The Most Popular Music in Morocco, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the music you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 25, 2024 06:44
In the vibrant streets of Morocco, music acts as the heartbeat of its culture, resonating through bustling souks and quiet deserts alike. With such a rich tapestry of sounds, from traditional Gnawa to contemporary pop, understanding which tunes truly capture the spirit of Morocco can be a rewarding quest. This dynamic landscape of music often leaves both locals and visitors curious about the prevailing trends and artist popularity.
By participating in this living selection of Morocco's cherished melodies, you contribute to a broader appreciation of its cultural vibrancy. Voting for your preferred songs not only helps to highlight outstanding artists but also provides valuable insights into the evolving musical prefences of the Moroccan people. Engage with the music, support your favorite artists, and see how your picks stack against the preferences of others in real-time ranking updates.
What Is the Most Popular Music in Morocco?
-
165votesThis is the most popular music genre in Morocco. It is a mix of traditional and modern music and is characterized by its catchy rhythms and lyrics that reflect the daily life of Moroccans. Chaabi is often performed at weddings and other celebrations.Chaabi is a traditional music genre that originated in Morocco. It is characterized by its lively and rhythmic melodies, as well as its catchy lyrics that often touch upon various aspects of everyday life. Chaabi music blends elements of traditional Moroccan folk music with modern influences, creating a unique and dynamic sound. It is commonly performed at social gatherings, festivals, and weddings, and has gained widespread popularity throughout the country.
- Origin: Morocco
- Genre: Folk music
- Instruments: Guitar, oud, violin, qanun, percussion
- Lyrics: Often in Moroccan Arabic (Darija)
- Rhythm: Lively and upbeat
-
253votesGnawa music is a spiritual and trance-like genre. It originated in West Africa and is heavily influenced by Islamic and African traditions. It is often played at religious ceremonies and festivals.Gnawa music is a traditional form of Moroccan music that originated from the Gnawa people, who are descendants of former slaves from West Africa. It is a spiritual and ritualistic music characterized by a fusion of African beats, Islamic religious chants, and local Moroccan rhythms. The music is often accompanied by a special type of stringed instrument called the 'guembri', along with percussion instruments such as the drums 'qarqabas' and the metal castanets 'krakebs'. Gnawa music is deeply rooted in the traditions of healing and trance rituals, seeking spiritual elevation and connection with the divine.
- Origin: Morocco
- Influences: African, Islamic, Moroccan
- Instruments: Guembri (stringed instrument), Qarqabas (drums), Krakebs (metal castanets)
- Purpose: Spiritual healing and trance rituals
- Rhythms: Characteristic African and Moroccan rhythms
-
320votesRai is a popular music genre in Morocco and Algeria. It originated in the 1930s and is characterized by its use of synthesizers and drum machines. Rai lyrics often focus on social issues such as poverty and political corruption.Rai is a popular music genre in Morocco that originated in the 1930s. It combines traditional Algerian folk music with elements of Western music styles, such as French, Spanish, and Arab influences. The music is characterized by its energetic rhythms, expressive lyrics, and the use of traditional instruments like the darbuka, violin, and accordion.
- Origin: Morocco
- Year of creation: 1930s
- Influences: Algerian folk, French, Spanish, and Arab music
- Rhythm: Energetic
- Lyrics: Expressive
-
414votesAndalusian music is a classical music genre that originated in Andalusia, Spain, and was brought to Morocco by Muslim refugees in the 15th century. It is characterized by its use of lutes, violins, and other stringed instruments.The Andalusian is a magnificent horse breed known for its elegant appearance and versatile nature. It has a long and rich history, originating from the Iberian Peninsula in Spain. This breed is highly prized for its beauty, intelligence, and agility.
- Origin: Iberian Peninsula, Spain
- Height: 15 to 16 hands
- Weight: Around 500 to 600 kg
- Coat Colors: Gray, bay, black
- Mane & Tail: Abundant, typically long and flowing
-
523votesAmazigh music is the traditional music of the Berber people. It is characterized by its use of percussion instruments and stringed instruments such as the lute and the rebab.Amazigh music is a traditional style of music originating from Morocco, primarily associated with the Amazigh people, also known as the Berbers. It reflects the cultural heritage and history of the Amazigh community, conveying their values, stories, and emotions through melodies, rhythms, and lyrics.
- Rich Oral Tradition: Amazigh music has thrived through an oral tradition, passed down from generation to generation, preserving its authenticity and connection to Amazigh culture.
- Diverse Musical Instruments: Amazigh music incorporates a range of traditional musical instruments, including the bendir (frame drum), tbel (large drum), gasba (wooden flute), and various string instruments like the lute and banjo.
- Vocal Techniques: Amazigh music is characterized by unique vocal techniques, such as ululation, trilling, and melismatic ornamentation, which add depth and emotion to the performances.
- Melodic Modes: Amazigh music often employs different melodic modes, known as maqamat or azenjar, creating distinct musical scales and melodies that contribute to the genre's identity.
- Poetic Lyrics: Amazigh music frequently features poetic lyrics that tell stories of love, nature, historical events, and cultural traditions. The lyrics are often sung in Tamazight, the Amazigh language.
-
621votesPop music is also popular in Morocco, especially among younger generations. Many Moroccan pop artists sing in Arabic and French.Pop is a genre of popular music known for its catchy melodies, upbeat rhythms, and relatable lyrics. It is often characterized by its broad appeal and accessibility to a wide audience. The genre emerged in the mid-1950s and gained popularity with the rise of radio and television broadcasting. Pop music incorporates elements from various genres, including rock, R&B, electronic, and dance. Its main focus is on creating commercially successful songs that can top charts and gain mass popularity.
