A courant of music that our elders treasured and felt seen by, Raï music was, throughout the 1980s and 1990s, a form of folk expression that spoke to the struggles and dreams of an entire generation across North Africa. With roots stemming from the coastal city of Oran, Algeria, its spirited lyrics and rebellious edge quickly spread across its borders, spilling into Morocco and Tunisia, and even infiltrating European airwaves, to soundtrack the lives of countless people searching for a voice of their own.
Translating to “opinion,” Raï touched on topics that were, at the time at least, deemed immoral or taboo. Thanks to the genre, matters that were usually swept under the rug finally found room to roam in public spaces and outdoor speakers, opening conversations that many were too afraid to spark. And when you consider Cheb Hasni, one of Raï’s most respected figures, was murdered at the hands of those that couldn’t handle his music, it’s easy to understand just how threatening this genre was to some.
As Raï evolved alongside its audience, throughout the years, traditional instruments made way for more electronic elements to take centre stage, taking inspiration from other forms of sounds, notably RnB and hip-hop, to meet the changing tastes of modern listeners. And as Raï welcomed the 21st century with open arms, its DNA was slowly altered, birthing a sub-movement from within that went on to be praised for its clever balance of old and new.
By the mid-2000s, the region’s youth, as well as its diaspora, had found a new set of rhythms to dance to, aptly named Raï’N’B. Spearheaded by French-Algerian duo DJ Kore and Skalp, the traditional form of music’s new formula, a hybrid of Raï with, you guessed it, RnB, took over the charts in mainland Europe and the African continent, occupying most top spots on North African hit rankings. Culminating with the release of four projects, dubbed Raï’N’B Fever, the movement cemented its place as a cultural cornerstone for a whole generation caught between tradition and modernity.
Featuring the likes of Cheb Khaled, Cheb Mami, and Cheikha Rmitti alongside other icons of the time, such as Moroccan rapper La Fouine, American singer and actress Kelly Rowland, as well as one of the best-selling Latin music artists of all time, Ricky Martin, the series proved just how adaptable Raï is, ensuring its relevance as it continued to develop.
Under the creative leadership of DJ Kore and Skalp, Raï’N’B became a sensation between 2004 and 2011, a period during which four projects were successively released. Enjoying wide-spread acclaim and earning itself a loyal fan base, sadly, the sub-pocket of music, as well as its parent genre, faded into the background as EDM, electro, and their various iterations took over, pushing them both into the nostalgia box.
However, there are signs that they might be making a comeback. From what we know, a fifth Raï’N’B album is on the horizon, teased by a string of releases, courtesy of DJ Kore himself. Four singles have already dropped—featuring Belgian-Moroccan artist Hamza along with ElGrandeToto, French rapper Franglish, pop-singer Leslie, as well as Algerian artists Rim’K and Cheb Abbey.
Whether or not Raï’N’B will regain its former success is yet to be seen, but Raï’s rhythms, percussions, and arrangements, as a whole, have certainly influenced today’s scene greatly, with many present-day artists using some of its signature elements to offer another fresh rendition of the age-old genre. For us though, we’re adamant that it’ll be making a comeback this year. And as 2025 just started and we continue to hunt down the trends that will define the next 12-months of music, below, we listed four reasons why Raï and Raï’N’B’s will make a major comeback.
We love tapping into nostalgia
With young listeners increasingly drawn to sounds and cultural touchstones from previous decades, Raï and Raï’N’B leaning artists could capitalize on this craving for authenticity and tradition by blending it with familiarity and newness. As our region thrives on remembering “the good old days,” both genres could tap into this sentiment to experience a resurgence— especially when so many pictures of young Cheb Khaled are going around the internet.
Regional artists have already jumped on the bandwagon
At home or in the diaspora, artists have totally picked up on the fact that nostalgia, mixed with Raï’s infectious energy, is a winning combo. Take part-Palestinian hitmaker Saint Levant, for example, who recently teamed up with Algerian legend Cheb Bilal for a track that’s the perfect mix of old-school Raï and modern pop. In France, French-Algerian singer Danyl has made this combination the backbone of his music, while Algiers-born artist TIF taps into some of its influences whenever he sees fit—and since he has, he’s become a recurring sight at the top of music charts.
As for Raï’N’B, it’s a genre built for Third Culture Kids
As children of the diaspora, we often find ourselves in a liminal space, navigating between identities. This genre bridges that gap, using references that resonate with those who share that same experience. By the early 2000s, Arabic music had already established a presence in France, with iconic artists like Cheb Khaled and Cheb Mami touring and charting hits like Aïcha and Parisien du Nord. But Raï’n’B was different. Its target audience was distinct, and Kore—son of immigrants raised in France—crafted a sound that reflected his own story, one that resonated with millions of others in the country. At a time when the French elite were beginning to question the role of immigrants in French society, this music gave voice to a generation looking for recognition and a place to call their own. And while France might be where it all started, the reality is, the diaspora’s story is universal. Whether you’re in Europe, the U.S. , or anywhere else, the experiences of navigating multiple identities and experiencing different cultures hit home for so many people, and by the looks of it, they’ll be under Raï’s sonic guise.
Arab or not, everyone knows a Raï song (or two)
If you tuned into most stations across North Africa 20-years-ago, what would you hear? Raï. Just Raï. On the other side of the Mediterranean, it was the same—Raï music was everywhere, even reaching as far as the English-speaking world, following Cheb Mami’s feature with Sting, Desert Rose. The point is, whether you were of Arab descent or not, you knew the lyrics, or at least could hum along. No matter where you were from, or whether you spoke Arabic mixed with French, or vice versa, you felt the connection. And it’s time to bring those days back.