Raï, sometimes written rai, is a form of Algerian folk music that dates back to the 1920s. Singers of Raï are called cheb as opposed to sheikh, the name given to Chaabi singers. The tradition arose in the city of Oran, primarily among the poor. Traditionally sung by men, by the end of the 20th century, female singers had become common. The lyrics of Raï have concerned social issues such as disease and the policing of European colonies that affected native populations.
Algerian music is virtually synonymous with Raï among foreigners; the musical genre has achieved great popularity in France, Spain and other parts of Europe. For several centuries, Algerian music was dominated by styles inherited from Al-Andalus, eventually forming a unique North African twist on these poetic forms. Algerian music came to include suites called nuubaat. Later derivatives include rabaab and hawzii.
Messaoud Bellemou is an Algerian musician and one of the most influential performers of modern raï music. He is considered by some people like one of the fathers of Modern Raï Music.
Mohamed Khelifati , better known by his stage name Cheb Mami, is an Algerian musician and singer-songwriter. He sings and speaks in Algerian Arabic and sometimes in French or Eastern Arabic dialects.
Rachid Taha was an Algerian singer and activist based in France described as "sonically adventurous". His music was influenced by many different styles including rock, electronic, punk and raï.
Faudel Belloua is a French raï singer and actor of Algerian descent. He released studio albums, notably Baïda, Samra, Un Autre Soleil and Mundial Corrida and the live album 1,2,3 Soleils jointly with Khaled and Rachid Taha.
Rachid Baba Ahmed was an Algerian record producer, composer, and singer involved in the regional genre known as raï. He was credited with the international popularization of the genre in 1976, through the new pop raï, with a delicate and sophisticated blend of electronic instrumentation. He was also credited with the development of pop raï during the 1970s and 1980s,1 the performers of which are called cheb or chaba.
Cheb Hasni, born Hasni Chakroun, , was an Algerian raï singer. He was popular across the Maghreb, having reached the height of his career in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was the son of a welder and grew up in a working-class family where he was one of seven children. Hasni is most well known for his love songs, but he also dealt with taboo subjects such as divorce, romance and alcohol. He was murdered in 1994. Hasni's controversial lyrical content had drawn the ire of fanatic Islamist fundamentalists in Algeria and it is believed he was murdered as a result.
"Didi" is an Arabic raï song written and performed by Algerian singer and musician Khaled, released in 1992. The song was the lead single from the singer's eponymous album Khaled.
Cheb Bilal is an Algerian raï singer, who was born on 23 July 1966 in Cherchell, Algeria. He produces traditional music that includes instruments like congas and violins.
Sahrawi or Saharawi, is an Arabic term meaning 'from the Sahara', or more specifically the Western Sahara. It can also mean 'from the desert' in general.
Najim Amari, better known by the mononym Najim also known as Cheb Najim is an Algerian raï singer.
Cheba Zahouania, born Halima Mazzi is Algerian singer known for raï music. She has lived in France since her singing partner, Cheb Hasni, was murdered in 1994.
Cheb Aziz born Bechiri Boudjema was an Algerian musician and performer. Aziz was a very popular singer and performer across North Africa. He played Algerian musical genres such as Staifi and Chaoui.
Khaled Hadj Ibrahim, better known by his mononym Khaled, is an Algerian raï singer, musician and songwriter. He began recording in his early teens under the name Cheb Khaled.
Boutaiba Sghir is an Algerian raï singer and songwriter.
Kouider Morabet, better known as Cheb Kader, is a Moroccan singer, songwriter, composer and pioneer of raï music. He is born in 1966 in Oran, Algeria.
Houari Manar was an Algerian raï singer who was popular in his home country as well as the neighbouring Maghreb and Mediterranean countries, and in France.
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