CHEB MAMI
"Meli Meli" [128k MPEG-3] or [224k WAV]

January 10, 2000
Web posted at: 4:36 p.m. EST (2136 GMT)

(CNN) -- Rai (pronounced rye) has been called the blues of North Africa, a rhythmic blend of Arabic and Western music. The word in Arabic means "opinion," and the songs often express fierce views on government, religion or the problems of everyday life. The Algerian government considered the lyrics so volatile and controversial at one time, it banned rai from the radio.

Now, it's part of the mainstream, thanks to such artists as Cheb Mami. Mami, who lives in Paris, is taking rai even further, fusing it with rap, Latin and even techno. He has topped the charts in Europe and recently contributed his vocals on Sting's new album "Brand New Day."

Mami released his first album "Prince of Rai" on the Shanachie label in 1989, four years after the Algerian government lifted a law banning it from the radio.

"Rai music was born in Algeria in the 1920s," Mami says. "It was a music sung by women and later developed by the chebs (youth). The chebs introducted modern instruments such as the guitar, base and drums.

"At first, it was a little difficult because the authorities said rai music was vulgar because we used simple words -- words from the street. It wasn't poetry or some beautiful life. Instead we sang about our daily life.

"Now, rai is accepted. It's even become very popular because they saw that this music has succeeded in reaching even beyond the Arab world, and now they say it is part of our culture -- before they were saying just the opposite.

Mami says rai has been a primary form of protest in Algeria, since Islamic militants began agitating against the government. Their insurgency erupted after the army canceled 1992 legislative elections that the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) was poised to win. More than 100,000 people have been killed since then. "As an Algerian," he says, "I was very shocked to see my country plunged into horror. But as a singer it was combat. Every time I did a concert and saw the youth carrying the Algerian flag -- it was like a resistance.

"Algeria is fighting against its pain and unhappiness -- against people who wanted to kill it. It was fighting through ria."

Mami returned to Algeria for the first time in 10 years to give a concert on July 4. It drew 80,000 people. "For me, it was the return to ria in Algeria," he says. "From a symbolic point of view it was Algeria that was waking up, living again."

In addition to "Prince of Rai," Mami has five other albums: "Let Me Rai" (1990, Priority); Saida (1995, Blue Silver); "Let Me Cry" (1998, Blue Silver); "Douni el Bladi" (1998, Blue Silver); and "Meli Meli" (1999, EMI). The latest release has reached platinum status in France.

Sting says he asked Mami to collaborate on "Desert Rose" on "Brand New Day" because he wanted the song to represent a mix of cultures. Mami's job was to compose a counter-melody and Arabic lyrics to Sting's half of the song.

"Well, you know, he is one of the biggest stars in France," Sting says. "It's quite easy to discover him. He's all over the plate. But he's not very well-known in America, and he should be. He's an extraordinary singer, a very gifted singer.

Mami says he was honored to do the duet. "I was very flattered by his proposition because for me -- it's Sting," he says.

The collaboration was just another way for Mami to express his artistic freedom. "I know rai very well, but if I said I didn't want to mix it with other music, then I would be alone in my corner," he says. "I prefer to be open toward other musical styles."