By Jamal Laoudi

Washington DC - Rai star Kader Japoni was born Abdel Kader Haibraoui in Bab El Ouad, Algiers, on March 11th 1979. Though he realized his vocal talent at a very young age, he did not perform publicly until he was well into his teens. He went from singing to himself by locking his dorm-door during his tenure at University in the city of Bel Abass to performing for thousands and at the Zenith in France.

He is already a well-recognized name in the Maghreb region and among Maghrebi communities in Europe and elsewhere. Aside from his many hits and albums, his achievements include the 2010 best North African song at an African Music Awards, and Artist of the Year at the 2013 Algerian Music Awards.

Here is Kader with more:

How did you get involved in singing and what music genres did you grow up listening to?:

Kader Japoni: I discovered I enjoyed singing at a very young age. I recall gathering with my friends, siblings, or other family members and singing whatever was popular at the time. With that being said, I would not do so in the presence of my parents.

I listened to various styles of music and artists, but I favored Hasni and Nasro for Rai. As far as other styles, I enjoyed George Wassouf, Lionel Ritchie, and Charles Aznavour, among others.

What was your early work like? Describe the process of your artistic growth.

Kader Japoni: Like many of my predecessors and as is the path for Algerian Raimen, I started out performing at weddings, cabarets, private parties, and the like. Initially, I did not have my own material so I covered what was popular.

In 2001, when I was 17, I released my very first album with all original tracks. As a matter of fact, all my albums are original.  I try to release one album a year – Oscar, an album I released not long ago, is doing very well. My latest is entitled “Today” and was recently released.

Slowly, I started building a name for myself. I released albums from 2001 to 2006 but with very little success. I was still trying to find my niche. I released one album every two years. 2006 proved to be the defining year for me, with the release of the album “Ana Wana.” Doors began to open. I released albums in 2008 and 2009 and continued on that path.  I did the Zenith in Paris in 2009.

Rai, as a music genre, has had its up and downs. It seems now to be moving in an upward motion. To what do you attribute the previous decline?

Kader Japoni: True, there was a period of decline, if you will, but Rai bounced back. Algeria suffered a civil war, and when that happens, the arts are one of the first to take a hit. You are not going to record albums nor entertain audiences in concert halls during a civil war. I am glad to see that it is all over, and that the arts are back.  I hope that we will only improve over time.

If presented with all the artists that ever existed, and asked who would you want to do a duet with, whom would you choose and why?

Kader Japoni: This is actually easy to answer. I would choose the late (Cheb) Hasni. There is something unique about his ability to stir and evoke emotions from within that you may not have previously known were there. There is something about the combination of his lyrics; derived from real life events, his carefully chosen melodies, and his smooth, pure voice that made him stand out from the rest. He had the uncanny ability to make his audience part of the story in his songs. These characteristics are the reason behind my choosing him.

What brought you to the United States?

Kader Japoni: I am here for concert performances starting here in Washington DC.  It is a great opportunity for me to connect with my fans on this side of the Atlantic. I am also on a musical exploration mission. To stay current and evolve, one must explore, experiment, and continue to learn and grow artistically and otherwise. My goal is to also connect with established US-based artists in hope to collaborate on projects.

Last words?

Kader Japoni: Thank you, Jamal, for this opportunity. I hope everyone enjoys my performance and I look forward to visiting more often.

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Rabat- Following the opening of the Mawazine Festival in Rabat on Friday, May 29th, several Spanish media outlets have reported on the subsequent controversy surrounding the headlining performance of international pop star Jennifer Lopez.

45-year-old "JLo" was invited by the concert organizers to open the festival, which lasts until June 6th and showcases artists from all over the world.

However, musical diversity also comes with cultural diversity, which brings about differing values, attitudes, languages, and more.

In JLo's case, the cultural values that make up her iconic persona, such as seductive dancing and skimpy outfits, have upset the Moroccan public and government.

Abc.es reported that Moroccan Minister of Communication Mustafa El Khalfi described Lopez's performance as "reprehensible and unacceptable" for public broadcast television in a tweet on the Sunday following the performance.

20 minutos reported similar information, and also included that it had been debated whether or not Lopez would tone down her performance to better fulfill the values and expectations of the Moroccan public, something that obviously did not occur.

Both of these articles raise the question of whether or not the ethical considerations being put in place regarding the public broadcast of Mawazine are in line with Muslim values, and whether or not they should be reviewed to prevent similar uproar in the future.

El Pais, however, included some of the criticism of Morocco's reaction to Lopez's performance that has been floating around various media outlets in the past few days. The Spanish newspaper quoted a columnist for Moroccan news outlet Liberation said that Mustafa al Jalfi could have very easily gone to sleep instead of enduring three long hours of JLo's performance on his television. "We don't know if, deep down, Jalfi enjoyed the concert himself."

El Pais went on to state that the fury of the Moroccan public and government demonstrates how the prominent inequality of the sexes continues to be in the country and among its people.

"It is a society in which practicing pre-marital sex and homosexuality can land you in jail, but women's rights see almost no improvement from day to day," writes El Pais.

