Cheb Hasni

Born in Oran, Algeria, Cheb Hasni was interested in performing from an early age. In an interview published in the French newspaper Libération in 1992, Hasni recounted how "everyone knew me in our neighbourhood when I was a kid. I was always walking up the road with my school bag thrown off my shoulder, singing my head off".[3]

Hasni's first significant performance as a singer occurred when he attended a local wedding party, where the group led by the famous Naoui brothers was playing. Impressed by his voice, they invited him to perform on stage at a well-known cabaret, La Guinguette. The second major launching point in Hasni's career came shortly afterwards when a producer asked him to record with Raï performer Chaba Zahouania.

During the summer of 1987, the pair recorded a provocative song by Algerian standards, "Beraka" ("The Shack"), gaining them much attention. The subjects of his songs were controversial and made the song popular with Algerian youth, who contributed to the song's estimated sales of one million copies. The success of "Beraka" made Hasni famous, and a controversial subject with both critics and fanatic fundamentalists already concerned over the popularity of the Raï genre. Another major hit was "El Visa" a song about migration, which sold approximately 250,000 cassettes.

Cheb Hasni (far left) and Cheb Nasro in Oran, 1993

Like many other Raï artists based in Algeria, Cheb Hasni spent more time performing abroad (giving concerts everywhere from Paris, Marseilles, and Boston to Washington DC, Tunis, Casablanca, and Tokyo, to name a few cities) than at home, due to curfews and musical restrictions in Algeria at the time. Hasni's last concert in his native country was on 5 July 1993, when he performed to an audience of over 150,000 fans in Algiers at an event organised to celebrate Algerian independence.

Hasni became one of the most prolific artists on the Raï scene, recording around 100 cassettes during his career. His distinctive "Raï love" style soon inspired imitators, notably Cheb Nasro, who launched his career in 1988 with the hit "Pour te faire plaisir".

Hasni's fame and controversial songs led to him receiving death threats from Islamic fundamentalist extremists. His primary residence remained in Oran, even though his family lived in the safer environment of France. On 29 September 1994, he was the first raï musician to be murdered, outside his parents' home in the Gambetta district of Oran.[4]

His death came amid other violent actions against notable Maghrebi performers. A few days before his death, the Kabyle Berber singer Lounès Matoub was abducted by the GIA. The following year, on 15 February 1995, Raï producer Rachid Baba-Ahmed was assassinated in Oran.

Cheb Hasni is considered a luminary in the field of raï music. With a musical talent that defied boundaries and an artistry that touched the depths of the soul, Hasni's profound impact continues to transcend the boundaries of time. Nearly three decades since his untimely departure, the allure of his musical compositions remains as potent as ever, ensnaring the hearts of listeners and serving as an everlasting wellspring of inspiration for countless musicians and devoted fans across generations.

In every note and lyric, Cheb Hasni wove a tapestry of emotions that spoke directly to the core of the human experience. His melodies, like delicate brushstrokes on a canvas, painted vibrant landscapes of love, longing, and resilience. With a voice that effortlessly evoked the joys and sorrows of existence, he left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who hold the raï genre dear.

Indeed, Hasni's artistry occupies a sacred space within the collective consciousness of raï enthusiasts. His compositions, infused with raw emotion and delivered with unwavering authenticity, have become an integral part of the genre's narrative. They persist as a resounding testament to his undeniable brilliance, transcending not only borders but also cultures and generations.

The enduring resonance of Cheb Hasni's musical opus is a testament to his extraordinary legacy. His songs continue to traverse the globe, touching the lives of individuals who may not even share the same language or cultural background. Through his immortal creations, he forged connections that surpass the limitations of time and place, uniting souls in shared moments of joy, reflection, and catharsis.

As we celebrate the lasting impact of Cheb Hasni's artistry, we bear witness to the truth that his artistic influence will be perpetuated for years to come. His spirit lives on in the hearts of those who cherish his music, inspiring new generations of musicians to create, innovate, and strive for greatness. Cheb Hasni's legacy, an iridescent tapestry woven from the threads of passion and talent, will forever hold its place in the annals of musical history, ensuring that his name remains an eternal flame illuminating the path for those who follow in his footsteps.

