Cheb Bilal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cheb Bilal الشاب بلال
Background information
Birth name	Bilal Mouffok موفق بلال
Born	(1966-07-23) 23 July 1966 (age 57) Cherchell, Algeria
Genres	Raï
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1980–present
Labels	RedSone, Sun House, AVM Edition

Cheb Bilal (Arabic: الشاب بلال. born Bilal Mouffok, موفق بلال) is an Algerian raï singer, who was born on 23 July 1966 in Cherchell, Algeria. He produces traditional music that includes instruments like congas and violins.

Career

Bilal spent much of his youth in Oran, where he studied at the conservatory of music. He was raised by his grandparents after his parents divorced at a young age.

Initially, Cheb Bilal performed at weddings and festivals around Oran. In 1980, he created the group El Ahouar. In 1989 he went to Marseille, France, which he described as a turning point in his career.