In the heart of the Moroccan capital Rabat, sharp punchlines and beat drops blasted through the speakers in Parc Hassan II on August 10 for the International Youth Music festival. Led by the association “Hip Hop Family,” vibrant celebrations of rhythm, talent, and unity unfold each year through the festival attracting young artists, hip hop enthusiasts, and cultural fusion from across the nation.

Celebrating Hip-Hop in Rabat with the International Youth Music Festival

Rabat – In the heart of the Moroccan capital Rabat, sharp punchlines and beat drops blasted through the speakers in Parc Hassan II on August 10 for the International Youth Music Festival. Led by the association “Hip Hop Family,” vibrant celebrations of rhythm, talent, and unity unfold each year through the festival attracting young artists, hip-hop enthusiasts, and cultural fusion from across the nation.

Israeli rapper Tzukush, Moroccan rap legend Mobydick, and even Spanish rapper Imad Maestro all gathered alongside Djs, singers and traditional Moroccan groups to pay tribute to Hip- Hop and music in general. The fusion of traditional Moroccan instruments, such as darbuka, intertwined with contemporary beats and rap lyrics all created a unique musical experience that resonates with both the older and younger generation.

‘Hip-Hop has been with me all my life’

Hip-Hop’s introduction to Morocco can be traced back to the early 1990s, when young Moroccan immigrants, upon their return home, came back with a new musical called “rap.” Moroccan youth resonated with the genre’s themes of social consciousness, self-expression, and cultural identity leading to its gradual integration into the country.

The Hip-Hop Family association is one of the main organizations in charge of promoting Hip-Hop values in Rabat. The group’s president, Moussa Laarif, has been celebrating this genre for ten years through the festival and is willing to help the youth spread their wings. “If you have an opportunity, take it,” he told Morocco World News (MWN) on the sidelines of the event.

A special “masterclass” performance was introduced to this year’s iteration of the festival, giving young people part of the association a chance to voice their art by providing them with a platform to showcase their talent and share their own stories.

Freestyles on trap beats, boom bap instrumentals, and drill sounds were at the core of the festival, and young people were given an attendance certificate to congratulate them for their commitment in creating a unique atmosphere and broadening Moroccan culture. “Hip hop has been with me all my life,” stated a young attendee. “Next year, I hope I will be on the stage as well.”

Fostering cultural empowerment

The International Youth Music Festival goes beyond mere performance; it can also be a catalyst for social change as it fosters cultural exchange and mutual understanding. Artists from different backgrounds and regions of Morocco and the world came together to celebrate diversity.

Beyond its musical offerings, the festival actively engages with social issues, using its platform to raise awareness and spread positive messages through themed performances, while artists address different topics for instance social inequality, racism and environmental sustainability.

Tzukush, is the perfect example of music and culture going beyond differences., “ People don’t understand my language but we unite through music (…) Morocco feels like home,” he said after his performance.