an artist’s catalog, and the breadth of their musical legacy.
Umm Kulthum ranked 61— beating Billie Eilish who ranked 198, Michael Jackson ranked 89, and Rihanna ranked 68.
The legendary singer is the only Arab to be featured in the list.
Umm Kulthum, born on December 31, 1898, has no equivalent among singers in the world and represented the soul of the pan-Arab world for decades.
Her potent contralto, which could blur gender in its lower register, conveyed breathtaking emotional range in complex songs that, across theme and wildly-ornamented variations, could easily last an hour.
Her death on February 3, 1975, brought millions into the Cairo streets to mourn, and while her influence among Arab singers is incalculable, it extended far beyond it.
The Top 20 are listed below, with the full list of 200 available on Rolling Stone's website.
20. Marvin Gaye
19. Frank Sinatra
18. Celia Cruz
17. Elvis Presley
16. Prince
15. Bob Dylan
14. Freddie Mercury
13. Patsy Cline
12. John Lennon
11. Little Richard
10. Al Green
9. Otis Redding
8. Beyoncé
7. Stevie Wonder
6. Ray Charles
5. Mariah Carey
4. Billie Holiday
3. Sam Cooke
2. Whitney Houston
1. Aretha Franklin
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