Cheb Mami

Algerian artist Cheb Mami, known as "the Prince of Rai," blends traditional Algerian music with Spanish, Moroccan, French, and Arabic influences to create a unique and dance-inspiring sound. Rising to fame with his soulful vocals, Cheb Mami's music has been described as an "Arabic rock & roll" that combines traditional elements with urban urgency, making him a leader in the rai genre. Despite challenges in the Algerian music industry, Cheb Mami found success internationally with albums like "The Prince of Rai" and collaborations with Western artists like Sting on the hit "Desert Rose."

Hailing from a small village in Algeria, Cheb Mami gained recognition in his early teens and later moved to Paris to further his music career. In the 1980s, he faced financial struggles in the Algerian music scene but found success with his first internationally-distributed album in 1989. Collaborations with artists like Sting and innovative tracks like "Parisian du Nord" have solidified Cheb Mami's place as a trailblazer in the rai music scene, breaking barriers between Eastern and Western music styles.