Rabat - Morocco’s Doukkala association will host the fifth annual Jawhara International Festival in three cities: El Jadida, Azemmour, and Bir Jdid, from October 6 to 8, 2015.

Jawhara International Festival returns this year with an exciting artistic program, including Music, Arts, Theater, Sports, and much more, led by famous Moroccan artists.

The festival allows thousands of people from different backgrounds to attend for free and take part of the event.

The festival places importance on popular music. Chaabi will have a strong presence in various forms and variations. Other genres will also be present, such as rap, fusion, and oriental music.

The list of Moroccan singers that are performing at the event includes Issam Kamal, AbdelAziz Stati, Saida Charaf, and Zina Daoudia.

Many other international singers will participate in the festival, including Algerians Cheb Bilal and Reda Taliani, Lebanese Pascal Mechalani, and French-Moroccan rapper Mister You.

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Rabat - British pop singer Lily Allen is currently in Marrakech, shooting a new campaign for fashion label Vero Moda and taking some time off for a little relaxation.

The 30-year-old singer who became the new face of the Danish brand Vero Moda last May, landed this week in Marrakech for the next ad campaign of the ready-to-wear brand, according to Huffington Post Maroc.

Allen who is currently boasting pastel-pink hair, appeared to be traveling without her husband Sam Cooper and their daughters – three-year-old Ethel and two-year-old Marnie.

Lily Allen shared a picture on her Instagram account, where she enjoying the sun while reclining under a canopy in Marrakech. The pop star also shared a selfie wearing minimal makeup.

She revealed her current location in Marrakech, for Vero Moda’s next ad campaign, tagging the brand’s account: "@veromodaglobal and using hashtags: #veromodaxlily #marrakech."

Lily Allen has recently contributed a pair of new songs to the soundtrack for “Pan”, the Peter Pan ‘origin story’ film due to open in theaters stateside on October 9th.

Allen's tracks, the uplifting ballad "Something's Not Right" and the upbeat, low-key "Little Soldier," presumably the anthem of the Lost Boys, were both written and produced by Keane's Tim Rice-Oxley.

The post British Pop Star Lily Allen in Marrakech for Business and Pleasure appeared first on Morocco World News.

By Latifa Lakri

Fez - The 18^th National Festival of Madih and Sama’a took place this year from October 9 to 17 in Fez.

Madih and sama’a, or religious recitation, is a rich cultural and spiritual practice that has been honored for centuries by many Moroccans. Within the art, one hears specific kinds of oral presentations that compliment and pay special tribute to the prophet Mohammed.

Its history dates back to the era of the prophet, when some little girls welcomed the prophet happily with long elaborate songs as he traveled from Mecca to Medina. The girls, members of the Najjar tribe, sang, “We are neighbors from Najjar, welcoming Mohammed who becomes our neighbor.” One may also hear the famous lyrics, “Tala’a lbadro ala’ina, min tani’ati louada’a …” The prophet Mohammed, happy with the poetry, told them that he loved them for the way they welcomed him.

Madih and Sama’a continued to develop and became part of Morocco’s heritage. Abed Al Aziz Ben Abd Aljalil, a Moroccan researcher of Music Heritage, says that this art dates back to the 7^th century, when celebrating the feast of the prophet’s birthday required remarkable considerations. It was further developed during the time of the Merinids, Aljalil argues, when the kings gave orders to organize ceremonies and include Islamic songs that paid tribute to the prophet on his birthday.

[caption id="attachment_170753" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Photo credit: Omar Chennafi[/caption]

The art reached its peak during the time of the Saadiyin, when great religious ceremonies were organized and various religious songs and long poems were performed for kings and men with political and social power. With the emergence of the Alaouite dynasty, the art of Madih and Sama’a was developed with particular artistic and literary characteristics that turned it into a professional art, performed on every occasion as an integral part of their culture and spirituality.

In Morocco, a number of shrines have celebrations featuring religious recitation. These include Moulay Idriss in Fez, Sidi Ben Abbass in Marrakesh, Sidi Saleh Lhakmaoui in Rabat, and Zaouia Rissounia in Tetouan. Madih and sama’a is specific and unique for each region and shrine.

