Djamel Allam was born in Bejaïa, a city on the Kabila sea-side, in Algeria. Since his childhood, he attends the municipal music conservatory where he’s initiated to the “chaâbi” and Andalousian repertoire. Later, he’ll make noted appearances in the region’s modern music groups.
He leaves Bejaïa in 1967 and arrives in Marseille, France. There he’ll be a stagehand in the théâtre du Gymnase and that’swhere he’ll be in close contact with Brassens, Moustaki, Bobby Lapointe, Patrice Chéreu, Marcel Maréchal and especially Léo Ferré.
It’s because of Bernard Lavilliers, a singer and friend, that he goes to Paris and performs in cabarets from the rive gauche.
When he goes back to Algeria in 1971, he becomes a radio presenter and producer for the station “Chaine 3 internationale” but also an artistic director for the cabaret “La Voûte”, in Moretti, Alger’s suburbs.  Djamel invites Marc Augeret, of course Léo Ferré, as well as many other singers, which makes Mhamed Issiaklhem and Kateb Yacine, both accustomed patrons, very happy.
Songwriter, Djamel Allam interprets his songs in Berber; he makes his first big concert in Alger, at the Mouggar, as the first part of de Areski and Brigitte Fontaine.
In 1973, his first album “Mara-Dyoughal”, is released and will be acclaimed by both the media and the public. Between 1978 and 1985, Djamel releases 3 albums: “Les rêves du vent” in 1978, ‘Si Slimane” in 1981 and “Salimo” in 1985.
In 1986, he returns to Algeria where he creates his own entertainment company to put his experience in favor of young Algerian artists.
When he goes back to Paris he records “Mawloud”, a painful testimony about the October events of which he witnessed during his last stay in Algeria.
“Le chant des sources”, released in the 90s, is a testimonial of his entire work revisited in an unplugged way.
With the complicity of his friend Safi Boutella, he releases in 2001 the album “Gouraya”, where music and lyrics claim to be deeply anchored in tradition and served in a simple orchestration full of modernity.
It’s been thirty years that Djamel Allam goes from experiences to adventures, from meetings to discoveries. His CD and DVD live are going to be available in France on October 2008.
In spring 2008 was release in Algeria his last album “Le youyou des anges” and will be obtainable in France in 2009.