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Meryem Aboulouafa (Arabic: مريم أبو الوفاء) is a singer, songwriter and narrator from Casablanca.[1][2] Her first solo album Meryem (2020), was released by Animal 63 and has received positive reviews throughout the music industry. Her singles Breath of Roma and Ya Qalbi were used for radio, television and film scores.
Meryem Aboulouafa مريم أبو الوفاء | |
|---|---|
 Aboulouafa performing in Saint Eustache 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 1988 (age 35–36) |
| Origin | Casablanca, Morocco |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Labels | Zerhoun Records |
Meryem Aboulouafa, born on December 3, 1988, in Casablanca, Morocco, is a versatile artist known for her deep connection with music and fine arts. Her musical journey began with early exposure to the traditional Moroccan melodies and the sounds of the iconic divas of the Arab world. In addition, influenced by her father's musical taste, she was introduced to the world of rock classics, including the Neil Young, Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd, as well as prominent figures in French music such as Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, and Georges Brassens.[3] Embarking on her formal exploration of music theory and violin at the Music Conservatory, Meryem refined her expertise at the Conservatoire of Casablanca.[4][5]
In 2016, Meryem Aboulouafa graced the stage of a TEDx conference, introducing herself as an artist, proud Moroccan. Fondly reminiscing her roots in Casablanca, she humorously shared childhood beliefs that have since transformed. Within the intimate confines of her Casablanca bedroom, armed only with a guitar, Meryem gave life into her initial compositions by crafting poetry in English, French and Arabic.[6][7]
After completing her high school education, Meryem enrolled into fine arts at the Ecole Supérieur des Beaux-Arts of Casablanca, ultimately earning her diploma as an interior designer. Subsequently, she took on the role of teaching interior design at the Academy of Traditional Arts in Casablanca and Euro-Mediterranean University of Morocco. Meryem envisions crafting "musical objects" and exploring the possibility of designing innovative instruments “objets musicaux”, thereby exemplifying her interdisciplinary approach to the arts.[8]
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Despite her distinctive musical trajectory, Meryem Aboulouafa never actively sought labels. Meryem is starting to make a name for herself in the world of music. In 2017 she took the stage at MadJazz festival in Marrakech and Jazzablanca festival in Casablanca and made one of her first collaborations with Moulay Driss Alaoui Mdaghri, a great fan of Arabic and Andalusian poetry, who opened her the door to Italy, and subsequently to Francesco Santalucia. Together they produced a cover of the Algerian traditional song "Ya Qalbi" which later will become one of her most known songs. The artist moves on to have a musical tour in Indonesia and Italy.[9]
Her musical journey took an unexpected turn when "Ya Qalbi" came to the attention of Emmanuel Barron, the head of the French label Animal63 (recognized for artists like The Blaze and Myth Sizer). This encounter marked the start of a new chapter in Meryem's musical career, affirming her position in the global music scene. As he notably wrote " … I came back to Paris two days later after meeting a mind-blowing artist, a rare woman, an artist living in a country where being an artist is not a simple choice. But above all I met a «voice,» but not only in the vocal, technical sense of the word. The voice of a modern Moroccan woman, a musician, believer and poet ... ".[10]
The fruit of this encounter was “Meryem”, the first album by Meryem Aboulouafa. It was released at the end of May in Europe and Morocco by the French label Animal 63, and was launched with the dreamlike music video “Deeply”. The 11 songs of the album, composed in both English and Arabic. Before her album release, Emmanuel Barron suggested that he re-record certain titles with new collaborators. Two names are working on the construction or reconstruction of her tracks: Jean-Baptiste de Laubier alias Para One, known for his energetic techno and for his more contemplative soundtracks, inseparable from the cinema of Céline Sciamma. And Maxime Daoud, musician, arranger and producer of music with gentle melancholy under the name Ojard. Following the release of her album, Meryem embarked on a tour featuring live concerts and made appearances on television and radio. Her debut album received a warm welcome from the music world and resonated well with music enthusiasts.[11]
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Musical style
On her debut album, Casablanca artist Meryem Abouloufa naturally sits within the same realm of smoky torch songs given a pop sheen as Lana Del Rey, Angel Olsen, and Sharon Van Etten, however what sets her aside from such company is that she uses the template of Western pop and gives it a Middle Eastern twist.[12]
Her background as an interior designer is evident in the set, sleek as the inside of a Glossier store; it is eerily soothing, almost pretty enough to mask the presence of the dark abyss at its center. It's a perfect representation of the sparring emotions bubbling beneath the surface of Aboulouafa's music.[13]
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Studio albums
| Title | Released | Label | Formats | No. | Tracklist | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meryem | 29 May 2020 | Animal 63 | LP, CD, digital download | 1 | The friend | 03:03 | 38:17 |
| 2 | Breath of Roma | 03:25 | |||||
| 3 | Deeply | 03:21 | |||||
| 4 | Say the truth and run | 03:57 | |||||
| 5 | Je me promets | 04:30 | |||||
| 6 | Fighting | 03:31 | |||||
| 7 | Évanouie | 03:33 | |||||
| 8 | The Accident | 03:40 | |||||
| 9 | Ya Qalbi | 03:06 | |||||
| 10 | Welcome Back to Me | 02:47 | |||||
| 11 | We'll get by | 03:19 | |||||
Singles & EP
| Title | Released | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Breath of Roma | 2 December 2019 | Animal 63 |
| Ya Qalbi | 12 February 2020 | Animal 63 |
| Évanouie | 29 April 2020 | Animal 63 |
Other Collaborations & Remixes
| Title | Artist | Released | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.10 | Francesco Santalucia | 2017 | Memoria | La grande onda |
| Deeply | Nezar Bouabid | 5 September 2020 | ||
| Ya Qalbi | Nezar Bouabid | 20 November 2020 | ||
| Fighting (Remix) | Van | 2021 | ||
| Breath of Roma (Remix) | Alper Gursoy | 29 November 2021 | PalmTherapy Sounds | |
| Oasi | Elasi | 29 July 2022 | Oasi Elasi | Capitol Records/Universal Music Italia |
| Le paradis | Bachar Mar-Khalifé | 13 May 2023 | The End - Music for Films, Vol.1 | Balcoon |
| D'âme à âme | Anna Chedid | 20 October 2023 | Peau neueve | Anna Chedid Publishing |
| J'irai partout | Dominique Dalcan | 27 September 2023 | Last Night a Woman Saved My Life | Ostinato Records |
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Jazzablanca
Visa for Music 2021
Meryem Aboulouafa & Francesco Santalucia Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone - 28 April 2017
Meryem Aboulouafa - Bachar Mar-Khalifé - Arte Piano Day 2022 - 1 May 2022 in Campus Pierre-et-Marie-Curie (Jussieu), Paris[14]
Meryem Aboulouafa - Saint-Eustache, Paris - microqlima
1. Le Paradis / Lost Boys (Film, 2023)
2. Deeply - Skam France S7 | E7 | Episode 7|
3. Je me promets AlRawabi School for Girls S1 | E4 | NETFLIX
4. Ya Qalbi - Holy Family (aka Sagrada familia) S1 | E2 | NETFLIX
5. Mawadda - Moroccan movi
2014 - Watchtower of Turkey by Leonardo D.
2015 - AMF2015 | Official Trailer (Amsterdam Music Festival)
2022 -Waking dreams by Mayan Warrior Burning Man
2022 - Ulili commercial
2023 - Do you remember? - Burning Man by Sodalime Burning Man
2023 - Fez, di Meryem Aboulouafa - RSI La 1
2023 - Forever Marrakech - L’Office National Marocain du Tourisme
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