French-Algerian Rai Star Rachid Taha dies at 59

Algerian-born singer Rachid Taha has died of a heart attack at home in Paris aged 59, his family said.

Taha was born on Algeria’s north-west coast in 1958 and moved with his family to Lyon aged 10.

He rose to prominence as the lead singer of Arabic-language group Carte de Séjour, which blended Western punk rock with Algerian Maghrebi music.

His other famous songs include a version of Douce France with Carte de Séjour, as well as his cover of song Ya Rayah as a solo artist.

“All those memories: the success of Ya rayah, the historic ‘1,2,3 soleils’ gig, the parties, the chats and laughter all night long! How sad…! RIP dear friend”,  French producer Pascal Nègre wrote on Twitter.

Que de souvenirs professionnels:le succès de Ya rayah , le concert historique de 1,2,3 soleils et que de fêtes de discussions et de rire jusqu’à la fin de la nuit !Quelle tristesse ..! RIP l’ami #Rachidtaha https://t.co/2IKKnJeMkp

— PascalNegre (@PascalNegre) September 12, 2018

Taha was preparing to release a new album with the label Believe.