Biography
Among the foremost folk figures of his era, recording artist Akli D fuses the North African sounds of his early years with blues, reggae, and other global idioms. Born Akli Dehlis in the village of Kerouan, he grew up steeped in the traditions of the Berber people, the pre-Arab inhabitants of the southern Mediterranean coastline. His mother worked as a folksinger, so music came to him instinctively. In his teens he began merging the melodies of his heritage with those broadcast on American and French radio. Regional political conflict drove him to France, where he performed as a street musician in Paris and its surroundings. Although he pursued other artistic work as an accompanist and actor, he devoted most of his energy to composition. By testing an array of styles he assembled a large body of original material. After living for a time in the U.S. and U.K., he issued his first album, Anefas Trankil, in 2001. The record wove together multiple musical idioms and lyrics in several languages, reflecting his singular multicultural roots. Several years later his path shifted at a corner café known to Arabs and North Africans for its late-night jam sessions. There he met Manu Chao, the Spanish folk/fusion star, who was struck by the poetic force of his lyrics and his singular instrumental voice. Chao proposed they make a record, and Ma Yela soon followed. Boldly eclectic and daring, the album held a place in the World Music Charts Europe Top 20 for five months.
Albums
