Rachid Taha

رشيد طه (Known as "Rachid Taha")

Rock and Raï Superstar, Leader of Carte de Séjour, Global Cultural Rebel

Born Sep 18, 1958

Sig (Mascara), Algeria

Passed Away Sep 12, 2018 Les Lilas (Paris), France

Lifespan 59 years old

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Notice / Correction

"I am a wanderer who brought the desert mandole into the roar of electric guitars."

Archival Overview

Trailblazing punk-rock and Raï icon born in Sig, who fronted 'Carte de Séjour', electrified global audiences with 'Ya Rayah', and performed the legendary '1, 2, 3 Soleils'.

Biographical Record

Rachid Taha was born in Sig (Mascara province) and emigrated with his parents to France at age ten. In 1981, he founded the groundbreaking immigrant rock band 'Carte de Séjour', blending North African Chaabi instruments with punk rock and famously subverting Charles Trenet's 'Douce France' into an anti-racist anthem.

His 1997 rock-infused cover of Dahmane El Harrachi's Chaabi classic 'Ya Rayah' became a global smash hit, charted across fifty countries. In 1998, he co-headlined the historic '1, 2, 3 Soleils' concert in Paris with Khaled and Faudel, bringing Algerian popular music to the pinnacle of global world music acclaim.

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Rest in Peace Forever remembered and cherished Your legacy lives on in all of us With deep gratitude for your life and light

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Sig Municipal Cemetery (Family Tomb)
Sig (Mascara), Algeria

                         GPS: 35.5333, -0.1833                    

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