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Cheikha Rimitti

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Bio

Cheikha Rimitti, born Saadiya al-Ghizaniya, was a renowned Algerian singer-songwriter who started singing traditional Algerian music at an early age. She developed a distinctive style and gained popularity in the 1940s for her bold and provocative lyrics, touching on taboo subjects such as sexuality and alcohol. Rimitti combined traditional Algerian styles with Western instruments, creating a unique sound known as rai, despite censorship and opposition from conservative groups in Algerian society. She toured extensively in North Africa, becoming a symbol of resistance and liberation. Her music gained recognition in France in the 1970s and 1980s, and she continued to perform and release albums until her death at age 83 in 2006. Her legacy as the "Mother of Rai" inspires new generations of musicians and fans.

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