***CHEB MAMI***

Khlifati Mohamed, known as Cheb Mami, was born July 11, 1966, in Graba-el-Oved, a populous quarter of Saida. Located 1200 kilometers south of Oran, the city of Saida is on the high mesas of southwestern Algeria. Life in Saida exposed Mami to the traditional Berber culture and the bustling urban environment, both of which have affected his musical style.

Like many other rai singers, Mami began his artistic career singing at marriage ceremonies and circumcisions. His soulful voice earned him the nickname Mami, (the mourner).

In 1982, when he was 15, he participated in the Ihan wa chabab contest, a popular radio program. He won second prize. Producers contacted him immediately. This included Boualem, the producer of Disco Maghreb, a label from Oran that had released the most successful names in rai in recent years. Mami began releasing cassettesa dozen just is 1986. Each sold between 100,000 and 200,000 units, one as high as 500,000. The artist saw very little profit.
In 1985, Mami made his first public performance at the Premier Festival of Rai of Oran. At the end of 1985, he embarked for Paris for a tour of Arab clubs. In January 1986 Mami participated in the Rai Festivals of the Villete (Paris) and Bobigny. There he met Michel Levy, who became his manager. In December 1986, Mami appeared at the famous Olympia Theater in Paris.
After he finished two years of military service in Algeria, in May of 1989, Mami returned to the Paris stage at the Olympia, confirming that he was the main hope for the rejuvenation of Rai. He later toured the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Scandinavia and England.

Cheb Mami's collaboration as a guest singer on Sting's "Desert Rose"increased his international profile as a pop star. The collaboration with the British pop star was arranged by Sting's manager, Miles Copeland, who gave Sting a copy of one of Mami's CDs and he loved it. Sting went to one of the concerts and asked Mami to guest on his CD.

Cheb Mami's Meli Meli album featured French rappers, Imhotep and Kamel, a beur (an Algerian born in France).
In June of 2001 Mami released an album entitled "Dellali"(The Loved One). He explored international sounds and added Flamenco, reggae and dance sounds to his native Rai.

in 2003 mami released his album entitled(DU SUD AU NORD)in this album mami collect his best old duets plus 4 new duets,i think the best songs in this album was (cosi celeste-avec ZUCCHERO)and( Des deux cأ´tأ©s )and("Nagumomo)..... he also released album in 2004 entitled "LIVE AU GRAND REX 2004".in this album mami sang many of his old and new songs and he also sangone of cheb hasni great songs *Mazal souvenir Aandi *.

---------------------------------------------------
Discography:
Prince of Rai (USA: Shanachie, 1989) or Le Prince du Rai (France: Sonodisc, 1989)
Let me Rai (Totem-Virgin, 1990)

Fatma Fatma (Melodie)

Saida (Totem-Virgin 8 40680 2, 1994/USA: Tinder, 1997)

Let Me Cry (1995)

Douni el Bladi (BSI &Virgin, 1996)

100% ARABICA, Cheb Khaled &Cheb Mami

Meli Meli (Totem-Virgin , 1998/USA: Ark, 1999)

Dellali (Virgin/Ark, 2001)

Lazrag Saani (USA: Ark, 2002)

DU SUD AU NORD(2003)

live au grand rex (2004)