Wahrane - Cheb Khaled

'Wahrane' by Cheb Khaled is an ode to the artist’s hometown of Oran, which is also known as the birthplace of the rai genre. In the song, Khaled cries out to Oran and its people, who live in a constant state of violence. Khaled criticizes the corruption that had festered in the government of Algeria during the Algerian Civil War in the 1990s (Al-Taee, n.d). He bravely calls out for justice against the violence and police brutality that had taken place in Oran. Khaled utilizes literary elements to draw parallels between the violence in Oran and the state of Chicago, which is known for its high crime rate and violence. Subsequently, Khaled depicts Oran as a woman and an old lover whom he hopes to return to. In this manner, 'Wahrane' beautifully captures the strength and suffering of the people of Oran.

Win Rak Tergoud - Cheikha Rimitti

Win Rak Tergoud is a rai ballad by Cheikha Rimitti. The song’s title translates to ‘Where will you sleep’ in Algerian Arabic. In the song, Rimitti discusses an intimate relationship between a man and a woman. The sheik speaks from the woman’s perspective, highlighting her emotions and pleasure at a time when women were not granted the same freedoms as their male counterparts (McMurray & Swedenburg, 1991). Rimitti, who is recognized as the mother of rai, was a leading artist during the development of rai in the 1950s and 60s. Remitti was often criticized due to her fearlessness and frequent discussion of taboo topics surrounding sexual freedom and the female identity, such as in ‘Win Rak Tergoud.’ Although the music of Cheikha was often confined to the peripheries of Algerian society, Cheikha Rimitti is regarded for bringing the female voice into the mainstream. Rimitti’s unique ability to break away from cultural norms launched her career and became a source of inspiration for future cheikhas to speak freely about the challenges women face in their society (Virolle, 1998).

Abdel Kader - Faudel, Rachid Taha, Cheb Khaled

Abdel Kader is arguably the most widely recognized rai song due to its international success. The song is a tribute to Emir Abdel Kader, a leader of 19th-century Algeria who fought against the French colonial forces. Abdelkader is regarded as a prominent figure in Algerian history, and he embodies the fight for independence from the French (Schade-Paulson, 1999). Through this song, the modern rai artists Rachid Taha, Faudel, and Cheb Khaled pay their respects to Abdel Kader while also reminding their audience of their history and the sacrifices that were made on the path to liberation.

Kenza - Lounes Matoub

Lounes Matoub is a rai musician and activist of Kabyle origin. He is arguably one of the most controversial figures of the rai genre for his advocacy for the Amazigh and Kabyle communities of Algeria, who were largely ostracized during the pan-Arabist movement that was prevalent in the 80s and 90s (Wilford, 2015). Lounes’s music is laced with political and social commentary, and his songs were often anti-government and criticized the Islamic insurgency groups within Algeria. He deliberately sang only in his native language of Kabyle, which made him a target of the Algerian government. For the majority of his career, his music was banned from radio channels. However, this did not impact his popularity, especially amongst activists who viewed him as a leader of Berber resistance.

The song 'Kenza' was released in tribute to the murder of Kenza Djaout, the daughter of renowned Berber journalist Taha Djaout, who was targeted by Islamist extremists. Kenza was considered a martyr who was caught in the crossfires of systemic oppression (Vidal-Hall, 2012). Lounes pleas, “Oh Kenza my daughter, do not weep. We have been sacrificed for a new Algeria…even if the body wilts, the idea lives”.

Ya Rayah - Dahmane el Harrachi & Rachid Taha

Ya Rayah was first introduced by Algerian rai musician Dahmane el Harrachi in 1960, less than a decade after Algeria gained independence. The song witnessed another spike in popularity after its rendition by Rachid Taha in the 1990s, which offered a more modern take on the song and its poignant subject matter. Its lyrics are an ode to Algerians who live in exile from their homeland and have endured the plight of displacement. Through ya Rayah, Harrachi tells the story of the migrants who are forced to leave their homes for the promise of a better future in Europe (Amrane, 2020). It is a song that speaks on the concept of ghorba, which is an Arabic term that describes the feeling of displacement that one feels in a foreign country. Ultimately, ya rayah sheds light on the sacrifices of the Algerian diaspora who left their homes due to political strife and economic uncertainty in the aftermath of independence.