Raï, a musical genre that started from Algeria, to conquer the West and the whole world carrying more than a symphony: a real culture. If the musical genre was at its peak during the 80s and 90s, Raï is nowadays considered as a real institution, in Algeria but also throughout the world.
Considered a real pillar of the musical repertoire of many artists, Raï keeps coming back to the fore. This time it is Arte which is honoring Raï thanks to a musical documentary series which will be broadcast from February 2023. Indeed, it is on its official Youtube channel that Arte is broadcasting the tape announces this documentary series on January 5, 2023.
Hadj Sameer: the DJ passionate about Raï behind the documentary
At the heart of the documentary, Hadj Sameer, DJ and collector “passionate about raï”. For fifteen years, he has been collecting records and cassettes, and has therefore decided to go back to basics in order to explore this “popular and transgressive musical genre”.
Hadj Sameer therefore makes us rediscover Raï, thanks to this documentary series entitled “Raï Is Not Dead” which will be composed of 6 different parts taking the form of a soundtrack, i.e. a mix-tape with live sequences included. He found the forgotten heroes of this music, in order to represent the Rai of yesterday but also that of today.
Finally, to end his adventure, Sameer will return to his hometown, Jijel, to have his grandmother, Houria, listen to his work. His saying: “Raï is not dead, and I will do everything to prove it”.
“Rai is not dead” will be available from Tuesday, February 7, 2023 on arte.tv, YouTube and ARTE’s social channels. Some people have already had the opportunity to watch it knowing that the preview of the series took place yesterday, January 20, 2023, at the Arab World Institute.
