Asmaa Hamzaoui

Gnawa music goes back centuries to a time predating the Gnawa people being held as slaves in North-West Africa; their songs often revolve around storytelling that reflects upon their suffering… Today, Asmaa Hamzaoui is the foremost female ambassador of Gnawa music, and with her group Bnat Timbouktou, she has begun spreading her scintillating brand of evangelistic desert blues all across the world. In the fall of 2019, Asmaa & Bnat Timbouktou released the much-anticipated début album, Oulad Lghaba (Ajabu! Records); this seminal work focuses on the spiritual side of the Gnawa tradition. The songs pay homage to both the spirit world and life in Africa and reflect on the importance of us all living in harmony with nature and the consequences we face if we abuse our planet. These amazing female musicians deliver their contagious songs in their native Gnawa language. They break new ground not only in music, but also in regards to speaking up for equal rights; the preservation of ancient traditions; and spiritual practices in modern-day Morocco and throughout the world. Ajabu! Records Pether Lindgren: pether.ajabu@gmail.com Pedro Lima: pedro.ajabu@gmail.com