Gnawa Diffusion
Encyclopedia
Gnawa Diffusion is a French
and Algeria
n Gnawa music
band based in Paris
, France
. The group's lead singer, Amazigh (literally meaning 'Free Man' in Tamazight
), is the son of the Algeria
n writer and poet Kateb Yacine
. Although there is a strong Gnawa influence, the band is noted for its mix of reggae and roots music. Gnawa Diffusion is very popular in Algeria and is also well known in many other countries including Morocco and France. The band's lyrics are in Arabic
, Tamazight
, French
and English
. Gnawa Diffusion started their career in 1993 with the release of the album Légitime différence.
Members of the band:
The lead singer's lyrics are often controversial. Themes range from discussions of poverty in Algeria
or corruption in government to denunciations of global military actions and perceived imperialism. Nevertheless, in spite of a strong political direction, this band also has more entrancing numbers which focus on self-determination and improvement.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
n Gnawa music
Gnawa music
Gnawa music is a mixture of sub-Saharan African, Berber, and Sufi religious songs and rhythms. It combines music and acrobatic dancing. The music is both a prayer and a celebration of life...
band based in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The group's lead singer, Amazigh (literally meaning 'Free Man' in Tamazight
Berber languages
The Berber languages are a family of languages indigenous to North Africa, spoken from Siwa Oasis in Egypt to Morocco , and south to the countries of the Sahara Desert...
), is the son of the Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
n writer and poet Kateb Yacine
Kateb Yacine
Kateb Yacine was an Algerian writer notable for his novels and plays, both in French and Algerian Arabic dialect, and his advocacy of the Algerian Berber cause.-Biography:...
. Although there is a strong Gnawa influence, the band is noted for its mix of reggae and roots music. Gnawa Diffusion is very popular in Algeria and is also well known in many other countries including Morocco and France. The band's lyrics are in Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
, Tamazight
Berber languages
The Berber languages are a family of languages indigenous to North Africa, spoken from Siwa Oasis in Egypt to Morocco , and south to the countries of the Sahara Desert...
, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. Gnawa Diffusion started their career in 1993 with the release of the album Légitime différence.
Members of the band:
- Amazigh KatebAmazigh KatebAmazigh Kateb is an Algerian singer and musician.He emigrated to France in 1988, he was the main figure of the group in Grenoble Gnawa Diffusion . He is the son of the famous writer Kateb Yacine, founder of the modern Algerian literature...
- vocal and gimbri - Mohamed Abdenour - mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, banjoBanjoIn the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
, krakebsKrakebsKrakebs or garagab ) are large metal castanet-like musical instruments which are the primary rhythmic component of Gnawa music. They are used primarily in Morocco and Algeria and are considered to be a hypnotic instrument, allowing people to be engulfed in a trance-like state....
, choir - Pierre Bonnet - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Philippe Bonnet - drums
- Salah Meguiba - Keyboard, oriental percussion , choir
- Pierre Feugier - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, choir, krakebsKrakebsKrakebs or garagab ) are large metal castanet-like musical instruments which are the primary rhythmic component of Gnawa music. They are used primarily in Morocco and Algeria and are considered to be a hypnotic instrument, allowing people to be engulfed in a trance-like state.... - Abdel Aziz Maysour
- Amar Chaoui - percussionist, choirChoirA choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
The lead singer's lyrics are often controversial. Themes range from discussions of poverty in Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
or corruption in government to denunciations of global military actions and perceived imperialism. Nevertheless, in spite of a strong political direction, this band also has more entrancing numbers which focus on self-determination and improvement.
Discography
- 2007: Fucking Cowboys (D'JAMAZ Production)
- 2003: Souk System (WarnerWarner Music GroupWarner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
) - 2002: DZ Live (Next Musique)
- 1999: Bab el Oued - Kingston (Musisoft)
- 1997: Algeria (MelodieMelodie"Melodie" is a hip-hop ballad by German rapper Kool Savas. It features Senna Guemmour, member of pop group Monrose, and R&B singer Moe Mitchell. The single released on April 18, 2008.- Music video :...
) - 1993: Légitime différence
External links
- Official homepage
- http://www.africultures.com/anglais/articles_anglais/Gnawa.htm - an interview with the lead singer in English.
- http://www.evene.fr/musique/actualite/interview-de-amazigh-kateb-gnawa-diffusion-551.php- French interview.