For the third year in a row, the Formula One Abu Dhabi after-race concerts will start with performances by singers from four distinct parts of the Arab world.
Topping the bill at du Arena on Thursday, November 26, will be Cheb Khaled, internationally renowned for his ever-present grin, powerhouse vocals and catchy raï – a type of folk music that originated in his native Algeria – tunes.
Afficionados of traditional dabke music will enjoy Lebanese singer Fares Karam, while fans of Gulf pop can look forward to Emirati breakout talent Aryam, performing what will be, perhaps, her biggest gig to date. Rounding off the night with some serious dancing will be Lebanese music producer and DJ Said Mrad, a pioneer on the Arabian electronic dance music scene, who brings his blend of Arabic pop, techno and dance-floor rhythms.
While it’s an all Arab affair, it’s also a chance for world-music buffs to experience a range of Arabic popular music.
We caught up with Khaled to chat about his music and the F1 gig.
You are known as the ‘king of raï. What does that mean to you?
With all my respect to the audience, the listeners and the fans, it is the critics that have given me this title. I say to them, I’m just an ambassador. I have simply been able to give the genre of raï strength and spread its beauty.
It is the music of my country, of western Algeria, and part of our folklore since its rise in the 1920s. It is the music of celebrations and poetry and Bedouins, and I was able to use my talent, which is a gift from God, to help spread this music and have it be a source of pride.
I like to think of myself as the person who makes raï music cool again for young people, so it can bring them pleasure, so our heritage will not die.
Your songs are full of passion and discuss big emotions. Where do you get your inspiration?
You know, ever since I was a young boy, I’ve loved to sing about love and peace and tolerance – and of course, women. It is shameful to be sexist towards women, so I try to celebrate them in my music. I have five women in my life: my wife and my four daughters. We say that when a female becomes a part of your household, then light has come into the home. I am blessed.
Did you expect songs such as Didi, Aicha or C'est La Vie to become international hits?
These are my special songs, the big hits that exploded all over the world. I never have this expectation. In every album of 13 or 14 songs, somehow, one seems to have a touch of magic and just spreads and becomes huge and I have no idea how – it just happens and I am just grateful. It’s really magic.
Your latest album, C’est La Vie, was released in 2012. What’s next on the horizon?
There’s a new album coming out next year, in a few months, God willing, and in it I have done my first ever Gulf raï song. I have always loved Gulf music and the Gulf heritage – and I love Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the audience here. I have so many friends here. I performed in Dubai at Burj Khalifa just two weeks ago, and I got to see my good friend [Emirati singer] Hussain Al Jasmi. He has an incredible voice – he sings the kind of Gulf songs that I love. But this song, it will be special. I hope people will love it. I feel like Gulf music combined with raï music is a formula that will really work.
You sang Didi during the opening ceremony at the 2010 Fifa World Cup and won the Murex D'Or music prize in 2013, What do you want to accomplish next?
My dream, truly my biggest dream, is to create a huge song that will shake the entire world, with my friend and the best guy there is, Mr Quincy Jones. I want to create the Arabic equivalent of We Are The World for today's generation. Look at what's happening in the world, look at this horror we are living. The young people need this, they need to be reminded about the beauty of life. I want to do this.
You feel so strongly about this.
Because I love life, I love to live. I want these young people to want to live in this world – they have to live and love life. I swear to God, just look at what’s happening to the world – why is someone who is 19 or 20 throwing away this beautiful life that God gave? They throw it away thinking they are going to paradise and yet, living here right now, life itself is paradise. Enjoy life now, while you are alive. You have no idea what a big dream it is for me to create a song that can help celebrate life and remind us of the beauty of life.
• Cheb Khaled performs at du Arena on Thursday, November 26, at the first F1 after-race concert. Doors open 7pm. A three-day race-day pass that includes entry to the show (and the Enrique Iglesias, Florence and The Machine and Blur concerts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively) costs from Dh2,080. For more ticket options, visit www.yasmarinacircuit.com
artslife@thenational.ae
