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After touring for two years in Europe with her eponymous EP, Riffiya-Dutch singer-songwriter Roufaida comes back to Morocco this spring for an exclusive preview of her new musical project. Drawn towards a growing sense of collaboration with the local creative scene, she’s worked with photographer Mous Lamrabat on a visual story and invited up-and-coming indie-rock artist Malak to open her shows.22-05 Riad Sultan in Tangier
23-05 La Villa des Arts in Rabat
24-05 American Arts Center in Casablanca
25-05 Dar Bellarj in Marrakech.
The project is supported by the creative agency NOW based in Casablanca.
About Roufaida :
Boundary-pushing, poetic, and activist – Roufaida is an artist whose work reflects her evolving perspective and commitment to exploring new ideas. Drawing from her North-African heritage, she combines unconventional melodies with metaphorical songwriting shaped by Arabic poetry and the realities of today’s world. Influenced by innovative artists like Rosalía, Björk, and Arooj Aftab, Dutch-Moroccan Roufaida honors multiple traditions while creatively expanding upon them.
Roufaida’s breakthrough came with the release of the Roufaida EP in 2023, featuring standout tracks like Don’t Bend, showcasing the deep tones of the Moroccan guembri, and Kalimat, inspired by a poem by Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani. The EP gained international airplay and brought her to stages across the Benelux, Germany, and Morocco, with performances at festivals such as Down The Rabbit Hole, Into The Great Wide Open, and Noorderslag. She has shared the stage with artists like Xavier Rudd, Balthazar, Melody Gardot, and Eefje de Visser.
Praised for its distinctive sound, the EP earned two nominations for the prestigious Edison Awards. Critics have hailed Roufaida as “a true discovery” (De Volkskrant), applauded her fusion of North-African influences with alternative pop (NRC), and recognized "Don’t Bend" as “the coolest groove of the year” (Humo).
About Malak :
At only 23, Marrakech born and raised singer songwriter Malak stands out in the Moroccan indie music scene with her prolific work, the depth of her lyrics and the uniqueness of her stage skills and personality. Growing up to her father’s record collection, Malak has been listening to music and singing her whole life. Trained in musical theory for 6 years and classical piano for 5 at the Music Conservatory in Marrakech, she consistently started recording songs in 2018, telling the tale of a Moroccan teenager born into rock and roll and becoming a woman in a polarized society. Embracing influences from all over the world, blind of genres and rich of her multicultural background, Malak’s music is highly intuitive and desperately honest, thus creating her own alternative style. Her first EP is to be released in the Summer of 2025....
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Dar Bellarj - au coeur de la Médina de Marrakech., Marrakesh, Morocco
Tickets
