Laarbi Batma's artistic journey was deeply rooted in the traditional musical style of the Moussems, festivals that he attended as a child in his native region of Abda Oulad El Masnaoui. The enchanting words and rhythms of these festivals had a profound impact on him, instilling a lifelong passion for music and poetry.
As a child, Laarbi was always equipped with a pencil, believing that writing was an art form and a way of life. He would jot down his thoughts, inspirations, and observations, which would eventually become the foundation for his poetic project, Alhoumam Alhoussam, consisting of an astonishing 17,000 verses.
Laarbi's strong personality and unwavering dedication to his craft left a lasting mark on the Moroccan and Arab artistic scene. His curiosity and visionary spirit are exemplified in his famous song, "Essiniya," which tells the poignant story of Ba Salem, a beggar who arrives in Casablanca singing the first verses of the song. The song's composition was inspired by Laarbi's chance encounter with the beggar, who would later become an unlikely collaborator.
Tragedy struck in 1993 when Laarbi was diagnosed with lung cancer. He documented his struggles and reflections in the second part of his autobiography, "Elalem" (The Suffering). Laarbi's multifaceted talents extended beyond music and poetry, as he was also an accomplished actor and writer.
Ahmed El Maânouni, a renowned director, fondly remembered Laarbi, saying, "What struck me about this man was his consistency; he was exactly the same with his neighbors in Hay Mohammadi as he was at Club Med in Agadir, among tourists, or at the Cannes Film Festival where we went together to present our film Transes El Hal."
