Echo

“On going”

Straight out of the rental public housing where low- and moderate-income Algerian citizens reside, lies a vibrant and dynamic rap scene. Here, in the middle of the concrete structures and everyday hustle, a community of artists flourishes, driven by passion and suppleness.

Having grown up in Hip Hop culture as a B-boy and alongside many other Hip Hop artists from its different elements, I’ve witnessed firsthand the struggles that define their journeys. These rappers have forged their own path. They transform their parents’ apartments into makeshift studios, fund their projects with personal resources, and use the streets of their neighborhoods as shooting locations for their music videos.

This project seeks to explore the deeper motivations of these artists. Why they pour their energy into creating music in a landscape devoid of industry infrastructure and a clear path to success, where the music business is dominated by Raï, the genre favored in nightclubs, weddings and commercials.