Rachid Taha, Blending Beats and Cultures

Algerian and French musician Rachid Taha uses sounds from rock, hip-hop, dance and reggae to create unique dance tracks. That blend of musical cultures reflects Taha's own multinational background: born in the Gulf of Oran, he moved to France with his family as a child.

Rachid Taha mixes elements of Algerian rai music with hip-hop and reggae. hide caption

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Tekitoi ("Who Are You?" in French slang) is Taha's eighth album. He previously played with the band Carte de Sejour, on songs that laid the groundwork for Taha's current explorations. Among their hits: Aberrahman Amrani's "Ya Rayah" and the traditional French song "Douce France" ("Sweet France").