Abderrahmane Abdelli
Abderrahmane Abdelli | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 2, 1958 Mechta Behalil, Great Kabylie, Algeria |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, composer, writer |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Known for | Merging traditional North African musical elements with contemporary styles |
Abderrahmane Abdelli (born April 2, 1958) is a Berber singer-songwriter, composer, and writer distinguished for merging traditional North African musical elements with contemporary styles.
Biography
Abdelli entered the world in Mechta Behalil, located in Great Kabylie, Algeria, amid the Algerian War of Independence. His family was forced to flee after their village, Kennour in Tizi Ouzou Province, was targeted by French air raids. Following the conflict, they relocated to Dellys. During his childhood, Abdelli fashioned his initial guitar using an oil can, wood, and fishing line. He later mastered the guitar and was introduced to the Algerian mandole through Chaabi virtuoso Chaïd Moh-Esguir.
His musical career began in Dellys at the 1974 Algerian Independence festival, where he also secured victories in various amateur singing competitions across Algeria. Abdelli’s debut album came out in 1984 but achieved limited recognition; his 1986 release sold approximately 12,000 copies, although he did not receive royalties from the label. After releasing several albums in Algeria, he moved to Belgium in 1984. There he connected with producer Thierry Van Roy, who had conducted two years of research on Berber musical traditions at the University of Algiers. Since 1986, Abdelli has made Brussels his home base.
Among his most acclaimed works are the albums New Moon and Among Brothers. Abdelli has showcased his music at prominent European events including WOMAD and the 0110 concert held in Ghent, along with extensive tours throughout Europe, the United States, Canada, and England.
Influences
Abdelli’s artistry is firmly anchored in Algerian heritage. His songwriting evokes poetic depictions of endangered cultural traditions, drawing on symbols from Berber customs that emphasize values of tolerance and inclusiveness. His international collaborations have incorporated diverse instruments such as the Peruvian cajón, Chilean quena, and Ukrainian bandura.
Discography
- New Moon (1995)
- Au-delà de Gibraltar (2000)
- Among Brothers (2003)
- Destiny (2011)
Band members
- Roberto Lagos – charango, guitar, bombo
- Said Mohammed – ney
- Jazouli Azzedine – darbuka, tar, bendir
- Louis Ivan Leiva Alguinta – Latin percussion
- Abdelmajid Makrai Lamarti – violin
- Thierry Van Roy – keyboards
References
- Larkin, Colin (ed.) (1998) "Abdelli" The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (3rd ed.) MUZE, London
- Abdelli, A. (July 2003) "Asiram" Global Rhythm Magazine 12(7)
- Byrne, Jennifer (2004) "Abdelli Among Brothers" Sing Out! 48:1 p. 120