Khaled [خالد] is an Algerian raï musician from Oran. He was born Khaled Hadj Brahim in 1960 in Sidi-El-Houri, Algeria. He began recording in his early teens under the name Cheb Khaled (Arabic for "Young Khaled") and has become probably the most internationally famous Algerian singer. The type of music he is most closely associated with is raï (pronounced like "rye"), a supremely danceable style that began in the Algerian city of Oran during the early 20th century and crossed over to wide acclaim in Europe during the 1980s.

Khaled recorded his first single, "Trig Lycee" (Arabic for "The Road to School"), at age fourteen and soon became involved with the early-1980s changes in the raï sound, incorporating western instruments and studio techniques. Algerian Islamic fundamentalists were violently opposed to raï because of its sometimes irreverent tone and the fact that raï singers freely addressed taboo issues like romantic love, drugs, and alcohol. Fundamentalists were infuriated when the Algerian government, in the wake of a hugely popular 1985 raï festival in Oran, officially declared it to be one of the country's native music styles. In response, fundamentalists sent death threats to some raï artists and murdered at least one, Cheb Hasni. The danger forced Khaled to move to Paris in 1986 (see 1986 in music). In 1992 (see 1992 in music), after dropping "Cheb" from his name, he released his self titled album Khaled, which established his reputation as a superstar in France and among Algerian emigrants around the world.

His audience has continued to expand throughout the 1990s, and has collaborated with hip hop artists. In spite of his superstar status in France and Algeria, his popularity in the US, UK and other countries has been limited to a small but devoted cult following.

Discography

Khaled released a number of albums on cassette in Algeria early in his career. These are not included in the discography.

Studio albums

• 1988 Kutché
• 1992 Khaled
• 1994 N'ssi N'ssi
• 1997 Sahra
• 2000 Kenza
• 2004 Ya Rayi

Live albums

• 1998 Hafla
• 1999 1, 2, 3 Soleils - with Rachid Taha and Faudel

Collections

• 1991 Le Meilleur de Cheb Khaled
• 1992 Le Meilleur de Cheb Khaled 2

Featured in

• 1992 Sahara Blue, Hector Zazou
  • Amdyaz
• 1995 Duos Taratata, Various Artists
  • Didi with Johnny Clegg
• 1995 Going Global Series Voila, Various Artists
  • Kebou
  • N'ssi N'ssi
  • Chebba
• 1997 Live à Bercy, Mylène Farmer
  • La poupée qui fait non
• 1997 Emilie Jolie, Various Artists
  • Chanson du herisson
• 1997 Sol En Si (Solidarité Enfants Sida), Various Artists
  • Mâardi
• 1998 1 Douar, Alan Stivell
  • Ensemble (Understand)
  • Crimes
• 1998 Konfusion, Ketama
  • Oasis de los Dioses
• 1999 L'palais de justice, Freeman
  • Bladi
• 1999 Ida y Vuelta, Tekameli
  • ¡ Oh Madre !
• 1999 Amarain, Amr Diab
  • Albey
• 2000 Balavoine Hommages ..., Various Artists
  • L'aziza
• 2000 Rapsody, Various Artists
  • Time for a Change
• 2000 XXème siècle, Les Enfoirés
  • Emmenez-moi
• 2000 Labyrinthe, Kertra
  • Le rêve de mon père
• 2001 Big Men, Raï Meets Raggae, Various Artists
  • Aich Rebel Sun
• 2002 City of Ideas (Ciudad de los Ideas), Vincente Amigo
  • Eyes of the Alhamra (Ojos de la Alhambra)
• 2002 Duets, Compay Segundo
  • Saludo A Chango
• 2004 Raï'N'B Fever, Kore & Skalp
  • Retour aux sources
• 2004 L'enfant du pays, Rim'K
  • L'enfant du pays
• 2004 Save the World, Enzo Avitabile & Bottari
  • Dance with me

Soundtracks

• 1995 Party Girl
  • Les Ailes
• 1997 100% Arabica
  • Wahrane Wahrane
  • Cameleons
• 1997 The Fifth Element
  • Alech Taadi
• 2000 Origine Contrôlée
  • Wana Wana Aamel Eih
  • Dour Biha Ya Chibani
• 2002 The Truth About Charlie
  • Ragda
• 2003 The Good Theif
  • Minuit

External links

• Khaled Official Site
• a Cheb Khaled fan site with lyrics for his songs.
• www.world-of-rai.de: Lyrics, Photos, Tourdates ..