Messaoud Bellemou

Messaoud Bellemou, sometimes referred to as Bellemou Messaoud (* 1950 in Ain Temouchent ), is an Algerian raï musician, trumpet player and pioneer of modern pop Raï, whose name goes back to him. He is often referred to as the "Father of Rai ".

Bellemou grew up in Ain Temouchent up the son of a farmer family. His French primary school teachers encouraged him to learn in the local brass band trumpet, also capture the bugle. Bellemou initially joined on at festivals, weddings and football games.

Had strong influence on him of the Paso Doble, next to the classical music Raï performers, such as Cheikha Ouachma, Cheikha Bekhta and Cheikh Brahim. He also began to adapt western music, such as jazz.

From 1962 he reformed, among other next to the singer Belkacem Bouteldja, with whom he worked from 1969 to 1979, the instrumentation of the traditional Rai. He built it in addition to conventional instruments such as guellal, tabla and karbakou well as modern instruments such as the accordion or other brass instruments, which replaced the original flute part ( gasba ). The classical flute melodies he strongly rhythmic.

Bellemou also collaborated with other Algerian singers like Benfissa Younes, Hadjoun Hamani or Sghir Boutaiba. In 1974 he coined the term " Pop Raï " and labeled as the historical break between the classic style of the Cheiks and the modern style of Cheb. In the 1970s he was the discoverer of Chaba Fadela and arranged in 1978 their first major hit " Ana Ma H'Lali Ennoun ". In 1985 he took part in Oran on the first official Raï Festival.