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Fez - Moroccan composer and musicologist Nabil Benabdeljalil and the Zakharif Ensemble delivered an outstanding performance on Thursday afternoon at the Batha Museum, marrying oriental and occidental melodies and taking the audience on a voyage across cultures.

The ensemble approaches music holistically and interprets it as a harmony of intricate, polyphonic compositions and arrangements that connect with the spirit of tradition. The ensemble plays jazz, Moroccan, Middle Eastern, and Arabic music, classical music of the Romantic era, and classical 20th century music.

Although the groups participating in the Festival this year may differ in name, kinds of music, and rhythm, they all share a pivotal theme in common: the journey of Hassan Al Wazan and his migration from Andalusia to Africa and back again to Europe.

Nabil Benabdeljalil and the Zakharif Ensemble emphasized this theme performing pieces from the classical Arab repertoire infused with western tunes.

Before the concert began, the organizers experienced difficulties due to rain and the heavy wind which blew tree leaves all over the tiled courtyard of the venue, causing a delay. Responding to the discomfort with the weather conditions, one spectator commented: “This is part of the sacred,.” urging listeners to smile.

Finally, the group appeared on stage to a warm applause.

The first two pieces were “Romance without Speech” and “The Impossible Dance,’’ both composed by Nabil Benabdeljalil. The pieces were deftly and musically played although they sounded as if they were composed of a hodge-podge of intricate musical notes, mixing Austrian, Egyptian, American, and Moroccan rhythms and tunes. The audience noticed the meticulous precision with which the group of artists played their instruments (piano, percussion, Ooud , saxophone, and percussions) to create the uncanny harmony of which Nabil Benabdeljalil is fond of. The quartet whetted the viewers’ appetite for more, transporting them to different parts of the world.

The Oud player, Ozzahr Noureddine, took the audience to the winding alleys of Egypt’s old Medinas with a stunning piece of music. which took the listeners to the winding alleys of Egypt’s old Medinas. The percussionist, Youssef Outamrich, leaving his instrument for a spell, perfectly sang a captivating Mawal "Ya Lili Ya Lili." He was much appreciated by the audience and precipitated several minutes of applause.

One of the best performances of the concert was, the group played a piece called “The Child from Mrirt” (enfant de Mrirt ). Mrirt is originally a name of a small city in the Atlas Mountains whose dwellers are purely Amazigh. This captivating piece, carried the audience back to Morocco and its sacrosanct and nostalgic Amazigh roots.

In an exclusive interview with Morocco World News, Nabil said that music goes beyond just entertainment. When asked about the connection with sacred music, he said that music should be spiritual in the first place, and then other indicia of the spirituality will follow.

Photo Credit: Zoubir Ali

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Rabat -  The concert of DJ Avicii attracted over 200,000 festival-goers, on Monday at the OLM Soussi stage of Rabat, as part of the 14th Mawazine Festival-Rhythms of the World (May 29-June 6), according to the organizers.

The fans were entertained by a memorable performance from DJ Avicii's rich repertoire, said on Tuesday Morocco-Cultures Association in a statement.

The same day but at a different location, the Nahda stage, Maher Zain, a Swedish songwriter and producer of Lebanese origin, offered an unforgettable show by mixing R&B and world music to sing for the Arab and Muslim cause.

Maher, who was discovered by Moroccan producer Red One, sang his hit song "Insha Allah" which was translated into French, Arabic and Turkish in front of over 40,000 spectators.

This year’s edition of Mawazine Festival is set to new records of attendance. 160,000 people attended the concert of American singer Jennifer Lopez at the opening of the festival last Friday, and 180,000 people attended Pharrell Williams concert on Saturday.

The festival’s organizing committee expect over 2,5 million people to attend the variety of concerts programed this year.

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Fez - Legendary Motown singing group The Temptations Review performed at Bab al Makina in the Fes Medina Thursday getting the audience on its feet to dance to the group’s old classics.

Fans flocked to Bab al Makina to catch the Temptations Review in their cameo main-stage appearance in the World Sacred Music Festival on Thursday. The concert was a lively reprise of many of the group’s classic hits, with leader Dennis Edwards, who replaced the legendary David Ruppen in 1968, getting the audience to sing along in a traditional (in the sense of both American gospel and Moroccan popular music) call and response.

[caption id="attachment_159944" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Photo credit: Omar Chennafi[/caption]

Edwards talked in a press conference beforehand about the group’s foundation back in the U.S. in the 1960s. The group won the very first Grammy award for Motown with the hit Cloud 9.

“I’ve been doing this for 50 years,” Edwards said. “The only disadvantage is that I still have to dance and do the moves [at my age], and sometimes I have to sit down. But fortunately right now I have the son of one of the original members singing with me, Paul Williams, Jr., and he can do the moves. I’m blessed to have had a long career.”

Asked about the how the Temptations got their name, he said, “We were a young group of singers in Motown. We tried to figure out how to stand apart from the other groups. We decided to do choreography and dance as well as the singing. We decided to use the name “The Temptations,” for being one of the greatest groups in the world. But a group in New York already had the name, so we bought it from them.”

