Lyrics not needed to please masses

Yomna Kamel Special to Middle East Times

Egypt has long considered itself one of the centers of Arabic music, but lately it has found the sounds of Algerian Rai music growing in popularity despite the fact most Egyptians don't understand the lyrics.

Rather than lyrics, it seems musical style helped Algerian musicians Cheb Khaled, Fadel and Rasheed to captivate thousands of Egyptian fans with their hit song, "Abdel Qader" which has become the rage at most parties this year. "Although I don't understand their lyrics, I like Khaled's songs, especially 'Abdel Qader,' because their music is different, new and enjoyable," says 26 year old Ghada Ali.

Rai (Arabic for opinion) music traces its origins to the northwestern area of Algeria. Originally associated with religious Sufi music, Rai has grown to encompass a mixture of traditional rhythms along with jazz and lately electronic sounds. Over the years its message has diversified to include topics from love to critiques of the Algerian Islamist movement.

Although adopted as a wedding song in Egypt, "Abdel Qader" has a very different meaning for the Algerian people. "Abdel Qader" is an Algerian character looking for peace and love in a society torn by acts of violence. In fact, it was first performed at a concert in France to raise funds for victims of terrorism and violence in Algeria.

Cheb Khaled, born and raised in Algeria, is the most famous Rai star these days. Despite outstanding success in his country, he had to leave for France to escape death threats by Algerian militants who assassinated, Cheb Hosny, another popular singer.

Even though Rai singers are Arabs, their Algerian dialect is difficult for most Egyptians to understand, but it seems pleasing for young people just to enjoy the beautiful voices and musical style, so different from that produced in Egypt, with no need to care much about the lyrics.

Rai music's prominence on the Egyptian scene is exemplified by its coverage by the press.

The magazine Sabah Al Kheir contained an article on July 1 written by Hala Hashish, a broadcast journalist at the Egyptian Satellite Channel who explained that music experts believe Algerian songs are quite popular among Egyptian youth because of their upbeat melodies and mixture of western and oriental rhythms.

"In his songs, Khaled presents a mixture of oriental and jazz music, which helped him gain more fans in France and across Europe," Hashish says.

For some fans in Egypt, especially ones who are French educated, Khaled's music is attractive, not because of its style, but because of its lyrics too, according to 28 year old Ghada Abdel Hakeem.

"He has a beautiful voice and the lyrics are simple and nice," she says. Despite her French skills, she has some trouble with songs like "Abdel Qader" as the Algerian French dialect is difficult for her to understand. "Still I love to listen to it anytime."

When song lyrics are not understood but are still enjoyed it is the music which is the cause of a songs popularity, explains Shereen Samir Al Gindy, teaching assistant at the College of Music Education.

"I think Khaled's music is wonderful and different. That is why he has become very popular in Egypt. You do not need to think much about the lyrics as you just enjoy the melody," says Al Gindy.

Algerian Rai music, for the most part in unfamiliar to the majority of Egyptians. Additionally, Al Gindy thinks it is Egyptians' nature to accept new music different from what is in their country. For example, although the 1998 World Cup's theme song was not understood by most Egyptians, it was well received simply because it was sounded new and had a catchy beat.

Egyptian musicians, like Edward Fouad, founder of the Gypsies, a band which plays Gypsy King covers, have also noticed the attraction to Rai music amongst their compatriots.

"I think such kinds of songs are popular in Egypt because of their new style that combines Western and Oriental music and rhythms," he explains. The success of this musical mixture motivated Fouad to launch his first album, Lailo, which comprises a collection of songs mixing Spanish and Arabic music and lyrics.

Beyond passionate beats and tantalizing rhythms, patriotism may also play a role in Rai music's popularity.

Samia Al Saaty, professor of Sociology at Ain Shams University feels Cheb Khaled's songs are popular in Egypt because he is an Arab Algerian singer who has mastered a sound cherished the world over.

"We are extremely happy to see an Arab Algerian singer having fans all over the world. He's a very good example to other Arab singers affirming that outstanding local music can cross borders and gain international popularity and appeal," she says. "Egyptians have very special feelings towards Algeria since it is an Arab country that has historical relations with us."