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about this song
Taha's version of "Ya Rayah" is a classic example of a traditional song presented in a new fashion. "Ya Rayah" begins with a short taqsim, improvisation, on the banjo instead of the ud that smoothly leads into the piece proper, which is characterized by a heavy down beat. The song's popularity stems from its simple groove and summation of the new generation's plight, seeking freedom and a better life. Sung and released in Paris, "Ya Rayah" capitalizes on the ancient Algerian concept of mehna in its embodiment of Algerians' struggle