Fez is most widely known for the celebration of this type of music. Organized by the Fez city council, the festival also coordinates competitions of this pure original art among children and young people of different schools of assama’a in Morocco. Ceremonial performances by various Moroccan groups of madih and sama’a, each with its own particular artistic and spiritual touch, are also featured.

The 18^th national festival focused not only on religious recitation but also on values of coexistence, love, and humanity, with an aim of creating a strong spiritual link among people from all corners of Morocco.

The post Fez Festival of Religious Recitation, When Art Meets the Spirit appeared first on Morocco World News.

By Rania Entifi

Tangier - At many events in northern Morocco, there is a singer that impresses the audience with her amazing voice and her style… When she sings Flamenco, you can’t say that she’s not from southern Spain, and when she sings northern folk songs, you know she’s definitely from Tangier.

She is Naoual Alaoui, an artist who has perfected the Flamenco, Moroccan, and Middle Eastern musical styles, but chooses to perform a fusion of Flamenco and folk songs of the northern region.

Her first album “El Amor Ya Habibi” contains diverse musical styles such as Flamenco, Reggeaton, Rap, and others. The songs are in different languages. Alaoui chooses to express herself in Arabic, French, Spanish, and Turkish. She is an artist who believes that music is an international language, and that every song has a message to deliver to the audience.

The new Flamenco star is about to launch her next album very soon. It will contain Fusion music, where she sings both Moroccan folk songs and Flamenco. The album also features a duet with Moroccan Rai star Rachid Berriah.

Alaoui just finished shooting an episode of “Fein ghady biya” a discovery show on the Moroccan channel Al oula. According to her, this experience took her to an “exotic and unexpected destination.”

The post Naoual Alaoui, Flamenco Made in Morocco appeared first on Morocco World News.

When Soraya El Awad, a Moroccan singer who lives in the Netherlands took the stage of “The Voice Arab”, her breathtaking voice captured the jury of the television show.

Soraya seduced all four judges of the singing competition with a sensual interpretation of Etta James’ song “At Last”.

A video of the Moroccan beauty’s performance posted on H24 info, shows the long-haired singer wearing a hat dressed in a two-texture black ensemble and simple makeup during her presentation.

Since the beginning of the song, members of the jury were instantly in awe of Soraya’s voice without looking at her – keeping true to the rules of the show.

During several key moments of her performance, the judges demonstrated their liking for the singer, which prompted them to listen and enjoy the song nearly to the end.

When their emotions were too intense, all four judges hit the red light as their chairs swung around to reveal Soraya’s identity.

The Moroccan was accepted by the entire jury of “The Voice Arab” unanimously to the applause and joy of the audience and her family.

The dreams of the Moroccan singer are one step closer to becoming a reality.

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By Abdelbaar Mounadi Idrissi

Tangier - The 9^th Annual International Festival of Expressive Dance, organized by the initiative of the “Babylon Cult-Art” association, will take place in Fez under the theme of “Toledances” on October 27-31.

Choreographic groups and artists from Brazil, Spain, the United States, France, India, Italy, Morocco, and Russia will participate in the festival, presenting spectacles of ballet, flamenco, oriental dances, classic, modern, Berber, and African dances, in addition to hip-hop and free expressionist dance.

This year, the festival will include several workshops and conferences with Moroccan and foreign artists that aim at highlighting the role of such festivals in cultural interactions and dialogue between cultures, in addition to exchanging universal choreographic experiences.

It also aims at fostering discussions about the appropriate tools to develop traditional Moroccan dances from the level of ordinary body movements to the level of becoming a part of the universal choreographic language.

This festival is one of many that promote cultural tourism and make Morocco a cultural melting pot and a place where cultures meet and interact.

The post Fez Hosts the 9th Annual International Festival of Expressive Dance appeared first on Morocco World News.

New York - Moroccan singers Hafid Douzi and Abdellah Daoudi will perform in Boston and New York next November.