• 1986 : Barraka (feat Zehwania)
• 1987 : Ila Ajbek Ezzine
• 1987 : Issèlou aalik è oomri
• 1987 : S'hab elbaroud
• 1987 : Hè bouya, llila mè tefrèchi
• 1988 : Nbellaa bèbi
• 1988 : Ma dannitch netfèrkou
• 1988 : Ssadda nass ellil
• 1988 : Aadyèni bezzèf (Feat Noria)
• 1988 : C'est fini aalik yè mehhenti
• 1988 : Moul el cabaret (Feat Abd Elhakk)
• 1988 : Netrajja f elhèbib
• 1989 : Sid elkadi
• 1989 : Bayda mon amour v1
• 1989 : Moulèt essag ddrif
• 1989 : Enroh maak laaziza
• 1989 : Chchira lli nebriha dima ybènli khyèl'ha
• 1990 : Adieu l'amour
• 1990 : "Tèlbouni hetta f echchira"
• 1990 : Saadek tzouwwejti
• 1990 : Aalèch rani maadeb
• 1990 : Chkoune irabbili weldi
• 1990 : Èna barkèni, ènas kilouni
• 1990 :Love me say
• 1990 : Rah Ben Bella l essaddam (Single)
• 1991 : J'ai mal au cœur
• 1991 : Lmossiba kharja m e lycée
• 1991 : Chlèrmek deggouni (Feat Zohra)
• 1991 : Elli zahreh mè yendamchi (Single)
• 1991 : Tout l' monde est là
• 1991 : Wellah mè kount dèyrek passager
• 1991 : Mon Premier Amour
• 1991 : Dis moi ha zzarga
• 1991 : Ssaraha raha
• 1991 : Hdartou fiya ou goultou mèt (3 titres de hasni et 3 titres de nasro)
• 1991 : Elli dlamni wellah mani msèmheh
• 1991 : Charaatni
• 1991 : Nediha meryoula
• 1991 : C'est pas la peine
• 1991 : Rabta lhenna
• 1992 : Ghir dommage
• 1992 : Tlabti lfrèk
• 1992 : Oran la france
• 1992 : Ghir mè tebkich
• 1992 : Aakkar
• 1992 : C'est fini
• 1992 : Tal ryèbek yè rzèli
• 1992 : Choufi oomri cha sra
• 1993 : Rani khellithè lek èmèna
• 1993 : Mè nnejemch eniich d eliicha
• 1993 : C est la logique yè bent ennès
• 1993 : Hebbitek mè s'elt ennès
• 1993 : Dèymen enwassik
• 1993 : Ki nchouf'ha yerkebni lhbèl
• 1993 : Guaa ennsa
• 1993 : Hekmet aalia rrab elaali (feat Zèhia)
• 1993 : Mani mani
• 1993 : Tebki wella mè tebkich
• 1993 : Enfin lkit elli tefhemni
• 1993 : Brit èna nchoufek
• 1993 : Rani Mourak
• 1993 : Nti sbèb rbinti
• 1994 : Guaa errjèl elli kèyen
• 1994 : Aeadouya megh'yar
• 1994 : Ddèteh emmigré
• 1994 : Khawwefni rjouaak
• 1994 : Meddit aahdi, ça y'est c'est fini
• 1994 : Saàdini (Feat Sorya Kinane, & Bouzid Abdelghani)
• 1994 : Ma bkatch elhedda
• 1994 : Aalèch yè aayniyya
• 1994 : Rabbi ltof biya
• 1994 : Iridoni bnèt ennès (Single)
• 1994 : Aaayit ensaleh, aayit neddareb
• 1994 : Srat biyya kassa
• 1994 : Rani nèdem aalè liyyèm
• 1994 : Rani marra hna ou marra lhih

• (in French) "Hasni une légende a l image de l Algerie"
• (in French) « Cheb Hasni, une legende a l'image de l'Algerie »
• (in French) "Cheb Hasni, histoire d'une tragédie" Archived 4 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine
• (in French) "biographie de Cheb Hasni"