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 Brahim in Oran 1960, 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 Brown
and 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. 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.It yielded his
first big hit, "Didi," and helped consolidate his reputation as Raï's
first superstar.In 1996, he hit again with Sahra, whose first single,
"Aïcha," written for his daughter, gave Khaled a French number one
hit.Listen song here:YouTube
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