YA RAYI! – A history of raï music in France and Algeria
Playlist / YA RAYI! – A history of raï music in France and Algeria
From February 27 to July 27, 2025, the Institut du Monde Arabe de Tourcoing is hosting the exhibition “YA RAYI! – A history of raï music” of which the CNM is a partner.
By producing the first exhibition dedicated to raï music, the IMA-Tourcoing wishes to pay the necessary and indispensable museum tribute to this musical momentum that has transcended social, geographical and cultural barriers to become a common heritage over the course of the 20th century. Born in the intimacy of families, at the beginning of the previous century, in opposition to social and political rigidities, raï music was inscribed in the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2022, which has put it back on the front of the stage and reminds us that it is one of the major popular expressions of our time.
Raï music crossed the Mediterranean in the luggage of Algerian immigrants who came to settle in France, particularly in the Hauts-de-France region. Over time, and carried by artists whose fame would become international, it also broke free of community boundaries and became part of the country’s shared culture. Because tracing the history of raï music is a bit like tracing the shared history between Algeria and France. Shaken by the vicissitudes of history, colonization, the war of independence and the black decade in particular, it gradually managed to unite the people around common aspirations: the thirst for modernity, insubordination, love and above all celebration.
By presenting objects that belonged to raï stars, unpublished audiovisual archives and by deploying innovative and immersive mediation devices, this exhibition echoes everyone’s memories, family memories and migration journeys. Part of the lille3000 biennial, whose theme is “Fiesta!”, this unique event aims to be a great moment of sharing around what necessarily brings people together: music and friendship.
A multidisciplinary program will accompany the “Ya Rayi” exhibition and will aim to (re)discover the raï repertoire and what it says about Algerian cultures and the bridges between the two shores of the Mediterranean through concerts of course but also conferences, workshops and actions aimed at young audiences.
What the France invites you to discover the official playlist of the exhibition which brings together some of the most emblematic titles of raï from its beginnings to the present day. You will listen to songs by Cheikha Rimitti, Ahmed Saber, Boutaïba Sghir, Cheb Zergui, Raïna Raï, Khaled, Cheb Kader, Cheb Zahouani, Chaba Fadela & Cheb Sahraoui, Cheb Hasni, Bellemou Messaoud & Gana El Maghaoui, Cheb Hamid & Zohra, Cheikha Djenia, El Hindi, Faudel, Cheb Aissa, Mohamed Ray, Rachid Taha, Cheb Tarik & CC Raider, U-Roy & Dennis Brown & Cheb Aïssa, Reda Taliani, Cheb Rezki, Momo Roots, Cheb Rayan, Kore & Leslie & Amine, 113 & Magic System & Mohamed Lamine, Cheb Bilal, Ghazi, Cheb Mimoun, Cheb Akil, Cheb Abdou, Zahouania & Khalass & Kader Japonese, Aymane Serhani, Cheb Azzedine, Sofiane Saidi & Mazalda & Ammar 808, Soolking & Cheb Mami or Kore & Lacrim & Cheb Bilal.
YA RAYI – Une histoire de la musique raï
YA RAYI! – Une histoire de la musique raï en France et en Algérie Listen nowSee also
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