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In an exclusive interview with Morocco World News, rapper Abdelazize Ouenza said that music is his therapy.
The rapper released his latest single, Mriski, on April 28. The music video stars Robert Knepper, an American actor known for his role as T-Bag in the TV series Prison Break.
Even though it was just released recently, the music video has already received over 470 thousand views and hit fourth on YouTube’s trending page for music May 3.
“It’s a big move for Moroccan music and Moroccan rappers,” Ouenza said. “It’s a good thing for me and for Morocco I think.”
Morocco World News had the chance to interview the rapper about his work April 29 at the inaugural Solal Experience music festival in Essaouira. Organizers of the event invited Ouenza to attend.
“There’s a lot of good people, beautiful people. I’m glad to be here,” he said about the festival.
Ouenza said his newest song is about believing in your dream and taking risks in life.
Though it was just released, he said he wrote the song two to three years ago after experiencing some minor depression. He said he wants listeners to feel like there is someone who can understand their sadness.
“We don’t need anybody to achieve our dreams,” he said. “Just ourselves, our love and talent and good work.”
The song is a preview of Ouenza’s latest 12-track mixtape that is set to be released next week on May 19. The mixtape is something really personal for him, he said, and features a lot about his life. It is the culmination of three years of work.
“I’m talking about love, I’m talking about the future, I’m talking about how I love music and how I want to achieve my dreams,” he said. “Maybe all the youth in Morocco will see themselves in it.”
Born and raised in Casablanca, the artist spent ten years studying in France before leaving everything behind for his art. He said that he’s always done music and that it’s an important form of expression for him.
“I love what I do, I love my music,” he said.
Recently, Ouenza has also branched into other artforms, including acting. He just finished filming for the second season of the Moroccan TV series Maktoub.
READ ALSO: Solal Experience Celebrates Music, Art at its Inaugural Event in Essaouira
“It was my first experience (acting),” he said. “A lot of Moroccans loved it, so maybe it’s not the last one.”
Ahead of the release of his new mixtape, Ouenza said that he’s stressed, but that it’s a good stress.
“I want Moroccans to know that I love them and that inshallah we’re going to go big and big and bigger for Morocco,” he said.
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Ouenza was a guest at the inaugural Solal Experience, an electronic music festival held April 28-30 in Essaouira — a city known for its art and culture.
The music festival gave artists from across Morocco a space to gather and showcase their musical, visual, and culinary talents. It was catered towards artists and travelers between 25-35 years old and was kept small for its first iteration with only about 150 tickets sold.
In the future, event organizers told MWN that they envision Solal becoming a monthly event.
READ ALSO: New SOLAL Festival Kicks off with DJs and Dancing under Essaouira’s Sunset