What is the group’s message to the world? Our message is about striving for “being excellent,” he said. “Being called The Temptations stands for being the greatest group.”

Asked about how it feels to be in Morocco for the first time, Edwards said, “I looked out of my balcony today and it looks like a history class. Every place I go I take a little bit with me and take it back to my kids. There are good people here and it’s good place.” He added, “I love the temperature. I’m a singer, and the temperature here is good for my voice.”

[caption id="attachment_159942" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Photo Credit: Omar Chennafi[/caption]

Asked how the Temptations fit into a sacred music festival, Barry responded simply, “We’re a sacred group.” He explained that, “When we were founded, people were poor and without hope, and we gave people hope.” He continued, “Before every concert we join hands and pray. Tonight we are going to make it a spiritual concert.”

Talking about some of the challenges the group has faced over the last 50 years, he said, “When you’re with a group, it’s all about hard work and making it to the top. But the Most difficult part is when you make it to the top. So many things try to break you apart. People leave for whatever reasons, people die. One of the things Paul Williams told me is that, the game is still the same. Just the players change. The music stays the same; we just bring in new players and try to make it better.”

He goes on, “Singing with the original group was the thrill of my life. Now we are so close to the original group – we close our eyes and it feels like they are there on stage with us.”

[caption id="attachment_159946" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Photo credit: Omar chennafi[/caption]

He noted with regret that the group lost all of its bags in Paris with all of their fancy costumes. But, as he said, “The show must go on, and one thing for sure,” he added, “We are going to sing great tonight.”

And they did. Although they appeared on stage only in black t-shirts and sweatpants instead of their usual colorful regalia, they gave one of their typical high energy, fast moving, performances, complete with their trademark choreography and moves, and a reprise of many old favorites, including Aint too Proud to Beg, Ball of Confusion, Treat her Like a Lady, My Girl, and Papa was a Rolling Stone. They also paid tribute to and remembered four departed members with a moment of silence.

Although a few raindrops began to fall as they sang “Rainy Night in Georgia,” thankfully, the rain stayed away for the duration of the concert, and the audience was not disappointed.

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Rabat - Four of the seasoned and talented faculty members of the University of Akron will be holding a Jazz Quartet Concert this weekend in Fez. 

The concert will be held on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the American Language Center-ALIF garden.

The Quartet, made up of four members from the Akron School of Music, started performing together in 2005. They toured in Chemnitz, Germany at jazz festivals, night clubs, and universities. They have recorded an album of jazz renditions of hymns, spiritual, and sacred songs titled “I Love to Tell the Story.”

Professor Jack Schantz, the Coordinator of Jazz Studies at Akron, has toured both the United States and Japan with various orchestras. He was Artistic Director of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra from 1992-2009 and has been teaching at the University of Akron since 1996. He has recorded with Phil Woods, Joe Lovano, and Oscar Peterson.

Tim Powell, bassist for Playhouse Square Center Productions, has worked with Akron since 1993. He has recorded with Harold Danko, Paquito D’Rivera, Joe Augustine, and Rosemary Clooney.

Pianist and producer Rock Wehrmann has recorded with Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, and Chick Corea. He owns a company, Sudden Realizations, which produces music and designs sound for films.

Mark Gonder is a drummer and has been with Akron since 1996. He has recorded with Pat Pace, the Jazz Unit, and the Jack Schantz Quartet. He has also toured internationally with the Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras.

In case of rain, the concert will be held in the Annex Auditorium. It is a free concert and open to the public.

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Taroudant- A Moroccan lawyer filed an unusual complaint, on behalf of a client, on Tuesday, against both Jennifer Lopez and the president of the ‘Maroc Cultures’ association, under Articles 483 and 129 of the Penal Code.

The complainant said that on Friday, May 29, "he was walking in the area OLM –the place where Jennifer Lopez gave her performance - when a crowd of both sexes, mainly minors, attracted his attention near the Sofitel hotel.”

The complainant said Jennifer Lopez’s songs “of baseness and poor undeniable taste, with suggestive gestures and attitudes harming decency and morality” offended him.

The man added that the “offenses” were committed in the presence of an audience composed mainly of minors.

According to Article 483, any person who deliberately appears nude in public or performs obscene acts or gestures is considered guilty of harming public decency. The article of the Penal Code punishes the perpetrator with one month to two years in prison and a fine of 200 to 500 dirhams.

The Penal Code considers the offense public when it is committed in the presence of one or more unintentional witnesses or underage, or in a public place.

The American singer was harshly criticized for her “suggestive dances and sexy dress.” Many Moroccans went to social media to denounce Jennifer Lopez’s “immoral and revealing” performance on Mawazine, but this is the first legal complaint filed in Morocco thus far.

Mawazine Festival organizing committee announced last Saturday that Jennifer Lopez’ concert attracted 160,000 spectators, and her performance was broadcasted on Morocco’s state-owned television channel 2M.

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By Nahla Bendefa

Rabat - British music veteran Sting performed for the second time at the OLM Souissi stage on Thursday in Rabat.

Sting, who first came to the Mawazine Festival in 2010, came back for a highly anticipated concert accompanied by a five-piece band.