The events, which will be organized by Achraf Rami Production, will take place in Boston on Friday, November 27 and in Astoria, Queens, on Sunday, November 29 from 2 to 8 pm.

 The events will also feature Moroccan singer based in New York Nouredinne Al Maghribi.

Douzi is accustomed to performing for the Moroccan diaspora in the United States. Last spring, he held a number of performances in New York.

He is also due to perform in Florida on November 21 and 22 in an event that will commemorate the 40^th anniversary of the Green March, when Morocco regained sovereignty over the so-called Western Sahara.

The 30-year old Rai star made headlines last August when he cancelled his participation in the 16^th annual International Festival for Palestine in Ramallah, after he discovered that he and his band would have to enter Ramallah via Tel Aviv airport.

The Moroccan diaspora in New York will also enjoy a performance by the Abdellah Daoudi, one of the leading figures of Chaabi music in Morocco.

This won’t be the first time Daoudi will perform in the United States. He has delighted the Moroccan community in the US several times with his talent. Daoudi made several tours in the US at the beginning of his artistic career in the late 1990s.

The price for tickets is set at $55. Music lovers interested in attending the event, should call Simo El Aissaoui at: 516-902-3622 or Achraf Rami at: 617-285-2962.

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By Jamal Bellahsen

Rabat - Tawargit is a Moroccan Amazigh music band in the south east of Morocco. The group has won the national modern Amazigh music awards, given by the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture.

Morocco World News conducted recently an interview with Mohammed Naciri, “Muha,” the leader of the Amazigh band Tawargit.

MWN: Congratulation on the award, how are you feeling?

Great. This prize will push us to continue in this domain, and it gives a legitimacy and credibility to our group. It’s not easy to be an artist, especially in a traditional society like the south east of Morocco. We are proud to be the third group in the south east to win this prize, after Moha Mallal, an Amazigh musician from the village of Tamlalte; and Nbarek Olaarbi, known as NBA and founder of the famous music group Saghru.

MWN: How did you start playing music?

I started music alone, when I was a student in Errachidia (a city in the south east of Morocco). There, I had my first contact with Amazigh music: I listened to the songs of NBA, who later became my friend. I was influenced by his music and his personality, so I start to play music myself. During my studies in Errachidia, I sang my first song with a group named Taghensa, and I even started playing with Saghru. I played music with them occasionally, and after the death of Nbarek Olaarbi, we created our own band, Tawargit.

MWN: Who are the musicians that have influenced you?  

Personally, I was highly influenced by Nbarek Oulaarbi—not just by his music, but also by our unity, our Amazigh identity. I’ve also listened to other musicians from all around the world, especially from the Kabylie like Idir, lounes Maatoub, Mark Knopfler, and others.

MWN: When did you produce your first album?

Our first album was produced in 2011, with the title “Saghru: Eternal revolution, memory of a forgettable mountain.” Our second album was released in 2013, named “Azwu n Tlelli,” which means “wind of freedom” in Tamazight. In this album, we sing about different topics, such as our history in North Africa, our mothers, freedom, etc.

Now we are preparing our third album, and will be participate in a film about Jewish-Berber music produced by the Moroccan director Kamal Hachkar.

MWN: Why do you choose to play Amazigh music?

It’s not a choice; we grew up in an Amazigh society that has a lot of problems like poor living conditions and lack of infrastructure. These are the things we try to talk about in our songs. Amazigh music for us is a priority: we can’t play music just for dance or have fun, we play music because we have a message. We play music to defend the Amazigh cause and to defend our culture.

MWN: What are the themes that you talk about in your songs?

We sing about everything: what we feel in our daily life, poverty, the Amazigh identity, love, etc. We don’t have borders for our topics. We sing about anything we feel.

MWN: Do you earn money from your music?

Our goal is not to earn money. All members of the group are students, all of them intellectuals. We play music to defend our ideas, and this music helps us in our studies. For us, music is education, and this is our philosophy. Our Amazigh music is not a way for us to earn money because we don’t participate in festivals. We are not featured in the media—we are marginalized, but it’s not a problem for us. We will continue to play our music.

