Pioneer of raï trab, that of rural origins, copied author, sometimes stolen by many chebs who claimed the crown of the style, Cheikha Rimitti was a free woman, a true monument of Algerian culture. She died in 2006 and was finally recognized for her immense talent and is a source of inspiration for many singers. Four of them gather here to pay their respects by proudly declaring their title of “heirs”.
The one called «the grandmother of the raï» or the «mother of the modern raï» is an emblematic figure, itself heir to the Bedouin raï.
A woman of exceptional talent and strong character, this native of Oran, has grown with her a whole new generation of raï singers, from the most confidential to the best known, such as Cheb Mami, Cheb Khaled, Boutella Safi or Cheb Abdou. The singer and musician, accompanied by her guellal tambourines and gasba flutes, knew how to move or provoke, transforming poetic texts into engaged pamphlets with astounding emotional potential. When Rimitti went on stage, it was not a joke: she radiated the room, transcended the codes of traditional raï to make it a feminist language, engaged and eruptive. Of absolute modernity, it could evoke religion and spirituality as well as sex, celebration and hedonism.
The talented Souad Asla, Samira Brahmia, Cheikha Hadjla and Nawel Ben Kraïem will sing during this original creation to celebrate Cheikha Rimitti, the figurehead of this gigantic musical heritage, performing songs by Cheikha Rimitti as well as titles from their respective repertoires.
Distribution Souad Asla – chant Nawel Ben Kraïem – chant Samira Brahmia – chant Cheikha Hadjla – chant Samir Benboudaoud – percussions Sami Bouchareb – clavier / clavier bass Nassim Kouti – machines / guitare Salim Smaïli – clavier lead