Algeria 
DJ Khaled invites Sizzla to feature on ‘Holy Mountain’
7 years ago
Khaled is a highly influential Algerian Raï singer, musician, and songwriter, renowned globally as the 'King of Raï' and a significant figure in world music.
An article detailing the evolution of Khaled's music, noting the transition from traditional ABABAB structures to more varied song structures with influences from reggae, ska, calypso, jazz, and French chanson.
In 2025, Khaled collaborated with Bilal Tacchini on an electro-house-infused remix of 'Y3ach9o,' showcasing his continued ability to innovate and adapt his music.
Khaled has been noted for his business acumen and ability to bring together top talent, including collaborations with artists like Beyoncé.
Khaled's ability to collaborate with top artists extends to those like Justin Bieber, demonstrating his broad appeal and musical versatility.
NPR highlighted Khaled as 'The King Of Rai,' noting his collaborations with Jewish and American artists and his steadfast message of peace.
Khaled mentored Faudel, a protégé who gained popularity in the 1990s and became another notable name in Raï music.
Rebelbase featured an interview with Khaled, the 'King of Raï,' promoting the release of his album 'Ya Rayi.'
Arab News published an interview with Cheb Khaled, where he paid a fervent homage to Beirut, mentioning his consideration of various global partnerships.
Khaled co-wrote and released a charity single, "Elle S'appelle Beyrouth," to benefit victims of the 2020 Port of Beirut Explosion, in collaboration with Lebanese-born Brazilian DJ Rodge. This song remained number one on Lebanese music charts for six weeks. They later reunited for the Qatar Airways-commissioned multilingual song "C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S." for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Khaled collaborated with Rodge on the Qatar Airways-commissioned multilingual song "C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S.", created in commemoration of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Khaled performed with Carlos Santana at the Grammy Jam 2004, showcasing the global fusion of their music by performing 'Brazilian Rhymes' into 'Didi.'
Khaled collaborated with Magic System on the single "Même pas fatigué!!!", which charted successfully.
Khaled performed "La poupée qui fait non" with Mylène Farmer, which was included on her album "Live à Bercy."
Khaled was featured on the track "Mirage" from Soolking's album "Fruit du démon."
Khaled collaborated with French Montana and Farid Bang on the non-album single "Maghreb Gang."
Khaled collaborated with Gashi on the non-album single "Delali."
Khaled appeared on the song "Be Not Afraid" from The Blow Monkeys' album "Springtime for the World."
Khaled performed "Revolution, Revolutions" and "ElDorado" (UNESCO official anthem) with Jean Michel Jarre during the Concert Pour La Tolerance.
Khaled performed "Didi" with Johnny Clegg, featured on the Various Artists album "Duos Taratata."
Khaled's "Numb (Gimme Some More Dignity mix)" appeared on U2's remix album "Melon: Remixes for Propaganda."
Khaled collaborated with Alan Stivell on the songs "Ensemble (Understand)" and "Crimes" for the album "1 Douar."
Khaled appeared on the song "Oasis de los Dioses" from Ketama's album "Konfusion."
Khaled appeared on the song "Alby" from Amr Diab's album "Amarain."
Khaled performed "Emmenez-moi" with Les Enfoirés, featured on the album "XXème siècle."
Khaled appeared on the song "Saludo A Chango" from Compay Segundo's collaboration album "Duets."
Khaled appeared on the song "L'enfant du pays" from Rim'K's album "L'enfant du pays" and later on the non-album single "El Baraka" with Cheba Zahouania.
Khaled was featured on Cameron Cartio's song "Henna" from the album "Borderless."
Khaled appeared on the song "Mas and Louly" from Diana Haddad's album "Diana 2006."
Khaled's recording of "Face à la mer" (from 1992) appeared on Les Négresses Vertes' best-of album "À l'affiche."
Khaled was featured on "Benthi" from Mélissa M's album, and the song was included in the "Taxi 4" soundtrack.
Khaled collaborated with Andy Madadian on "Salamo Alaykom" for the album "Airport" and later on the non-album single "Salama So Good."
Khaled collaborated with Warda Al-Jazairia and Baaziz on the single "Mazal Wakfin."
Khaled appeared on the song "L'Oriental" from Enrico Macias' album "Venez tous mes amis!"
Khaled appeared on the song "Larosa" from Medina's album "Sista Minuten."
Khaled collaborated with Nancy Ajram on the non-album single "Shage3 7elmak-World cup 2014."
Khaled appeared on the song "We Enta Maaya" from Tamer Hosny's album "Eish Besho'ak."
Khaled Hadj Ibrahim, born on February 29, 1960, in Oran, French Algeria, is a pioneering figure in Raï music. He began his musical journey in his early teens, performing under the name Cheb Khaled, meaning “Young Khaled.” His early career involved playing at clubs, parties, and weddings, establishing his presence in the Raï scene. A turning point came in the mid-1980s when he collaborated with producer Rachid Baba Ahmed, who helped modernize the Raï sound by incorporating Western electric instruments and studio techniques, broadening its appeal beyond traditional boundaries. Khaled’s ability to blend traditional Algerian music with elements of Western rhythms, including soul, rock, and reggae, created a distinctive sound that resonated with audiences globally. His musical contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the World Music Awards and the César Award for Best Original Music. He is also a goodwill ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, using his platform to promote peace and cultural understanding.
Khaled’s international breakthrough came in the early 1990s after he dropped “Cheb” from his name. His 1992 album “Khaled,” featuring the hit single “Didi,” propelled him to international stardom, topping charts in Europe, the Arab World, and Asia. This success was further cemented by subsequent albums like “N’ssi N’ssi” (1993) and “Sahra” (1996), which included the French number one hit “Aïcha.” He holds the Guinness World Record for the best-selling artist of Raï music, with over 80.5 million albums sold worldwide. His career progression highlights his role as a cultural bridge-builder, performing with diverse artists and continually innovating within his genre. Khaled’s musical journey has been marked by both critical acclaim and commercial success, solidifying his status as a global music icon.
His career is also notable for its resilience, including navigating legal challenges related to his music and personal life. Despite these, Khaled has maintained his artistic integrity and continued to produce music that celebrates his Algerian roots while embracing global influences. His collaborations with artists such as Mylène Farmer, Magic System, and Pitbull showcase his versatility and enduring appeal. He has performed in numerous countries across various continents, demonstrating his widespread influence and popularity. Khaled’s enduring legacy is not just in his music but also in his significant role in bringing Algerian Raï music to a worldwide audience, earning him the title “The Ambassador of Arab music.”
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