Re: Cheb Khaled

Khaled is the poster boy for the modern form of Algerian desert blues 
known as Raï. Certainly he's been its most successful modern exponent, 
the first to find success on the international stage. Born Khalidu Hajji 
Brahimin Oran, the traditional center of Raï, he was attracted to music 
from an early age, especially to Raï, which was seen at the time of the 
music of outcasts, drunks, and prostitutes, although he also loved James 
Brownand the Beatles. He taught himself to play guitar, bass, harmonica, 
and accordion, releasing his debut disc, "Trigh Lycee," when he was just 
14. Leaving home, he began on the peripatetic life of the musician, 
performing frequently at clubs, parties, and weddings (the only places 
where Raï was seen as an "acceptable" form of entertainment). It was in 
the early '80s that Cheb (meaning "young") Khaled's fortunes changed, 
when he met up with producer Rachid Baba Ahmed, who was revolutionizing 
the Raï form by introducing Western electric instruments and studio 
techniques. Together, they changed the face of the music. Khaled was the 
right voice at the right time and the addition of drum machines, 
synthesizers, and guitars took the music to a new generation, even though 
much of it continued to be censored by the Algerian government, which 
considered the style subversive. A number of those early tracks can be 
found on Le Meilleur de Cheb Khaledon Blue Silver. 

By 1986, Khaled (who'd now dropped the Cheb) had been forced to move to 
Paris, as violence in Algeria claimed lives and he'd been threatened 
several times (producer Ahmedwould, in fact, be murdered, as would 
several Raï performers). Arriving with a reputation, he attempted to take 
his music to a global level, although his real debut, Kutche, did him no 
favors with its jazz-rock arrangements. He fared much better with 1992's 
Khaled, with some tracks produced by Michael Brookand others by Don Was. 
It yielded his first big hit, "Didi," and helped consolidate his 
reputation as Raï's first superstar. That was firmly cemented the 
following year with the Was-produced N'ssi N'ssi, which mixed funk, rock, 
and an Egyptian orchestra behind Khaled's persuasive voice and winning 
smile for a major commercial breakthrough in France, winning a European, 
as well as North African, audience. In 1996, he hit again with Sahra, 
whose first single, "Aïcha," written for his daughter, gave Khaled a 
French number one hit. A mix of producers gave varying sounds, with 
French hip-hoppers Akhenton & Imhotepproving the hardest on the track 
"Oran Marseille" with its rapid-fire rap. There was even some reggae on 
"Mektoubi," which merged relatively seamlessly with the North African 
sound. While well-received critically, it sold little in the U.S. 
however, unlike France, where the album became Khaled's biggest success. 
Perhaps the moment that justified his title of King of Raï, however, came 
in 1999, when he headlined the 1-2-3 Soleils concert in Paris (which led 
to the album of the same name), over Rachid Tahaand Faudel. It was the 
biggest Algerian show ever staged in France and left no doubt that Khaled 
remained Raï's hottest attraction. 2000 brought Kenzaand a change of 
producer, as former prog rocker Steve Hillagehelped bring a more organic 
feel to the proceedings. A smash in Europe, once again it did little 
business in the U.S.

         1989    Kutche                 
         1991    Khaled                 
         1993    N'ssi N'ssi                    
         1994    En Algerie, Vol. 2                     
         1994    En Algerie, Vol. 1                     
         1994    Hada Raykoum                   
         1994    Young Khaled                   
         1996    Sahra                  
         1998    Together               
         2000    Hafla [live]           
         2000    Monstres Sacres du Rai         
         2000    Aiysha                 
         2000    Kenza                  
         2000    1,2,3 Soleils                  
         2000    Elle Ne Peut Pas Vivre Sans Lui!               
         2001    El Lil Ou Nour                 
         2001    Ya Taleb                       
         ?       Fuir, Mais Ou?         
         ?               Moule El Kouchi                        
         ?               Khaled Hafla