Hip hop is not a very popular form of music in Morocco. Music is thought of as sin in the eyes of Muslim extremists and is not encouraged amongst the youth of Morocco. However, in underground groups, hip hop is becoming a fad. Hip hop is being used to create a movement towards change for the Moroccan people. Rapping is used in hip hop music to say what the rapper is feeling. In Morocco, people do not have the freedom of speech as the United States does. Moroccan people cannot say what they want; they must hold their tongues, especially if it is about the throne or Islam. In the Islam religion, it is shameful to use curse words were other people can hear them, or even in one’s own house. This can be a drawback for Moroccan rappers or they can take it as a challenge. Although they cannot say outright what they mean, rappers can use roundabout ways of saying what they want to say. The rappers use double and hidden meanings in their lyrics so that only certain people can actually understand the meanings behind the words. However, some rappers do not hide their meanings and use whatever language they please.
One artist that uses profanity in excess is Brownfingaz. Brownfingaz does not rap in Arabic, like so many other Moroccan rappers. He raps in English. He says that one reason he does so is because he is just no good at rapping in Arabic. However, his main reason for rapping in English is because, as Brownfingaz says, hip hop was born in English. Hip hop started in the United States and has spread from there. Rapping in English is like speaking the language of rap because of its roots. Brownfingaz uses his past to influence the way he raps and what he raps about. During the movie, he takes the camera crew to his old home in the city. He says that this (referencing the city and where he spent so much of his life) is where the Moroccan people come from. He talks about the way people are forced to leave their homes because they cannot afford to live in the city. Brownfingaz explains how people are cheated out of their homes with very little money for the houses. The people and the situations of the city life are fuel that Brownfingaz uses in his music. The place that once was his home holds special meaning to him because it is not only where he grew up, but where he was first introduced to hip hop music.
Another hip hop group from Fez, Morocco is Mot de Passé. This is a relatively new duo. One member of the group is a girl. Fati, the girl of Mot de Passé, is in not only a hard position for wanting to be a rapper, but wanting to be a girl rapper. Islam is the predominant religion in Morocco and it is frowned upon by a lot of the community for a girl to be in this position. Fati dresses in a Western culture sense, not in the traditional clothing of Muslim women. She wears pants and short sleeved t-shirts that are form fitting. As she walks down the street, insults can be heard coming to her from men who do not like the way she is dressed; they call it shameful. However, this young girl is very talented. She raps in French, but also speaks Arabic and English. The other member is a young man. When asked about the best part of rap, he answers, “The truth.” Hip hop shows the truth of their surroundings and lifestyles through the rap lyrics.
DJ Key is one of the leaders in the I Love Hip Hop in Morocco festival. He is also the founder of the Hip Hop Association in Morocco. At the beginning of the film, he talks about how hard it is to be a Muslim and rapper. In the Islam faith, music making is a sin. DJ Key talks about his challenges being a Muslim. He says that he knows Allah and is thankful for that; he claims to be a devoted Muslim. However, he does question himself when he says this. He ponders the question of whether he is a Muslim even though he is knowingly sinning in the eyes of his faith. He talks about the economic troubles the plague disk jockeys. People, such as DJ Key, have to put make parties and pay for everything to get a party set up and has to play contemporary popular rap so that young people will come and he can make his money back. This is how many DJs make their living. He says that at times it can be tough, but he loves hip hop so it is worth it.
With the arrival of hip hop in Morocco, the Islam faith seems to have been challenged. Many lovers of this music are Muslims. Although it is not allowed, the fans still listen to this type of music and it often upsets community members. Hip hop is not accepted in Morocco and this music movement is forced underground. A select few musicians were shown in the documentary that wanted to show the power of hip hop and create a movement with this music. MC Bigg said that the dream of hip hop in Morocco is not to become famous, but to create a movement where hip hop is accepted in the Muslim community.
By helping the hip hop musical movement in Morocco, the United States could be seen as trying to push the American and Western way of life onto the more traditional countries such as Morocco. This help and sponsorship seems to be helping the Western music style grow farther around the world. The American Embassy could be seen as trying to diminish Islam by changing people’s belief in music. However, the help with the music festival could also a way to help empower the Moroccan people into creating change in their country by their own initiative, but with financial support in the beginning from the United States. Hip hop may have started in the United States, but not all people in the US agree with the messages in rap lyrics or even like the style of music. Hip hop attracts listeners on its own, without the beginners of the style forcing it onto other countries and trying to overtake traditions in that particular country.
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