Aziz Arradi

Aziz Arradi  – Gnawa Maâlem, Marrakech (b. 1968)  

Born in 1968 in Marrakech, Aziz Arradi—also known as Aziz “Rasta”—is a Gnawa maâlem rooted in the deep spiritual and musical traditions of southern Morocco. Raised in the medina, he was immersed from an early age in the sounds and rituals of Gnawa culture.

He was initiated as a child under the guidance of a Mqadima, entering not only a musical path but a spiritual one. Through the lilas (night ceremonies), he learned the symbolic, rhythmic, and healing dimensions of Gnawa practice, first through qraqeb and later through the guembri.

As a teenager, he trained alongside renowned elders in Marrakech, including the respected Maâlem Sam, performing and learning within traditional circles. This hands-on transmission shaped his powerful rhythmic sense and deep understanding of trance-based performance.

He later continued his artistic development with Maâlem Abdeltif el sidi Amara, refining his role as both a guembri player and lead vocalist, and establishing himself as a full maâlem capable of leading ceremonies and ensembles.

Over the years, Aziz Aradi has navigated between tradition and modernity, contributing to projects that bring Gnawa music to wider audiences while staying grounded in its ritual foundations. His style reflects the intensity and percussive energy of the Marrakech school.

Today, he remains committed to transmission, passing on his knowledge to younger generations and preserving the living heritage of Gnawa culture.

Aziz Arradi (Aziz “Rasta”) is a Marrakech-based Gnawa Maâlem blending deep ritual roots with raw rhythmic power. Initiated in early childhood within the Gnawa spiritual tradition, he trained under legendary elders including Maâlem Sam and later Maâlem Abdeltif El Sidi Amara.

His sound is driven by the hypnotic pulse of the guembri, trance-inducing grooves, and the percussive intensity of the Marrakech school. Authentic, minimal, and powerful, his music sits at the crossroads of ritual, groove, and global fusion.

Ideal for: world music, film scoring, ritual/trance atmospheres, Afro-fusion, organic electronic collaborations.

Aziz Arradi – Maâlem Gnawa (Meknès ,1968)

Né en 1968 à Meknès, Aziz Arradi, aussi connu sous le nom d’Aziz “Rasta”, est un maâlem gnawa profondément enraciné dans les traditions spirituelles et musicales du sud marocain. Élevé dans la médina, il est très tôt immergé dans les rituels et les sonorités de la culture gnawa.

Initié dès l’enfance par une Mqadima, il s’engage dans une voie à la fois musicale et spirituelle. À travers les lilas (cérémonies nocturnes), il apprend les dimensions symboliques, rythmiques et thérapeutiques du répertoire gnawa, d’abord aux qraqeb puis au guembri.

Adolescent, il se forme aux côtés de grands maîtres de Marrakech, notamment le maâlem Sam, au sein des cercles traditionnels. Cette transmission directe forge son sens du rythme et sa maîtrise des états de transe.

Il poursuit son parcours avec le maâlem Abdeltif El Sidi Amara, affirmant son identité artistique en tant que joueur de guembri et chanteur, jusqu’à devenir un maâlem accompli capable de diriger cérémonies et ensembles.

Également porteur du mouvement World et Gnawa fusion dans les années 90-2000 , avec Nass Marrakech ou 080001, il multiplie les expériences internationales , tournées , enregistrements.

Entre tradition et ouverture, Aziz Arradi développe un style marqué par l’intensité et l’énergie percussive propres à l’école de Marrakech. Aujourd’hui, il continue de transmettre cet héritage aux nouvelles générations.

Aziz Arradi (Aziz “Rasta”) is a Gnawa Maâlem from Marrakech, initiated in the traditional spiritual lineage from an early age. His music blends hypnotic guembri grooves, trance rhythms, and the raw energy of Moroccan Gnawa ceremonies.