Cheb Hasni

Sentimental Raï singer Hasni Chakroun was born on February 1, 1968 in Oran, Algeria. Cheb Hasni was destined to be a top sportsman, but an injury forced him to give up soccer at the age of 15. It was while singing at a wedding that a guest invited him to perform in Oran's cabarets. He quickly became the incarnation of a new generation of Raï, turning to "sentimental Raï". He broke with the previous, more vulgar and frontal codes. Elli S'Rali, his first cassette, was released in 1985. The artist quickly became a star, and with his emulator Cheb Nasro was guest of honor at the first raï festival to be held in Algeria. In 1988, he released the album Darou Shour Darou, which he shared with Nasro. The 1989 album Eli Maaref el Hob featured the singles "Rabta El Hanna Khala" and "Konti Fedar sabra". His Golden Album included one of his biggest hits, "Baida mon amour ", as well as "Mani mani" and "Galou Hasni met". Album after album, at a rate of three or four a year. In 1992, he released Ghir Beida, featuring "Zerga galbi baak ". That same year, he internationalized his career by signing with a renowned manager. Sadly, the artist was murdered in the streets of Oran on September 29, 1994 by the Armed Islamic Group. His recordings were so numerous that albums are still being released 20 years later. As the King of sentimental Raï, he remains unchallenged in Algeria.