Nass El Ghiwane, a Moroccan musical group, was born in the 1970s in Casablanca's Hay Mohammadi district. The group initially consisted of six musicians: Laarbi Batma, Allal Yaâla, Moulay Abdelaziz Tahiri, Omar Sayed, Raifak Redouane, Mohamed Akhdim, and Boujmîa Hagour.
Their music repertoire is a fusion of Moroccan culture and poetry, as well as Sufi texts from Islamic figures. The group's powerful rhythms and traditional instruments revolutionized Moroccan and Maghreb music, leaving a lasting impact on the country's cultural landscape. The famous American director Martin Scorsese referred to the group as the "Rolling Stones of Africa."
The group drew inspiration from various Moroccan musical styles, including Aïta, Melhoun, Gnaoua, Hamadcha, and Jilala. They combined traditional Moroccan music with modern themes, creating a unique sound that reflected their commitment to social and political issues.
Despite being officially apolitical, the group's music often conveyed a subtle and colorful protest spirit. In 1972, the group was arrested by the police for singing a song that criticized the government, and they were forced to explain the meaning of their lyrics.
Nass El Ghiwane's commitment to social and political issues extended beyond Morocco, addressing international issues such as the massacre of Palestinian civilians in Sabra and Chatila refugee camps in Lebanon. The group's music also echoed the concerns of Arab youth, inspiring a new generation of musicians.
Over the years, the group has undergone several lineup changes, with notable members including Moulay Abdelaziz Tahiri, Mahmoud Saadi, Allal Yaâla, Boujmîa Hagour, Larbi Batma, Mohamed Akhdim, Abderhmane Kirouche, Raifak Redouane, Rachid Batma, Hamid Batma, and Abdelkrim Chifa.
Despite being banned from the airwaves and official stages for many years, Nass El Ghiwane was "rehabilitated" in 2007 by King Mohamed VI. The group continues to inspire young North African musicians and remains a unique Moroccan institution. In 2007, the group was decorated by King Mohammed VI and made a knight of arts and letters in Fez by Frédéric Mitterrand, then French Minister of Culture.
