Halid Raşid Taha Fadıl Abdulkadir

Faudel (فضيل), born Faudel Belloua (فضيل بيلوى) on June 6, 1978 in ManteslaJolie, is a French singer of Algerian descent, considered the Prince of Raï. He grew up in the suburbs of Paris, where he picked up his musical talents from his grandmother who taught him traditional Algerian music. His first public singing experience was during a family wedding celebration in Oran, Algeria. Faudel started to cover the popular tracks by Cheb Khaled and Cheb Mami at 12, after which he soon fronted the popular band Les Etoiles du Raï. His debut album, Baida, catapulted him to fame. He has also performed with Khaled and Rachid Taha on the live album 1, 2, 3 Soleils. His other albums include Samra and his album Un Autre Soleil (released Sept. 2003) and, most recently, Mundial Corrida (2006). He also has acted in a few roles, including Happenstance (Le Battement d ailes du papillon) with Audrey Tauto