Najim
Encyclopedia
Najim also known as Cheb Najim (born in Suresnes
, France in 18 January 1985) is a French raï
singer of Algeria
n origin. He is signed to EMI/Virgin Music France.
to live with his grandparents in Bordj Bou Arréridj
, in east Algeria.
He started in music very young at 6 with his uncles who were accomplished musicians. He performed on many social occasions singing mostly Sétifian music. At 15 he accompanied his uncles on a musical tour that took him to major Algerian cities. He also appeared on shows on Algerian television.
in 2001, the 17-year old Najim was reunited with his mother for the first time. In 2003, after finishing his studies, he moved permanently to France performing at different night spots in and around Paris. This is how he met Salah Rahoui (in Arabic
صالح رحوي) who had written songs for Khaled
, Cheba Zahouania, Cheb Sahraoui
, Cheb Akil, Gypsy Kings. The resulting independent debut album of Najim in 2004 Kount Enhawes won great accolades and sold 8000 copies. Most of the material appears again in his first official studio album Hasbtak ana.
In 2007, with being signed Virgin Music France, Najim came back with his second official studio album Saba again produced by Salah Rahoui retro and modern sounds with great help from established names in raï
. The album was notable for collaboration including Albi Montana and Larsen. He also found great support when the great diva of rai music Cheikha Rimitti
sang a duo with him in the second album in te song "N'rouhou N'zourou".
Some of his songs have appeared on various compilations including Raï n'Funk (2006 compilation EMI Music France), on Coupé Décalé Mania, DJ Youcef's Raï A L'ancienne/Raï Nouvelle Génération, on Oran Oujda: Raï express, Arabianight 4 and on Urban raï and Urban raï Volume 2 (a Beur FM release).
Tracks:
Suresnes
Suresnes is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris. The nearest communes are Neuilly-sur-Seine, Puteaux, Rueil-Malmaison, Saint-Cloud and Boulogne-Billancourt...
, France in 18 January 1985) is a French raï
Raï
Raï is a form of folk music that originated in Oran, Algeria from Bedouin shepherds, mixed with Spanish, French, African and Arabic musical forms, which dates back to the 1930s....
singer of Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
n origin. He is signed to EMI/Virgin Music France.
Biography
Najim was born in France to an Algerian father and a French mother. Upon his parents' separation, Najim, just 3 months old, moved to AlgeriaAlgeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
to live with his grandparents in Bordj Bou Arréridj
Bordj Bou Arreridj
Bordj Bou Arréridj population 140,000 , is the capital city of Bordj Bou Arréridj Province, Algeria. It is situated 148 miles by road east of Algiers, near the Hodnar Massif in the southern Kabylia Mountains, at an elevation of 916 metres....
, in east Algeria.
He started in music very young at 6 with his uncles who were accomplished musicians. He performed on many social occasions singing mostly Sétifian music. At 15 he accompanied his uncles on a musical tour that took him to major Algerian cities. He also appeared on shows on Algerian television.
in 2001, the 17-year old Najim was reunited with his mother for the first time. In 2003, after finishing his studies, he moved permanently to France performing at different night spots in and around Paris. This is how he met Salah Rahoui (in Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
صالح رحوي) who had written songs for Khaled
Khaled (musician)
Khaled Hadj Ibrahim , better known as Khaled, is a raï singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist born in Sidi El Houari in Oran Province of Algeria...
, Cheba Zahouania, Cheb Sahraoui
Cheb Sahraoui
Cheb Sahraoui is an Algerian Raï musician, the first to tour North America and the first to incorporate electronic synthesizers into his arrangements....
, Cheb Akil, Gypsy Kings. The resulting independent debut album of Najim in 2004 Kount Enhawes won great accolades and sold 8000 copies. Most of the material appears again in his first official studio album Hasbtak ana.
In 2007, with being signed Virgin Music France, Najim came back with his second official studio album Saba again produced by Salah Rahoui retro and modern sounds with great help from established names in raï
Raï
Raï is a form of folk music that originated in Oran, Algeria from Bedouin shepherds, mixed with Spanish, French, African and Arabic musical forms, which dates back to the 1930s....
. The album was notable for collaboration including Albi Montana and Larsen. He also found great support when the great diva of rai music Cheikha Rimitti
Cheikha Rimitti
Cheikha Rimitti Cheikha Rimitti Cheikha Rimitti (born سعدية الغيزانية Saadia El Ghizania, (8 May 1923, Tessala, Algeria – d. 15 May 2006, Paris, France) was a popular Algerian raï female singer.-Early life:...
sang a duo with him in the second album in te song "N'rouhou N'zourou".
