Boudjemaâ El Ankis

Mohamed Boudjemaâ, known to millions of fans as Boudjemaâ El Ankis, was born in the Bir Djebbah quarter of the Casbah of Algiers to a family originating from Aïzoun (Tizi Ouzou). Imprisoned and tortured by colonial paratroopers in the Serkadji and Barberousse prisons during the revolution, his music was infused with profound popular empathy.

In the 1960s and 1970s, teaming up with composer and lyricist Mahboub Bati, El Ankis pioneered modern Chaabi song, introducing shorter song formats and electric mandoles. Hits like 'Rah El Ghali Rah' and 'Tchouffa Ya El Hawa' became universal anthems sung across every household in Algeria.