Djamel, born at "the frontier of the Sahara" is now living in Ghent, Belgium.
He has played music from when he was really young: trumpet, guitar, percussion, drums… but the most remarkable thing of all was his subtle and clear voice. At the age of 18 he formed his first band . The Algerian public loved their mix of traditional and own material.
In 1995 he arrived in Belgium where his all-round musical talent is really appreciated by the local musicians.
Djamel showed that he had an open mind towards music and happily participated in the projects of Olla Vogala. As a guestsinger he became one of the public favourites, both in their concerts as on their records. His added a warm Arabic colour to the Olla Vogala music.
In 1998 he formed his own band with the appropriate name 'El Baroud', which means 'gunpowder'. They played many well received and danceable concerts at festivals such as the international 'Gentse feesten'.
Starting from the raimusic, which he knew well from his youth in Algeria he created his own music. Pain and sorrow about leaving his family and country is one of the subjects of his songs. Love and his son Hamza are other themes .
Strong rhythms and melody together with his warm, sensual voice result in a danceable and contemporary style.
Djamel composed the music for the soundtrack of the film Kassablanka of Guy Lee Thys and Ivan Boeckmans in 2002.
In 2005 the new CD Hamza was released by Wild Boar Music. Erwin Libbrecht, known from Kadril, produced it. Djamel experimented with other genres and languages. Many artists contributed to the CD. including Jorunn Bauweraerts from Lais did the vocals in French in the song 'Le Roi Renard'.
Bart Peeters sings in Dutch on 'Freya'. This track has got a lot of airplay on the national Radio 1.
The new CD is described by the press as 'a multicultural party', 'traditional rhythms together with contemporary grooves and a cross over of pop, rai, rumba and funk.'
One thing is sure: Djamel guarantees a cultural melting pot that surprises, moves and lets the sun shine in the hearts of the audience.
Djamel