I listen to a lot of Rai songs, but have no idea what the word means - does anyone know?
Unarguably (in my opinion) the best Rai song - Khaled’s ‘Didi’.
Among Arabic songs, I like ‘Noor el 3ain’ and ‘Wala 3ala balloh’ by Amr Diab. And although not fully Arabic, Desert Rose by Cheb Mami and Sting is AWESOME.
‘Ayisha’, one of Khaled’s other songs, was pretty good too but nothing compares with ‘Didi.’
[This message has been edited by Nadia_H (edited June 04, 2002).]
And I thought I was the only Rai fan around here … Khalid’s didi is more of a modern day pop version of Rai music .. most of current Rai music has been Popized and been blended with guitar, strings and trumpets with traditional Rai music .. Rai Arabic word for opinion originated from the days of French colonial rule in North Africa, particularly from Algeria .. Rai was born to express political frustrations .. a from of decent and defiance to the oppressive French rule .. the lyrics were rebellious and political and paid tribute to freedom fighters … during late eighties and early nineties it made a comeback due to Pop music revolution around the world and the depressing political fall out in Algeria …Khalid and Mami were the big stars .. Kahlid blended acoustic guitars and electronica with the soft popy lyrics … the young generation of Rai sought to distinct it self from the older Rai singers .. Cheb (meaning young in Arabic) was added to the new generation Rai singers .. older generation is distinguished by Cheikh (old or sir a respect title for older generation in Arabic)… during the current bloody civil war almost all of the Rai stars migrated to France .. how ironic! … in terms of production and instruments (music) the quality has shot up … Kahild was the Rai intro to Pakistan and Asia in general .. Mami’s collaboration with Sting gave modern Rai even bigger audience … Rai singers have very aggressive style of singing very grungy and from the top of the throat yet very melodious to the traditional rhythmic Arabic percussion … My favorite is Maim and Rachid Taha … Taha , Mami, Khaled, Faudel are the Rai heavy weights … There is a women generation of Rai singers known by surname Cheba (young lady)…. Sorry cant recall all the names .. the Rai transcended over to Morocco and Tunisia as well … I will list some albums and names if any one is interested …
Hey one more thing
These things are hard to explain
For some it seems strange... to swallow
The frontier of our minds
Is the last place we find
But maybe the first place we should go
Desert Rose is certainly an awesome song. Rooster dude where have you been ? Don’t you ever make full stops
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makes it hard to read.
btw/ Nadia with this topic, you just hit on the right spot on RB
Here you might like these since your lyrically deaf.
Amr Diab - Ahlef belayaly
Amr Diab - Amarain
Amr Diab - El 3alem Allah
Amr Diab - Leyla
Amr Diab - Mayal
Amr diab - ya 'omrena
Amr-Diab - Aktar Wahed Baed El Layaly
Cheb Mami - Rai
DJ Abusamra - Baladi
Hamid + Hisham Abbas- 3ainy
Hisham Abbas Wana Wana
Hisham Abbas - Habibi Dah
Khaled - El Arbi
Khaled - El Arbi (Remix)
leila - Balady
Techno-Amr Diab - Arabic Rave
They are enjoyable to listen to rhythm wise but even more so if you understand the lyrics somewhat.
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Enjoy
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Jitna Diya Sarkar Nay Mujko, Itni Meri Auqat Nahi, Yeh Saab Tumhara Karam Hai Aqa, Mujh Mein Aisi Koi Baat Nahin.
It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow.
u shud lissen to Sawt El Atlas - “Nu ME Jugez Pas” ..or go to their site www.sawt-el-atlas.com or www.sawtelatlas.com..
itan algerian group…nice songs…
and hmm..one oither arabic song is “Wa ana fi lebanon” be Omr & Raffi…its a very nice song..but hav not been able to find it on the net..
btw do u guys understand what these people specially the rai people are saying, i mean rai songs are banned now even in secular algeria and khalid having problems there… i once bought a rai album and when i fouund out about its hoistory that it was originated from the brothels and western bars in the french ruled algeria,(from the album cover) and that now its banned in algeria.
[This message has been edited by reza khan (edited June 04, 2002).]
Rooster-Blues, wow another Rai fan. And one so knowledgeable too; now I know who to pester for song reviews and info
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Thanks a MILLION for all the historical info. regarding Rai music, that’s EXACTLY what I was looking for.
I will list some albums and names if any one is interested …
Please do, if it’s not an inconvenience. Would be HUGELY appreciated.
Do you have the lyrics for Didi, or do you know what the song means? …Thanks a lot for all your info.
CocoNut- lol @ “lyrically deaf.” The only word I understand in Khaled’s ‘Didi’ is didi; I just enjoy the song’s rhythm and his voice is just so awesome. Thanks a lot for the list
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I’ve saved the names of the songs; I’m going to the middle east next month and will Insha’Allah stockpile on lots of the songs you’ve mentioned.
Slim_Shady, Thanks for that! I like their website, they have some good stuff.
Saadia, lol
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I’m just so glad I’ve found someone else who’s into Rai music.
Reza Khan, I have no clue what they are singing - but thanks to Rooster Blues, now I know that Rai music originated as a form of political expression due to the French colonial rule in Algeria… it was against oppression. Works for me
Sadi!! .. i ve been busy .. how are you doin
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.. yep Music Rai or Rock/Blues my forte
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here are albums that I like (from my collection .. all of em are not rai but they are Arabic music (the one with various artists .. Arabsque woderful collection) Moraocan spirit is an amazing collection of Morocan music (instrumental) .. you can find all that stuff on Amazon .. here are couple of links .. Linktv (if you get it in your area) ran thsi documantry about Rai and nusrat Fateh ali khan (this one is about 4 hour long!) . good stuff .. I will psot couple of other links later (about rai/modren arabic music labels) … http://linktv.org/ http://inic.utexas.edu/menic/rai/
Rai: The Best of Original North African Grooves
Prince of Rai ~ Cheb Mami
Rai: Moroccan to Algerian-The Gold Collection
Desert Roses and Arabian Rhythms, Vol. 1
Sources of the Rai ~ Cheikha Remitti
Dellali ~ Cheb Mami
Meli Meli ~ Cheb Mami
Diwan ~ Rachid Taha
Taha, Khaled, Faudel ~ Rachid Taha/Cheb Khaled/Faudel
Arabesque – Various Artists
Arabesque Zoudge – Various Artists
Moroccan Spirit
Hey one more thing
These things are hard to explain
For some it seems strange… to swallow
The frontier of our minds
Is the last place we find
But maybe the first place we should go
Does anyone know where you can get the translation of the lyrics from for these songs? I'm always sitting there guessing what the singer is saying..
well if you know arabic and french .. than u do .. North African Arabic is hard to get ... I do undestand words and overall concept but not word to word .. I have not yet found a website with arabic lyrics trasnaltion .. transalation.com might help if you have that written down (ie copy lyrics from the album sleeve) or try Ajeeb.com ..
Hey one more thing
These things are hard to explain
For some it seems strange... to swallow
The frontier of our minds
Is the last place we find
But maybe the first place we should go