MWN: What is the biggest challenge for your group?

Our challenge is continuing our music. It’s difficult to play Amazigh music, especially in the south east of Morocco, but we will not change. We will fight about our culture and our cause. Another big challenge for Tawargit (and all other music groups in the south east), is that we don’t have institutions to learn music. We have over 40 music bands, and all of them are self-educated musicians. We need conservatories: young talent needs framing. If we had a conservatory in Tinghir (a city in the south east of the country), I’m sure that we will discover a lot of talented artists.

Edited by Katrina Bushko

© Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed without permission

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Rabat - Moroccan singer Dounnia Batma along with a number of Moroccan and foreign figures were decorated by King Mohammed VI on Saturday in Laayoune, on the 40th anniversary of the Green March.

This is the second time the Moroccan singer receives a royal wissam, after she was awarded a Royal Wissam on the 50th birthday of the Sovereign in August 2013.

Abdelhadi Belkhayat, Hayat Idrissi, fathallah lamghari as well as Abdou Charif and Sanaa Merhati.are also among the Moroccan artists decorated by the King.

 Moroccan filmmaker Youssef Briteland and Outman Benzakour, a filmmaker and producer, aslo received Royal Wissams.

King Mohammed VI also awarded decorated Khalihenna Ould Errachid, president of the Royal Consultative Council for Sahara Affairs (CORCAS), and Ahmed Ould Souilem, a former prominent figure of the Polisario, and former Morocco’s Ambassador to Spain.

The post Dounia Batma Decorated by King Mohammed VI For Second Time appeared first on Morocco World News.

By Cindy Basha

Rabat - The Eagles of Death Metal, the band that was performing at the Bataclan during the Paris attacks on November 13, told Vice magazine on November 21^st that it is eager to return to that venue and play again.

“I cannot wait to go back to Paris, I cannot wait to play”, said the band’s co-founder, Jesse Hughes. He added “I was there when it went silent”.

Hughes added that his eagerness to return was not political, but rather for the love music. “Our friends went there to see rock and roll and died.  I wanna go back there and live”

During the attack, members of the group fled the gunmen along with fans. The band’s bass player, Matt Majunkins, hid with fans in a room off-stage.

“There’s a bunch of people helping each other get in. As soon as we get there, there were people who had been shot…We used chairs to barricade the doors”

They had also expressed gratitude for those who helped them. Eden Galindo, the lead guitar player, told the press how he was helped by fans when he escaped.

The band’s co-founder, Josh Homme, wishes he could speak with the parents of his fans and give his support.

“I wish I could get down on my knees and say “whatever you need””.

The band Duran Duran, whose song “Save a Prayer” was covered by The Eagles of Death Metal, will donate proceeds from that song to the families of the victims. Also, the band has asked music publishers such as Itunes and Spotify to give proceeds from the song “I Love You All the Time” to these families.

Hommes expressed his solidarity to the victims, as well as the bravery of the fans.

“We represent the fans that did not make it, whose stories may never be told” he added, while holding a list of names of those who died in the attacks.

The post Paris Attacks: Eagles of Death Metal Will Return to Bataclan appeared first on Morocco World News.

New York - Lebanese superstar Haifa Wehbe published a video on her official Facebook Page announcing her arrival in Morocco.

“To my fans awaiting my arrival in Morocco, I will meet you in Casablanca at the Scenario, wait for me. I love you all”, Haifa said through a short video recorded by the star herself on a mirror reflection using her mobile phone.

The singer is scheduled to perform this Thursday, December 3 at the “Scenario Oriental Club” in Ain Diab, Casablanca.

Haifa Wehbe has performed several times in Morocco, including in a concert for tolerance in Agadir in 2009.

The Arabic pop singer and actress is one of the most famous singers in the Arab world and considered one of the most successful Lebanese singers.

