Najim

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This article is about the singer. For other uses, see Najim (disambiguation).
Najim
Born (1985-01-18) 18 January 1985
Origin Suresnes, France
Genres raï
Occupations Singer
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2004–present
Labels EMI/Virgin Music France
Associated acts Salah Rahoui
Website Official Site

Najim (Arabic: نجيم‎) also known as Cheb Najim (الشاب نجيم‎) (born in Suresnes, France in 18 January 1985) is an Algerian / French raï singer. 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 Algeria 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[1] 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 to 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 the song "N'rouhou N'zourou".[2]

Collaborations

  • "Jusqu'au bout du monde" is a duo by Willy Denzey and Najim
  • "Ya mama" is a duo with Kenza Farah in 2004
  • In his album Saba he includes "N'Rouhou N'Zourou" featuring Cheikha Rimitti, "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 Zadig
  • Les Déesses 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).

Discography

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:

  1. "H'sabtek Ana" [Peur de te donner mon coeur]
  2. "N'Rouhou N'Zourou" feat. ft Cheikha Rimitti [Célébration des Saints Patrons]
  3. "Fananin Bladi" [Les artistes de mon pays]
  4. "Châal Sabrat" [Elle a tellement souffert]
  5. "Twahachtek Bezef" feat. Alibi Montana [Tu me manques]
  6. "Raha Walete" feat. Larsen [Elle est revenue]
  7. "Rani La Wahdi" [Je suis seul]
  8. "Elle Saba" [La récolte]
  9. "M'Ra Mataghbenhech" [Femme, ne la méprise pas]
  10. "Mesjoune" [Le Prisonnier]
  11. "Ya Zarga" [La Brune]
  12. "Saâdia"

Singles

  • 2004: "Jusqu'au bout du monde" (Willy Denzey & Najim)
  • 2004: "Ya mama" (with Kenza Farah)
  • 2009: "Près de toi (Suddenly)" (with Arash and Rebecca) (EMI/Virgin)
  • 2011: "Oulach oulach khallouna tranquille"

References

  1. ↑ Etoile Arabe article on Cheb Najim
  2. ↑ Radio France International: La récolte de Najim – Le changement dans la continuité (in French)

External links

Authority control
Raï musicians
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