the musical selection from “World Africa” #173

Every Friday, The World Africa presents three new musical releases from or inspired by the continent. This week, we head to Morocco with the first album by Hanaa Ouassim, the “gnawa funk” of Abdul & The Gang and a collaboration between the Franco-Algerian collective Acid Arab and the Moroccan diva Ghizlane Melih.

“Lanadelrey”, by Hanaa Ouassim

Born in Morocco and raised in Reims, Hanaa Ouassim released her first album, The Life of a Star, this Friday, February 2. Eleven pieces of soaring electro which give pride of place to the traditional rhythms that the young producer and singer practiced as a wedding percussionist in women’s groups, before discovering electronic sounds and club culture, notably distinguishing herself with artists such as Léonie Pernet, Acid Arab or Flavien Berger. “Folklore is an access to myth”, specifies the one whose pieces, sung in Darija, speak of the coast, solitude and destiny.

“Weliti Atomic”, by Abdul & The Gang

We already told you about Abdul & The Gang with the song Ya Walou, in February 2022. A title that we find, in a slightly different version and with the participation of singer Pat Kalla, on the group’s new album, Kasbatek, scheduled for February 9. The band formed in France around Abou Ben Salem – himself originally from Boudnib, in eastern Morocco – and offers ten pieces of his “gnawa funk” mixing chaabi, funk, electro and afrobeat. A fusion to be discovered now through song Atomic Weliti, whose clip was filmed in Casablanca and which tells the story of a man mistreated by the woman he loves.

“Habaytak (R3hab Remix)”, by Acid Arab (feat. Ghizlane Melih)

Created by French musicians Hervé Carvalho, Guido Minisky, Pierrot Casanova, Nicolas Borne and Algerian keyboardist Kenzi Bourras, the electronic music collective Acid Arab cultivates the art of surrounding yourself well. As evidenced by the explosive remix, released last November, of the song Habaytak, from their album ٣ (Three), itself released a year ago. It features the hypnotizing voice of Moroccan diva Ghizlane Melih, captivated by the vigorous arrangements of Dutch DJ and producer R3hab. A title resolutely made for dancefloors.