Her visit to the North African country has been criticized by Moroccan sheikh, Mohammed Fizazi, who said on social media that the singer is not welcome in Morocco.  “You are not welcome in Morocco,” y are not welcome said, calling on Moroccans to denounce her presence by saying, “No for Wehbe’s visit to sully Morocco’s soil”.

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Washington DC - Last year I wrote about well known Moroccan musician, tradition bearer, and ambassador of peace, Rachid Halihal. Recently, I became acquainted with another musical ambassador of peace from Morocco, an up and coming young Gnawa musician named Samir LanGus.

Samir is based in New York. He played at the International Festival in northern Virginia in October and recently sat down with me and told me about his musical journey from Morocco to the U.S.

Samir hails from Agadir, Morocco. In 2010, he won the lottery to come to the United States. Now, at only 25 years old, he has been inspired by many musicians, including Gnawa masters such as Hamid el Kasri and Hassan Ben Jaafer.

The music of the Gnawa, a Sufi religious order in Morocco, is ritual trance music of Morocco’s black communities, originally descended from slaves and soldiers once brought to Morocco from Northern Mali and Mauritania. The music is believed to heal people possessed by jinn, or spirits. What most Americans do not know is that Gnawa music is the genesis of both American jazz and blues, and many American and British artists, including Randy Weston, Mick Jagger, Robert Plant, Brian Jones, and Jimmy Page, have embraced it for decades.

But “Gnawa is not just the music,” says Samir. “It’s the culture. You can’t play just the sintir, you also need the castanets [qarqakeb] to have the Gnawa spirit.” He describes the sintir, a stringed percussion instrument made of wood and camel skin with goat gut strings, as a “powerful instrument” with an amazing sound. “You feel it in your heart,” he says.

Samir says there is big audience for Gnawa music in New York.  New Yorker magazine documented the rise of Gnawa music in the U.S. last year.

Recently the band LanGus founded, Innov Gnawa, was listed as one of the top ten bands in Brooklyn, NY.

While emulating the pure Gnawa masters, Samir also takes inspiration from fusion such as that played by Jil Jilala, “the first band to do it.” He would like to improvise with Berber, Indian, Saharan, and even Flamenco music. He says he tries to play a mix that keeps the Gnawa tradition. He recently released his first fusion album called “Mimouna.” It is a mix of traditional songs and fusion with Jewish Moroccan music, including songs about Sidi Moussa (Moses).

Samir wants to “take Gnawa music to the next level and bring it the respect it deserves.” Gnawa music is “the mother, the real thing, the foundation,” he says. “When you hear it, you fall in love with it.”  What makes his music exciting is a fusion of a centuries old North African tradition with the pulse and attitude of New York City.

I asked Samir about his name, LanGus. He said that LanGus comes from the word “lobster” in French (langouste). He said that most Gnawa musicians have a name related to a fish. He explained that this naming tradition reflects their love of the sea and of nature. He chose LanGus because it represents his position in society and his culture. He said choosing a fancy name would have been like wearing a djellaba with fancy shoes: “they don’t go together.”

Although he himself is modest, Samir dreams big. He dreams of having a significant Gnawa festival in the U.S., both to showcase bands that are already in the U.S. —  Gnawa as well as jazz, rock, and blues bands — and to bring over musicians from Morocco for a giant collaboration that would draw on traditional music from the older generations and bring in new elements from the younger generation.

In the meantime, he believes in giving newer, up and coming musicians a helping hand, bringing them in, and encouraging them to play. “Being a successful musician is not just being good on stage. You need to be good with helping people too — helping someone who wants to learn or to know about the culture.” Quoting from Mahatma Ghandi, he says, “If you face violence with violence, you get violence.” He wants to teach people about his culture. “Gnawa means Morocco; Gnawa means Africa.”

Samir returns to Washington D.C. this weekend to play a free concert at the Kennedy Centre at 6pm on Sunday, February 20, 2015. There will be an after-party performance at Bossa in Adams Morgan. More information is available at https://www.facebook.com/events/389686881155737/.

© Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed without permission

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Taroudant - David Bowie, English singer-songwriter and producer, died on Sunday after an 18-month battle with cancer, his publicist Steve Martin told CNN.

His son, film director Duncan Jones, also confirmed the news and a statement was issued on his social media accounts.

Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all. pic.twitter.com/Kh2fq3tf9m

— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) January 11, 2016

"David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer. While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief," read a statement posted on the artist's official social media accounts.

The post announcing the death of the musician garnered more than 172,848 people, 235,083 shares and more than 44,833 comments.

Most of the comments, posted by users from around the world, expressed sadness for the loss “one of the most influential musicians of his era.” Bowie’s colleagues and friends took to social media to offer their condolences to the family of the deceased.

MESSAGE FROM IGGY: "David’s friendship was the light of my life. I never met such a brilliant person. He was the best there is. - Iggy Pop"

— Iggy Pop (@IggyPop) January 11, 2016

Brian Eno, who collaborated with Bowie on his albums Low and Heroes, said: "Words cannot express... rest in peace David Bowie".

Madonna said that Bowie had "changed her life".

Talented . Unique. Genius. Game Changer. The Man who Fell to Earth. Your Spirit Lives on Forever! ???? #rebelheart pic.twitter.com/k3k3lfL3Bv

— Madonna (@Madonna) January 11, 2016

Bowie's hits include Let's Dance, Space Oddity, Starman, Modern Love, Heroes, Under Pressure, Rebel, Rebel and Life on Mars.

The post David Bowie Dies of Cancer at 69 appeared first on Morocco World News.

New York- Canadian singer Celine Dion’s husband and long-time manager René Angélil died on Thursday at 73 from throat cancer.

"René Angélil, 73, passed away this morning at his home in Las Vegas after a long and courageous battle against cancer," Celine’s rep confirmed the sad news to the Huffington Post via email.

"The family requests that their privacy be respected at the moment; more details will be provided at a later time,” the statement added.

The pop singer’s official Facebook Page managed by ‘Equipe Céline’, posted about Angélil’s passing in French.

The message has been shared over 19,000 times and nearly 15,000 comments of condolences and support have been left for Celine and her family.

Music mogul René Angélil and Celine Dion met in 1980 when the singer was 12 years old. They married 14 years later, in December 1994, in a legendary royal-like wedding, despite their big age difference.

According to the same source, Celine and René have three sons; René-Charles born in 2001 and fraternal twins Eddy and Nelson, born in 2010.

Dion is Angélil’s third wife. He had two other sons, Jean Pierre and Patrick, and a daughter named Anne Marie, from his two previous marriages.

Angélil was born January 16, 1942 in Montréal. He underwent 38 rounds of chemotherapy and radiation in his fight against cancer in 1999, after having been diagnosed with cancer three times, the same source noted.

Although it was reported doctors told René he was finally cancer-free, he had a tumor removed from his throat in 2014, a surgery from which he never fully recovered.

In March 2015, Celine gave a heart-breaking statement about her husband’s health during “Good Morning America” television show.

The French-Canadian celebrity revealed with tears in her eyes that René could no longer talk or swallow.

"He can’t eat so I feed him," she said, adding "He’s got a feeding tube. I have to feed him three times a day."

Knowing his terminal condition was ending his life, René and Celine discussed a plan for his final days. She shared the touching moment last August to USA Today.

"I'll say, 'You're scared? I understand. Talk to me about it,'" she would ask her husband.

"And René says to me, 'I want to die in your arms.' OK, fine, I'll be there, you'll die in my arms,” she revealed then.

Celine has always said how grateful she is to René and spoken openly about her endless love for him.

The post Celine Dion’s Husband René Angélil Dies At 73 appeared first on Morocco World News.

New York - Nour Kamar, a Tunisian girl with a larger-than-life voice captured the jury of the Voice Kids Arabia on Saturday.

The beautifully talented Nour performed the well-known song “Bi Ridhak” (“Your Permission”) from the late Egyptian singer diva Oum Kalthoum.

The judges were rapidly impressed by her voice from the very first note as two of them immediately hit their red buttons to turn their chairs around and face Kamar.

