Contents
Khaled
Taking Algerian raï to international audiences with Didi, Aïcha and C’est la vie.
Didi · Aïcha
- Born
- 29 February 1960
- Birthplace
- Oran, Algeria
More people
Khaled
Khaled is an Algerian singer whose recordings brought raï into conversation with pop, funk and electronic production. He began his career under the name Cheb Khaled.
Early life
Oran upbringing
Grew up in the city closely associated with modern raï.
Teenage recordings
Began performing and recording in his early teens, adopting the professional name Cheb Khaled.
Career
- 1980s
Raï recognition
Rose to prominence in Algeria before performing in France and settling there.
- 1992
International breakthrough
His self-titled album and the single Didi reached audiences far beyond North Africa.
- 2012 onward
Later pop success
C’est la vie brought another major international hit, followed by further recordings and collaborations.
Selected work
Didi
A breakthrough single combining raï singing with contemporary production.
Aïcha
A French-language hit written by Jean-Jacques Goldman.
C’est la vie
An upbeat multilingual track produced by RedOne.
Beyond work
Across languages
Has recorded in Arabic and French, reflecting audiences across Algeria and the diaspora.
Beirut relief
Collaborated on the 2020 charity single Elle s’appelle Beyrouth after the Beirut port explosion.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Photo: Arab Idol. CC BY 3.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
