The 16th edition of Jazzablanca has been a huge success and climaxed with the appearance of the rock/fusion legends, Hoba Hoba Spirit
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| Hayha music for the people! |
The group has been pioneers of combining Afro fusion, Gnaoua and reggae. Their lyrics, in colloquial Arabic, French and English, are the rebellious cries of a generation and real kick in the face for the contradictions of Moroccan society.
The group defines its music as "hayha" - a word that roughly translates as "crazy" - but in a good way. Hayha music is often classified, along with Chaâbi, as music of the people. However, no matter how you describe the genre, it is certainly popular with the thousands of Casaouis (residents of Casablanca) who turned up at the Place Mohammed V on Saturday night for the final Jazzablanca concert.
The festival organisers were ecstatic, saying, "Hoba Hoba Spirit are a megaphone for the young people's identity crisis, and their performances are a real catharsis for the audience with the choruses chanted loudly as they let loose the pent up urban energy".
Prior to the group taking the stage the audience were treated to The Golden Hands, emblematic figures of the Moroccan music scene in the 70s.
Back in 1969, the Golden Hands became famous throughout the country with the hit L’ange et ses vampires (The Angel and his Vampires). This resulted in wider fame, particularly in France, where the band played at Golf Drouot in Paris (then known as the rock temple). They made a comeback a few years ago at the 11th edition of Jazzablanca.
The festival has delivered a week of great music in Casablanca. Performers included Jamie Cullum, Macy Gray, Melody Gardot, Richard Bona, Goran Bregovic as well as Moroccan pop diva,Hindi Zahra.
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