Zebda biography

Zebda is a French band from Toulouse, known for its political activism and its wide variety of musical styles.
Years Active.
Who is Zebda?

•

Zebda

French band

Zebda (from Arabic: زبدة, zubda, lit. 'butter') is a French band from Toulouse, known for its political activism and its wide variety of musical styles. The group, which was formed in 1985, consisted of seven musicians of diverse nationalities, and the themes of much of their music involved political and social justice, the status of immigrants and minorities in France, and the inhabitants of the French banlieues, or suburbs.^[1] Zebda earned widespread recognition, as well as several awards, for its 1998 single "Tomber la chemise" ("Taking Off Shirt").^[2] In 2001, the band spearheaded an independent political party that won over 12% of the first-round vote in Toulouse's municipal elections. The band was disbanded in 2003 but reformed in 2011.

History

Zebda was first formed in 1985 when Magyd Cherfi, a community organizer at the time, organized a small group of his musician friends to shoot a video for a community organization for which he was working.^[3] More members joined the group later—several of the

•

Zebda Vinyl Records & Discography

Who is Zebda? A Brief Career Overview

Welcome to the vibrant world of Zebda, a French band that transcends the boundaries of music, culture, and social consciousness. Formed in 1985, Zebda--whose name intriguingly translates to "butter" in Arabic--comprises a talented group of musicians rooted in the multicultural mosaic of Toulouse. Led by the charismatic lyricist Magyd Cherfi, the band has made its mark as influential singers, songwriters, and musicians, celebrated for their energetic blend of chanson, French reggae, and French rock.

With powerful lyrical themes that explore societal issues, immigrants' rights, and the struggle for social justice, Zebda has carved out a unique niche in the music industry. Their groundbreaking approach to music marries rhythm and activism, earning them accolades and a dedicated fanbase. Noteworthy vinyl releases like their platinum-selling album Essence Ordinaire--which features the iconic single "Tomber la chemise"--has solidified their legacy within vinyl culture. Join us as we dive deeper into

•

–
A lot of scrobbles from Redda are being redirected to here. Same happens for Lucki and Lucky Twice. Just turn off Last.fm scrobble auto-correct and hope for the best.
gxng
–

A band from Toulouse, France, combining reggae, ska, rock and raï and much more. The band is led by three singers originally from Morocco. Most of their lyrics have a political content, addressing issues such as the discrimination against Arab immigrants. The band was formed in 1985 and split in 2003 and 2012

Key songs include:

Tomber la chemise (Take Off Your Shirt) - The summer hit in many European countries that propelled Zebda into the forefront.
Motivés - Their political 'anthem', with which has a political party, called 'Motivé-e-s' which ran for the city council elections of Toulouse (they got about 15%).
Le bruit et l'odeur (The noise and smell) - Probably the sharpest song written in response to French President Jacques Chirac's words that arabic immigrants make only noise, smell and don't get a job (Chirac was IN office at the time).

Album