Idir

Born Hamid Cheriet in 1949 in Algeria, Idir found success in the '70s with the song "Rsed A Yidess" and two albums of North African-flavored songs, before making a high-profile comeback in 1999 with an all-star collaboration album, Identités. Following the success of "Rsed A Yidess" in 1973, Idir left for Paris to sign with Pathe. They released his first album, A Vava Inouva, in 1975; its title track became a mammoth hit. Casting him firmly in the tradition of Berber music, his signature sound featured traditional Kabylian flute and derbouka. Along with Ferhat Mehenni and Loun...