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Khaled says « it is ’rai roots’ .. I wanted to pay tribute to Boutaiba (pionneer of modern rai). Boutaiba Seghir, Benfissa, Bellemou et Bouteldja Belkacem inspired me. I do what they gave me.. I learned Boutaiba’s style…Boutaiba, it is him the king of rai. I do speek very seriously ! I am his fan from the period at Le Biarritz night-club in Oran, then at Bordj El Kiffan in Algiers then in France… »
Boutaiba has even wrote you a song…
« ..Yes, Boutaiba has written a song for me when I came back to Algeria. When I sang at Harcha Hall in Algiers in 2000 I had his song. I’d asked him to write a song about to be back in one’s own country after being away for a long time. It is a beautiful song !. It is « Yana yana fel ghourba (I am exiled) »
Plus a duo, here, in Oran…
Yes. For me, Boutaiba, Bellemou et Bouteldja are the bak-packer and crooners of rai ! I wanted Boutaiba to come on stage and that a camera shot him…I wanted to share this with him »…...
- El WATAN
What is the connection with Khaled ?
It is summed up in one sentence from the algerian star : « Boutaiba is my master, I have always said that with only one hand you can’t applaude, he is my other hand… »
In fact, at his start, Khaled has drawn a lot in Boutaiba’s repertoire.
« Today, when I sing my songs, many think they are Khaled’s songs !...says the « Charles Aznavour of rai », as Khaled knicknames him.
- LE BEAUVAISIS
Finally, is arriving the high point of the evening, the real justification of his return to basics, Boutaïba Sghir, singer of the begining of the 70’s, small man with emaciated traits, vivacious glance, respected by all the raï singers...
Khaled, who learned a lot from him, simply says : « Here is my Master ». A dark three-piece suit, a deep voice, Boutaïba Sghir, born Mohamed Affif near Oran June the 4th 1945, sing two or three songs of this sulfur smelling raï. This sensual declamation, ethylic which is saying the blues, the unluckness of people, marginal people, which was ahead of the pop raï of 80’s.
Boutaïba begins with those long voluptiousness, those vocal arabesque which are risky but which are making every raï lover hearts melt, before starting his manly singing which is about physical kindling, the tension is raising, the audience is asking for some more. Even those who don’t understand a single word of Boutaïba’s declamations wants to hear some more. The warmness is raising, the singer took off his jacket, is declaiming carnals loves , and forgotten passions. Khaled arrive, embrace Boutaïba, thanks him et finish his show with the songs Aïcha and Didi, these success which made him known all over the world. - RFI MUSIQUE
Discography
100 (approx in Algeria) : singles, tapes, albums (vinyls)
Photos
Bio
Khaled’s master, a king of raï music : Boutaïba
Before Khaled and Cheb Mami gave an international dimension to raï , there was Boutaiba.
This historical singer who has inspired Khaled (like Bellemou and Bouteldja) has a powerful voice and an inexhaustible inspiration.
He writes about life, love, departures, tears, passion…
BIOGRAPHY/INTERVIEW BOUTAIBA (Dadoua France)
1) Boutaïba Sghir , tell us how did you start your career, and what made you want to become a musician
Born April the 4th 1945 in CHAABAT EL HAM (TEMOUCHENT)
May 1963 – 1rst single « Cheftek el Barahe » release, I was 18 and my mother signed the contract because I was still under age.
1963 : First show « summer scene » in CHAABAT and TEMOUCHEMENT
1968 – First success with the song « EL CAOUCAOU »
1967-1969 – I’m a part of the Oran radio Orchestra « IDEHAT ORAN ELJIHAWIYA » under the direction of Mister BLAOUI HOUARI
1969 – the songs « RABA » and « EL FERMLIA » are released and became real success. People are still asking for me to play them during show.
1972 – The song « El GHIRA THADAR » is released and became a success covered by load of Artists
1973 – « ZINA DIRI LETHEYE » is released
1975 – Show at ALGIER FAIR
2002 – Show at the Paris Zenith with KHALED
2002-2004 – Sponsor of Raï working group in BEAUVAIS with the participation of KHALED
2008 – 2009 – Recording an album with Djamel Laroussi who was the producer of it. He writes all the music of the songs. I wrote all the texts. We also worked with Smail Benhouhou for mixing
During my childhood, I was constantly around music, we were working with music, men and women were taking every opportunities to play music (usually percussions) or to sing. My love for poetry and symphony made me want to become a musician.
2) Were your parents musician themself?
No, they weren’t musicians but they really loved music.
3) Where were you born?
IN CHAABAT EL HAM (AIN TEMOUCHENT)
4) Have you ever studied music?
A little bit of music theory
5) What was your first music experience ?
At a wedding with my band « EL FALHE CHABATï ». I was barely 17. The day before I was so excited and nervous that wasn’t even able to sleep. It was the first time we were playing with a real sound system.
6) What was your first live experience?
It was in GHELIZEN for a party organised by Oran’s radio station « L’IDEHAT ORAN ALJIHAWIYA ». I was playing violon as a part of the Oran’s Radio Orchestra under the direction of Mister BLAOUI HOUARI
7) How old were you when you started to play music?
I started music at the age of 8. I was playing flute and harmonica. I remember buying a flute for 20 cents.
8) You write your own text, what are the subjects which are inspired you?
My reccurent subject to write about are relationships between men and women, families relationship and society.
9) Tell us about the artists you played with. Can you name some of them ? And also the ones who you recorded with.
There are a lot of them, and for the most of them I can’t classify them for one thing or another you are asking in your question.
Artists who I played with Artist who I worked with Artists who I recorded with
HAMED SABER CHEB KHALED CHEBA FADELA
CHEIKH BENFISSA CHEB HASNI BELEMOU
BOUTELJA HAMIDA DOUKALI
BELKCEM I wrote music and text for the musicans named above
BELEMOU DJAMEL LAROUSSI DJAMEL LAROUSSI
SAID NAYETI
BLAOUI HOUARI
HAMED WAHBI
CHEKH SANHÂJI
HOUCINE CHABATI
Mm SELMA SINGER AT THE ORAN’S RADIO
CHEIKH TAÏB TMOUCHENTI
GROUPE ELFARAH DE TEMOUCHENT
And the last but not the least
Maitre BENDHIBA (LE GRAND VIOLONISTE)
9) Tell us about your projects : Show ? Writing ?
I’m about to start writing a new album with Djamel Laroussi
10) How many tapes and albums have you released ?
about hundred.
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