Music

Raï, a pop-flavored, opinionated take on folk music with international performers such as Khaled and Cheb Mami, is the most well-known Algerian musical genre overseas. In Algeria, raï is still the most popular, while the elder generation prefers shaabi, as sung by Dahmane El Harrachi. While the tuneful melodies of Kabyle music, as demonstrated by Idir, Ait Menguellet, and Lounès Matoub, have a large following. This is one of unique cultural characteristics of Algeria.

Andalusi music, brought from Al-Andalus by Morisco refugees, is preserved in many older coastal communities for more classical tastes. For a more modern look, the English-born and Algerian-descent Potent C is progressively gaining popularity among younger generations. It is a collective and worldwide genre that combines folk, raï, and British hip hop.

Although "raï" is accepted and lauded as a bright cultural emblem for Algeria, there was a moment after independence when raï's encountered major cultural and political conflicts with Islamic and government policies and practices. As a result, the distribution and expression of raï music became extremely difficult. However, "The government abruptly altered course in mid-1985. This was partly owing to the campaigning of Colonel Snoussi, a former liberation army officer turned pop music mogul who intended to benefit from raï if it could be mainstreamed ".

Furthermore, considering the relationship between the two countries, the Algerian government was happy with the music's growing popularity in France. Although the music is more broadly tolerated on a political level, it still has serious conflicts with Algeria's Muslim population.