The show opened up with 1993 hit-song If I Ever Lose My Faith In You before embarking the audience into a journey of discovery of his newest album The Last Ship.

With a set list made up of old and new songs, Sting and his band managed to enchant an extremely eclectic and heterogeneous audience.

Crowd pleasers were Message in a Bottle, Shape of my Heart, Walking on the Moon, and an interesting mashup of Roxanne and Bill Wither’s Ain’t No Sunshine.

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Rabat - 190,000 fans attended Akon’s concert in OLM Souissi on Wednesday in Rabat, Mawazine organizers said.

Akon delivered his second performance - the last one was in Casablanca nine years ago. During the concert, Akon added an African flavor to his international show and thrilled the audience with his melodic voice and rhythmic dance influenced by Africa’s rich, cultural diversity.

"Moroccan fans are the most authentic and the craziest," he said. Many of the fans were from sub-Saharan Africa and the flag of Senegal was seen floating near the podium.

Morocco’s famous producer Redone attended the press conference during which Akon revealed his intentions to collaborate with Redone in his upcoming album scheduled for release at the end of this year.

Akon showed his love for Moroccan fans in a madcap scene when he rolled into a transparent ball between the masses to excite spectators. Among the songs performed at the concert were "Ghetto," "Sorry, Blame It On Me," "Lonely," "Smack That," and "Work Hard."

Akon celebrated his African roots singing "Oh Africa" and praised the beauty and richness of the continent in "Mama Africa," before the concert concluded with the rhythms of "Freedom," a song which tells the story of the life of immigrant families in the United States and his attachment to his country of origin.

Morocco was amazing!!! #mawazine

A photo posted by Akon Official (@akon) on Jun 3, 2015 at 6:56pm PDT

The Senegalese-American musician was born in 1973 in Missouri, United States. His real name is Badara Akon Thiam. He studied music in Dakar under the tutelage of his father, Mor Thiam, a prominent jazz musician. At age fifteen he wrote and recorded his first song in New Jersey.

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Rabat - American singer Usher expressed his happiness to take part in Mawazine by posting a video on Twitter with the caption “Best view in the World.”

Friday's Mawazine headliner Usher Raymond saw tens of thousands of fans dancing on their feet to the American R&B star's catalogue of international hits.

Usher entertained the crowd with new hits and old, including 2004 hit Yeah! Featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris, Dj Got Us Fallin' in Love, Burn, and Without You.

Concertgoers pulled out their phones and lighters and pointed them toward the stage. They created a phones' display that made the OLM Souissi stage light up like the stars at night.

Shortly after his concert came to an end, Usher took to twitter to express his delight to take part in this year's Mawazine festival. The 36-year-old posted a video from his Rabat concert with the caption "Best view in the world."

Best view in the world ?#mawazine #rabat pic.twitter.com/9QAYTS5lZu

— Usher Raymond IV (@Usher) June 6, 2015

Usher is not the only international performer who took to social media to express happiness to participate at the 14th edition of Mawazine Festival.

American diva Jennifer Lopez also took to Instagram posting a picture from her concert at the OLM Souissi stage on Friday, May 30th. She captioned it "Thank You Morocco for all of your love!!!!!"

Jamaican artist Sean Paul posted on his official Facebook page a video of his performance in Rabat with the caption "Take me back to Morocco for more of this"

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Rabat- The 14^th edition of the annual Mawazine Festival drew a record 2.65 million spectators, organizers said on Sunday. 

The Festival Mawazine Rhythms of the World, which was held in the Moroccan capital Rabat from May 29 to June 6, closed on a high note Saturday night with the performance of Maroon 5 group, artist Wael Kfoury and Chaabi Adil trio Miloudi Tahour and Daoudi.

Despite the controversy caused by the Jennifer Lopez on the opening day of the festival, this year’s edition was much more successful than previous ones.

Attendance to the different concerts on the program of the festival attracted more than 150,000 people in several occasions.

160,000 people attended Jennifer Lopez concert on the opening day, 190,000 attended Akon’s performance and 200,000 attended Avici’s concert.

The 14th edition of Mawazine Festival will saw the participation of a number of internationally acclaimed stars, such as Akon, Usher, American Pop Rock band Maroon 5, Pharrell Williams, British Alternative rock band Placebo and AVICII.

The 15^th edition of the festival is scheduled to take place on 20-28 May 2016.

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Rabat - American singer Usher Raymond took a stroll through the "medina," the old city of Rabat, Morocco during the Mawazine Festival on June 3, 2015.

Along with his fiancee Grace Miguel, the American singer visited many places in Rabat during his stay in the Moroccan capital.

Some of these places include the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Museum Mohamed VI of Modern and Contemporary Art, and the old medina.

During his visit, Usher posted many photos and videos on his Instagram account.
Usher stopped to pose for pictures with turtles and danced with the Gnawa band he encountered in the medina.

The global superstar expressed his happiness to perform in Mawazine before ten thousand fans who lit up the OLM Souissi stage like the night stars with their cellphones.

On an Instagram post, Usher described this amazing view as the “est view in the World.”

