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Anchor Marco Werman tells about one song on the new CD by Algerian superstar Khaled. The song “Zabana” tells the story of Ahmed Zabana, a martyr in the Algerian War of Independence in the 1950s.
Khaled's oud player, foreground, with Salar Nader on the floor with tablas in background
As you may have heard last Friday, I spent the last couple of days in Las Vegas, covering a concert of Middle Eastern music that took place there on Saturday night. The headliner for that show was the Algerian rap superstar Khaled. He also has a new recording out called “Liberté” which has received rave reviews. During our interview, Khaled gave me a brief history lesson that provided the background to one of the songs on “Liberte.”
The song is called “Zabana.” It’s a popular name in the Algerian town of Oran where Khaled is from. There’s even a large sports arena there, the Zabana Stadium. It’s named after Ahmed Zabana, the most famous Zabana, and the inspiration for Khaled’s song.
“Je chante pour quelqu’un qui a donne sa vie pour mon pays.”
Khaled says he’s singing an homage for a man who gave his life for Algeria. So who was Ahmed Zabana?
“Cest le premier guillotine…”
Khaled describes Ahmed Zabana in a way that many Algerians remember him: the first person guillotined by the French in the Algerian War of Independence. Zabana was one of the leaders of a nationalist movement in Oran.
His group was part of the simultaneous attacks on French targets on day one of the Algerian War of Independence, November first, 1954. Zabana was taken prisoner by the French. Khaled admires Zabana he says because he was motivated — not out of hate for France — but for love of Algeria.
When the French came to get him, he didn’t shoot back says Khaled. He said, you looking for me? The French said, we’re going to convict you, we’re going to kill you.
Zabana said OK!
Khaled says there’s a significant phrase in his song: j’offre, or, I offer!
“I offer my blood for this beautiful Algeria, words that many Algerians to this day remember as Zabana’s final words.”
Algerian singer and composer Khaled there, with a short history lesson from his country.
His latest CD is titled “Liberte.”
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