
Wizkid and Lojay to ignite Mawazine 2025 with pure Afrobeats power
Kicking off the night is none other than Lojay, Afrobeats' rising prince. Known for his bold and emotionally rich style, Lojay brings fresh energy to the genre while honoring the legacy of its pioneers. Bursting onto the scene with Monalisa — his international hit with Chris Brown and Sarz, which reached the Top 10 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats chart — Lojay quickly made a name for himself as a key voice in afrofusion. He followed up with Sensational, featuring Davido and Chris Brown, earning a 2024 Grammy nomination.
In 2025, Lojay continues his meteoric rise with Somebody Like You, a new track produced by Sarz that explores love and vulnerability with striking depth.
Taking the spotlight later that evening is the genre's global superstar, Wizkid. Known as Starboy, he has redefined Afrobeats with timeless tracks like Essence, Ojuelegba, Come Closer, and One Dance with Drake — making him the first Nigerian artist to enter the Billboard Hot 100 and earn platinum certification in the U.S. His collaborations with Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, and Chris Brown have taken Afrobeats to the main stages of the world's biggest festivals.
With over 5 billion streams across platforms, Wizkid's influence is unmatched. His critically acclaimed album Morayo (2024), featuring Brent Faiyaz and Tiakola, revealed a more mature and introspective side, while his latest release KESE is already climbing the charts. As part of a sold-out world tour spanning Paris, New York, Toronto, and Berlin, Wizkid's stop in Rabat will be nothing short of historic.
Festival Mawazine – Rhythms of the World runs from June 20 to 28, 2025 in Rabat.

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Maroc
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- Maroc
Morocco's Mawazine Festival Draws Record 3.75 Million Attendees
The 20th edition of Morocco's Mawazine–Rhythms of the World Festival attracted more than 3.75 million visitors over nine days, reaffirming its position among the world's largest music festivals, organizers said on Tuesday. Held under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, the festival ran from June 20 to 28 across multiple venues in Rabat and Salé, featuring performances by over 100 artists from Morocco and abroad, the Maroc Cultures Association said in a press release. Headline acts included global stars such as Will Smith, 50 Cent, Kid Cudi, Becky G, aespa, and Wizkid, alongside leading Arab performers like Nancy Ajram, Sherine, and Kadhem Saher. The festival also spotlighted Moroccan talent, drawing large crowds to the Salé stage, which was dedicated entirely to domestic artists and saw unprecedented attendance each night. Performances spanned a wide range of genres and settings, from the large-scale OLM Souissi esplanade to the more intimate Chellah site, known for its contemplative concerts. Audiences also attended indoor shows at the Mohammed V National Theatre and discovered world music acts on the Bouregreg stage, highlighting the festival's commitment to cultural diversity. With over 500 journalists accredited and millions of social media interactions recorded, organizers said the event went beyond entertainment to serve as a platform for dialogue and exchange. MAP: 01 July 2025


Morocco World
01-07-2025
- Morocco World
Mawazine Festival 2025 Draws 3.75 Million Music Lovers
Rabat – The 20th edition of the Mawazine Festival drew 3.75 million people, who came to enjoy performances from more than 100 artists from around the world. For nine days, from June 20 to 28, the cities of Rabat and Sale came alive with music. The organizers said that the massive turnout, with packed venues every night, shows once again that Mawazine is one of the biggest music festivals in the world. The main international stage at OLM Souissi hosted global superstars like Kid Cudi, Becky G, aespa, Lil Baby, Wizkid, Afrojack, Lojay, MoBlack, and Lost Frequencies. However, Mawazine says three concerts stood out above the rest: Will Smith, 50 Cent, and ElGrande Toto. At the Nahda stage, which focuses on Arabic music, some of the biggest names in the Arab world took the limelight. Fans enjoyed shows by Nancy Ajram, Myriam Fares, Sherine, Hamaki, Ruby, Aminux, Ragheb Alama, and Boudchart. In Sale, a stage dedicated entirely to Moroccan artists featured popular singers like Abdelaziz Stati, Najat Aatabou, Daoudi, Hajib, Adil Miloudi, Samy Ray, and Mohamed Adly performed alongside younger stars like Lmorphine, Lazaro, Rafiaa, 7-Toun, Zakaria Ghafouli, and Kaoutar Berrani. Meanwhile, at the National Theatre Mohammed V, music lovers enjoyed indoor concerts with artists like Saber Robai, Tamer Achour, Wael Jassar, Carmen Suleiman, Ziad Bourji, Kadhem Saher, and even a hologram show of the legendary Abdelhalim Hafez. The Bouregreg stage was home to world music, with artists from Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond. Salif Keita, Julian Marley, Yemi Alade, Etuk Ubong, Cheikh Lô, Burning Spear, De La Soul, Al Qasar & Guests, and Ans T Crazy offered exciting shows full of rhythm and cultural richness. At the historic Chellah site, a more peaceful atmosphere took over. This stage featured soulful and spiritual music from artists like Soukaina Fahsi, Egyptian Project, Luis Salazar, Banista, The Snake Charmer, and Gulay Hacer Toruk. Despite the turnout and diverse lineup, the festival was not without controversy. Many fans, as well as journalists, voiced complaints about the festival's organization, with issues like lack of crowd control, and ventilation for indoor concerts in the sweltering heat. One of the biggest disappointments came during Sherine's concert, which many had eagerly anticipated. But instead of performing live, Sherine lip-synced to playback, which left fans frustrated and some even asking for their money back. To make matters worse, the artist came on her set around an hour late. In addition, attendees at the Mohammed V Theater raised concerns about the lack of air conditioning, especially during Kadhem Saher's concert, which was packed beyond capacity and uncomfortably hot. From the press perspective, a few news outlets complained about poor management and towards their journalists, with one even complaining about harassment. Additionally, there were stringent rules and limits around access for photojournalists, especially only allocating them ten minutes at the front for large profile concerts, which made thorough coverage challenging.


Morocco World
29-06-2025
- Morocco World
Toto's Dream Comes True on Mawazine's OLM Souissi Stage
Fez– On Saturday, Moroccan rapper Toto made a memorable mark at the Mawazine Festival by performing on the prestigious OLM Souissi stage. For Toto, this was more than just a concert; it was the realization of a long-held dream. Known for his honest lyrics and deep connection to his roots, Toto had always aimed high. The OLM Souissi stage, often reserved for global superstars, was a symbol of success he quietly worked toward for years. His performance showed not only his talent but the power of persistence and belief in oneself. From the first song, Toto's passion filled the venue. The crowd responded with excitement, drawn to his authentic style and the way he blends traditional Moroccan sounds with modern rap. It was clear this moment was a reward for years of hard work and dedication. Toto's journey is a story of ambition. He started with small shows, building a loyal fanbase through raw, honest music. His rise to a top spot at one of Morocco's biggest festivals reminds us all that dreams can become real when matched with effort and heart. The show was a celebration, not just of Toto's success, but of the growing space Moroccan rap now holds on the big stages. Toto's performance sent a message: with patience and passion, barriers can be broken. This night at Mawazine meant more than a personal milestone for Toto; it touched the hearts of everyone who has ever dared to dream and worked quietly behind the scenes. It reminded us that success is born from patience, passion, and staying true to who you are, even when the road feels long and uncertain. Tags: MawazineOLM SouissiToto