World Music Icon KHALED - the King of Rai - Returns to the U.S. for a Rare Stateside Concert Performance at the All-Star GRAMMY(R) Jam 2004

World Music Icon KHALED - the King of Rai - Returns to the U.S. for a Rare Stateside Concert Performance at the All-Star GRAMMY(R) Jam 2004 Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire, the Event Takes Place at L.A.'S Wiltern Theater, Saturday, December 11 at 8pm LOS ANGELES, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- KHALED, "King of Rai," returns to America for special concert performance at this year's star-studded GRAMMY JAM 2004. The event, which this year celebrates the music of legendary R&B group Earth, Wind, & Fire, takes place at 8PM on Saturday, December 11th at Los Angeles' historic Wiltern Theatre. As part of an all-star line-up featuring EWF themselves as well as Yolanda Adams, Kanye West, Van Hunt, Jill Scott, Randy Jackson, Brian McKnight and many more, Khaled will lend his truly unique vocal and musical sound to many classic tracks including "Shining Star" and "Let's Groove." Khaled is universally acknowledged as the King of Rai. With a reputation forged in his native Algeria during the 1980s, he was the artist who took Rai music to an international level with his raw, unmistakable voice -- so full of life and emotion -- and the infusion of contemporary musical genres into the traditional Algerian idiom. After moving to France, his career took off, as "Didi" became the first of a long string of hits that also included "Aicha," a #10 hit for 12 months in all across Europe. In 1996, "Sahra" -- named for his daughter -- became France's Single of the Year, and Khaled's status as a world music legend was confirmed in 1998 when he headlined the 1,2,3 Soleils concert in Paris at France's premiere celebration of Algerian music. The winner of numerous awards, Khaled became the first Arabic artist to tour the U.S. in the wake of 9/11, playing to sold-out audiences across the country. Khaled has ten diamond, platinum and gold albums, as well as the highest-selling Arab album in history. Recently, on May 16 of this year, Khaled, along with Santana, Alicia Keys, Take 6, and a host of international stars, participated in Quincy Jones' globally renowned production We Are The Future. The massive event took place in Rome, Italy, and the concert and program aired worldwide, including on MTV in the United States. Khaled's performance will be feature on the CD and DVD releases, scheduled for Spring 2005. Currently, Khaled is in the studio with GRAMMY-winning producer KC Porter, recording the final tracks for the American version of his new album Ya Rayi, slated for an April 1st release on MI5-Caroline. The project also reunites Khaled with celebrated producer Don Was, with whom he collaborated on N'ssi N'ssi ('93) and Sahra ('96). A long-awaited, nationwide tour of the United States will kick off later in April, 2005. In the meantime, fans can see Khaled, the King of Rai, in concert with a cadre of fellow world-class musicians at the Recording Academy's tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire at GRAMMY Jam 2004. Source: Khaled CONTACT: Meghan Helsel, +1-626-585-9575, meghan@jensencom.com, for Khaled ------- Profile: International Entertainment