Sound

Nass El Ghiwane

Nass El Ghiwane (نَاس ٱلْغِيوَان) is a renowned Moroccan music ensemble that emerged in the 1970s, rooted in the vibrant Hay Mohammadi district of Casablanca. The group initially consisted of six talented musicians: Laarbi Batma, Allal Yaâla, Moulay Abdelaziz Tahiri (a key figure in the formation of both Nass El Ghiwane and Jil Jilala), Omar Sayed, Raifak Redouane, Mohamed Akhdim, and Boujmîa Hagour.

Drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of Moroccan culture, their music weaves together traditional styles such as Aïta, Melhoun, Gnaoua, and Hamadcha, while also incorporating Sufi poetry. Their lyrics, often poignant and reflective of the struggles faced by Moroccan youth, combined with their distinctive rhythms played on traditional instruments, transformed the musical landscape of Morocco and the wider Maghreb region. Esteemed American filmmaker Martin Scorsese famously referred to them as the “Rolling Stones of Africa.” Notably, Peter Gabriel drew influences from their song "Ya Sah" for his composition in the soundtrack of The Last Temptation of Christ.

Despite their official stance of apoliticism, Nass El Ghiwane's music often addressed pressing social issues, resonating with the concerns of Arab youth. Their song "Sabra wa Chatila," which comments on the tragic events in Palestinian refugee camps, exemplifies their broader engagement with global matters. Although they faced censorship and were banned from mainstream media until 2007, when King Mohammed VI reinstated them, their legacy endures. In 2018, a compilation titled The Very Best Of Nass El Ghiwane was released, showcasing their timeless influence on contemporary North African music.

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