Khaled, you've just got back from Algeria, a country you left over 13 years ago now. It must have been very emotional for you returning to your homeland …
Yes, it was. How can I describe it? You know, I remember the first day I arrived in France back in '86. I still have such strong memories of the first concert I performed in Bobigny. It had such a powerful emotional impact on me that I remember thinking at the time that I'd never play another concert like that in my life. But this time round it was worse! I can't even begin to describe the emotion I felt when I set foot in Algiers!!! I was totally stressed out about the trip for a whole week before I flew out there. I didn't sleep a wink!

What affected you the most during your stay?
I was totally overwhelmed and amazed by Algeria. I'd missed so many things for so long. I'd missed the smells, the light, I'd missed hanging out in certain neighbourhoods, eating and drinking in bars and restaurants in Algiers and Oran where I used to go with my friends. Everyone gave me such an amazing welcome when I went back. People kept coming up to me saying "Welcome home!" "You're back where you belong!"
Of course, I'd been a bit worried beforehand - the thought of death threats had crossed my mind. But everyone was so warm and welcoming, so reassuring. "Don't believe what people say," they'd tell me, "Nobody's going to touch you here, not even the wind!" (Laughs). "You're our hope, the son of our country. You've honoured us and now it's our turn to honour you."

Did you spare a thought for Cheb Hasni and Matoub Lounès (Ed. Rai stars who were murdered in Algeria)?
Yes, of course I did. In my opinion, we should never forget the people who've died - all the actors, the journalists, the teachers, the monks who've been killed in recent years. For me, these people are "mudjahdins" - martyrs who have been sacrificed for our country. There's no question of ever forgetting them. When I was in Algeria, I found myself thinking that they must be happy where they are now, that they must be able to share the joy I felt returning to my homeland.

Did you get to meet President Bouteflika?
I actually met him in Monaco before I went out to Algeria. He received me as a normal citizen, a young Algerian and he made me feel really confident and reassured about going back. "Everyone's waiting for you in Algeria," he said, "Everyone loves you. When are you coming back home?" That's what he said to me, just those words.
Of course, I was very touched by what he said. But what gave me the greatest pleasure was when I went back to my homeland and received such an amazing welcome from the people over there. There's such a thirst for joy over there. People long to enjoy themselves at parties, long to dance and listen to music. You can't go more than 100 metres without coming across a restaurant. You can't even go 50 without finding a bar filled with music ... People really know how to enjoy themselves over there - they don't go to bed till 4 in the morning!
There's talk of you going back to Algeria next spring to perform a series of concerts over there. There's also talk of Enrico Macias, a singer who left the country in 1962, going back too. Do you really think that civil harmony and national reconciliation can be achieved in Algeria if artists start returning to perform there?
It was high time Enrico set foot in Algeria again. After all, his parents and grandparents are buried over there. When I was younger I fought for the cause of the "Harkis" (Algerians who fought in the French army during the Franco-Algerian war) and fought to defend the rights of their children in France. You know, the children were punished for the "mistake" their parents made in the past - we're talking over 30 years ago now! Is it right that children should still be made to pay for what their parents did?
Enrico's been kept out of his country all these years. And now he's finally able to return to his family's roots. When I was in Algeria everyone in Constantine (Ed. Macias's hometown) kept coming up and asking "What about Enrico? Wow!!! When he comes back, we're going to throw a real party like back in the 60s!!!" Everyone's so eager for Macias to go back.

You've got two young daughters now. What are your hopes for them? Would you like them to stay in France or grow up in Algeria?
They'll do whatever they want. But I would like my daughters to see where their father was born.

And what about their father? Would he ever go back and live in Algeria?
Now I feel I can go back there whenever I like. I can pop over for the weekend when I feel like it. The people I saw over there kept saying, "We'd love to meet your family. We'd love to see your wife and daughters. We'd love to kiss them, touch them, get the chance to sit down and talk to them."

Did you ever doubt that you could actually return to Algeria one day?
No! I never had any doubts whatsoever. In interviews I always said that I held out great hope for the country. I've always said I believed things would work out in the end.
Let's talk about your new album. You called your last album "Sahra" and now the new one's called one after your second daughter.
"Kenza", that's Arabic for "treasure". I did it so I'd have a bit of peace in my old age. When my daughters grow up they'll each have an album called after them - so there won't be any fighting at home!

The new album features a very diverse mix of music. There's funk, Rai, salsa - in fact, there's a lot more groove than you normally find on a Khaled album…
On the new album I wanted to establish a bit of contact with other countries, countries that I don't really know yet. As far as the salsa goes it's more the 'Spanish' style we grew up with in Oran. You know, we listened to gitanos and flamenco music when we were growing up. This time round, I was really keen on creating a genuine multi-ethnic mix.

Your new album also features a cover of the John Lennon classic "Imagine", which you perform as a duet with the singer Noa. When it comes to symbolising harmony and reconciliation, don't you think "Imagine" is maybe just a little bit too obvious? Did you ever consider covering another song in its place?
We've been singing "Imagine" together for five years now. I love that song - although I can't say I know much in English! We sing it in Hebrew and Arabic as a way of showing we're just artists, we're not going to get up on stage with Kalashnikovs and declare war on each other. If other people could just follow our example - well, it would be fabulous! We just wanted to remind everyone that the conflict's been going on for fifty years now. There are people who've been born during the war, who've died during the war and never known how wonderful peace can be. We're not saying we can bring about peace on our own, just through a simple song. You know how the saying goes: "No-one can ever be a prophet in his own country".

Your single "C'est la Nuit" was written by Jean-Jacques Goldman, which is tantamount to saying it's guaranteed to be a chart hit. Is working with Goldman a necessary rite of chart passage these days?
No, not at all. We're not in a boxing ring trying to knock our opponents out by selling more records, you know! I'm not a French poet but Jean-Jacques is - in fact, in my opinion, he's the best poet in France these days. His lyrics are so easy to sing. He has a real knack for finding just the right words to express things, a way of writing with such a light touch. You can learn to speak his language very quickly. "Aïcha" (Ed. the hit single Goldman wrote for Khaled) opened a lot of doors for me in terms of radio airplay, giving me access to stations in countries which would never have played a song in Arabic. I've heard Germans singing "Aïcha". I've met Dutch people and Americans who know the words by heart. And I can't tell you what immense pleasure and satisfaction that gives me. So, you see, it's very important for me to work with Goldman.
And then, let's not forget, the idea behind this album was to sing for peace. That means mixing everything up, Jewish, Arabic, French, American … It's all about restating the fact that when it comes to music there are no frontiers, no national boundaries. You don't need a passport to sit down and write songs together!

Interview: Frédéric Garat
Translation: Julie Street