His name may not be familiar to Americans, but for millions of people in North Africa and Europe, his name is synonymous with "Yal music." At a time when all the youth of Algeria were caught up in raï music, Takfarinas was forging his own sound, a sort of musical esperantos deriving from the Kabyle songs of the last century. He named it "Yal music" after the rhythmic vocalized syllable "yal...laaa yal...lalala," which is inseparable from Kabyle song, from children's music to the great songs of the past. Zaama-Zaama, Zaama-Zaama, the chorus of his latest smash hit single, is on everyone's lips nowadays in France. Among the North African community in Europe, he is the prince of Kabyle, who uses his double-necked mandole and a powerful voice to deliver his message of love and universal understanding.

For as long as he can remember, Akli D. was surrounded by music in the little village in Kabylia, Algeria, where he was born. His mother, a traditional folk singer, used to sing him to sleep, and the rest of his family is very musical. He played in his first concert at the age of 13, in the school show of his native village in Kabylia. From then on, he decided never to let go of his guitar, which has become his passport, allowing him to travel the world meeting people, like a modern troubadour.
He listened to popular Kabyl singers, like Idir, Cheikh El Hasnaoui et Slimane Azem, but lent an attentive ear to Neil Young's and Bob Dylan's protest songs, to Jacques Higelin's wacky rock, to the Rasta movement, to the Mississipi Blues and to the echoes of the m'balax.
He arrived in France in the early 80's, fleeing a bitter Algeria, which was repressing Kabylia's demands for recognition.The « Berber Spring », marked by the army's repression, resulted in tens of deaths and hundreds of political prisoners.

Loundja and Zelgoum are orphans like the curent people that don’t hear about him. Early, in 1974, with Idir, he was a famous singer. He composed music and melodies in folk song, modern folklore and universal style. He introduced the guitar, the bass, the battery and the piano. His songs were appreciated in several countries. So, he introduced The Kabylia to the world with its traditions and tales. He worked also on the favour of Berber case. Meksa, you were an ace that died early on this sad October 31st, 1988. You were only 34 years old. But, you are still alive through yopur repertory.

Born in the 20th century in Tarihant, “a little village perched in the mountains not far from the sea�, he was from a modest background where you had to work to achieve anything, to pull through. So the little Kabyl got down to work and did very well at school. But soon, he would stray from the path that seemed mapped out for him, enrolling in the school of life where his guitar would be his most faithful mentor and his native Berber language his chosen discipline. In 1984, he formed a first group at secondary school, performing a patchwork of Bob Dylan, Jacques Brel, Paul Simon and Idir covers.This was the start of a fabulous adventure that was to last more than fifteen years before it culminated in the production of his first record. During that time, young Said chose a name that spoke volumes about his plans: Yelas, meaning “ever present�.

Idir was born in 1949 at Ait Lahcene a Berber village in Haute-Kabylia. IDIR's real name is Hamid Cheriet. This farmer's son started studying Geology and was destined for a career in the petroleum industry before his rise to stardom. Idir has been the ambassador of the Kabyle culture, especially the Kabyle music, with only his vocals and acoustic guitar. Idir has always used his status to claim his Berber (Amazigh) identity. His first album "A Vava inouva" came out in 1976, and the song "A Vava inouva" was translated into seven languages. After notable success, Idir wrote and recorded his second album "Ay Arrac Negh" (to our children) in 1979.