World Beats

Artists Releases News Videos Events About Facebook Twitter Search

Abdel Ali Slimani Youth In Algeria

Abdel Ali Slimani was born in the U Anasser district of Algiers, the heart of a vibrant cosmopolitan port with one eye on Europe, the other on Africa. Music was a pervasive aspect of his childhood, from traditional Saharan and Berber dances to Western funk to reggae and Arab styles. During his teens he witnessed the explosion of Rai music, a youthful revolution headed by Khaled. Ali was entranced and dreamed of becoming a singer.

Move to England

After traveling and working around Europe he settled in England, where he became known as a DJ and Raï enthusiast amongst the North African community in London, whipping up storms at weddings and parties as well as singing and playing impromptu sessions.

In 1991, when Jah Wobble was looking for a new singer for his Invaders of the Heart band, Ali came to his attention. Within three weeks of their first meeting, he was singing onstage at a WOMAD festival in Toronto, Canada. The new Invaders line-up caused a sensation.

Over the next three years Ali Slimani was an integral part of the Invaders of the Heart line-up, which transcended musical boundaries and created powerful and inspiring music, in concerts all over the world and on record. His contribution to the classic Take Me To God album was considered by many to be a highlight of a star-studded recording.

Television Debut

Ali duetted with Sinéad O’Connor on the 12″ version of her Fire In Babylon single, and put in an astonishing performance on Top of the Pops— the first Arab singer ever to appear on the legendary TV programme.

Aldel Ali Slimani

Algeria

Album Mraya

Label Real World

Year 1995

New Releases Veeti Seppanen

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Quis earum maxime voluptatibus odio voluptatem deleniti quia quas ab, reprehenderit est nisi, ullam in provident dolore accusamus. Provident cupiditate, nam suscipit.

Luukas Haapala

Aidyn Cody

Rosa Johansen