rai
what it is
Raï is a popular music style that originated in Algeria in the 1930s, combining traditional Algerian folk music with Spanish, French, African and Arabic musical forms. Raï literally means "opinion" but is colloquially used as an interjection along the lines of "oh, yeah! " Traditionally sung by men, at the turn of the 20th century, female singers became common.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make rai a playlist
turn these 16 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is rai?
Raï is a popular music style that originated in Algeria in the 1930s, combining traditional Algerian folk music with Spanish, French, African and Arabic musical forms. Raï literally means "opinion" but is colloquially used as an interjection along the lines of "oh, yeah! " Traditionally sung by men, at the turn of the 20th century, female singers became common.
What are good rai albums to start with?
Try Khaled by Khaled, Dellali by Cheb Mami, The Definitive Collection by Rachid Taha, and Nouar by Cheikha Rimitti.
Who are some women making rai?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/rai/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making rai, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20