Cheb Hamid (Arabic: الشاب حميد), real name Abdelhamid Benabed, born in Oran in 1960, is an Algerian Raï singer. He released his first cassettes in 1981, produced by producer Rachid Baba Ali Ahmed.

Hamid was heavily influenced by Spanish flamenco. He used his powerful, flexible voice for passionate singing, for which he was particularly appreciated by female audiences. This earned him the nickname Le Nightingale du Raï. Stylistically, there were similarities with Houari Blaoui.

Hamid had been the first Rai artist to be recorded by Rashi. The recordings took place at the Maison de la Jeunesse in Tlemcen.

His breakthrough in 1986 began with the duet with Chaba Zahouania. The piece "Khali ya Khali" ("My uncle, my uncle") sung by them together was not only a commercial success, but also a provocation, because it celebrated the incestuous love of a young woman for her white-haired uncle . The same year, Hamid appeared at the first major Raï festival in Europe in Bobigny, thanks to which Raï made its breakthrough in France and then throughout Europe. One of his biggest solo hits was "Khadidja".

Until September 1994, Cheb Hamid lived without problem in Oran. Until the day a friend is murdered in front of his eyes in a cafe. A few days later, a big raï star Cheb Hasni, also close to Cheb Hamid, was killed. Cheb Hamid will wait until December 1994 to be able to come and tour France, then until September 1995 to benefit from a new three-month visa. In Marseille, he decided to apply for a "visitor's card", a special permit for artists. He only obtains a 4-month extension on his visa.

March 1996, his visa expires and the Prefecture tells him that he must wait for the appointment of the new prefect. Cheb Hamid is patient by doing concerts, some of which, organized by Raï producers who are in no hurry to help him, will not be paid to him. In his letter, Cheb Hamid who for his first visit to France, ten years ago, was favored with Khaled by the French media and certain cultural and political personalities (Marguerite Duras, Jack Lang, Jack Ralite...) writes also: "...I am neither a thief nor a criminal. I am a singer and proud of it. I'm doing my time because I wanted to continue my vocation as an artist and be free. Unfortunately I have neither the choice in my country, nor here in France...".

He then retired after being a hospital technician, sometimes performing on stage at galas.

https://www.discogs.com/artist/911105-Cheb-Hamid