The Rockers who challenged Algeria’s music scene
From the vibrant streets of Paris to the conservative music scene of Algeria, Les Abranis were a group that defied expectations and pushed boundaries. Comprised of Kabyle Amazigh French Algerians, their love for rock and roll not only brought them together but also propelled them into the spotlight. Their electrifying performance at the Festival of Modern Algerian Song in 1973 was a game changer, as they cranked out raw and primitive garage-based rock music while singing in their native Tamazight language. With their identity tied to a group that had been heavily discriminated against, Les Abranis made a bold political statement through their music. This is their story.
Les Abranis were an Algerian rock band consisting of Algerians, who used their love for rock and roll to push the boundaries of Algeria’s conservative music scene. Two of the members, Shamy El Baz and Karim Abdenour, met in Paris in the 1960s, bonding over their shared passion for music. They shocked Algeria’s television and live audience in 1973 when they performed at the Festival of Modern Algerian Song (FMAS) in Algiers, cranking out primitive garage-based rock music while singing in their native Tamazight language.
Algeria’s government had heavily discriminated against the Kabyle Amazigh community since the country gained independence from France in 1962. By singing in Tamazight, Les Abranis identified themselves with this group and made a political statement through their music.
Les Abranis drew inspiration from a range of music genres, including Fela, James Brown, and Jimi Hendrix. They also leveraged their membership in a cosmopolitan North African diaspora in Paris to create music that still seems radical to this day.
Their music spans a decade of recordings and demonstrates their effortless ability to tap into music that has connections to disco, garage rock, and reggae without ever hardening into any of it. The best tracks show a band that chipped away at the edges of any given style, creating a unique sound that revolutionized Algeria’s music scene.
