Saloua — Singer and Radio Voice of Blida
Saloua, born Fettouma Lemitti in Blida in 1941, began her career as a radio host for children's programming in 1952. After relocating to Paris and meeting revolutionary singer Missoum, she pursued music professionally, releasing commercially successful recordings through Pathé-Marconi.
15 November 2025
Saloua — born Fettouma Lemitti in Blida in 1941 — became one of the recognizable voices of Algerian popular music, bridging radio broadcasting and musical performance across two continents.
Radio Beginnings
She began her media career in 1952 as a radio host for children's programming on Algerian radio — a role that introduced her to broadcasting and to the power of a voice reaching mass audiences.
Paris and a New Direction
After relocating to Paris, she transitioned to hosting a women's programme in 1960, a role that reflected the growing importance of Algerian women's voices in public media.
It was in Paris that her musical journey truly began. A meeting with Missoum — a revolutionary singer in the tradition of the great Algerian popular artists — inspired her to pursue music professionally, following in the tradition of Fadila Dziriya, one of the legends of Algerian song.
Recording Career
Her recordings, primarily released through the prestigious Pathé-Marconi label, achieved significant commercial success. She became renowned for her distinctive vocal style in Algerian popular music — a voice that carried the warmth of Blida and the cosmopolitan sensibility of Paris.
Legacy
Saloua represents a generation of Algerian women who navigated the transition from colonial-era Algeria to independence, finding in music and broadcasting a space to express identity, culture, and artistry. Born in Blida, she carried the city's voice far beyond its rose gardens.