Baaziz

Born into a family where his father played music and his sibling worked in paint, Baaziz ranks among Algeria’s boldest voices in songwriting. Earned the respectful moniker “Algerian Bob Dylan,” he cultivated a devoted audience even after ENTV and Channel Algeria barred his recordings from broadcast. Attention first came his way through the 1989 debut single “ya Hasrah kikount Esseghir,” modeled directly on a composition by Rachid Ksentini. Enduring popularity belongs to “Algeria My Love,” still performed by Algerian vocalists and honored with personal acknowledgment from President Bouteflika. That official tolerance proved fleeting. Defying explicit cautions, Baaziz delivered the anti-generals protest piece “Waili Waili” on live television, prompting official rebuke. He makes his home in France.