Moroccan whip lol ????

A video posted by Usher (@howuseeit) on Jun 4, 2015 at 2:36pm PDT

Best view in the world ?#mawazine #rabat

A video posted by Usher (@howuseeit) on Jun 5, 2015 at 10:59pm PDT

A photo posted by Usher (@howuseeit) on Jun 5, 2015 at 4:15am PDT

Mausoleum of Mohammed V #morocco

A photo posted by Usher (@howuseeit) on Jun 5, 2015 at 10:55am PDT

One person's trash is another person's treasure ???? #zbelmanifesto #plastic #MMVI #Morocco #artiseverywhere

A photo posted by Usher (@howuseeit) on Jun 5, 2015 at 5:17am PDT

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Rabat - The controversy over Jennifer Lopez’ concert at the opening of Mawazine Festival made headlines worldwide, with many international media mocking the backlash that her performance elicited from Moroccans on social media and from the Moroccan government. But amidst this debate, many overlook the fact that the Jennifer Lopez had also stirred an outrage in the UK 2 years because of the way she was dressed.

The Puerto-Rican American pop star Jennifer Lopez is no stranger to the spotlight. J-Lo is highly regarded as the most successful Hispanic entertainer in the United States and is credited with encouraging Latinos to pursue their dreams in the entertainment business. She has enjoyed successful world tours, number one albums and films, lucrative business deals, and a even her own nonprofit organization, the Lopez Family Foundation.

J-Lo is known internationally for her famous figure and impressive dance choreographies. At forty-five years old, Lopez moves with the same agility and confidence that she did back when she began her career as an entertainer, dancing backup for New Kids On The Block and Janet Jackson.

Her trademark curves and moves are what make her the incredible performer she is today, but they are not for everyone.

With J-Lo's long history of successes comes an equally long history of cultural offenses. The most recent of these occurred at the 15th edition of the Mawazine World Rhythms International Music Festival in Rabat, Morocco, when J-Lo opened the festival in a white studded leotard and not much more.

In very little clothing, sky-high heeled boots, and her sparkling smile, J-Lo delivered exactly what one would expect from a J-Lo show: seductive dance moves, provocative lyrics, and loads of booty shaking.

Being an Islamic society that exists under Islamic rules and expectations, the Moroccan public and government was mostly horrified by the risqué performance. The days following the performance were filled with criticisms of Lopez's wardrobe and dance moves by various media outlets.

In addition to disgust with Lopez's performance from the general public, more serious accusations were made by Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, ordering "an investigation into the broadcast of a Lopez concert which he describes as 'serious delinquency'," reports the National Post.

In short, Moroccans did not appreciate Lopez's disregard for their cultural values and laws.

But in the same way that Moroccan's have criticized Lopez, the rest of the world has been less than understanding with the Islamic nation's concerns, suggesting that they should have expected J-Lo to perform exactly as she always does. One Facebook commenter wrote, "If you invite a nun to a party she will pray, a clown will blow up balloons, a comic will tell jokes and a caterer will bring food - why would people expect performers to perform out of character?"

Although Morocco has received a hefty amount of backlash for its conservative expectations and cultural practices, it is not the only nation to criticize one of J-Lo's performances.

In 2013, J-Lo performed her then new single on Britain's Got Talent in the UK in traditional J-Lo attire and attitude. The performance in the UK was received with extremely negative comments from the Twittersphere, patronizing her for not covering up for a broadcast performance on a "family-friendly" TV show.

One tweet read, "#BGT does #jenniferlopez realise its a family show - only thing missing was the pole - cover up your cheeks please!" and another, "#JenniferLopez put some clothes on, #BGT is a family show, what sort of role model are you being for the young girls watching?"

The UK is not an Islamic nation, yet Jennifer Lopez was criticized in a similar fashion after her performance two years ago. Muslim or not, multiple nations have proven to disagree with J-Lo's performance style and overall persona. Regardless of the negativity, J-Lo continues to perform in her trademark style. The proud mother of two is not shedding her identity any time soon.

All in all, the large spectrum of international praise and disapproval that has been unleashed on Jennifer Lopez over her long, successful career goes to show how diverse the cultures of the modern world are. These instances of conflict raise many questions in regards to performance art and what boundaries are allowed to be crossed by those with a certain public image to maintain, such as Lopez.

Finding a way for differing cultures, ideas, and religions to coexist is something that the global community strives toward everyday, although disagreements are inevitable. A few things, however, are for sure-- in order to make any progress in the movement toward peace, we must first be respectful toward one another's beliefs and have open, honest communication to find common ground.

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Rabat - Gad El Maleh is being accused of plagiarism. The Franco-Moroccan comedian released his newest song entitled "Dance de la Joie Lalala" on June 29th and has since gone viral, amassing over 400K views in three days.

However, El Maleh has been accused of ripping off the melody and the rhythm of the song from Said Mouskir's hit song "Mama."

A number of Moroccans and news outlets are pointing to similarities between Gad El Maleh's song and "Mama", released in 2005 by Moroccan singer and actor Said Mouskir.

