Faudel

Faudel Belloua (فُضيل بيلوى; born June 6, 1978) is a French raï singer and actor of Algerian descent.

He released studio albums, notably Baïda, Samra, Un Autre Soleil and Mundial Corrida and the live album 1,2,3 Soleils jointly with Khaled and Rachid Taha.

Born in Mantes-la-Jolie, a suburb of Paris, and raised by Algerian-born immigrant parents in the Val Fourré neighborhood, the young Faudel was introduced to Algerian raï by his grandmother who performed regularly in Oran with the, groups of female musicians who play traditional folk raï at weddings and other family occasions.

It was Amaria, Faudel's grandmother, who was largely responsible for teaching him traditional raï rhythms during the summer holidays in Algeria.

His first public singing experience was during a family wedding celebration in Oran, Algeria.

Faudel started to cover the popular tracks by Cheb Khaled and Cheb Mami at 12, after which he soon fronted the popular band Les Etoiles du Raï (The Rai Stars).

Faudel and Les Etoiles du Rai soon became a well-known fixture at the youth club and other local associations in Mantes-la-Jolie.

Faudel then went on to appear at clubs throughout the Paris suburbs, performing covers of Khaled, Zahouania and Mami's greatest hits, accompanied by a pre-recorded backing tape.

The turning-point of Faudel's early career came at the age of 13 when he was spotted at Printemps de Bourges by Mohamed Mestar (aka Momo).

Mestar, an ex-guitarist, had recently set up an association in the suburbs to promote up-and-coming local artists and, after catching one of Faudel's concerts, he offered to take charge of the young Rai singer's career.

Thanks to Momo's guiding hand, Faudel soon built up his own repertoire and began collaborating with different artists, and playing in a few Cheb Mami and MC Solaar concerts as well.

Faudel went on to study accountancy and metallurgy, but his passion for Rai soon led to him taking up a professional singing career.

Indeed, in 1995 two French television documentaries were made about the rising young star from Mantes-la-Jolie - Saga cités (which was broadcast on the state-owned channel France 3) and Les Enfants du Rai (broadcast on the Franco-German channel Arte).

The following year Faudel would be chosen to represent the Ile-de-France region at the prestigious Printemps de Bourges Festival.

And the young singer's impressive performance in the New Talent category would only serve to increase his growing popularity.

Meanwhile, Faudel embarked on a new series of concert tours while Momo set about getting his young protégé a recording deal.

In order to produce the best demo tape possible, Momo and Faudel flew out to New York in January 1996 to record three tracks with session musicians at the legendary Record Plant studios.

The demo tape would actually prove unnecessary - after Faudel's impressive performance at the Printemps de Bourges, the young star was snapped up by major record label Mercury shortly afterward.

Faudel's original sound - which fuses traditional Amazigh Rai rhythms with 'new wave' guitar, reggae, Afro-beat and vibrant flamenco rhythms - was now set to hit the big time.

After signing a contract with Mercury to produce five albums over the next few years, Faudel decided to quit school.

The young singer then embarked upon another major concert tour, performing dates throughout France and Europe.

In the course of this new tour Faudel would appear in concert with a number of legendary Rai stars such as Khaled and Cheb Mami.

Meanwhile, Faudel's catchy new Rai sound would reach a whole new audience when it was used as part of the soundtrack to Ariel Zeitoun's film Elle est Belle la Vie.

Faudel soon caught on with the French media too, journalists and music critics dubbing him (The Little Prince of Rai).

The Little Prince of Rai soon went into the studio to record his début album Baïda (Blonde).

Faudel's debut album, Baïda, was released in 1997.

A year later, he was invited to sing with Khaled and Rachid Taha in the 1, 2, 3 Soleils concert in Paris.

His collaboration with them made him a household name in France and Algeria.

Released in October 1997, Faudel's album combined a "light" modern Rai style with hard-hitting lyrics.

(Faudel's songs deal with everything from broken hearts to the problems of France's second-generation immigrants).

The first single release from the album, "Tellement N'brick" (I Love You So Much), went on to become a huge hit on community radio during the Muslim month of Ramadan (January 1998).

Following the success of "Tellement N'brick", Baïda was nominated in the 'traditional music' category at the Victoires de la Musique awards in February 1998.

On April 15, Faudel was invited to perform at the Printemps de Bourges Festival once again.

Following the release of his début album, Faudel went on to perform a whole string of concerts, delighting music fans up and down the country.

On September 26 the Little Prince of Rai appeared in concert with Khaled and Rachid Taha at Bercy stadium in Paris, attracting a crowd of 15,000 Rai fans.

He then went on to continue his successful national tour.

The live album of the Bercy concert (entitled 1.2.3. Soleils) proved to be an overwhelming success with the French public and the three Rai Tenors were soon inundated with invitations to appear on all the top TV shows.

His other albums include Samra and his album Un Autre Soleil (released Sept. 2003) and, most recently, Mundial Corrida (2006).

He also has acted in a few roles, including Happenstance (Le Battement d'ailes du papillon) with Audrey Tautou.

Even though Faudel was still in his early teens, he managed to establish himself as the new voice of Rai.