L’Algérino

L’Algérino, born Samir Djoghlal on May 2, 1981, in Marseille, France, is a prominent French-Algerian rapper and singer known for blending urban French rap with Mediterranean and North African sounds. Growing up in the multicultural neighborhood of Félix Pyat, he was immersed in a world of diverse influences that would later shape his music. Inspired by iconic French rap groups like Suprême NTM and IAM, he began rapping at age 11 and quickly gained recognition for his lyrical talent and unique flow.

His career took a major turn in 2001 when he was discovered by Akhenaton of IAM, who signed him to the 361 Records label. L’Algérino’s debut album Les Derniers Seront Les Premiers dropped in 2005 and climbed the French charts, laying the foundation for a prolific music career. Over the years, he’s released a string of albums—Mentalité Pirate (2007), Effet Miroir (2010), and C’est Correct (2011)—each showcasing his ability to blend hip-hop with raï, reggae, and oriental influences.

In 2017, he released the viral hit “Les Menottes (Tching Tchang Tchong),” which exploded on YouTube with hundreds of millions of views. The following year, his track “Va Bene” was featured on the Taxi 5 soundtrack and became a massive success, charting at number two in France. He continued riding this wave with collaborations on Jul’s 13’Organisé project and his 2021 album Moonlight, featuring big names like Soprano and SCH.

More than just a hitmaker, L’Algérino uses his music to explore identity, social realities, and urban life. With a sound deeply rooted in both his Algerian heritage and Marseille upbringing, he serves as a cultural bridge, celebrating diversity and unity through his art.