Idir

Hamid Cheriet (in Kabyle language Ḥamid Ceryat; 25 October 1949 – 2 May 2020), better known by his stage name Idir or Yidir, was an Algerian singer and Kabyle musician.Initially training to be a geologist, his interest for music was piqued when he was called to sing on state radio as a late substitute.After finishing his compulsory military service, he moved to France in 1975 and embarked on his career in music.Idir took a hiatus during the 1980s before returning in 1993.He was a passionate advocate of the Kabyle and Berber cultures.He died of pulmonary disease in 2020.

Idir was born in Ait Lahcene, Beni Yenni, Tizi Ouzou Province (part of French Algeria at the time) on 25 October 1949.He originally studied to become a geologist, and worked at an oil and gas field.In 1973, he was asked to be a late substitute for Nouara on Radio Algeria.He sang "A Vava Inouva", a lullaby that incorporated the "rich oral traditions" of his Berber culture.Although the song became popular, both in Algeria and abroad, Idir did not learn about this until after he finished his conscription.In 1975, he left for France to begin working on his debut album (also titled A Vava Inouva).The title track was translated into seven languages and became a success.Idir would later comment how "the song had chosen [him]".After releasing Ay Arrac Negh, he took a break from writing music throughout the 1980s.

Idir re-entered the music industry in 1993, releasing the album Les Chasseurs de Lumieres (The Light Hunters).He became known as a ardent advocate of the Kabyle and Berber cultures.In 1995, he performed together with his fellow Berber, Lounès Matoub, who was killed three years later.His 1999 album, Identités, featured him singing with Manu Chao, Dan Ar Braz, Maxime Le Forestier, Gnawa Diffusion, Zebda, Gilles Servat, Geoffrey Oryema, and the Berber National Orchestra.It was ultimately a widespread success.

The release of La France des couleurs coincided with the 2007 French presidential election, in which Idir championed multiculturalism and immigration.He released his final album, Ici et ailleurs (Here and Elsewhere) in 2017.The following year, he returned to his native Algeria after being away for 38 years (since 1980).He held a concert there in support of the protests that eventually led to the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Idir died on 2 May 2020 in Paris at the age of 70.He had been suffering of pulmonary fibrosis and was hospitalized two days before his death.News of his passing was first announced on his official Facebook page, apparently posted by his children.A message of condolence conveyed by Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the President of Algeria, via Twitter praised Idir as "an icon of Algerian art" and the country had "lost one of its monuments".

Idir participated in many concerts supporting different causes. For example, on June 22, 1995, more than 6,000 people attended a concert for peace, freedom and tolerance performed by the singer and his friend Khaled, initiators of the association "l'Algérie, la vie" (Algeria and life). Idir also took part in the concert in memory of Lounès Matoub, the Kabyle singer who was assassinated in 1998.

In 2001, Idir defended his national identity once again at "Le Zénith" in Paris at the "21st Berber Spring", a celebration of Berber culture.On July 8 that year, he organised a special fund-raising concert to support the population in Kabylie, at a time when anti-government riots were taking place in the predominantly-Berber region.Idir was joined by a number of stars and thousands of Algerian and French fans who turned out to "Le Zénith" to support the population in Kabylie.

Albums

Singles

• Idir – Interview & Concert, Al Hoceima 2010
• Idir Concert in Festival Twiza, tanger
• Idir Discography
• Idir Ssendu
• Idir Rif Cultural day ni ifrane, By Agraw
• Idir’s Rainbow Nation: Album of rap and R&B duets (New Album)