Idir

Born in a Kabyle village and trained as a geologist, Idir stepped into a radio studio almost by accident — and stayed in the world's ear. With a soft voice, an acoustic guitar, and lullabies that came straight from his grandmother, he carried Kabyle culture to audiences far beyond Algeria.

He is a major ambassador of Kabyle and Amazigh music, who helped open North African folk traditions to a global audience.

His song "A Vava Inouva" was translated into more than a dozen languages and broadcast across continents.