Biography
Who is Khaled?
Early life and beginnings
Khaled was born in the Sidi-El-Houari neighborhood of Oran, Algeria, on February 29, 1960. He began his musical path as a teenager, recording under the name Cheb Khaled. The title Cheb translates to young, and it was a common designation for male raï singers at the time. He became a fixture in the local music scene during these early years.
His career trajectory shifted significantly in 1985. Lieutenant-Colonel Hosni Snoussi, who led the Office Riadh el Feth, invited him to perform at the Festival de la Jeunesse pour la Fête Nationale in Algiers. That same year, he earned the title of king of raï during the first official festival dedicated to the genre in Oran. This support from state officials helped launch his national profile.
Rise to international fame
In 1986, Colonel Snoussi and producer Martin Meissonnier worked to organize the first raï festival in France, held in Bobigny. To make this possible, Snoussi assisted the singer with administrative hurdles, including securing a passport to travel. Shortly after, the singer began recording in France with financial backing from the Office Riadh el Feth.
The 1988 album Kutché, a collaboration with jazz musician Safy Boutella, helped establish his reputation in France. He eventually moved there to settle. By 1992, he released a self-titled album produced by Don Was. This record included the track Didi, which became a big hit across Europe, the Arab World, and parts of Asia, effectively launching his status as a global superstar.
Musical achievements and impact
The singer is recognized for blending traditional Algerian sounds with rock, soul, and reggae. This fusion created a distinct style that appealed to listeners beyond his home country. Throughout his career, he has sold more than 80.5 million albums, making him the most successful Arabic-language singer. His discography includes well-known songs such as Aïcha, El Arbi, and C'est la vie.
His work has earned significant recognition, including a Guinness World Record for the best-selling raï artist. In 2012, his album C'est la vie achieved major sales figures, moving over one million copies in Europe and nearly two million in the Middle East and North Africa. He has also performed at major events like the 2010 FIFA World Cup and served as a goodwill ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization.
Personal life and legal issues
Khaled married Samira Diabi on January 12, 1995, and the couple has five children. In 1998, a biography titled Khaled: Derrière le sourire recounted details of his life. He faced legal challenges in 2001, when a court sentenced him to a two-month suspended prison sentence for family desertion regarding an illegitimate child. He has resided in Luxembourg since 2008. In 2013, he accepted Moroccan citizenship, stating he felt unable to refuse the offer.
The singer has also faced controversy involving plagiarism allegations. In 2015, a court convicted him for plagiarizing the song Didi from a composition by Cheb Rabah. However, this ruling was overturned in 2016 by the Court of Cassation. Evidence surfaced in the form of a 1982 audio tape that proved the singer had recorded the track years before the other recording existed.
Birthday and age
Khaled was born on February 29, 1960, which makes Khaled 66 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. Khaled shares the date with 8 other famous people.
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