Algerian singer Cheb Bilal discusses global reach of rai music

03/06/2008

Rai fans fortunate enough to attend this year's Mawazine festival in Morocco were treated to a concert by Algerian singer Cheb Bilal. In a recent interview, the singer spoke with Magharebia about his experience at the festival and about his philosophy on music as a vehicle for social change.

By Imane Belhaj for Magharebia in Casablanca – 03/06/08

[Imane Belhaj] Magharebia sits down with rai artist Cheb Bilal to discuss this year's Mawazine festival and Bilal's conviction that music can bring about social change.

After the end of this year's successful Mawazine festival in Morocco, Algerian rai singer Cheb Bilal spoke with Magharebia about his participation in the festival and the event's value in bringing artists and fans together. Cheb Bilal's concert attracted a solid turnout of young Moroccan rai fans.

Magharebia: How would you describe your experience participating in the Mawazine festival?

Cheb Bilal: It was truly positive, not to mention very important to me, as I got to meet my Moroccan fans. The festival also was an opportunity for Arab and foreign artists to open up to one another. Plus, it was a chance to get in touch in global cultures and arts, as embodied by leading talents such as Whitney Huston from the US, Ziggy Marley from Jamaica, Nancy Ajram from Lebanon, and Asala Nasri from Syria, as well as many other big names who took part in the event.

Magharebia: Do you think such encounters could yield joint ventures?

Cheb Bilal: Definitely, because the only language that prevails is that of art, away from all geographic or ethnic boundaries. That artistic pollination is indeed wonderful. I believe the Mawazine festival realises this objective, since it lures stars from various countries, all driven by the desire to get know about the art of the "other", to communicate through joint projects. I am ready to embark on any bilateral project with Moroccan artists.

Magharebia: You believe that art is an avenue to engaging others, then?

Cheb Bilal: Yes, artists have managed to achieve what politicians fail to do. The proof is that Mawazine united the flags of various countries, and brought together artists of various religions, for an event with the sole purpose of co-existence and relinquishing hatred and malevolence.

Magharebia: Does Bilal sing against hatred and malevolence?

Cheb Bilal: I sing for love and against betrayal. Most of my songs are inspired by the reality of young people and their suffering away from their homelands. I am one of them, and have been through the same thing; I migrated from Algeria to France when I was just 21.

Magharebia: What do you think of the music of young people nowadays?

Cheb Bilal: It expresses a certain reality and certain emotions. I believe every generation searches for its own means of expression. Young people find at present in rap, hip-hop and rai the artistic means of expressing their reality as well as their needs.

Magharebia: Why did rai music manage to spread and become such a big hit worldwide?

Cheb Bilal: I believe that boldness and crossing red lines are the secrets behind the success of that genre of music that made it big worldwide. Rai artists tackled topics dauntlessly in their songs as they shed light on social taboos, especially when rai started crossing Algerian borders and heading toward immigration countries in the early nineties. Rai thus became global in nature.

Magharebia: Is there any difference between Algerian rai and Moroccan rai?

Cheb Bilal: I do not recognize that distinction. Rai is one in terms of topics or tunes, be it Moroccan or Algerian. We all live in the same Maghreb region.

Magharebia: It is evident that your style in singing has not changed, why is that?

Cheb Bilal: I choose to rely on lyrics that are closer to people and on simple popular rhythm. I plan on pursuing my career in that same direction because, in plain terms, I am "son of this homeland" who will always treasure his Maghreb roots.

Magharebia: What are your future plans?

Cheb Bilal: I prefer not to discuss new projects until they are done. What matters is that I am constantly keen on remaining true to my style of singing and up to the expectations of my audiences, especially young people who find themselves in my music, just as I find myself in their problems, which constitute a realistic material for my output.