World Music

  • Khaled — “Keep Your Treasures”

    The video clip you are about to see has been viewed over twenty million times. It’s performed by an artist who has been described as a global superstar. But you’ve probably never heard his name.

    Khaled Hadj Brahim was born in 1960 in Oran, Algeria, the son of a mechanic who worked in a police garage. He was influenced by both North African music and the music of the West, including Elvis Presley. He released his first record at age fourteen and recorded under the name Cheb Khaled (or “young Khaled”) before graduating to Khaled (pronounced HOLL id, with the first syllable as in “holly”). He also became known as the King of Rai (pronounced RYE) — a word that literally translates as “opinion” and refers to a form of popular music known for its social commentary.

    Khaled expanded his reach after relocating to France. In 1996, he scored a huge hit with this track by a French songwriter:

    The words, sung in French and Arabic, describe a man’s love for a beautiful woman, to whom he offers pearls, jewels, gold, and fruits tasting of honey. But how the object of his desire responds may confound expectations: (more…)