Zebda

Zebda are a French reggae/rock group from Toulouse, formed in 1985 by then community organizer Magyd Cherfi. The name derives from the Arabian word for butter (beurre in French, being a play on the word beur, which is a slang word referring to French citizens of Arab origin).

The songs of the group mainly deal with political and social issues, including the status of immigrants and minorities in France. The singers are ethnically Maghrebine, while the other members are ethnically European.

Their 1998 single Tomber la chemise (Take Off Your Shirt) went on to be the summer hit in France 1999, peaking at number one for three weeks. Around 2000, the group earned three music awards. A year after the release of the album Utopie d'Occase, Zebda originally split up until they reformed in 2011, releasing Second tour a year later.