En Francais
Amirouche, more rebellious than ever, mature and committed, will mark his new album with profound, actual, and rooted lyrics, marked with fights and claims, singing T’Kout the martyr, the Aures of his childhood and his children of today, running after themselves, they run toward their freedom and their re-found identity.

Amirouche, Himsounine’s worthy son, considered as the unruly child of the Chawi song. Following the tracks of the pioneers of the Berbero-Chawi protest song, like Markunda, Souhali, Les Berberes or Dihya who have suffered to express their art, working in a quasi-hiding away. This second wave, the generation of Nouari, Massinissa or Boumaraf and Amirouche, who promise us a bright come back with his coming album.

His fans are waiting eagerly for his come back on stage. They will not be disappointed.

Amirouche will come again say and witness the suffering of his people, and, as he likes to say: the silent are no more than accomplices.

ADN: Amirouche, before talking about your career and your next album, I would like to talk about your beginnings. Who is Amirouche? How did you get to the musical domain?

AMIROUCHE: I am a Chawi singer from Himsounine (southern Aures). It is the music who came to me. In my life, the music is a daily practice. Early in my life, I felt the need to express myself, not only in order to recount, but only for protesting and speaking out.

ADN: what are the themes of your songs and the sources of your inspiration?

AMIROUCHE: I share my fellow citizen’s daily life: their distress, love, joy and hope.

Since I lived in France I remained near of my people, and I see that nothing has changed which is reflected in my songs.

ADN: Now, in Algeria, is it possible for any one to express, freely, his opinions through music, or is it the usage of metaphors remains the inevitable way to achieve this.

AMI: the politically correct is still the rule. As far as I’m concerned, I express myself clearly on stage, but when it comes to the jobs of production, promotion and diffusion I can’t interfere in them. For example, the song “Therwa n Ilfen” that you appreciate so much, taken from my last album “Ussen” was revealed to the public only four years after, and yet it was mutilated (cut into two parts)

ADN: during your career you have recorded several albums. Do you take part in festivals and concerts in Algeria, in North Africa or in Europe?

AMI: I have produced three albums and my tours have taken place in the Tamazight speaking space: Kabylia, the Chawi region and at the Ichenweyen. I have participated in some galas here in France (Vont workshops in Rennes, Marseille, or in Zenith in solidarity with the Black Spring’s martyrs...) and in the international days of the Autochthonous Peoples in Geneva.

ADN: nowadays, the public in its majority want rhythmed songs, which make them dance, while the lyrics are no longer a priority for many of them. What do you think about this trend in our music?

AMI: I’m a partisan of the quality, so I’m for the lyrics that carry a message. For my part I do my best to make my fans happy.

ADN: Have you ever faced reactions because of the fact that you sing in Tamazight?

AMI: I have faced the summit of intolerance. I have been physically assaulted at the cultural house of Batna for the reasons you have mentioned: singing in my language.

ADN: Tell us something about your fans. Have ever sung in Kabylia?

AMI: My public is rather Chawi-Auressian, people listen to my songs at the universities, in fields, in taxis...I’m from this people, and I serve him for his greatness in spite of his misery. Of course, I have sung in Kabylia, where I was well received. I keep sentimental memories about of the concert in tribute to Slimane Azem, which took place in his native village. It was a pure happiness.

I have performed for many times on the Tizi-Ouzian stages, as during the gala of 1991 in Tizi Ouzou stadium, in solidarity with the Targui people (Amazighs of the south). I also remember the mega gala which was set to take place in Tizi Ouzou in commemoration of the Amazigh Spring, and which drew huge crowds, but, once again, the concert was cancelled for the reasons that you know.

ADN: What do you think about the Kabylian song? What are your references in this issue?

AMI: I’m still in dilemma! In confusion. Matoub, who received me at his home, Idir, Ait Menguellet, Ferhat, Idheflawen and others.

ADN: Is there some artistic links between the two currents of the Algerian Amazigh culture?

AMI: The notion of links must not exist. We are a single people and a single culture. The mediocrity and the mercantile production have caused rivalry!! Imagine a Kabylo-Chawi duet, each one in his language! Imagine.

ADN: What’s your view about Algeria’s cultural policy, especially concerning the Amazigh language and culture?

AMI: The cultural policy In Algeria is a policy of negation the Amazigh component, and the few done things are nonsense. As an illustration, the Timgad festival has become an oriental festival!! It’s time to think about organizing a great festival dedicated to the Amazigh culture, with all the Amazighophone components, and they are lots!!

ADN: in your albums we find traditional and modern sonorities. Tell us about your next album.

AMI: My first albums came in difficulty. Now, I’m taking my time to return to the sources: a typically Chawi sonorities with elaborated lyrics, after nearly ten years of absence!! You will not be disappointed.

ADN: What are your last words?

AMI: Ines-sen a’dehwa-en!!

ADN: Tanemirt-ik for accepting to answer our questions. We wish you a fine and long artistic career.

AMI: Thank you for opening your columns to me. Good sells for afrique-du-nord.com magazine

Interview given to the singer Amirouche by Franci of afrique-du-nord.com with the friendly collaboration of our friend Yella.

translated by Hyshy from Ouarzazate
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