The city of Oran is the cradle of Raï, this festive, challenge and pleasure music that electrified local melodies at the dawn of the 1980s. Born in the cabarets of the Port City, the Raï S ‘is broadcast on the support of the time, the audio cassette, with a success soon in Algerian youth.
A producer born in 1954, Boualem Benhaoua, who came from household appliances, but passionate about this popular culture, quickly distinguished himself from his competitors, often more interested in rapid profits than by the discovery of lasting talents. He cultivates his network, encourages and advises chebs and chebas, literally “young people”, men and women, who will become stars of this new musical genre. It is also Cheb Khaled who leads Benhaoua to rename his Maghreb Music label in Disco Maghreb.
From the golden age to the black decade
Located in the center of Oran, Disco Maghreb stands out as the Raï label, with a giant cassette suspended as a sign. Boualem Benhaoua of course collaborated with Cheb Khaled, distinguished in 1985 during the Raï d’Oran festival. He contributes to revealing other young artists, called for a brilliant career, such as Cheb Hasni, nicknamed the “Rossignol du Raï”, even “Julio the Oran”, or Cheb Mami, baptized the “Prince of the Rai” by his fans . He also accompanies Cheba Zahouania, whose more traditional training brings an unprecedented touch to the Raï repertoire. In many ways, the influence of Boualem Benhaoua can only compare itself to that of Rachid Baba-Ahmed, singer and composer of Raï (especially for the couple Cheba Fadela and Cheb Sahraoui) before becoming himself a producer, with A store very close to Disco Maghreb. It is the golden age of Raï in Oran, where all dreams are allowed, against the backdrop of provocative texts and bewitching rhythms.
In January 1992, a military putsch reversed President Chadli Bendjedid, who was ready to cohabit with the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), winner of the first round of the legislative elections. Not only is the ballot suspended Sine Die, but the repression falls on the FIS, which confirms the close-shop of the armed Islamic group (GIA), opposed to the very principle of the elections. It is the beginning of the “black decade” and its abjective litany of violence. The extremists have never hidden their deep hostility against this “immoral” music that the Raï would be in their eyes. In September 1994, Cheb Hasni was murdered with two bullets in the head in the heart of Oran. Four and a half months later, it’s Rachid Baba-Ahmed’s turn to be killed in front of his store. Boualem Benhaoua keeps a low profile, but keeps his disco Maghreb afloat, against and against everything.
You have 41.71% of this article to read. The continuation is reserved for subscribers.