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.
Taha in 2011
Taha grew up in the seaside Algerian city of Oran.
Clash singer Joe Strummer
Taha performing in Belgium
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.
Cover arts of Raï albums of the 1980s
Cheikh Hamada.
Cheikha Remitti (1923–2006)
Rachid & Fethi