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Cheb Khaled

Cheb Khaled is an Algerian rai musician from Oran. He has become probably the most internationally famous Algerian singer.

Khaled began recording at age fourteen with the single "Trigh Lycee", and soon became involved with the early-1980s changes in the rai sound, incorporating western instruments and studio techniques. The Algerian government, and many Algerians, did not like rai, and considered it subversive. Khaled was forced to move to Paris in 1986 (see 1986 in music). In 1992 (see 1992 in music), he released Khaled, which established his reputation as a superstar in France and among Algerian immigrants around the world. His audience has continued to expand throughout the 1990s, and has collaborated with hip hop artists. In spite of his superstar status in France and Algeria, his popularity in the US, UK and other countries has been limited to a small but devoted cult following.

One of his well known songs is a tribute to Abdel Kadir