Zebda

A very popular French band from Toulouse, combining reggae, ska, rock and raï and much more. The band is lead by three singers originally from Morocco. Most of their lyrics have a political content, addressing issues such as the discrimination against Arabic immigrants. The band formed in 1985 and split in 2003.

Key songs include:

Tomber la chemise (Take Off Your Shirt) - The summer hit in many european countries that made Zebda very famous.
Motivés - Their political 'anthem', with which has a political group, called 'Motivé-e-s' candidated into the city council elections of Toulouse (they got about 15%).
Le Bruit et L'Odeur (The noise and stink) - Probably the sharpest song written in response to French President Jacques Chirac's words that arabic immigrants make only noise and stink and don't get a job.

Albums:
L'Aréne des Rumeurs (1992)
Le Bruit et l'Odeur (1995)
Essence ordinaire (1998) - about 300 000 copies sold
Utopie d'occase (2002)
La Tawa (2003) - Live album with bonus DVD

Members:
Magyd Cherfi - vocal
Mouss et Hakim Amokrane - vocal
Pascal Cabero - guitar
Joël Saurin - bass guitar
Rémi Sanchez - keyboard
Vincent Sauvage - drums