Cheikh Khelifa Belkacem

Khelifa Belkacem was born in the upper Casbah of Algiers and was considered by contemporary musicians to possess the most extraordinary natural technique on the Algerian mandole and lute of his generation. In the late 1920s, he broke away from rigid orchestral conventions to inject driving popular rhythms into classical Melhoun poetry.

Belkacem formed one of the earliest modern Chaabi ensembles, performing at weddings and cafes across Algiers and directly influencing young El Hadj M'Hamed El Anka. Passing away prematurely in 1951 at age forty-four, his recordings remain revered masterclasses in Chaabi instrumentals.