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.
In France, music reflects a diverse array of styles. In the field of classical music, France has produced several prominent romantic composers, while folk and popular music have seen the rise of the chanson and cabaret style. The oldest playable musical recordings were made in France using the earlist known sound recording device in the world, the phonautograph, which was patented by Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville in 1857. France is also the 5th largest market by value in the world, and its music industry has produced many internationally renowned artists, especially in the nouvelle chanson and electronic 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. Internationally, he is known for contributing vocals to the 1999 Sting single "Desert Rose".
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.
Warda Al-Jazairia was an Algerian singer. She was well known for her Egyptian Arabic songs and music. Her name was sometimes shortened to just Warda or as "The Algerian rose" in the Arab world.
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.
Cheb Hasni, born Hasni Chakroun, , was an Algerian raï singer. Regarded as "The King of Sentimental Music" and "The Legend of Raï Music ", his contribution to music made him one of the most celebrated Algerian artist of the late 20th century. He was popular across the Maghreb, having reached the height of his career in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Cheikha Rimitti was an Algerian raï female singer.
Cheb Sahraoui is an Algerian raï musician, the first to tour North America and the first to incorporate electronic synthesizers into his arrangements.
Sultana Daoud was an Algerian Jewish singer, who helped preserve Arab-Andalus music, as well as introducing the genre to European audiences.
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.
Eugénie Buffet (1866–1934) was a French singer who rose to fame in France just prior to World War I. She has been called one of the first, if not the first, performer of the chanson réaliste genre. She became a national sensation in France, performing in the fashionable cafés-concerts of Paris as well as embarking on both national and international tours. Her biggest success is said to be her performance of the song "La Sérénade du Pavé", written by Jean Varney in 1895. She was also known to perform in the street for charity in the poorer areas of Paris – work for which she was awarded the Légion d'honneur.
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.
Riff Cohen is an Israeli singer-songwriter, actress, and musician who performs songs in Hebrew, French and Arabic.
Houria Aïchi is an Algerian Berber singer of chaoui music. Aïchi sings songs that she learnt in her childhood, accompanied by bendir.
Bouteldja Belkacem was an Algerian raï songwriter, lyricist and composer.
Kouider Morabet, better known as Cheb Kader, is a Moroccan singer, songwriter, composer and pioneer of raï music.
Fadhéla Dziria, officially Fadhéla Madani Bent el-Mahdi was an Algerian singer in the Hawzi style of Andalusian classical music. Her first name is also seen as Fadila, Fadhila, or Fadela, and her chosen last name as Dziriya. Dziria means Algerian—so she was, professionally, "Fadhéla the Algerian".
