chaabi

Chaabi, or Chaâbi, is a genre of Algerian popular music that originated in Algiers in the early 20th century. The name means "popular" or "folk" in Arabic. It developed in urban neighborhoods among working-class communities, blending elements from Andalusian music, Arabic folk, and Berber traditions, and later absorbing Western influences such as French chanson and early jazz. The term is primarily used to refer to Algerian Chaabi, though similar street and folk-inspired styles are found in other North African contexts.

Musically, chaabi features melodic lines built on modal scales and pentatonic phrasing, with call-and-response textures between voices and instruments. Common ensembles include mandole (Algerian mandolin), guitar, violin, accordion, and percussion such as darbuka or bendir. Lyrics, usually in Algerian Arabic, address daily life, love, humor, social issues, and storytelling. The style is associated with public gatherings, weddings, and informal performances, and it is widely performed by neighborhood orchestras and soloists.

In the modern era, chaabi remains a core part of Algerian musical culture and has influenced urban Arabic pop. It is distinct from raï, another popular Algerian genre that developed in the same urban milieu. Notable interpreters include Dahmane El Harrachi and El Hachemi Guerouabi, who are regarded as leading figures in the tradition.