Areski Belkacem (born January 23, 1940, in Versailles; died June 1, 2026) was a French musician, composer, music producer, and actor. His musical repertoire encompassed Arabic and African influences, chanson, jazz, rock, and experimental pop music.

Areski Belkacem (often referred to simply as Areski) was born in Versailles to parents of Algerian descent. In 1969, he recorded the album *Higelin et Areski* with Jacques Higelin, whom he had met during his military service. That same year, he performed alongside Higelin and Brigitte Fontaine in the revue *Niok* at the Petit Théâtre du Lucernaire. Drawing on material from the revue *Comme à la radio*, a collaboration between Fontaine, Areski, and the Art Ensemble of Chicago resulted in the eponymous album, which was awarded the *Grand Prix du Disque de la Chanson Française*. In the years that followed, Areski released several albums jointly with Fontaine, on which the duo experimented with various musical styles as well as lyrical and theatrical texts. Even after the conclusion of their creative partnership as a duo (1970–1985), he continued to write and produce numerous works for Fontaine.

In 1970, Areski released his first solo album, *Un beau matin*. In 1972, he played the lead role in Pierre Barouh’s debut film, *Ça va, ça vient*. Furthermore, throughout the 1970s, he worked as an actor and composer with theater director Peter Brook at the latter’s Centre International de Recherche Théâtrale. In 1982, Areski directed the play *L’inconciliabule ou Acte II* by and starring Brigitte Fontaine—in which he also performed himself[3]—and in 1985, he staged the theatrical spectacle *Made in France* with her at the Théâtre de Paris. He composed the film score for *À mort la mort!* (1999; directed by Romain Goupil) and—together with Fontaine and his son, Ali Belkacem—the score for *Jeunesse dorée* (2001; directed by Zaïda Ghorab-Volta). In 2002, he composed the music for a production of the play *Liaison transatlantique* (2002; directed by Patrice Kerbrat).[5] Areski Belkacem released his second solo album, *Le Triomphe de l’Amour*, in October 2010.

Belkacem died on June 1, 2026, at the age of 86.

Areski - Un beau matin (1972)

Areski Belkacem - Pif

Areski Belkacem - Le ménage

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Areski_Belkacem
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgW4xhzhuM-vVhKDCkik8sg

 

Repose en Paix, Areski Belkacem.