Faudel Belloua was born on June 6, 1978 in Mantes-la-Jolie, France. He discovered his passion for music during holidays in Algeria, with his grandmother teaching him traditional raï. At 12, he entered his first band, Les Etoiles Du Raï, for weddings and parties. His first apperance on stage was in 1993, singing before Oihid. Faudel started his career and met various artists : MC Solaar, Cheb Mami and most of all, Khaled, who invited him to sing "Didi" in duet. In 1997, Faudel recorded his first album Baïda. The song "Tellement N'Brick" became a success the following year. In September 1998, Faudel, Khaled & Rachid Taha all sang at the concert 1, 2, 3 Soleils in front of 15,000 people, an album was also released. In 1999, Faudel became an actor and appeared in different films ("Le Battement D'Ailes Du Papillon", "Les Cachetonneurs") and a TV series ("Le Pion"). He didn't give up music and released his second album Samra in 2001 and the follow-up Un Autre Soleil in 2003. Those albums were a mix of flamenco, funk, reggae and salsa. In February 2002, his son Enzy was born. In 2006, Faudel released his fourth album Mundial Corrida, more French music-flavoured and giving up Oriental music. That album was more mature and with good lyrics.
