Fodel's meteoric rise since he released his first album in 1998 at the age of 20 is unparalleled among Arab singers. His collaboration with Shab Khalid -- ŕ, 2, 3" -- which sold more than two million copies worldwide.
The Algerian artist grew up in poor neighborhoods in Paris. At the age of twelve, he formed his own band, performing at weddings and social occasions. But he had no inkling that his star would one day shine quite so brightly.
In an exclusive interview with Sayidaty, a sister publication of Arab News, he talked about his musical journey.
"I had no idea that my first album would be successful," he says. "But one of my songs became a kind of social phenomenon, far beyond an ordinary success."
The fact that his style came in for some criticism did not detract from his success. Some lovers of Rai -- the North African style of music he has made his own -- have attacked his unconventional approach. "But with time I made my own way and people began to love my own style of Rai."
His collaboration with Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama was "a fantastic experience". "Because of that duet, Arab audiences began to discover me and they loved my songs. It was a great honor for me. I don't consider myself a French singer although sometimes I sing in French."
Instead he emphasizes his Arab heritage, he says.
Another collaboration involved Lebanese pop star Amal Hijazi. "One of my producers at Universal Music asked me later to do a duet with her; I welcomed the idea and asked to meet her. I didn't know her background and whether she was known in the Arab world." The resulting song was a big success and helped both their careers.
Amal Hijazi had another effect on Fodel: she changed his look. "Before we filmed the video clip, she went with me to the hair stylist and suggested that I dye my hair white with a tint of blue. I said why not, let's try it. The main idea was to appear different to other singers."
The French media call him "the spoiled child of Rai music." Do they have a point? "I don't like these monikers, and I am not a spoiled child," Fodel says. "I grew up in France but I come from an Algerian background. I have two background cultures that I'm trying to bring together in my songs.
Success has brought a number of trappings Fodel is happy about. But, like many Arabs, he is particularly attached to his mother, and he is proudest of the house he has been able to buy for her. "She understands me more than anyone one in the world," he says.
Sayidaty can reveal that Fodel is the proud father of a 20-month-old son -- "the most precious thing in my life." He has kept his marriage and child secret so far -- no mean feat for someone so much in the public eye. And who is his wife?
"She is not an artist. She is just like me, from an Algerian background, and she works as a secretary in a French company." He says he didn't consciously decide to marry outside the entertainment industry. "My heart decided."
Singing colleague Shab Khalid said the French media was unfair to him. Does Fodel feel the same?
"With the exception of the Paparazzi, who care only about revealing the private life of artists and dig up whatever scandal they can, no. In fact they helped me a lot to become well known."
Shab Khalid had problems with the inland revenue and with his wife. "This is what motivates the Paparazzi to follow up these stories, because it sells newspapers."
Combining showbusiness with domestic life has not been easy, and Fodel is still only 25. But his wife understands, he says. "We both learned important things in life; one of them is to keep our marriage happy."