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Hoba Hoba Spirit

Past Performances

March 8, 2009

Photo of March 8, 2009 Performance
Making their U.S. debut, this reggae, rock, and gnawa (a mixture of African, Berber, and Arab religious songs and rhythms) band is based in Casablanca, Morocco. Hoba Hoba Spirit is one of the region’s hottest groups. Part of ARABESQUE: Arts of the Arab World

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Additional Resources

Artist's Official Website: http://www.hobahobaspirit.com/

Millennium Stage Home Page

Part of the Performing Arts for Everyone Initiative

About the Artist

Photo of Hoba Hoba Spirit

Hoba Hoba Spirit is one of the most exciting and popular groups to emerge from Morocco in recent years. Formed in 1988 in Casablanca by friends Adil Hanine (drums), Anouar Zehouani (guitar), Saâd Bouidi Oubiz (bass guitar), Reda Allali (vocals and guitar), and Othmane Hmimar (percussion), Hoba Hoba Spirit has now become a national phenomenon. Calling their signature sound “Haiha Music,” loosely translated as “Wild Partying Music,” the group is equally inspired by indie rock, punk, and Gnawa, the Sufi music of Morocco brought to the country by slaves from Mali and other West African countries over many centuries.
 
With their lyrics in at least three languages, and an explosive blend of western rock and traditional Arab, Berber, and African sounds, the song “Haiha Music,” the band’s semi official anthem usually played at the end of each of their concerts, neatly sums up the uniqueness of Hoba Hoba Spirit:
 
Call it African folk
Call it Gnawa Blues
It is just Haiha music
Coming from deep of our soul
 
Call it Chaabi Funk
Call it Ayta Jazz
It is just Haiya music
Coming from deep of our soul
 
Haiha music wo yoyoooo.