Hassan Hakmoun

Hassan Hakmoun and his band take the ancient Moroccan musical tradition and update it with an upfront vitality. What results is part of the story of Gnawa which began as a music that spread from West Africa, the Sudan, and the Southern Sahara through centuries of migration until it reached Morocco.

Hassan’s music is rooted in his playing of the sintir, the Moroccan three-stringed bass, and many of his songs have the Gnawa’s timeless, nomadic quality.

The gift of the Gnawa contains shamanic powers which can heal, dispel evil, and mediate in the spirit world. Through the Gnawa’s intervention, the spirits of the ancestors can return to guide, advise and give strength to the living.

Further reading

The Endless Dance out now

Hannah Peel & Beibei Wang have released their debut album together, The Endless Dance, which is avai...

Emerging Sudanese star Sulaf signs to Real World, releases ‘Naada’

Sulaf will be the opening act on Tinariwen's European tour this April and May.

Track of the day: ‘First Light’ by Eliza Marshall

Eliza Marshall releases the second track from her forthcoming New Birth EP. The track is called Firs...

Track of the day: ‘Too Many Have Gone’ by The Breath

The Breath reveal their first new music since the release of their third album, Land of My Other. A...