Algerian music legend Idir passes away

Idir's death was made public via his official Facebook page, where family members wrote: "We regret to announce the death of our father (to all), Idir, on Saturday, 2 May at 9.30 pm. Rest in peace Dad."

Famous for the song 'A Vava Inouva', the musician will be remembered as an ambassador of Kabyle music, and for his advocacy for the recognition of the Berber culture. 

The public, colleagues and politicians have been sending condolences since the musician's death.

"I learnt with immense sadness the news of the death of Idir, an icon of Algerian art," Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said. "With his death, Algeria loses one of its monuments."

The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, said: "His humanist commitment, his commitment to Kabyle culture will remain in our hearts. His magnificent voice will resonate for a long time at the city hall where we have so often celebrated the Berber New Year together."

"Idir is a Kabyle star illuminating the immensity of the universe. Idir, you'll never die. With your melodies, you will continue to move generations," exiled Algerian musician and activist Ferhat Mehenni wrote. 

Born Hamid Cheriet on 25 October 1949 in Aït Lahcène near Tizi Ouzou, Idir left Algeria for Paris in 1975 to record his debut album A Vava Inouva.

He disappeared from the music scene for 10 years, from 1981 to 1991, but relaunched his career with the release of the Identités album, which blended the traditional Algerian music called chaabi with Western rhythms.

His desire to interlink cultures using music saw him collaborate with musicians such as Manu Chao, Dan Ar Braz, Zebda, Maxime Le Forestier, Gilles Servat and the late Geoffrey Oryema, among others. 

In 2007 he released La France des couleurs and the following year he returned to Algiers after 38 years to hold a concert for Berber New Year (Yennayer).