Her pitch-perfect performance well beyond her years left everyone in awe, including the Tunisian girl’s mother and sisters who were watching backstage.

The YouTube video of her performance has gone viral on social media networks receiving praise from the thousands who have enjoyed the girl’s powerful voice.

Little Nour’s tonality, modulation, the quality of her pitch, the intensity of her emotion, and her openly sweet personality seduced the jury who wanted Kamar to pick one over the other to coach her during the show.

The Tunisian sensation stayed loyal and ended up choosing judge Hosny, the first one to believe in her as he hit his red button the moment she began singing.

For the first time in the Middle East, the Voice Kids Arabia, is showcasing child singers aged 7-14, from all Arab countries.

The first episode aired on January 2 on NBC. Children will be judged by three celebrities from the Arab World, Iraqi artist Kazem Al-Saher, Lebanese beauty and singer Nancy Ajram, and Egyptian Superstar Tamer Hosny.

The post Voice Kids Arabia: Tunisian Girl’s Voice Amazes the Judges appeared first on Morocco World News.

Taroudante - Maître Gims will perform at the Mawazine Festival on Monday, May 23 at OLM Souissi stage in Rabat, the Maroc Culture Association announced.

Gandhi Djuna, a Congolese born French rapper, better known by his stage name Maître Gims, will perform at Mawazine Festival- Rhythms of the World.

A singer and songwriter, Maitre branched out on his own and is now recognized by many as one of the most popular singers in France, selling over 1 million copies of his popular solo 18-track album Subliminal, released on May 20, 2013.

The Maroc Culture Association, the organizer of the festival, said that the 14th annual Mawazine Festival in 2015 drew a record 2.65 million spectators, despite the controversy caused by the Jennifer Lopez on the opening day of the festival.

Jennifer Lopez’s performance at the opening ceremony of the 14th Mawazine Festival caused an uproar on social media, as the American star appeared scantily clad on stage with sensual dances that are considered “too revealing.”

After a hot debate about the festival, rumors claimed that last year’s festival wasbe the last one to be organized in Rabat, but the organizers denied the claims, and announced that the 15th Mawazine Festival was  scheduled to take place from May 20 to 28, 2016 in Rabat.

The post Maître Gims to Perform at Mawazine Festival appeared first on Morocco World News.

Rabat - A young Moroccan girl, Nouahaila El kalai, participates in the Arabic version of The Voice Kids program held and broadcasted on the Arabic channel MBC1.

In the first round of the competition, Nohaila beautifully sang Al-Assami, one of the best hits of the late Tunisian star Thekra Mohammed Abdullah ed Dali. Known as DIKRA, she not only channels the Lebanese star Nancy Ajram, but also the great singer Kadem Essaher and the talented Tamer Hossni.

Nauhaila El-Kalai was born in Fez in 2002, and currently lives in the city of Casablanca, Morocco. So far, she has participated in several festivals and concerts in Morocco. In September 2013, Nohaila appeared on Sabahiat 2M and had great reception from the audience. In 2014, Nohaila sang a tribute to Sami El Maghreby in Essaouira's Andalousies Atlantiques Festival electrifying the hearts of those present with her miraculous talents, innocence and confidence

Noahaila performs Malhoun music. Reflecting traditional imagery, and embracing Andalusian cultural and artistic influences, Malhoun is sung poetry mixing mystical praises, anecdotes of love, and celebrations of historical adventures. Her interest in Andalusian music reflects an awareness of this musical heritage and invitation by this young girl to revive it.

In a phone interview with Morocco World News following her great performance this year in The Voice Kids, Nouhaila said:" my eyes were on the trophy. I wish I could win this year. Every one in [my] family, my friends…were encouraging me. I wish I could meet their expectations and I expect to receive a lot of support from Moroccans."

[caption id="attachment_178532" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Nouahaila El kale singing malhoun in Fez[/caption]

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Meknes - Ahmed Salah Zarug, the Moroccan rapper known by his stage name A.z.DANDI, dreams of representing Moroccan music all over the world.

