Cheb Bilal - Chriki

revdkenhoward

Review by Ken Howard

Chriki by Cheb Bilal: A Raï Riot That Punches You in the Ears (In a Good Way) Alright, let’s get this straight—Cheb Bilal’s Chriki isn’t your grandma’s folk album unless your grandma’s into raw, unfiltered Arabic vibes with enough grit to shake up Belgium. Released back in 2005 on Fassiphone Records, this sucker dives deep into the world of Raï music, blending Folk, World, and Country influences like it ain’t no thang. But don’t go thinking this is some polished studio fluff; nah, this album hits hard, fast, and leaves you reeling. First off, let’s talk about “Ghbentini Ya Benya.” This track slaps so hard I almost forgot my own name the first time I heard it. The beat? Relentless. The vocals? Like a punch to the gut but in that good, emotional way. It’s one of those songs where you feel every damn word even if you don’t speak Arabic. Bilal just pours his soul out here, man, screaming about love, life, or whatever personal chaos he was dealing with at the time. And honestly? You don’t need Google Translate for this one—it’s all in the delivery. If this song doesn’t make you wanna grab someone by the shoulders and scream along, check your pulse. Then there’s “Ksemti Beleh,” which flips the mood completely. Where “Ghbentini” is chaotic energy, this one’s smooth as hell, creeping up on you like a sneaky cat ready to pounce. The rhythm is hypnotic, pulling you in until you’re nodding your head without even realizing it. There’s something kinda magical about how Bilal layers his voice over those traditional instruments—it’s old-school meets new-school, and it works. By the end of the track, you’ll either be dancing around your room or staring blankly into space wondering what just happened to your brain. Either way, mission accomplished. The rest of the album keeps things spicy too. Tracks like “Rek Retard” and “A L’aise” bring their own swagger, switching between high-energy bangers and chill-as-fuck moments that keep you guessing. And yeah, okay, fine—some tracks repeat titles (cough “La Classe” cough), but who cares when they hit different each time? It’s not lazy; it’s artistic freedom. Fight me. Here’s the kicker though: listening to Chriki feels like stepping into another dimension where genres don’t exist, and rules are more like loose suggestions. Cheb Bilal didn’t just make an album—he threw down a challenge to anyone trying to box him into one category. And honestly? That’s why it sticks. Years later, I still can’t decide if this thing is a masterpiece or just gloriously messy—but maybe that’s the point. So yeah, give Chriki a spin if you’re tired of cookie-cutter crap and want something real. Just don’t blame me if it messes with your head. Oh, and fun fact: turns out raï music pairs surprisingly well with existential crises. Who knew?

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: cheb-bilal-chriki.zip
  • MP3 size: 91 mb
  • FLAC size: 401.7 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Ksemti Beleh5:10
Ghbentini Ya Denya5:14
Ksemti Bellah5:10
A L'aise5:30
A l'aise5:30
Rak Retard5:15
Chriki5:17
La classe5:44
Kharejelha Tay Tay5:12
Gouli Gouli5:21
La Classe5:44
Ghbentini Ya Benya5:14
Rek Retard5:15

Images

lataa albumi Cheb Bilal - Chriki
ladda ner album Cheb Bilal - Chriki

Catalog Numbers

CD FES 207

Labels

Fassiphone

Listen online

  • écouter en ligne
  • lytte på nettet
  • escuchar en línea
  • kuunnella verkossa
  • ascolta in linea
  • online luisteren
  • lyssna på nätet
  • ouvir online
  • online anhören

Formats

  • CD
  • Album
  • Stereo

Barcodes

Barcode: 5413595900207

About Cheb Bilal

الشاب بلال () (born 1966) is an Algerian rai-singer.

Real Name

    • موفق بلال (Muwaffaq Bilāl)

Name Vars

  • Bilal
  • Bilal Mouafaq
  • Bilal Moufok
  • Bilal Moulok
  • Billal
  • Cheb Billal
  • Moufok Bilal
  • الشاب بلال
  • بلال

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? The album *Chriki* by Cheb Bilal is a vibrant mix of Raï music, blending Arabic folk traditions with modern beats. Released in 2005 in Belgium under the label Fassiphone, it features tracks like "Ghbentini Ya Benya" and "La Classe." Fun fact: some tracks are listed twice, like "A L'Aise" and "La Classe," but they might have slight variations. It’s wild how this genre crosses borders, staying rooted in culture while evolving.