Workshops w/ Morocco Youth Music Festival

I had no idea what to expect. In fact, I was incredibly nervous and stressed, perhaps a little scared. Yet, by the end of the of National Youth Music Festival I was inspired and overwhelmed by the over 60 young Moroccan musicians and artists whom I had the honor of teaching as well as learning from. The young talent of Morocco reminded me of how music has no boundaries, no right or wrong answer. Music is a language unto itself, a language of unity and soul. I would meet scores of Moroccan B-Boy dance crews spinning on their heads like drill into the ground like a crew would in the New York City Subway. I would play guitar and drums while Moroccan MCs free-styled with the snarl of Lil Wayne, and I would witness the resurrection of The Ramones in a punk band called Oxygen. Ironically, just a few days before the world would mourn the loss of the King of Pop, I witnessed a performance by a moon walking, glove wearing, Moroccan MJ impersonator and rising pop star. The artists did not hide their love of western music, the kids unapologetically, yet successfully, fused their western influences with Arab-African music thus making the sounds unique and fresh.

The Moroccan Ministry of Youth, in partnership with the United States Embassy, invited me to participate as a music teacher and judge at the National Youth Music Festival in the farm town of Bensalimaan. I was happy to participate as a founder of my own music and arts initiative here in Morocco called the Lollipops Crown Music and Arts Initiative for street children and orphans in Morocco. Over 60 of Moroccos leading performers and songwriters were selected from over 14 provinces across Morocco to attend and compete.

Over the course of two days I led music workshops with the artists, and from those groups, certain finalists were given the opportunity to perform at night to 100s of onlookers. The jury and I were tasked with selecting the top three, who would be awarded with new instruments to help them continue pursuing their music careers.

Winners:
1) Hiyaha( in Arabic) Brilliant Rap crew from Casablanca
2) Oxygen Punk rockers from Kenitra
3) Syphax Awesome fusion rock band whose guitarist wails on a Gibson guitar like Slash

Other great young acts from Morocco:
Red Line—Moroccan MCs
BM City Flow Moroccan MCs
Chakhda CRW—Moroccan B-By Dance Crew
Team Skullz—Pop group combining Jackson moves and vocals.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• morocco
• music
• festival
• lollipops crown
• dangervillemaroc
• zerobridge
• mohsin mohi ud din

[meriem635]

YEAhhhh Dimaaa maroccan rap <3

[MrSyphaxX]

It was the best experience in our lifee..

Thank Your Very Much Mouhidine ;)..

Syphax Band

[kassoll]

yeah that was amazing ,Youth Music Festival 2009 good memories , special thnx to our judge and our friend Mohsine Mohi Ud Din who helped us a lot .

Kassoll-----Shakhda Crew

[zakarianba]

Yo wht s happnin that was awsome I was there 2 ^^ bboy from oujda CiTy

[MrBournik]

oui merci merci i am from beni-mellal