Contacted by French-speaking newspaper Aujourd'hui Le Maroc, Moroccan singer and actor Said Mouskir said that he is disappointed, adding that he will resort to justice.

"I find it outrageous that an artist the caliber of Gad El Maleh plagiarizes my work and effort without even bothering to consult me or mention my name," Mouskir told ALM. "We will endeavor to make our voices heard; we will not stand idly by."

Said Mouskir: "Mamma Mamma"

Gad Elmaleh: "Danse de la joie (Lalala)"

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Rabat - Morocco’s TV channel 2M is moving forward to launch the African version of the musical reality TV show ‘The Voice’.

Al Ayam 24, citing sources from the channel’s administration, reported that state-owned 2M has allegedly signed a contract for exclusive rights to broadcast an African version of the singing competition, The Voice. The channel also owns the rights to the reality show, MasterChef Morocco.

The African version of the voice will be produced by the Moroccan production company Med Prod which is responsible for the successful reality TV show MasterChef Morocco.

The sources quoted by Al Ayam 24 did not unveil when the first edition of the Voice Africa will be launched nor did they reveal in what country  the auditions will be held.

The program will choose candidates across the African continent based solely on their voice. 

The show will highlight the exceptional talent of many candidates and will have the potential of leading them to fame.

The Voice proceeds in three phases: Blind Auditions, the Battle Rounds and the Live performance shows.

The Voice was originally launched in 2011 as The Voice Holland. Rights to broadcast the program were sold to over 45 countries in the past four years, including France, the UK and US.

Edited by Miriam El Ofir

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Rabat - POP UP STUDIO 2015 offers master classes in music for young, talented individuals, providing them the opportunity to meet with Moroccan music professionals and have jam sessions to benefit the participants of past POP UP STUDIO programs.

From July 23 to 25, the British Council and its partners will organize POP UP STUDIO 2015, which includes master classes and meetings with professionals that will take place on July 23 and 24 at Hiba Studio in Casablanca and jam sessions on July 25 in Dar Denise Masson in Marrakech.

The event aims to develop emerging musical talents and will serve as a platform for exchanging ideas, promoting creativity among youth, and promoting professional involvement in the event as distributers, producers, representatives of festivals, and cultural media.

The event serves to support young musicians who have limited access to professional studios for recording. It enables the participants to record, finish, and develop their music compositions written initially in Arabic or English in different music genres such as pop, rap, R&B, and others.

POP UP STUDIO was launched in 2013 in order to boost competitiveness and sustain the development of modern music in Morocco. It was initially launched as a creative residency, hosting some 30 participants who benefitted from technical and creative support for their music compositions.

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Rabat - The 12^th edition of the Timitar Festival will be held in Agadir, July 22 through July 25. This year, in addition to international music, the festival will highlight Amazigh culture.

This edition will gather more than 20 artists on three different stages across the city of Agadir, under the theme of “Signs & Culture.” Ever since its inception in 2003, the festival has attracted hundreds of thousands of people, and is aiming to do the same this year with a diverse line up.

Headlining this edition is Lady Amazigh herself, Hindi Zahra.  Saida Charaf, Rayssa Tihihit, Khansa Batma, Inerzaf Biznkad, Imdyazen, N3rdistan, Don Bigg and H-Kayn will also be performing throughout the southern city.

In terms of international programming, Algerian Reda Taliani, Colombian Youri Buena Ventura, Spanish Freedonia Soul and Lebanese Bachar Khalif will be performing as part of the festival.

In addition to the Amazigh and international programming, the festival will also honor The Star of the East, Oum Kalthoum.  Macadi Nahhas from Jordan will be reprising some of Oum Kalthoum’s songs on the opening night on the Theatre de Verdure stage.

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Rabat - Mr. Oasis is a Dutch Moroccan DJ, artist, producer, journalist, and entrepreneur based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Also known as Casablanca Connect, he scored hits in Morocco such as ‘I’m from Morocco‘, 'Yallah', and ‘Ehey ey ey’. He has a great reputation on the international music scene.

Morocco World News approached him for an interview related to his career and life, to inspire future Moroccan talents.

MWN: When did you start DJing, and what influenced your decision to start a career in music?

Oasis: My DJ career started in 1992. I was the first Moroccan DJ in the most exclusive club in Europe, called the RoXY. I fell in love with Hip Hop in the 80's, with groups like A Tribe Called Quest, Public Enemy, EPMD, De La Soul, and others. Music back then had an inspiring message. With House music it was the Prodigy, Todd Terry, Chocolate Puma, all pioneers that made a huge impact on music the way we know it today. I also grew up passionate about music because my parents introduced me to many music styles that they had in their record collection, such as Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes, and Dolly Parton. And here I am, 23 years later, still a DJ that entertains, who's passionate about his music and tries to make sure everybody connects and spread positivity. Music connects, despite race, background, skin color, and political preference. That's what I love about music first and foremost. My decision to start a career in it came naturally. I found out I had the talent and perfected my skills and I took action. I had the guts to ask for an opportunity and was fortunate enough that my boldness paid off. Even later in my career I would just ask DJs to listen to something I produced and ask them for feedback. That's how I ended up releasing two tracks through Laidback Luke. He always introduces new talent to the world. That inspires me to do the same, not only through music, but also with our platform The Colorful Top 100.

