Taha was a magnetic and popular figure on France’s rock scene ever since his 1981 debut as the charismatic leader of Carte de Séjour. Born in Algeria, he moved to France aged 10. He and his group became the flagbearers of the second generation of the Franco-Algerian and Franco-Moroccan community in France.
He grew up with punk and rock, and was loyal to the genre while infusing it with Maghrebi music, as he did with his 2004 remake of The Clash’s “Rock the Casbah”.
RACHID TAHA’S ‘YA RAYAH’
He 1998 popular album “Diwân” featured Algerian chaâbi songs, including smash hit “Ya Rayah” (You, the one leaving), which reached number 11 on the French singles charts.
Taha was preparing to release a new album with the label Believe.