We continue our journey through the history of Rai Music. After considering the streams of music from which modern Rai music emerges in a previous episode, we take a brief look at less direct, yet significant musical influences on modern Rai like Andalusian Jewish music and modern French Chansons. The episode also highlights the impact of French colonialism on the Algerian environment in which Rai would eventually develop. Included are excerpts of songs by Cheb Hasni, Cheb Khaled, Reinette L’Oranaise, Edith Piaf, and Raina Rai.
Sources and further reading:
Daoudi, B. & Miliani H. L'aventure du Raï
Drewett, M & Cloonan, M. Popular Music Censorship in Africa
Plastino, G. Mediterranean Mosaic: Popular Music and Global Sounds
Schade-Poulsen, M. Men and Popular Music in Algeria: The Social Significance of Raï
Virolle, M. La chanson Raï : De l'Algérie profonde à la scène internationale