Episodes
Saturday Sep 22, 2012
EP.14--Culture: Rai Music in Post-independence Algeria
Saturday Sep 22, 2012
Saturday Sep 22, 2012
We continue discussing the story of Rai Music. Among the topics of this episode are the influence of Algerian independence on the development of Rai, the rise of Pop-Rai in Wahrane in the 1970's, and the clash between the Islamist vision and the Rai scene during the civil war of the 1990's. The episode includes musical excerpts from Cheb Kader, Cheikha Remitti, Bouteldja Belkacem, Chebba Fadela, Cheikh Fethi, Chebba Zahouania, Cheb Khaled, Cheb Mami, Cheb Hasni, Cheb Zahouani, Cheb Bilal, and Cheikh Boutaiba Sghir.
Sources and further reading:
Daoudi, B. & Miliani H. L'aventure du Raï
Drewett, M & Cloonan, M. Popular Music Censorship in Africa
Plastino, G. Mediterranean Mosaic: Popular Music and Global Sounds
Schade-Poulsen, M. Men and Popular Music in Algeria: The Social Significance of Raï
Virolle, M. La chanson Raï : De l'Algérie profonde à la scène internationale
Thursday Sep 06, 2012
EP.13--Culture: Other Influences on Rai Music
Thursday Sep 06, 2012
Thursday Sep 06, 2012
We continue our journey through the history of Rai Music. After considering the streams of music from which modern Rai music emerges in a previous episode, we take a brief look at less direct, yet significant musical influences on modern Rai like Andalusian Jewish music and modern French Chansons. The episode also highlights the impact of French colonialism on the Algerian environment in which Rai would eventually develop. Included are excerpts of songs by Cheb Hasni, Cheb Khaled, Reinette L’Oranaise, Edith Piaf, and Raina Rai.
Sources and further reading:
Daoudi, B. & Miliani H. L'aventure du Raï
Drewett, M & Cloonan, M. Popular Music Censorship in Africa
Plastino, G. Mediterranean Mosaic: Popular Music and Global Sounds
Schade-Poulsen, M. Men and Popular Music in Algeria: The Social Significance of Raï
Virolle, M. La chanson Raï : De l'Algérie profonde à la scène internationale
Friday Aug 31, 2012
EP.12--Culture: Precursors of Rai Music
Friday Aug 31, 2012
Friday Aug 31, 2012
This is the first episode in a multiple-episode series on a musical style from North Africa that came to be a strong player on the World Music scene in the last two decades. It is called Rai. This series will consider the development of Rai music within the complex Algerian cultural and socio-political settings of the twentieth century. Throughout the series, we will listen to short musical excerpts from the repertoire of the major Rai performers. Today, we highlight the birthplace and possible origins of Rai and take a look at some precursors of this genre, including the Bedouin Malhun, the Sheikhat, the Meddahat, and al-Wahrani style. This episode includes excerpts from songs by Cheikh Hamada, Ahmed Wahby, Blaoui Houari, Cheb Khaled, and Chebba Zahouania.
Sources and further reading:
Daoudi, B. & Miliani H. L'aventure du Raï
Drewett, M & Cloonan, M. Popular Music Censorship in Africa
Plastino, G. Mediterranean Mosaic: Popular Music and Global Sounds
Schade-Poulsen, M. Men and Popular Music in Algeria: The Social Significance of Raï
Virolle, M. La chanson Raï : De l'Algérie profonde à la scène internationale