Djamel Laroussi (Algeria)

Born in Algiers, Djamel Laroussi studied at the Conservatory of Cologne in Germany, becoming the first African admitted to its jazz program and graduating with honors. A left-handed guitarist known for his upside-down playing style, he has performed internationally and collaborated with many artists, including Stevie Wonder. His distinctive sound blends North African, Latin, and Caribbean influences, mixing Gnawa trance, raï, rock, and jazz with salsa, Middle Eastern, and funk rhythms. As Algeria’s representative for UNICEF, Laroussi promotes intercultural dialogue and expresses a message of unity through his soulful voice and inventive guitar work.

Featured Song:

“Kifach Hilti” (What is My Strategy, Oh My People) dives deep into the fire of love. The narrator, wounded by desire, speaks of the sultan of love who has conquered his heart and left him powerless. Between surrender and resistance, pain and devotion, he searches for healing in wisdom but learns that his wound is the mark of true lovers a kind of sacred madness. In the final verse, the song turns contemplative, it reminds us to live fully, to seek forgiveness, and to find peace in the sincerity of the soul.

Artist Website

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