“I have heard the tears of Lebanon; On the cedar, the sap of blood… ”. Less than two weeks after the explosion that devastated part of Beirut and left at least 177 dead, the Algerian Khaled released a song on social networks on Tuesday in tribute to the battered capital and its inhabitants. “Her name is Beyrouth” was written in a few days with the Lebanese musician Rodge, whose studio was touched by the colossal blast of the explosion.
In Arabic and French, for the chorus, on music with necessarily oriental accents, the single was produced under the influence of the immense emotion felt by the "king of Raï". “I was very touched, bruised by this disaster. I lost my smile. I have often gone to sing in Beirut since 1993. I have seen this destroyed city rebuild after the war. I like this country. I have a lot of musician friends there… So seeing the images of destruction again, homeless people in the street, it hurts. I wanted to do something to help them, ”he says.
A project that the author of "Aïcha" and "Didi" completed in "4 days only". “We had to do it quickly. I called all my musician friends and everyone immediately opened the door for me. We validated the melody and then wrote the lyrics that speak of the suffering of this country. I would like to thank everyone for coming together under difficult conditions, ”he says.
"I know the Lebanese: they never give up"
This cry from the heart, Khaled considers first of all a message of hope and support. “It is the role of the artist, of the music to bring a little joy to life. Don't let people sink into sadness. But I know the Lebanese and I have a lot of admiration for them: they never give up. Even without roofs, they are still able to smile. This city will be rebuilt. I also understand their anger: sometimes, as it happened in Algeria, the people have reasons to yell ”.
The aid is of course also economic for devastated Beirut, as the singer explains. “No one has received any money on this project and no one will. All profits from the clip and the single will be donated in full to the Red Cross. And I hope to be able to return there to sing quickly ”.
