Fez — Ahmed Soultan is closing out the year with a hometown date that caps a busy run of shows. The singer and songwriter will perform in Casablanca on December 27 as part of his “Root Tour,” a series launched after the successful wrap of his “Atlas Tour” in Marseille in May. The evening will open with the duo Virna Nova & The Gnawa Experience.
The “Root Tour” has already stopped in two key Moroccan cities. Soultan played in Rabat on November 15, then in Marrakech on November 22.
The Casablanca performance is positioned as the most anticipated date of the series, bringing the artist back to a city where he has built a loyal audience.
An Afrobian sound, global footprint
Soultan’s return highlights the hybrid style he calls “Afrobian.” The sound draws from Amazigh roots, pan-African rhythms, R&B, and contemporary urban production. Fans can expect a set that connects his early catalog to newer material, with live arrangements that lean on groove, call-and-response, and percussive drive.
Over the past two decades, Soultan has collected major distinctions. His honors include MTV Europe Music Awards, World Music Awards, AFRIMA, and Kora Awards. These milestones reflect an international footprint that extends beyond Morocco while staying rooted in North African identity.
Key songs will likely anchor the Casablanca show. “Ya Salam,” from the 2005 album “Tolérance,” remains one of his most recognized tracks and helped define his early sound. The 2009 album “Code” delivered audience favorites like “Nti O Ana” and “Bent Nass,” which broadened his reach across radio and streaming platforms. Soultan has also collaborated with leading artists such as Femi Kuti, George Clinton, Fred Wesley, and Ne-Yo, partnerships that underline his cross-genre appeal.
A year-end homecoming
The December concert arrives more than a year after his last performance in the metropolis. Organizers say the set will showcase Soultan’s core band with arrangements tailored for a live audience, highlighting vocals, guitar textures, and rhythmic sections that mirror the studio recordings while leaving space for improvisation. The opening act, Virna Nova & The Gnawa Experience, will set the tone with a fusion of vocals and traditional Gnawa grooves.
With the “Root Tour,” Soultan circles back to the themes that have driven his career: cultural dialogue, linguistic mix, and musical curiosity. The Casablanca date offers a year-end snapshot of an artist who continues to evolve while keeping his foundations visible. For longtime listeners and new fans, it is a chance to hear the arc of his catalog in a single night, from the breakout hits that built his name to the fresh arrangements that push his sound forward.
