Rachid Taha

Rachid Taha (September 18, 1958 – September 12, 2018) was an Algerian singer and songwriter. He was best known for his work with the Algerian rock group Carte de Séjour and for his solo career, which began in 1991. Taha's music was a fusion of traditional Algerian music with rock, pop, and electronic music. He was also known for his outspoken political views and his criticism of the Algerian government.

Taha was born in Oran, Algeria. He began his musical career in the late 1970s with the group Carte de Séjour, which he co-founded with Khaled and Faudel. The group released two albums, "Carte de Séjour" (1981) and "Deuxième Génération" (1983), before disbanding in 1986.

Taha began his solo career in 1991 with the album "Barbès". The album was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Taha as one of the most popular singers in Algeria. Taha released six more solo albums, including "Ya Rayah" (1993), "Diwân" (1998), and "Tékitoi" (2004).

Taha's music was often political in nature. He was a vocal critic of the Algerian government, and he was frequently arrested and harassed by the authorities. In 2001, Taha was forced to flee Algeria after receiving death threats from Islamic extremists. He lived in exile in France until 2004, when he was allowed to return to Algeria.

Taha died of a heart attack in Paris on September 12, 2018, at the age of 59. He was posthumously awarded the Algerian National Order of Merit.

Taha was a talented singer and songwriter who made a significant contribution to Algerian music. He was also a courageous political activist who spoke out against injustice and oppression. His music continues to inspire people around the world.