MWN: According to you, what is missing for DJs in Morocco in order to grow with time? And do you think that opening a school for DJs in Morocco can be a successful idea to encourage new coming talents for achieving their future goals in the music field?

Oasis: To be able to grow, there has to be a professional understanding of what a DJ really stands for. In Morocco there are many things that are more important than music, so there's no sense of urgency there. There is no united front where DJs stand together and club owners and promoters and bookers also operate correctly. Like many things in Morocco, it's more of a hustle than a respected profession. I grew up in a professional environment where DJs are respected and are the main attraction at a party. The way I see, many Moroccan clubs book a DJ but lack originality in programming and promotion, and it is a missed opportunity. It is hard work, and it takes dedication and devotion when done right. When talking to fellow local artists and DJs, one thing always comes up: the lack of acknowledgement and respect from clubs. There is a lot of local talent, guys that truly love the music and are passionate about what they do, and are seeking opportunities to unite and work together with others. The local scene is growing and professionalizing. Producers are making moves across the globe and releasing their tracks and working together through modern technology and social media. There are many subcultures in Morocco. Underground, and commercial sounds are reaching a high quality here in both Hip Hop and Dance. This is good for stations like Hit Radio and Medi1 and others that really give the youth a voice, which is amazing. So luckily, things are changing, local DJs are stepping their game up, forcing clubs and promoters to do the same.

I also believe that professional media education would be a good thing. A DJ school sounds cool, but what happens when you have perfected your skills and performance? How does one find his or her personal sound and identity? How does one stand out? How do you handle social media?  How does a DJ deal with the business side of things? These are all things that need to be taken into consideration when building your brand, because at the end of the day that's what it is. There are a few DJ schools in Morocco coming up. It would be great to see people change their view on DJing and music in general. I have heard amazing productions, remixes, and bootlegs from Moroccan producers and DJs and love to share this with my Dutch or international colleagues. I am proud of the way things are progressing and believe that with the present technology and the Internet, anyone can become an artist and DJ when you work hard and know what you want. In order to grow, the scene in Morocco needs self-reflection and unity.  

MWN: Being an entrepreneur, a journalist, and also a DJ is never easy. Tell us how you manage your time and create balance while building success with your busy schedule?

Oasis: I'm blessed with an amazing partner in both life and business that keeps me grounded, sharp and focused. Her name is Raja Felgata, she is a journalist and writer who was the first Moroccan news anchor on national TV in the Netherlands. She also recently wrote a book that's coming out in September about the relationships between Moroccan men and women. Besides me being the DJ/artist/producer, we have created a platform where we promote cultural diversity in the Netherlands. We founded, produce, and publish an annual magazine called the Colorful Top 100, in which we showcase 100 influential professionals with a focus on cultural diversity. With this platform we challenge companies and media to look at their own roster. Is it a realistic representation of the society we live in? The Netherlands has many lists, one that covers the richest, one that covers the most powerful, but none of them portray the diversity that the country obviously has. We try to showcase that there is talent. There are professionals that operate under the radar, and make that more visible to the rest of our society. We have a skilled team with Moroccan, Turkish, Dutch, and Surinam roots that are always on the lookout for fresh talent or invisible professionals that make a difference and inspire within their respected work field.

For me it's about passion. As long as I am doing something that I am passionate about, then I don't care about sleeping less every once in a while. We get a lot of energy from our partners and have a loyal following that believe in our philosophy and support us. So I'm fortunate and grateful to be able to contribute to society with the work we do. We will also be featured with a 14 page special about cultural diversity in the leading magazine for the media called Broadcast Magazine. Our hard work pays off because we are a positive connecting platform that focuses on strength.

MWN: Do you think that choosing a career in music, and building a reputation next to international artists and DJs was a challenge for you? What stories do you have that can inspire young Moroccan talents who dream big and who want to be known internationally?

Oasis: It's always a challenge to stay current and relevant. And luckily I have one thing that other DJ's do not: my voice! When I DJ I also perform and MC, which really made me stand out. I have also had the pleasure of scoring an international hit with the track “I'm from Holland (Where The F... you From?)”, which had huge support from every Dutch DJ from Tiesto to Chuckie to Gregor Salto, and many others. It was an anthem to tell the world: Holland is where it's happening in Dance music. I was born in Holland and proud of my Dutch side, as well as my Moroccan that's why I later did a Moroccan version of the song. Like everybody else, I have made good and bad choices in my career. Some of them define my success, and others were good lessons. I have managed to stay positive and driven, and that's what separates success from failure most of the time. My motivation and ambition is very much alive in everything I do. I am constantly looking to work with other creative forces and entrepreneurs like myself. We have plans lined up to branch out internationally. Maybe the US is a good place to start, since there is an active community there that is also doing inspiring things. And to young talented DJs and entrepreneurs, I would say dare to ask for something, be proactive, do not give up, and surround yourself with people that want you to succeed.

