"People understand the spirit, that's why I sing"

Rachid Taha in Morocco

From May 11-15, committed rock singer Rachid Taha held concerts in Fez, Kenitra and Casablanca, as part of a world tour with 120 shows. Shortly before his concert in Casablanca, the singer of "Ya Rayeh" ("Oh Wanderer!") shared his thoughts with "Morocco Times".

Morocco Times: Is this the first time you've been in Casablanca?

Rachid Taha: This is the first time I've come for a concert: I have already played in Casa once, but that was a very long time ago, and it wasn't a concert.

MT: How was it in Kenitra and Fez?

Rachid Taha: It was a premiere, but it went well. In Fez, many people listened to the concert from outside the room [only 500 out of 2.000 could fit in the concert room].

MT: Were there any reactions against you, as an Algerian?

Rachid Taha: No, never. Why, is there something wrong between Morocco and Algeria? [...] There are no problems between the Algerian and the Moroccan people...

MT: Aren't you bothered to play here after the "satanic rockers"' scandal?

Rachid Taha: I heard about that, but they got out of jail, didn't they? People do play rock in Morocco, right? Then everything's fine.

MT: How would you compare this album with previous ones?

Rachid Taha: I don't know, I consider it as a continuation.

MT: Why?

Rachid Taha: An album is never finished, there is always something missing. When you make one, you always try to do your best. When I play music, I try to improve. As in any other artistic field, I always try to do my best.

MT: Your latest album ("Tékitoi?") seems harsher than the others…

Rachid Taha: Harsher? But I only say the truth! Truth can be quite an interesting exercice, believe me.

MT: What do you expect from it?

Rachid Taha: That people listen. That the people in power hear what we think of them, what we didn't say. [...] It's a message to the authorities.

MT: Then you are the voice of the ordinary people…

Rachid Taha: I don't know. I try to be my voice. I get my feet wet, but I don't want to involve others in this.

MT: Are you talking about Algeria only?

Rachid Taha: No, not Algeria only, but rather the whole Arab world and beyond, even France and beyond: France itself is not always democratic, values such as equality or freedom are not always respected there.

MT: You plan to sing that in Lebanon too?

Rachid Taha: I already did in Jordan and Egypt. People liked it, even if they did not understand everything.

MT: What's you favourite song in "Tékitoi"?

Rachid Taha: Hum, maybe "Stenna".

MT: You are in your forties, and people say you are still a rebel: against what?

Rachid Taha: First, I am 46, that's nearly fifty. Second, I am a rebel against myself. [...] Being a rebel against oneself is not being satisfied with what you are, what you do, when you can do better. One must learn to go beyond one's personal comfort.

MT: You are also considered as the symbol of "mixed-race" France.

Rachid Taha: Certainly not. There is no such thing as a "mixed-race" France. There will never be a "mixed-race" France. I am fed up with this expression. It's pathetic, hopeless, stupid. It means nothing, it smells of SOS-Racism [to Rachid Taha SOS-Racism has become an "institution" symbolising a "cover-up for failed attempts at integration"]. France is full of people: Africans, Arabs, others, all of them different. These words, "mixed-race" France, are part of neo-colonialist speeches aimed at luring people into believing in a kind of "mixed-race" global metaphor.

MT: Do you have something in mind for your next album?

Rachid Taha: I do, but it's not ready yet. For the moment, I am on a tour scheduled to last until September. I am going to the Baltic States, to Russia, the United States, Spain...

MT: How are you going to make your message understood in Russia when most of your songs are in Darija*?

Rachid Taha: People understand the spirit, this is why I sing. In addition, the songs are translated in the album. By the way, I think I am the first Arab [singer] to go to Russia.

MT: In "Rock The Casbah", the mixture between rock and raï music seems natural...

Rachid Taha: That's right: it is natural. There is no difference between [the two styles of music], difference lies in the mind, in the way things are done, but the sound remains the same.

MT: In your previous album, "Medina", you sang with Moroccan group B'NET MARRAKECH. Are you planning to do something similar later?

Rachid Taha: I do not work like this. I prefer to work on the spur of the moment, but in my latest album, "Tékitoi?", you will find songs I performed with an Azerbaijani, a Beninese. In "Winta", I also sing with a Georgian.

MT: What is your message to Moroccans?

Rachid Taha: My only message to Moroccans is to hold tight, not give up and keep on struggling to be happy. However, [they must be aware that] they must pay for that happiness with part of their lives. That's the way it is.

MT: What about "Morocco Times" readers living abroad, especially in the United States?

Rachid Taha: Hold on kids, I am coming to see you guys in July, I will also be with you in Canada, Mexico, Columbia and even Argentina this summer.

MT: Columbia?

Rachid Taha: That's right, I was on top of the chart for a month there, funny, isn't it?

MT: On second thoughts, maybe not.

Rachid Taha [big smile]: Not at all.

­

Houda Filali-Ansary
"Morocco Times", 21.05.2005

* Darija: local North African dialect.