Algerian Rai superstar Cheikha Rimitti passed away on May 15, 2006 in Paris from a heart attack. She was 83 years old. Cheikha Rimitti was considered to be the Queen of Rai music, with her recording career spanning over 50 years. Because her lyrics were frequently somewhat ribald and controversial, dealing frankly with issues of sexuality, alcohol and war, Rimitti's music was, at one point, banned in her native Algeria, causing her to go into exile in Paris. Cheikha Rimitti had performed at every major world music venue in the world, and released her final album, N'Ta Goudami in late 2005. Read more about her life and death at the Cheikha Rimitti official website.

Image (c) Youri Lenquette