Baaziz | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Abdelaziz Bekhti |
Born | 1963 (age 60–61) Cherchell, Algeria |
Instrument(s) | Guitar |
Years active | 1989–present |
Baaziz, stage name of Abdelaziz Bekhti, (born 1963 in Cherchell, northern Algeria) is an Algerian singer and songwriter.
Though resident in France, Baaziz is one of Algeria's most outspoken singer/songwriters. [1] Baaziz first attracted attention with his debut 1989 single, "ya Hasrah kikount Esseghir" (English: Once upon a time I was a kid), which he based on a song by the genial Rachid Ksentini. Throughout most of his career he was banned from airplay on Algerian radio and TV. [2] However, his most successful tune, "Algeria My Love," led to special recognition from President Bouteflika. [3] Acceptance by the Algerian government, however, was short-lived. His decision to perform a song denouncing Algeria's generals, "Waili Waili," on a live-broadcast television show despite warnings resulted in him being censured. [4] Though a contemporary of musicians such as Cheb Hasni, Cheba Djanet, Khaled and Faudel, Baaziz is not a singer of Raï music.
In 2008 Baaziz announced his intention to stand in the forthcoming Algerian presidential election. [5] The candidacy did not, however, materialise and he announced that he would not be supporting any of the candidates. [6]