Cheb Mami

Born in 1966 in Saïda, Algeria, Cheb Mami is a raï singer nicknamed "the Prince of Raï." Discovered performing in Algerian cabarets as a teenager, he later settled in France, becoming the first raï singer to perform at the Olympia. His 1994 album "Saïda" marked his breakthrough in France, and his career reached global scale in 1999 with the duet "Desert Rose" alongside Sting, which helped introduce raï to audiences worldwide. Blending traditional raï with flamenco, funk, reggae and Latin influences, and singing in both Algerian Arabic and French, Cheb Mami left a lasting mark on North African music and remains a defining figure of modern raï.