Mazagan, a Moroccan fusion group, counts among the important figures of the national musical scene thanks notably to its tracks and the numerous shows it hosts with success throughout Morocco. Issam Kamal, the leader of the group who is starting a tour in Morocco and abroad this weekend, explains the secret of this success.

Libé: Tell us about your group Mazagan. What is its history? How was it formed?

Issam Kamal: Mazagan is a group that is interested in Moroccan musical heritage and its development.

The group was created in 1998 in El Jadida by four creative and passionate friends. Since then, it has not ceased to evolve and to travel the stages in Morocco but also throughout the world.

It is composed of Issam Kamal (vocals, guitar, lute, mandolin), Bouhssine Foulane (violin, ribab), Nabil Andalous Ouartassi (drums), Mohammed Hamam (keyboards), Adil Laaqissi (bass), Makram Naoufal Tazi (percussions) and Abdelhak Amal (technique).

In your repertoire we find everything: raï, Gnawa music, salsa, rock, etc. Why so many genres in a single music? And what are your sources of inspiration?

The Mazagan group tries to reflect musically the history of the city which was a cultural crossroads marked by the presence of the Portuguese, the French, the Jews and the Americans.

Furthermore, each member of Mazagan has their own history, personality, inspirations and ambitions. The musical mixture produced by the group is therefore the natural fruit of the interaction between its members who today represent the four corners of the country.

On the other hand, the group has taken up the torch of renewing Moroccan popular music, with the ambition of making it exportable internationally. We thus embrace a mixture of traditional songs (aita, raï, gharnati, hassani, Gnawa...) and modern arrangements (rock, latino, oriental, reggae...).

This fusion is possible through the mixing of traditional acoustic instruments like the ribab, the oud, the mandolin, the violin... and others more modern and amplified like the electric guitar, the bass, the synthesizers, the drums...

Musical groups in Morocco say they encounter many difficulties. What do you think?

I think that Moroccan artists must stop complaining about logistical and technical constraints and show more creativity and combativeness.

It is true that the beginnings are never easy, but once the machine is well-oiled, with a little courage, confidence and perseverance, everything becomes possible and accessible. In my opinion, the artist is not there to use the available means but to create others. He is a creator.

As a group, do you have a rehearsal space? Do you have a studio for recordings?

The members of Mazagan have all self-trained in sound techniques and music production. We have several home studios that we use to record our albums, often remotely. For rehearsals, we rent the equipped studios of "Boultek" located at the Technopark in Casablanca.

What about piracy? What is your marketing strategy for your promotion? How do you prepare your live performances?

Piracy is an inevitable scourge today. That said, I am firmly convinced that the fight against this phenomenon is not the responsibility of the artist but of the concerned authorities.

Mazagan has adapted its business model so as not to depend on CD sales revenue. Our main source of income today is live performance. On the other hand, CD production is more a means of communication, a business card for the group. This is how we have developed a booking strategy in Morocco but also throughout the world which allows us to give concerts on three continents: Africa, Europe and North America.

This leads us to the second part of your question concerning live performances. You know, Mazagan is renowned for its quality on stage more than anything else; we are passionate about the stage and the general public, whatever its origin. The energy that the group releases on stage, the originality of its style and the quality of its show have allowed it to run the major festivals of Morocco, in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Mauritania, Tunisia, Spain, Cape Verde, Holland, Germany, Canada and Senegal.

How did you become artistic director of the Jawhara Festival?

I became artistic director of the Jawhara International Festival of El Jadida in 2012 following an offer from the Festival management and the organising association. I immediately accepted, because I absolutely wanted to bring my touch to the programming of the flagship festival of my city.

I also accepted because I am surrounded by a team of professionals who know the stakes and the workload as well as the different stages to respect during the production of an event of such magnitude. I am in my 2nd edition with the festival as artistic director.

You maintain excellent relations with Moroccan musical groups. Did that motivate you?

Indeed, I also accepted since I maintain professional and friendly relations with the majority of Moroccan artists and with a large number of international artists. I already had an address book that I had developed for more than a decade as a music professional, which facilitates the programming process and bringing international artists to this edition.

What is the latest news from the Mazagan group?

We recently released two singles, "Dima Labess" and "Adam", which are successful on the airwaves in Morocco and France.

The first single, made in a duet with Cheb Khaled and produced by RedOne, calls for the opening of borders between peoples. While the second highlights tolerance and cohabitation between religions.

An album project is currently in preparation. In the meantime, the Mazagan group is preparing a series of concerts in Morocco and abroad, after having given a concert at the Maison du Maroc in Paris.

What is your message to young people?

I invite young people to have confidence in their own field of competence, because Morocco needs us to enhance its cultural image. I am convinced that every young Moroccan enjoys assets capable of valuing their history and ensuring their future.