El Hachmi Guerouabi

El-Hadj El Hachmi Guerouabi (born January 6, 1938, in Algiers, Algeria - died July 17, 2006 in Paris, France) was an Algerian singer and composer of Chaâbi and one of the Grand Masters of the Algiers-based Chaâbi music.
He was born in El Mouradia (Algiers) and grew up in Bélouizdad (formerly Belcourt). Two passions occupied Guerouabi's childhood: Football and music. Being a good footballer he played with La Redoute AC football club until 1952. By then he had developed a special interest to music; in particular the music of El Hadj M'Hamed El Anka, M'rizek and Hssissen.

His win in the El Arbi Music-Hall contest helped him join the Opera of Algiers in 1953, where he was engaged in music but also played several theatrical roles including the famous Haroun Errachid.After the independence of Algeria from France in 1962, Guerouabi saw the invasion of foreign music, especially from Europe and Egypt, as a threat to the traditional Algerian music. He tries to attract a younger audience by introducing fundamental changes in his compositions that will later make him a distinctive and Master of Chaâbi.Guerouabi continued his innovations and became an icon of the Algerian popular music. He was invited to perform in various occasions by prestigious institutions and notable individuals, which added to his popularity and respect among Chaâbi fans.In 1987, Guerouabi went on a pilgrimage in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) and gained the title of “El-Hadj”. He moved to Paris (France) in the late 1990s for medical treatment for severe diabetes, where he settled until his death in 2006. Despite his illness, Guerouabi continued to produce music, play in concerts around the world and play at weddings, but in February 2005 he had undergone a surgery that resulted in the amputation of his leg and his decision to quit music. However, due to a growing demand from his homeland, he gave his last concert in Algiers on July 4th, 2005 in front of a very large audience. He was admitted to hospital again in July 2006, one year exactly after his last public appearance, after a heart attack which cost him his life. El Hachmi Guerouabi died on July 17th, 2006 in Paris and left behind him a large repertoire of music, a musical renaissance but most importantly a remarkable contribution to the vulgarisation of Chaâbi.Wikipedia

Biyouna

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Biyouna (Baya Bouzar) is an Algerian singer, dancer, actress born in 1952 in Belcourt, Algiers, Algeria.Inhabited by a very early passion for singing, she has been a member of several groups, first in Fadela Dziria's group where she played tambourine, and another that she directed with her accomplice Flifla, and finally her own where she is the main vocalist and has become sought after for wedding receptions.At the age of seventeen she began performing in some of the biggest cabarets in the city and at 19 started dancing at the 'Copacabana'.

Acting career

That same year, the director Mustapha Badie and the landmark makes it turn its first soap opera, where she sings the role of Fatma, La Grande Maison (1973), adapted from the novel by Mohamed Dib. The series will make famous.For the Algerian film, it runs two films: Leila and the other Sis Ali Mazi in 1978,Neighbor Ghaouti Bendedouche in 2000 and has performed in one-woman show .
Biyouna in Viva LaldjérieAlmost more Algerian, Biyouna is the icon of a city that has never stopped moving despite political violence and the compromises of the various powers which have succeeded. His exuberant character and attitude impede frank indeed in some circles… It could be an eccentric character of Almodóvar, or one of those muses troubling that one crosses in old movies Fassbinder. Equally at home with his friends in Paris with transvestites Algiers whose special affection she is a free woman par excellence that devours the existence of all ends. She is in love with life, it emanates from it a force volcanic enthusiasm skin-deep and a philosophy epicurean. If current flows so well with his audience is that everyone, both men and women, recognizes himself in his songs that are vignettes from everyday life, small soap operas every day. The air of nothing, she slips her favorite themes, freedom, peace, hospitality, common sense. She speaks reports lovers, denounces intolerance, pettiness and stupidity, and does not rate as an opportunity to make fun of those who mingle affairs of others.In 1999, Nadir Moknèche offered him the role of Meriem in The Harem Madame Osmane she runs in France. This film will be followed by Viva Laldjéri in 2003.Blonde dans la Casbah

Music career

Meanwhile, Biyouna continues a singing career and released in 2001 an album of songs Raid Zone, directed by the composer John Bagnolett. After the success of the album Raid Zone and her participation in the role of Fellag Casbah Opera to be staged by Jerome Savary, Biyouna released a new album Blonde dans la Casbah. The idea for this album was in the air for a long time. Biyouna took her time, carefully selecting a directory franco-algérien that draws in both cultures. Around it, we must mention Joseph Racaille responsible for the arrangements, Christophe Dupouy regular partner Jean-Louis Murat in charge of mixing, not to mention her two "guardian angels": her agent Olivier Guzman, and her husband who knew Mokhtar ensure grain...She lives with her husband and four children in the suburbs of Algiers.WIKIPEDIA

kabyle

The Kabyle group Agraw consisted of two Algerians: Boudjema Semaouni and Hassen Zermani.Boudjema (also spelled Boudjemâa) was born in Semaoun, Algeria in 1952. He began his career as a singer for Radio Berber Channel 2 and released a single for the Vogue label before moving to Paris in 1980.Hassen Zermani, is better known as Takfarinas. He was born in Tixeraine in 1958. Takfarinas took his name from the Ancient warrior of North Africa - Tacfarinas (which is how his name is spelled on this record) - who fought against the presence of the Romans in Algeria. He formed first band was band in Algiers in 1976, and three years later moved to Paris to record a solo album titled “Yebwa Reman”. That same year, he met Boudjema Semaouni and the group Agraw was formed.The band only released two albums before going their separate ways in 1984. Both records were produced by Idir, who also played flute on their recordings, and released them on his Azwaw label.Boudjema Semaouni kept the name of the band, and became known as Boudjema Agraw. He continued recording, replacing Takfarinas with Karim Tizouiar - who went solo soon after. Boudjema currently lives in El Kseur, Algeria.Takfarinas had a successful career in the Eighties. He became most recognized for playing the ‘takfa’, which is based on a traditional lute-like instrument which he modified by adding a second neck. He still lives in France, where he records and even has his own website.http://radiodiffusion.wordpress.com/category/algeria/

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