Collaborations
- "Jusqu'au bout du monde" is a duo by Willy DenzeyWilly DenzeyWilliam Thongrasamy, known under the pseudonym Willy Denzey is a Contemporary R&B and soul French-born singer with Laotian origins.-Biography:...
and Najim - "Ya mama" is a duo with Kenza FarahKenza FarahKenza Farah is an Algerian R&B singer. She is considered the second internet success story in the French music industry, after Yelle...
in 2004 - In his album Saba he includes "N'Rouhou N'Zourou" featuring Cheikha RimittiCheikha RimittiCheikha Rimitti Cheikha Rimitti Cheikha Rimitti (born سعدية الغيزانية Saadia El Ghizania, (8 May 1923, Tessala, Algeria – d. 15 May 2006, Paris, France) was a popular Algerian raï female singer.-Early life:...
, "Twahachtek Bezef" featuring Alibi Montana and "Raha Walete" featuring Larsen - In 2007, he is featured in a French remake of "Suddenly" a hit of the Swedish-Iranian Arash. Re-titled "Près de toi (Suddenly)", it is a multilingual song in French, English and Persian and contains a sampling of Algerian classic "Abdel Kader" with Arash featuring Najim and Swedish-Mexican star Rebecca ZadigRebecca ZadigRebecca Zadig is a Swedish singer.- Career :Rebecca Zadig was featured in Arash's song "Temptation". This song is a newer version of her own song "Temptation" which also featured Arash . Lyrics of the two songs differ considerably...
- Les DéessesLes DéessesLes Déesses were a French zouk and R&B girl group best known for their 2007 summer hit "On a changé".- History :Les Déesses originally come from the Caribbean and Africa. Lylah's parents come from Martinique and Guadeloupe, Edene's parents come from Guadeloupe and Philypa is from Cameroon...
included a song "Ca c'est bon" that features Najim and Caloudji (in the Déesses album Saveurs exotiques)
Some of his songs have appeared on various compilations including Raï n'Funk (2006 compilation EMI Music France), on Coupé Décalé Mania, DJ Youcef's Raï A L'ancienne/Raï Nouvelle Génération, on Oran Oujda: Raï express, Arabianight 4 and on Urban raï and Urban raï Volume 2 (a Beur FM release).
Albums
- 2004: Kount Enhawes (Aladin/WMO – Independent distribution)
- Tracks: Les Algériens • Chafitini Omri • L'Emigia • Kount Enhawes • Linagdabha Ya Mma • Min Fet El Hal • Galbi Manek • Ghalta Faïta • Gouaâdi Hdaya • Jit Nahkilek
- 2006: Hsabtek ana
- Tracks: Gouaâdi Hdaya • Chafitini Omri • Fananin Bladi • Galbi Manek • Ghalta Faïta • H'sabtek Ana • Jit Nahkilek • Kount Enhawes • L Emigia • Les Algériens • Linagdabha Ya Mma • Min Fet El Hal • N'rouhou N'zourou • Twahachtek Bezef
- 2007: Saba (EMI/Virgin)
Tracks:
- "H'sabtek Ana" [Peur de te donner mon coeur]
- "N'Rouhou N'Zourou" feat. ft Cheikha RimittiCheikha RimittiCheikha Rimitti Cheikha Rimitti Cheikha Rimitti (born سعدية الغيزانية Saadia El Ghizania, (8 May 1923, Tessala, Algeria – d. 15 May 2006, Paris, France) was a popular Algerian raï female singer.-Early life:...
[Célébration des Saints Patrons] - "Fananin Bladi" [Les artistes de mon pays]
- "Châal Sabrat" [Elle a tellement souffert]
- "Twahachtek Bezef" feat. Alibi Montana [Tu me manques]
- "Raha Walete" feat. Larsen [Elle est revenue]
- "Rani La Wahdi" [Je suis seul]
- "Elle Saba" [La récolte]
- "M'Ra Mataghbenhech" [Femme, ne la méprise pas]
- "Mesjoune" [Le Prisonnier]
- "Ya Zarga" [La Brune]
- "Saâdia"
Singles
- 2004: "Jusqu'au bout du monde" (Willy DenzeyWilly DenzeyWilliam Thongrasamy, known under the pseudonym Willy Denzey is a Contemporary R&B and soul French-born singer with Laotian origins.-Biography:...
& Najim) - 2004: "Ya mama" (with Kenza FarahKenza FarahKenza Farah is an Algerian R&B singer. She is considered the second internet success story in the French music industry, after Yelle...
) - 2009: "Près de toi (Suddenly)" (with Arash and RebeccaRebecca ZadigRebecca Zadig is a Swedish singer.- Career :Rebecca Zadig was featured in Arash's song "Temptation". This song is a newer version of her own song "Temptation" which also featured Arash . Lyrics of the two songs differ considerably...
) (EMI/Virgin) - 2011: "Oulach oulach khallouna tranquille"