In an interview with Morocco World News, the promising singer described his life and the beginning of his artistic journey, which started during the recent emergence of hip-hop culture in Morocco.

“In 2008, I embarked on … [rapping] in English because it is the mother language of hip-hop in order to address the whole world and to show the power of my lyrics, as well as to give my message an understandable meaning [that] can be clear to audiences from different cultures.”

Zarug experienced several obstacles along the way. Lack of support was one of the challenges that impeded the start of the Casablancan native’s journey, an issue he blames on Moroccan audiences’ lack of knowledge of rap and hip-hop culture at that time. “The major hindrance in my career is big lack of encouragement and motivation from people,” he said.

The 19-year-old artist views art as an integral part of human existence, the tool that connects the souls of people. “Music is my inspiration and the bridge to [speak] to [human] feelings. This is why I believe that music is the world itself,” he said.

The flamboyant rapper participated in several well-known events in Morocco in which he bolstered his artistic credentials such as Boulevard in Casablanca, and a concert in Essaouira on Youth Day in 2013.

Before he fully immerses himself in his rap career, Zarug is studying International Studies at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane. He has seized the opportunity while living in Moroccan Switzerland to draw inspiration from his surroundings, creating a video clip called “Beautiful Nature” which portrays the beauty of natural landscapes and scenes throughout the kingdom.

“Creativity is associated with the beauty of nature. I am nowadays in a natural, glamorous place. I seized the opportunity to sing about it and embody nature in order to demonstrate the relationship between creativity and nature. The song was in a collaboration with Yassine Adnane and Soufian El Maliki. Furthermore, It was supported passionately [by] my friends,” Zarug said.

Zarug is currently working with another rapper on a mixtape that will be released in mid-March, in addition to an album in collaboration with other Moroccan artists that will be released in August.

Zarug is not merely an ordinary artist, but is also a producer and a director. He believes that the world is full positive things that allow humans to enjoy the splendor of life. “I always try to make people understand my positive vision and philosophy in life that might help us to contribute [to] the development of the world,” Zarug said. “Thus, people need blissful and happy songs as a form of celebration.”

Edited by Kelsey Fish

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Rabat - Nidal Ibourk released her new song and its accompanying video on Saturday just in time for Valentine's Day. The song, “Lmadi," tells the story of a young woman who shares her nostalgic childhood memories.

Ibourk says that the song and its music video are "indicative of her personality." The song features Ibourk's melodious vocals and her characteristic attention to technical detail. Ibourk strives to preserve her Moroccan musical heritage while still appealing to fans of a more modern musical style.

Ibourk gives kudos to everyone who participated in the production of the song’s video, which was filmed in Montreal, Canada. The video is professional and the work done on it by people of Lebanese, Canadian, Columbian and Moroccan nationalities demonstrates ethnic unity.

Ibourk has performed in concert venues in Morocco, Canada and the United States. She understands that her success so far has been achieved "thanks to her loved ones and supporters" and she gives credit to those who have helped her along the way.

Ibourk continues to remain humble in the face of her artistic struggles and successes. “As I encourage others, I also encourage myself,” she said.

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Rabat -Internationally renowned artist, Moha Oulhouceine Achibane, also known as "The Maestro," passed away in his home in the village of Azrou Aït Lahcen in the Khenifra Province on Friday morning. He was 113 years old.

Khalid Zouani, president of the Maestro Association of Amazigh poets, delivered the news of the passing of the famous singer, dancer and leader of the Moroccan orchestra, according to the Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).

The deceased's funeral will take place on Friday after the prayer of Al-Asr, according to the report.

A rising star in the Moroccan cultural scene, Achibane began his artistic career in 1950. For more than 60 years, he was the emblematic figure of the Middle Atlas’ Ahidous art.

The deceased, who has to his credit some 150 exhibitions in international forums and festivals, became the first Moroccan to light the torch of the FIFA World Cup in Spain in 1982.

He also received several national and international awards presented to him by world renowned personalities.

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