Cheb Youcef (b. Youcef Boukella), was a bass player for Ahmed Khelifati Mohamed (aka Cheb Mami) & continued as a soloist. Released in 1998, his début solo album, Sheik Sidi Flat, was a major hit in France. The recording of the multi-artist compilation, Night and Day, voted Best World Music Recording by the French newspaper Liberation. Youcef began his musical career as the bass player for Warzon and T34, two of the first Arabic rock bands. He moved to Paris in the late '80s. Youcef began to accompany the influential rai singer Cheb Mami at local parties. Youcef has been involved with several bands during his career. He formed Sidi Bemol in 1990 and helped to form Connection Wog eight years later. As a member of Orchestre National de Barbès, he helped to record the hit album ONB. Youcef currently plays with his own band featuring ex-Cheb Mami drummer/vocalist Karim Ziad, ex-Raina Ray vocalist Larbi Dida, and percussionist Miguel Anga. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.