C'est La Vie

Khaled, “C’est la Vie” (This is life) Universal Music France, 2012

ALL TRACKS FCC CLEAN Reviewed by Abu Ramses

Khaled’s first album in 5 years after a hiatus due to the 2011 Arab uprisings. Title song & 8 other tracks composed & produced by Moroccan-Swedish RedOne (who worked with Lady Gaga & Jennifer Lopez). The “C’est la Vie” single and video were summer 2012 hits, ending a 3-year dry spell for Khaled. The album transcends Khaled’s Algerian rai roots & aims for a world audience, using disco beats, French pop, rap, & flamenco. The crowd danced through his Nov. 13, 2013 concert at the Olympia in Paris. “The King of Rai” remains an icon of Franco-Algerian culture & a voice for secular, cosmopolitan coexistence despite his dicey friendship with Morocco’s King Muhammad VI.

Try 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12

Tracks
1. C'est La Vie – disco-dance & rai: On va s'aimer (We’ll love); On va danser (We’ll dance); Oui c'est la vie (Yes, this is life); Lala, lalala - 3:49
2. Hiya Hiya – rai and rap feat. Pitbull – 3:25
3. Encore Une Fois (Once again) – Khaled’s version of a “mellow” ballad; some English - 3:27
4. Ana Âacheck (I love you) - Back to Arabic disco – 3:09
5. Dima Labess – feat. The Moroccan group Mazagan, dedicated to modernizing traditional popular music; North African percussion - 2:50
6. Elle Est Partie (She left) – Franco-Algerian lyrics; prominent strings; Flamenco style – 3:29
7. Laila - duet with Lebanese Marwan Khoury; romantic Arab pop - 4:22
8. Andalucia – Flamenco style, of course - 3:14
9. El Harraga – North African instrumentation; dedicated “to those who immigrate to Europe seeking their fortune” - 3:24
10. Bab Jenna (Heaven’s door) – Sad, mid-tempo; “pray for me mother, your son in trouble” - 4:13
11. Wili Wili (My hell) – Ballad of unrequited love; big disco beat – 3:59
12. Samira - Upbeat love song: “Dance with me Samira” - 4:10