“Ya Rayah” is a North African classic popularized internationally by Rachid Taha, who reinterpreted the song with a modern rock-rai sensibility. Originally written and performed by Algerian chaâbi singer Dahmane El Harrachi, the song addresses themes of exile, migration, longing, and the cost of leaving one’s homeland. Taha’s version fuses traditional Algerian melody and rhythm with electric guitars, driving percussion, and a raw, impassioned vocal delivery, transforming the piece into a powerful anthem of diasporic identity. Since its release, “Ya Rayah” has become one of the most recognizable Maghrebi songs worldwide, resonating deeply with migrant communities and global audiences alike.