MWN: How did you get involved in journalism, and where do your entrepreneurial skills come from?

Oasis: I have always been a curious kid that loves writing, so when my partner came up with idea for the first Colorful Top list I fully supported her. As the list came along, I started to help out with the process, and we ended up both being Chief Editor for the magazine. After two editions of the magazine were published, I started working for national radio and TV as an editor, producer, and reporter. I was responsible for musical productions for one of the most successful TV shows, and I was a reporter for a US elections special for radio and a documentary that covered the connection between music and warzones.

My entrepreneurial skills developed over the years, first in the music business and later when creating our platform and magazine. Back in Holland I organized several parties and created concepts for clubs, where I was responsible for programming, promoting, DJing, and hosting. That gave me the opportunity to promote my brand and also book fellow DJs, and since I'm a colleague, the negotiating part was a challenge, but I loved the process. As an artist, I started out naive but I'm still learning from every meeting and deal we make. I am thankful for the fact that I can be active creatively with my music and also in business concepts, as well as closing important deals. I do my thing with sincerity, and will never forget my roots or where I came from. To me, being successful is about helping others and moving forward in numbers. I have always created my own opportunities and had the help of sincere good people, and I will continue to do so in life and in work.

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Rabat - In an unprecedented move, Algeria’s General Directorate of National Radio has reportedly ordered all radio stations across the country to stop playing Moroccan songs.

A report from the Algerian news website Algerie Patriotique said that local radio stations found in their headquarters a note from the General Directorate of National Radio that reads: “We’d like to bring to your attention that all the Moroccan songs are totally banned from air play.”

This new decision concerns regional and national radio stations.

The Algerian Directorate of National Radio, however, did not specify the reason behind this decision.

Multiple Algerian media reports speculated that such a decision stems from “the cold political and diplomatic ties” between the two countries.

Algerie Patriotique quoted a source as saying that this decision comes at a time after which several Algerian radio stations aired so many Moroccan songs that it “seemed like an intended promotion of Moroccan singers at the expense of Algerian artists.”

The same source went on to add that this was notable in recent months. “Several radio stations have been air playing Moroccan songs, even during periods when the number of people listening to radio reaches its peak.”

“This suggests that there is a pro-Moroccan campaign led by an undefined body,” the source concluded.

With the absence of any official comment on the ban, the Algerian media has been asking many questions, such as: “Were these stations ordered to broadcast such songs? And if so, who issued this order?”

Algerie Patriotique said it is unlikely that these songs were aired on several national radio stations by coincidence, adding that if the ban has been imposed, that means, “there must have been a deliberate act.”

The Algerian news website called upon the Minister of Communication to explain the reasons behind this ban, saying, “this is the first time national radio stations received such a decision without any enquiry.”

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Washington D.C - In a bizarre decree, the director of Algeria’s National Radio ordered all local and national channels to stop airing Moroccan songs, reported the pro-government website Algerie Patriotique.

This decision is the latest chapter in Algeria’s “media war” to portray Morocco as the source of its political woes .It is indeed a sign of anxiety and anguish that has engulfed the Algerian government facing uncertainty and economic difficulties. Observes would expect to encounter such diktat in North Korea or a Taliban Republic but not in a “progressive” republic like Algeria.

Citing a source within the National Radio, the Algerian website reported that a note distributed to all local stations reminds “producers and technicians that it is totally prohibited to disseminate Moroccan songs."

Algerie Patriotique talks of an on-going covert Moroccan music” invasion” of the Algerian national waves to further the Kingdom’s interest.  This “artistic assault” has promoted the Monarchy’s agenda and has hampered the success of national artists, claims the website. What the Algerian censorship gurus fail to understand is that most of music listeners nowadays are using the Internet as a venue to satisfy their taste.

The same website maintains that pro-Moroccan elements have infiltrated the National Radio in an attempt to broadcast Moroccan songs during prime times, suggesting a "pro-Moroccan” campaign to influence Algerians.

Is Moroccan music deemed such a threat to the point of banning its broadcast? An attempt to prohibit music based on national origin is a desperate move by a panicking leadership looking for scapegoats to cover its political and economic failures.

This pronouncement is reminiscent of Iran’s’ Ayatollah Khomeini condemnation of Western music, because it is “manipulated by foreign cultures.” The difference, however, is that Moroccan and Algerian music have so much in comment that it is hard sometimes to differentiate between the two types.

Several Algerian singers and artists are tremendously popular in Morocco and are constantly invited to the major international concerts that the Kingdom hosts every year. In fact, the local public always gives Algerian musicians warm and special welcome when they perform.

Algerian Rai music is appreciated and embraced by Moroccan youth without prejudice or complex. Algerian singers such as Cheb Khaled, Cheb Mami and the late Warda hold a special place in the Moroccan public’ heart.

These ridiculous decisions will likely back fires as most of the Algerian listeners start asking the logic and lucidity of their leaders. For now, Moroccan would keep enjoying Algerian Rai as Algerian listeners will take to the Internet to find their Moroccan favorite artists. Music does not have a nationality.

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The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Morocco World News’ editorial policy

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