Last updated: 7 hours ago
Innov Gnawa is a New York City-based Grammy-nominated music group led by Ma’alem Hassan Ben Jaafer. The title Ma’alem, meaning master, denotes Ben Jaafer’s ancestral heritage of the musical tradition, which was passed down generationally within his family in Morocco. As the spiritual elder of the ensemble, he plays the three-stringed African bass, also known as a guembri. Ben Jaafer is accompanied by Amino Belyamani and Ahmed Jeriouda, along with a brotherhood of guest musicians, all playing the qraqeb, metal castanets whose staccato sound is said to represent the shackles and chains of slaves.
Often referred to as “Sufi Blues,” Gnawa is rooted in Morocco’s ancient history. Over centuries, infectious rhythms and polytheistic spiritual beliefs originating from West African slaves integrated with Islam and the indigenous culture of Morocco, giving birth to a hybrid spiritual sect and musical community. The lyrics of Gnawa songs are prayers invoking saints and spirits for freedom and liberation. Like Blues music from the American south, Gnawa is revered and treasured throughout Morocco for its soulfulness.
“The spirit of Gnawa is people.” – Ma’alem Hassan Ben Jaafer
Often referred to as “Sufi Blues,” Gnawa is rooted in Morocco’s ancient history. Over centuries, infectious rhythms and polytheistic spiritual beliefs originating from West African slaves integrated with Islam and the indigenous culture of Morocco, giving birth to a hybrid spiritual sect and musical community. The lyrics of Gnawa songs are prayers invoking saints and spirits for freedom and liberation. Like Blues music from the American south, Gnawa is revered and treasured throughout Morocco for its soulfulness.
“The spirit of Gnawa is people.” – Ma’alem Hassan Ben Jaafer
Monthly Listeners
20,151
Monthly Listeners History
Track the evolution of monthly listeners over the last 28 days.
Followers
13,717
Followers History
Track the evolution of followers over the last 28 days.
Top Cities
4,824 listeners
3,017 listeners
1,934 listeners
1,545 listeners
1,187 listeners
Related Artists
Maalem Said Damir & Gnawa Allstars
Gnawa de Marrakech
Maalem Si Mohamed Chaouqi
Fehd Benchemsi
MAALEM SAID DAMIR
Gnawa Njoum Experience
Gnawa Impulse
yassine tairelile
Labess
Salamate Gnawa
