Rachid taha biography channel

Rachid Taha

French singer of Algerian origin
Date of Birth:
Country: France

Content:
  1. Rashid Taha: The Musical Adventurer
  2. Immigration and Rebellious Spirit
  3. Rai's Influence and Social Commentary
  4. Breakthrough and Global Recognition
  5. Later Career and Legacy

Rashid Taha: The Musical Adventurer

Rashid Taha, an Algerian-French singer, defied categorization with his eclectic sound that fused rock, punk, electronica, and rai.

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Born on September 18, , in Sig, Algeria (although some sources claim Oran as his birthplace), Taha's musical journey began with his early exposure to Algerian music, including Maghrebi melodies.

Immigration and Rebellious Spirit

At the age of ten, Taha immigrated with his family to France, settling in Lyon in His father's harsh working conditions in a textile factory led him to draw comparisons to "modern-day slavery." At 17, Taha toiled in an oppressive heating plant, but found solace at night as a club DJ, spinning Arabic music, rap, salsa, funk, and "anything that came along." In the late s, he established a club called The Rejects, where he experimented by backing Arabic pop classics with rhythms from Led Zeppelin, Kraftwerk, and Bo Diddley.

Rai's Influence and Social Commentary

In the s, the Algerian genre of rai, which emerged as a voice for youth expression and dissent in the s and 70s, gained international attention.

Taha saw a connection between Algerian music and rock, and found inspiration in North African group Nass El Ghiwane, whom he described as "the Moroccan equivalent of The Beatles or The Rolling Stones." In , he became the frontman of Arabic rock band Carte de Sejour.

Taha faced resistance from record store owners who refused to display Arabic music.

Unwilling to acquiesce, he appropriated the patriotic French song "Douce France" by Charles Trenet, preserving its lyrics but delivering it with "furious irony" that outraged some listeners. The unkempt, gypsy-like Taha's version was banned from French radio, but it also drew attention to his music. Despite the band's lack of commercial success, Taha continued to work as a factory hand, painter, dishwasher, and encyclopedia salesperson.

Breakthrough and Global Recognition

In , with support from British guitarist Steve Hillage, Carte de Sejour adopted a "rough, driving sound" that appealed to radio stations and released their album "Rhoromanie." Taha's lyrics explored the experiences of exile and the cultural clashes faced by Algerian immigrants in France.

He defied anti-Arab sentiment by performing in flamboyant attire, including a stetson or a red cowboy hat. After one more album, "Ramsa," in , Carte de Sejour disbanded three years later.

Taha relocated to Paris in and launched his solo career.

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The breakthrough came with his album "Diwân," a collection of remakes of traditional Algerian and Arabic songs. Taha blended the sounds of Arabic oud with string arrangements, modern beats, and guitar. His album "Tékitoi" brought him acclaim within the rock world, described by The Observer as "the nearest Joe Strummer ever came to making a record."

In , Taha expanded his reach with major concerts in Canada.

His music, however, received less airplay in France.

Rachid taha biography channel Contents move to sidebar hide. Reuben shared his enthusiasm when he joined Mary to talk about Taha, who's come to Toronto to play a concert today June 12 at 4 p. In some ways, they introduced us to the world. One review described his arrangements as "nothing short of incendiary," combining North African rhythms with "a string orchestra freak-out," "pounding techno beats, distorted electric guitar, and the macho swagger of Bo Diddley, Led Zeppelin, and the like.

He collaborated with Nigerian artists Fela, Femi, and Seun Kuti, as well as Brian Eno, at an anti-war concert in London.

Later Career and Legacy

Taha's album "Bonjour" was deemed "more commercial" and "less engaging" by The Guardian's Robin Denselow, suggesting that he was consciously targeting a wider audience while downplaying his more rebellious persona.

In , he released "Zoom," produced by guitarist Justin Adams, which included a re-recorded "Voila, Voila" and a cover of Elvis Presley's "Now or Never."

Taha's song "Barra Barra" from "Made in Medina" soundtracked the films "Black Hawk Down" and "The Hunting Party," while its trailer featured in the video game "Far Cry 2." Another song from the album, "Garab," was featured in "The Truth About Charlie" and "Blood and Chocolate."

Critics have attributed Taha's unique sound to his fusion of eight-string mandolin, Arabic lute, and European string pluckers.

One review described his arrangements as "nothing short of incendiary," combining North African rhythms with "a string orchestra freak-out," "pounding techno beats, distorted electric guitar, and the macho swagger of Bo Diddley, Led Zeppelin, and the like."

A convivial, smiling party-goer, Taha embraced multiculturalism. He had friends around the globe and a long-term French partner.

"I never wanted to stay in my neighborhood, in my community It's a kind of conformism. I just had to be an adventurer."

While critical of the Bush administration, Taha supported bombing Iran, stating, "Iran should not be allowed to have nuclear weapons." Rashid Taha died in his sleep in Lille on September 12, , at the age of 59, following a heart attack.