Raï is a form of Algerian folk music that dates back to the 1920s. 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 became common. The lyrics have concerned social issues such as disease and the policing of European colonies that affected native populations.
During the 1970s, raï artists brought in influences from other countries such as Egypt, Europe, and the Americas. Trumpets, the electric guitar, synthesizers, and drum machines were specific instruments that were put into music. This marked the beginning of pop raï, which was performed by a later generation which adopted the title of Cheb (male) or Chaba (female), meaning "young," to distinguish themselves from the older musicians who continued to perform in the original style.
International success of the genre had begun as early as 1976 with the rise to prominence of producer Rachid Baba Ahmed. He helped many young and upcoming artists, and he had a modern 24-track studio.
He and his brother Fethi had been playing music since the 1960s. I stumbled upon the video for Utopia a few years ago. I was blown away by the otherworldly sounds Rachid created on the keyboard, a Yamaha YC-25D. Combined with the delicate 12-string guitars, it is like a psychedelic dream, vaguely reminiscent of Witthuser & Westrupp's Illusion I. In the video, Fethi is on the left. I'm not sure who the other guitarist is. Someone made a snowman that resembles Rachid. At 1:43, some guys emerge from the background, throwing snowballs around. They run towards the musicians and one guy leaps over the snowman. Fun fun fun.
Get ready, because here we have yet another example of a country that became embroiled in civil war, resulting in artists of all sorts being targeted for daring to be different. The Algerian war began slowly, as it initially appeared the government had successfully crushed the Islamist movement, but armed groups emerged to declare violent jihad, and by 1994, violence had reached such a level that it appeared the government might not be able to withstand it.
In 1995, Rachid Baba Ahmed was assassinated by Islamic fundamentalists outside his record store in Oran. He was targeted because of his involvement in the production of pop raï, which was seen as a transgressive genre that challenged the status quo. Following the assassination of his brother and musical partner, Fethi Baba Ahmed was completely devastated and stopped producing and performing music. Thanks a lot, extremist bastards.
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