• Algerian talent scout Boualem Benhaoua, known as Boualem Disco Maghreb, at his studio Disco Maghreb, in Algeria's northern city of Oran. All photos: AFP
    Algerian talent scout Boualem Benhaoua, known as Boualem Disco Maghreb, at his studio Disco Maghreb, in Algeria's northern city of Oran. All photos: AFP
  • The Algerian music label Disco Maghreb launched the careers of some of the Rai genre's most famous stars.
    The Algerian music label Disco Maghreb launched the careers of some of the Rai genre's most famous stars.
  • Cheb Khaled, Cheb Mami, Cheb Hasni and Cheba Zahouania are among the most famous stars of the genre, which emerged in 1920s Oran but became a major world music genre in the 1980s, particularly popular in Algeria's former colonial ruler France.
    Cheb Khaled, Cheb Mami, Cheb Hasni and Cheba Zahouania are among the most famous stars of the genre, which emerged in 1920s Oran but became a major world music genre in the 1980s, particularly popular in Algeria's former colonial ruler France.
  • Disco Maghreb has experienced a revival thanks to a hit song by DJ Snake.
    Disco Maghreb has experienced a revival thanks to a hit song by DJ Snake.
  • French-Algerian singer DJ Snake paid tribute to the genre in his song Disco Maghreb, which has been seen 78 million times on YouTube alone and prompted an influx of young Algerians to take selfies at the shop with its iconic model cassette tape hanging outside.
    French-Algerian singer DJ Snake paid tribute to the genre in his song Disco Maghreb, which has been seen 78 million times on YouTube alone and prompted an influx of young Algerians to take selfies at the shop with its iconic model cassette tape hanging outside.
  • The singer, whose real name is William Sami Grigahcine, has also published a video of himself visiting the famous shop on a street corner in Oran.
    The singer, whose real name is William Sami Grigahcine, has also published a video of himself visiting the famous shop on a street corner in Oran.
  • Inside the shop, barely touched in years, cassettes pile up on the shelves, surrounded by vintage audio equipment that could be in an antiques museum.
    Inside the shop, barely touched in years, cassettes pile up on the shelves, surrounded by vintage audio equipment that could be in an antiques museum.
  • Despite the store being closed for years, Benhaoua said he wanted it to become "a place for artists to meet and for new talent to be discovered".
    Despite the store being closed for years, Benhaoua said he wanted it to become "a place for artists to meet and for new talent to be discovered".
  • Benhaoua said the young singer has also put the spotlight on Oran, with his video clip young people on mopeds and dancing in the street shot in the city.
    Benhaoua said the young singer has also put the spotlight on Oran, with his video clip young people on mopeds and dancing in the street shot in the city.
  • Benhaoua visits the grave of Cheb Hasni, who was murdered in 1994, in Algeria's northern city of Oran.
    Benhaoua visits the grave of Cheb Hasni, who was murdered in 1994, in Algeria's northern city of Oran.

MENA

DJ Snake song boosts Algerian record label Disco Maghreb - in pictures

A hit song has attracted young fans to the studio in the city of Oran

The National

August 27, 2022

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Updated: August 27, 2022, 10:54 AM
AlgeriaPhotography