EP.16--Culture: Cheb Hasni and the Birth and Death of Love Rai

This episode presents some of the major Rai singers of the 1990's. We encounter Cheb Mami, Cheb Sahraoui, Chebba Fadela, Chebba Zahouania, Cheb Nasro, and Cheb Bilal. We pay particular attention to Cheb Hasni who was considered the King of Love Rai and who was assassinated in Oran during the Civil War of the 1990's. The episode contains musical excerpts from the singers above in addition to short selections from Cheb El Hindi and Cheb Abbes.

Sources and further reading:

Daoudi, B. & Miliani H. L'aventure du Raï

Drewett, M & Cloonan, M. Popular Music Censorship in Africa

Plastino, G. Mediterranean Mosaic: Popular Music and Global Sounds

Schade-Poulsen, M. Men and Popular Music in Algeria: The Social Significance of Raï

Virolle, M. La chanson Raï : De l'Algérie profonde à la scène internationale