Born among Bedouin tribes in Algeria’s western desert, sung by cheikhs at weddings, and gradually absorbing everything the cities threw at it.
From the heart of Algeria’s western desert, Raï was born among Bedouin tribes near Oran. It carried folk poetry, sung by cheikhs and cheikhas at weddings and family gatherings, far from the spotlight.
As urban culture expanded, Raï absorbed Spanish, French, and Middle Eastern influences. New instruments and sounds brought it fresh energy. From Bedouin tents, it moved into dance halls.
Raï’s story is best told through its albums—each a marker of change, struggle, and reinvention. These are some of the records that defined the genre’s journey from Oran to the world.
