RIP Rene Bendali

Just found out via The National that Rene Bendali from The Bendali Family passed away. He was 70 years ago.

The Bendali Family is mostly famous for the song “Do You Love Me” from 1970s. It remains to be a unique and catchy song that blends English lyrics with a very 100% Arabic delivery.

Here’s an older Rene Bendali singing the same song on the Soula Show hosted by the singer Asala a few years ago.

Update:
Just found out from my brother a remixed version of the the song was part of the runway music in this year’s Rihana’s Savage X Fenty Show.

Do You? by Troyboi. I wonder if royalties were paid to Rene Bendali or his family.

Here’s a sample:

This is the music video. Orientalist et al.