Morocco has a rich musical heritage, and its female singers have played a significant role in shaping its cultural landscape. From addressing social issues to embracing modern sounds, these artists have left an indelible mark on the music scene.
Pioneering Voices of the Past
In the 1940s, Moroccan female artists like Zohra El Fassia sang about the Jewish Moroccan experience. She was born in Sefrou, near Fez, Morocco, to Naomi and Eliyahu Hamou. Her father was a butcher and ḥazzan(Cantor) . During her youth, she moved to the former imperial capital of Fez, where she began singing in coffee houses and cabarets. It was there that she took on the appellation “El Fassia, " meaning from Fez.
She earned the titles of cheikha or maalema [master] and became a prominent figure in the recording industry that thrived in colonial Maghreb. Her reputation as a shaʿbī and malḥūn singer, or one who sings long-form colloquial poems set to music that narrate tales of politics, history, beauty, and heartbreak, grew and garnered her much respect. She moved to Casablanca to be part of its burgeoning recording scene sometime in the mid-1920s.
Beginning in the 1930s, she released numerous 78 rpm records through esteemed international labels such as Pathé, Philips, and Polyphon, making her among the first wave of singers to record in North Africa. El Fassia was part of a group of distinguished Jewish musicians across North Africa who achieved significant mainstream success. She was the first Moroccan woman to write and compose songs and sing them in public, and to record discs for major record labels such as Columbia Records and Gramophone Company.
Zohra’s Jewish identity was not considered to be problematic in Morocco during the height of her fame. In fact, the king of Morocco, Mohammed V, was so impressed by her voice that he invited her to sing at his court. Her music could also be political, and it is thought that her 1954-1955 recording of Hbibi Diali [My Love] was an expression of longing for the return of the then-exiled sultan.
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In the early 1960s, Zohra departed Morocco after having built a prolific and illustrious career as a performer and recording artist across multiple genres. She was one of over 200,000 Jews who left Morocco between 1948 and 1967 and relocated in phases to Israel, France, and North America in response to the political and economic uncertainty that gripped North Africa as part of its decolonization.
On November 4, 1994, Zohra El Fassia passed away, leaving behind an extensive family that included numerous musicians and performing and visual artists in Israel, France, and the United States. Although in Israel El-Fassia did not attain the same level of fame she achieved in Morocco, her oeuvre has influenced a new generation of Moroccan and Israeli artists. Her music, life story, and personality served as a gateway through which these artists could explore the cultural diversity of the Jewish Diaspora and a means with which to share their stories of loss during migration to Israel.
In the 1970s, Najat Aâtabou records addressed being a woman in Morocco and issues of infidelity. She sang for the king and the princes. When France occupied Morocco, she even wrote coded texts to guide activists from one place to another.
Evolution of Themes in Music
Political issues and daily challenges of the Moroccan female have become less apparent in the music. They have been replaced by pop music themes on love, betrayal, and relationships. These contemporary topics reflect the expanding presence of globalization and modernity in Moroccan culture.
Emergence of New Voices
During the past decade, Moroccan female rap group Tigress Flow led to the gradual emergence of new, female music that has been tackling societal issues. Although rap is traditionally recognized as a predominantly male industry, female rappers are embracing the platform and some are spreading messages about the importance of gender equality, freedom of expression, and politics. Taking freedom of expression a step further and turning the page highlighting bravery are female rap artists.
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A new group of young Moroccan females has emerged as DJs.
ARKADYAN SET @ SURF CLUB DUBAI
Spotlight on Female DJs
- Sarra Wild DJ: A DJ and event booker from Glasgow with Algerian, Senegalese, and Fes roots played at the Atlas Festival this September. Beyond her Moroccan roots, Sarra expressed excitement to make a difference because she has been involved in creating opportunities for women.
“Misogyny is definitely a thing. When I first started out there weren’t many of us around. In the beginning, the few women that were in my scene created free workshops to teach other women. We hosted panel talks to educate people. Everything grew from here. Every artist’s music carries messages. Sarra’s message is about acceptance.
- GLITTER55 (Manal): Known in Parisian and Moroccan electronic music circles as GLITTER55, the Rabat born DJ is one to watch. Aspiring to create unique sounds and make an impact, the twenty-five-year-old musician masterfully blends Moroccan Chabbi sounds with Western techno. Manal’s talent likely stems from her early musical training.
At the age of five, Manal was enrolled in the musical academy, the Conservatoire of the Royal Gendarmerie to learn solfege and singing. This prepared her to take a leading role in today’s music scene. Upon deciding to pursue a music career, opportunities quickly opened. She started by managing musicians, and then emerged as a DJ. In the beginning, her parent’s had a difficult time understanding her choices. “I explained to my mother that being a DJ is a job, good luck!” In spite of this Manal carried on and looked towards two of her idols for inspiration, one of them being her grandmother.
- Yasmean: A twenty-five-year-old DJ from Casablanca. By day she works as a digital marketing manager and by night she spins. Her innovative sounds are influenced by Hyperdub’s bass spectrum. Yasmean produces electronic music and brings innovative new sounds to Morocco.
“I’ve never felt that I have to play a genre to express where I came from. Possibly, her confidence comes from having a supportive family. She started playing at 19 and although her parents were not against it they argued, “music does not pay the bills… long-term in Morocco. Unfortunately, this is a reality I accept.” Something else that has made a big difference in getting her messages and sounds globally recognized is the internet.
- Unnamed Afghanistan born DJ: A young Afghanistan born DJ based in Heig. She recently visited Morocco for the first time to play at Atlas. In her sets, she incorporates Middle Eastern sound with percussion-based music.
“I strive to make a balance between art and politics in my works, especially as a visual artist and in the music. That is why I like to bring in Middle Eastern Percussion works with the LGBT club culture. I like to show that it is possible and complementary to the sound.
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Opportunities and Recognition
Manal’s talent has been recognized throughout Europe and Morocco. She has played on Rinse France, and at festivals with other strong female singers like Lebanon’s Hadi Zeidan. There are now more opportunities for these female artists to perform. The Atlas Electronic Festival is accompanied by other annual festivals that support innovation and female artists: September Oasis Festival in Marrakech and the October MOGA music festival in Essaouira.
Other Famous Singers from Morocco
According to Pantheon, the top 10 most legendary Moroccan Singers of all time are:
- Frida Boccara (1940 - 1996)
- Anne-Marie David (b. 1952)
- Samira Said (b. 1958)
- RedOne (b. 1972)
- Avi Toledano (b. 1948)
- Hindi Zahra (b. 1979)
- French Montana (b. 1984)
- Sofia Essaïdi (b. 1984)
- Shatha Hassoun (b. 1981)
- Ahmed Chawki (b. 1982)
These singers have achieved international recognition and contributed to the rich tapestry of Moroccan music.
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