Cheb Kader was born in Oran, Algeria to Moroccan parents. He moved to Mulhouse (France) at the age of nine.

The musical traditions of Algeria are fused with modern influences by Kader, "the prince of rai."
In his music he is examining the role of women and artists in modern society and the problems caused by immigration.
His musical career started in 1986 but frustrated by his lack of success, he left music, in the early '90s.
He continued to work out songs in his home studio, however, and made his comeback with the Latin-tinged single "Mani," a duet with Sergent Garcia.