Lounès Matoub

Lounès Matoub, born Lwennas Meɛṭub on January 24, 1956, in Taourirt Moussa, Kabylia, Algeria, was an Algerian singer and mandole player. Raised by his mother and grandmother, Matoub built his first guitar at age nine and began composing songs as a teenager. He started his music career under the patronage of Idir, releasing his debut album Ay Izem in 1978. Throughout his career, Matoub released over 36 albums, including notable works such as Tadukli (1985), Rwah Rwah (1988), and Kenza (1994). His music blended Algerian Andalucian Chaabi orchestration with politicized Kabyle lyrics, addressing themes like the Berber cause, democracy, and human rights. Despite being banned from Algerian radio and television, Matoub remained influential. He received several awards, including Le Prix de la Mémoire in 1994 and Le Prix Tahar Djaout in 1995. On June 25, 1998, Lounès Matoub was assassinated by masked gunmen while driving in Kabylia. His death sparked violent riots and widespread mourning.