Massi's music, which prominently features the acoustic guitar, displays Western musical style influences such as rock, country or the Portuguese fado, rather than traditional Algerian or Raï musical styles performed by most Algerian musicians. Massi sings in Algerian Arabic, French, and occasionally English and Kabyle (Berber language), often employing multiple languages in the same song.
Massi was born in Algiers, Algeria to a poor Muslim family of seven children. Encouraged by her older brother, she began studying music at a young age, singing and playing guitar. Growing up Massi immersed herself in American country and roots music, musical styles that would later heavily influence her songwriting. At the age of seventeen she joined a flamenco band, but quickly grew bored with the group and left.
In the early 1990s, Massi joined the Algerian political rock band Atakor, who were influenced by Western rock bands such as Led Zeppelin and U2. She recorded and performed with the group for seven years, releasing a successful album and two popular music videos. The band, however, with its political lyrics and growing popularity, became a target. Massi disguised herself by cutting her hair and dressing in male clothing, but she nevertheless became the target of a series of death threats. In 1999, she left the band and moved to Paris, France.
In 1999, Massi was invited to perform at the Femmes d'Algerie ("Women from Algeria") festival in Paris, which led to a recording contract with Island Records. In June of 2001, she released her solo debut album Raoui ("Storyteller"), which All Music Guide compared to 1960s American folk music. Sung mostly in French and Arabic, the album became a critical and commercial success in France. The following year she was nominated for "Best Newcomer" at the Radio 3 World Music Awards.
In 2003, she released her second album Deb ("Heart-broken"). The album's lyrics were more personal rather than political and it became one of the most successful North African albums worldwide. Three years later, Massi released her third album Mesk Elil ("Honeysuckle"). The album expanded on the themes of love and loss that had been explored on Deb and featured duets with Daby Toure and Rabah Khalfa.
Studio albums
* 2001: Raoui
* 2003: Deb
* 2006: Mesk Elil
* 2010: Ô Houria
* 2015: El Mutakallimun
* 2019: Oumniya
* 2022: Sequana
https://souad-massi.com/en/
Bladi
Souad Massi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
بلادي أنا بيك اللي كل شي فهمت
بلادي أنا فيك شحال من حاجة حبيت
بلادي على أجلك شحال من مرة بكيت
La terre est devenue un enfer
Le feu a brûlé le printemps
Arrêtez de faire la guerre
La terre est devenue un enfer
Le feu a brûlé le printemps
Arrêtez de faire la guerre
Vous faites la guerre à des enfants
يدوم غير الصح، غير الصح، غير الصح، غير الصح
بلادي حالتك تقطع القلب
بلادي اتحدّى المحال فيك استعجب
بلادي ما تبقى والنار غير رماد
بلادي ما يبقاوا غير الأحجار في الواد
La terre est devenue un enfer
Le feu a brûlé le printemps
Arrêtez de faire la guerre
Vous faites la guerre à des enfants
La terre est devenue un enfer
Le feu a brûlé le printemps
Arrêtez de faire la guerre
Vous faites la guerre à des enfants
يدوم غير الصح، غير الصح ، غير الصح، غير الصح، غير الصح، غير الصح، غير الصح
The lyrics to Souad Massi's song Bladi describe a sense of nostalgia and love for the singer's homeland, Algeria. The repeated phrase "Bladi ana feek" translates to "My country, I am in you", emphasizing the deep connection that the singer has to her home. She reflects on the experiences she has had in Algeria, from growing up to understanding everything about it, and loving many things within it. She also notes how many times she has cried for her country. However, the song takes a poignant turn as the singer notes the current state of Algeria, which has become a "hell" due to war and conflict. She pleads for an end to the violence, stating that the war is being made on children, and that there is nothing left but ashes and stones in the valleys. Overall, the song seems to be a tribute to Algeria, and a call for peace and healing in the country.
Line by Line Meaning
بلادي أنا فيك اللي عشت وكبرت
I am from you, the land where I lived and grew up
بلادي أنا بيك اللي كل شي فهمت
I am from you, the land where I learned everything
بلادي أنا فيك شحال من حاجة حبيت
I am from you, the land where I loved so many things
بلادي على أجلك شحال من مرة بكيت
For you, my country, I cried so many times
يدوم غير الصح، غير الصح، غير الصح، غير الصح
It's not right, not right, not right, not right
بلادي حالتك تقطع القلب
Your situation, my country, breaks my heart
بلادي اتحدّى المحال فيك استعجب
My country, I challenge the impossible in you and am surprised
بلادي ما تبقى والنار غير رماد
My country, nothing is left but ashes when fire is over
بلادي ما يبقاوا غير الأحجار في الواد
My country, only rocks remain in the valley
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bob Craen
- arrêtez a faire la guerre .. -
Musique magnifique. Incroyablement beau.
Merci.
Wardah FARERI
Jadore ta voix ,très touchante.wardah
Atef Alamir
Merci beaucoup pour toi Souad Massi .... tu est Super!
I cried more than one time when I hear this song ... I believe that we're going through the same situation now !
Emilie Musique
magnifique musique j'adore souad massi
A Fitness Today News Network [AFTNN] @AFT-TV
💗💗💗 merci!
boudjemaa cheurfi
t'es la meilleure
moaz mulazem
Harikasiniz arkadaşlar
RAMLIA1
♥♥♥
mohamed aribi
GOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
petite kabylie n yizan
nekini n'at yenni ya su3ad mais tu es ma chanteuse préféré et bien devant le vieux yidir ta3na eli ma dar walu 3la dechretna voilà enfin bonne continuation