- Catchy melodies: Melodies that are memorable and easily recognizable.
- Upbeat rhythms: Energetic and lively rhythms that encourage dancing and movement.
- Relatable lyrics: Lyrics that focus on universally relatable themes such as love, relationships, and personal experiences.
- Broad appeal: Music that appeals to a wide range of listeners regardless of age, gender, or musical preferences.
- Commercial success: A focus on creating commercially viable songs that achieve high chart positions and sales numbers.
-
710votesHip hop music has gained popularity in Morocco in recent years, especially among the youth. Moroccan hip hop artists often rap about social issues such as poverty and unemployment.Hip Hop is a popular alternative form of music that emerged in the 1970s in the Bronx, New York City. It originated as a cultural movement and evolved into a global phenomenon. Hip Hop includes various elements like rapping (vocal delivery), DJing (playing and mixing music), graffiti art, and breakdancing (a style of street dance). Its lyrics often address social issues and personal experiences.
- Rapping style: Emphasizes rhythmic and poetic delivery of lyrics.
- Sampling: Frequently samples and reimagines existing music to create new beats.
- Beatboxing: Involves creating rhythmic sounds using one's mouth, often imitating drum beats.
- Scratching: DJ technique that involves manipulating vinyl records to produce rhythmic sounds.
- B-boying/breakdancing: Energetic form of street dance characterized by acrobatic moves and improvisation.
Hip Hop in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular genre of music in France
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular music in Bahrain
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular genre of music in Japan
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular music genre in Nicaragua
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular music in Paraguay
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular dance in Argentina
-
85votesReggae music has a small but dedicated following in Morocco, especially among Rastafarians.Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. It is characterized by a distinctive rhythmic pattern, known as the 'riddim', and it combines elements of Jamaican folk music, rhythm and blues, and jazz. Reggae is often associated with themes of social justice, peace, love, and spirituality.
- Rhythm: Reggae music is known for its off-beat accents, often referred to as the 'skank'.
- Instruments: Typically, reggae music includes instruments such as drums, bass guitar, electric guitar, and keyboards. Other instruments like horns and percussion may also be used.
- Vocals: Reggae vocals often feature smooth, melodic singing with a focus on expressing the lyrics and delivering the message of the song.
- Lyrics: Reggae lyrics often address social and political issues, as well as themes of love, spirituality, and personal empowerment.
- Message: Reggae music often promotes messages of unity, equality, and love, and seeks to inspire positive social change.
-
913votesJazz music is also appreciated in Morocco, especially in the city of Tangier, which has a rich jazz history.Jazz is a genre of music that originated in the African-American communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is characterized by its improvisation, syncopation, and swing rhythm. Jazz is known for its expressive and emotional qualities, often featuring solos and intricate musical arrangements.
- Improvisation: Jazz musicians often improvise, creating new melodies and variations on the spot.
- Syncopation: Syncopated rhythms, where accents fall on unexpected beats, are a vital element of jazz.
- Swing: Jazz has a distinct swing feel, with a rhythmic groove that encourages dancing and a sense of flow.
- Blues Influence: Jazz has strong roots in blues music, incorporating elements of the blues into its melodies, harmonies, and improvisation.
- Instrumentation: Jazz often features a variety of instruments, including saxophone, trumpet, piano, double bass, and drums.
-
105votesFusion music is a genre that combines elements of different musical traditions. In Morocco, fusion music often combines traditional Moroccan music with Western styles such as jazz and rock.
Missing your favorite music?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular music
-
Music chartsMonitoring local and national music charts, such as the Moroccan Top 100 Songs or other reputable sources, can provide information on current popular music trends.
-
Radio airplayPaying attention to the number of times songs are played on local and national radio stations can help provide data on the popularity of the music.
-
Social media followingAssessing the social media presence of Moroccan artists and their fan bases can provide insights into popularity. This includes platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
-
Concert attendance and live performancesAnalyzing the attendance numbers of concerts and live music events featuring Moroccan artists can be an indicator of popularity.
-
Awards and accoladesAssessing the awards and recognition given to Moroccan musicians by national and international organizations can provide a measure of their popularity.
-
Cultural impact and influenceUnderstanding the cultural impact and influence of specific Moroccan music styles and artists on society, as well as their influence on other genres and artists, can help determine their popularity.
-
Critic and expert reviewsConsidering the opinions and rankings of music critics and experts in the field can contribute to understanding the popularity of different types of Moroccan music.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular music in Morocco. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or song is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2310 views
- 221 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each song once every 24 hours. The rank of each song is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular music in morocco
Morocco is a country that is rich in culture and music is an integral part of its society. Moroccan music has a unique blend of Arabic, Berber, African, and Western influences, making it a fascinating genre to explore. The most popular music genres in Morocco are Chaabi, Gnawa, and Rai. Chaabi is a type of folk music that originated in the cities of Casablanca and Rabat, and is characterized by its catchy rhythms and upbeat melodies. Gnawa is a spiritual music genre that is deeply rooted in African mysticism and is associated with healing rituals. Finally, Rai is a type of music that originated in Algeria and has since spread to Morocco, with its unique blend of Arabic, French, and African rhythms. With such a diverse range of musical influences, it's no wonder that Morocco has a thriving music scene that continues to captivate audiences around the world.
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
