8ird

Moroccan recording artist 8ird (pronounced “bird”) is known for gritty storytelling and ethereal self produced tracks. Much like Kendrick Lamar brings the streets of Compton to life, 8ird illuminates the hidden urban world of his native Casablanca, shining a light on the characters and culture that have turned the city into an international hip-hop hub.
Morocco's unique geographic location makes it an ideal place for the free exchange of art and culture. 8ird is the living embodiment of this spirit, combining many different musical influences into a unique multilingual trap sound. His introduction to hip-hop came in the late 90s when his cousin returned from a trip abroad with CD’s by artists like Shyne, Das Efx, and Fredro Starr. From then on, nothing was the same for 8ird. By the time he started writing and producing his own raps in 2001, he had developed an extensive knowledge of America’s hip-hop catalogue, from 2pac and Biggie to the Geto Boys and Outkast. These influences combined with the multicultural world that surrounded him resulted in a futuristic inner city sound with broad appeal.
As evidenced by his recent hits “Iyeh” and “Fiction,” 8ird’s reach is steadily growing. Ever since his “9 vs 3” EP made him a staple of the Moroccan rap scene, his name has become recognizable throughout the rest of North Africa. 8ird is self-made and has already proven that he can flow with the best of them.