Lili Labassi

Lili Labassi, born Elie Moyal on September 17, 1897, in Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria, was a singer known for his contributions to the chaâbi and Arab-Andalusian music genres. Growing up in a Jewish family, he immersed himself in music from a young age. He began performing at local events in Algiers, where he honed his skills on various instruments and composed his own songs. By the 1930s, he established himself as a prominent figure in the chaâbi genre, known for hits like "Koulchi mâa el flouss" and "L’Orientale". He is credited with popularizing the francarabe song style. Following Algeria's independence in 1962, he moved to Nice, France. His career spanned several decades, culminating in posthumous releases such as Le Génie du chaâbi vol. 1- 1932-1939 (1995) and Le Génie du chaâbi vol. 2- 1940-1958 (1995). He passed away on April 28, 1969, in Paris.