Khaled Louma

Khaled Louma (1954 or 1955 – 24 August 2025) was an Algerian musician and radio presenter. A pioneer of Algerian rock, he founded the country’s first rock band, T34, and later became a leading figure on Channel 3 of Algerian French-language radio, where he hosted and produced music programs for four decades.

Career

Music Louma began his musical career in amateur groups. He founded the rock band T34 in the 1970s while attending university. The group initially played covers of English rock songs before developing original material and rising to prominence in the 1980s. Its best-known tracks include "Boualem El Far", considered an anthem for Algerian youth, as well as "Jamais doukh" ("You Will Never Be Surprised") and "Ma dir walou" ("You Won't Do Anything"). T34's sound combined Western rock elements with traditional Algerian rhythms, described by commentators as bridging chaabi and English rock. Louma’s musical approach was noted for its eclecticism, spanning rock, jazz, disco, funk, and Andalusian folk. He also founded another group, Les Icosiums.

Radio After T34's dissolution, Louma pursued a career in broadcasting. From the 1990s onward, he hosted and produced music programs on Channel 3 of Algerian French-language radio, including Contact and Black Rock. He remained active in this role for four decades. Minister of Culture and Arts Zouhir Ballalou described him as "one of the key personalities of Channel 3 of national radio," noting his contributions to promoting cultural and artistic appreciation among listeners.

Other work In 2019, Louma starred in the short film Winna, directed by the artist and painter Arezki Larbi.

Louma died on 24 August 2025, at the age of 70. The Presidency of Algeria, along with the Ministries of Culture and Communication, issued official condolences following his death.