The Story of Rai

Afropop Worldwide listeners have heard the brilliant singer Khaled often on our program. In this Hip Deep portrait, Khaled shares stories and insights from his remarkable career--from his early days growing up in cosmopolitan Oran on the Mediterranean coast of Algeria, to his groundbreaking creation of modern pop rai music, incorporating Arab songs and rhythms with Western rock, funk, reggae and more. Khaled's music swept a generation of North Africans with his hurricane force vocals and his tales of partying and romance. Rai was seen as "the voice of the voiceless." Our collaborator on this program is anthropologist Marc Schade-Poulsen, author of Men and Popular Music in Algeria. Produced by Sean Barlow.