Rabat – Music has a way of crossing borders, bringing together cultures and identities that may seem distant at first.
For Omar and The Eastern Power, a band bringing together Moroccan, Egyptian, and South Korean influences, those cultural differences have become a source of creativity rather than separation.
In an interview with MWN Lifestyle magazine, Omar spoke about his journey to South Korea, the story behind The Eastern Power, the band’s evolving sound, and the cultural influences that continue to shape their music.
From Morocco to South Korea
Omar’s journey to South Korea was not part of his original plan. He had initially intended to continue his studies in Taiwan, but circumstances eventually took him to Korea, where he found new opportunities and the support he needed to pursue his goals.
“That’s quite a long story,” he told MWN Lifestyle. “But let’s just say that I ended up here after I was originally going to continue my studies in Taiwan.”
Looking back, Omar said Korea became an important part of his personal and professional journey.
“Korea treated me well when I mostly needed it,” he said, adding that the country “gave me the support and the chance to reach my goals back then.”
That experience also became part of the emotional foundation behind The Eastern Power.
A band across cultures
The idea behind The Eastern Power was not initially about deliberately combining three national identities into one musical genre.
Instead, the combination emerged naturally from the people who make up the band.
“Honestly, it was more about the people that are in the band,” Omar explained. “Regardless of our ethnicity or nationality. We kind of just ended up being from these countries. And created music together.”
Over time, however, the members began to recognize how their individual backgrounds were finding their way into the music.
“But when we look at it, we can feel the elements of each of our backgrounds and culture in the music,” he said.
For Omar, cultural difference does not have to mean musical separation.
“Musically we are different. But music is one. We use it as a language to express our thoughts and messages to the audience and to ourselves as well.”
“We really like to explore the different rhythms and grooves that come from our respected countries,” Omar emphasized. “We love it all and we are glad that we carry such huge traditions and musical baggage.”
Rather than seeing those differences as something to overcome, the band considers them one of its greatest strengths.
“So we learn from each other. And that difference in each of us is our strength.”
Why ‘Omar’ is in the Band’s name
Omar explained that although he initially disliked having his name at the center of the band’s identity, his previous experience with bands influenced the decision.
“Personally I hated the fact that my name had to be in the beginning,” he said. “Since I don’t like the spotlight in general.”
However, having been part of other bands, Omar knew that lineups could change over time. He wanted to create a name that could remain relevant even if members eventually left.
“From experience I knew that there is a chance that some members could change eventually,” he added. “And if they did I would feel strange using the same band name again with new members.”
Including his name became a way to ensure continuity.
“I had to put ‘Omar’ as a guarantee that the name would remain unchanged, even if members changed,” he said.
That possibility eventually became reality. “Which actually happened three years ago. Most of the members changed except Wael and me.”
The meaning behind The Eastern Power
The name itself also carries a deeper connection to South Korea.
“The name ‘The Eastern Power’ is a tribute to Korea and its people that actually supported my dream all along,” Omar said.
He described it as a reflection of his gratitude toward the country that played an important role in his journey.
“I’m always carrying gratitude towards this country and its people,” he said. “Korea is in the far east. And it gave me a lot of power.”
There is also a playful interpretation of the name. Omar noted that some people associate “power” with electricity, an interpretation the band also enjoys.
“Some people think that the power there is ‘electric power’ and we like that as well,” he said. “It gives it a different vibe especially when we say our name in Korean.”
A sound that begins together
There is no single formula behind the band’s production process. Omar explained that each song can develop differently, depending on where the initial idea comes from.
“Every song differs,” he said. “Sometimes it will be a song that I made at the root of it. And I will share it with the band, then we will develop it together, arrange it, add new parts into it.”
Other songs emerge collectively through improvisation.
“Sometimes it could also start from a jam and we develop it together along the way,” he added.
A Moroccan Gnaoua
Despite the band’s international character, Omar remains connected to the musical traditions of his home country.
When asked to identify a Moroccan cultural aspect that influenced him, his answer was immediate and simple: “Gnawou.”
The traditional Moroccan musical culture has long been associated with distinctive rhythms, spiritual dimensions, and hypnotic grooves, making it a natural point of connection with the band’s interest in rhythm and trance-like sounds.
“Lil El Bouhala”
The Eastern Power is now preparing to release their new EP, “Lil El Bouhala,” which Omar described as a turning point for the band.
“Lil El Bouhala’ EP marks a new era for us”
The project reflects changes within the band’s lineup as well as an evolution in its musical direction.
“The band evolved into a different kind of feel,” Omar explained. “New members. More danceable rhythms. Trance. Beautiful groovy bass lines. More grit.”
At the same time, he emphasized a sense of lightness within the new material.
“A lightness in the air,” he said, describing the EP as a space where the band can “express our thoughts and feelings without being heavy or serious.”
Returning to Morocco
Performing in Morocco at Visa For Music was particularly meaningful for Omar and the band. Their reaction to the Moroccan audience was overwhelmingly positive, especially seeing people arrive specifically to experience their music.
“We really did like it a lot,” Omar said. “It was special for us to see that many people came and were expecting us.
”The experience also gave him a renewed sense of connection with his home country.
“It felt warm and gave me a sense of pride in my own country,” he said.
The experience was equally significant for the other members of the band, who returned to Korea carrying memories of the Moroccan performance.
“The band as well carried with them a grateful feeling back to Korea,” Omar said. “They are still talking about it till this day.”
For him, the experience was more than simply another concert.
“It was an amazing experience,” he said. “And we would love to redo it again. Inchallah.”
Advice for those following their own path
For aspiring musicians and creatives hoping to build a career across borders, Omar offered a realistic message: the journey is unlikely to be easy.
“To tighten up the belt,” he said. “The road is super bumpy.”
According to him, perseverance begins with a strong belief in one’s own path.
“And to believe, really believe, in what they do,” he emphasized. “There could be doubts sometimes. But they should have an almost unconditional belief in who they are and what they are meant to do.”
His final message is simple: belief can become the foundation for continuing when the road becomes difficult.
“Because if they have that, nothing can stop them,” he said.
