Latest news with #Moroccan-Belgian
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dystinct's ‘Ya Baba' Featuring French Montana Lights A Cultural Bridge in Arabic
When Moroccan-Belgian artist Dystinct announced his upcoming third album with a debut single featuring French Montana, the moment didn't just mark a major milestone in his career—it signaled his arrival on a much broader stage. The single, titled 'Ya Baba' and released on April 18, should be seen as a high-profile collaboration that reflects the convergence of languages, identities and sonic worlds. It's also a meeting point for two diasporic stories: French Montana was born in Casablanca and grew up in the Bronx; Belgium-born Dystinct also traces his roots to the same Moroccan coastal city. More from Billboard Charting the Global Musical Map in Morocco: Dystinct's Quest for Love and Arabic Music P1Harmony, SEVENTEEN's HxW & More Among KCON Los Angeles 2025 Performers How to Watch the 2025 Tony Nominations Announcement Livestream With 18 Billboard Hot 100 hits over the past decade-plus (including standouts like 'Unforgettable' and 'Pop That'), French Montana has cemented his status as a powerhouse in U.S. hip-hop and pop. In 'Ya Baba,' however, we hear French Montana rapping in Moroccan Darija (Moroccan vernacular Arabic) for the first time. It's a full circle moment for an artist who left Morocco at age 13 but never lost touch with his roots. For Dystinct, this collaboration marks a major milestone in his global rise—joining forces with a U.S. pop heavyweight signals a new level of international recognition and reach. Shot in Morocco, the music video for 'Ya Baba' combines the celebratory and the sobering: children playing in the alleyway, elders sipping tea, the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Its combination of Moroccan textures with Afropop grooves, and lyrics that toggle between English and Moroccan Darija, illustrates Dystinct's ethos of musical diversity. 'More money, more problems, ya habibi,' he sings—echoing one of the most iconic lines in hip-hop history, while capturing the emotional paradox of success and the generational weight that comes with it. But Dystinct's journey to this moment didn't happen overnight. Born and raised in Belgium to Moroccan immigrant parents, Dystinct has long been immersed in Arabic music, as Billboard Arabia wrote in its cover story last year. Yet his ascent to stardom started first through Dutch-language tracks before making his mark in Arabic. That moment arrived in 2023 with LAYALI, an album that passed 500 million streams and supported a sold-out world tour. Songs like 'Tek Tek' with MHD and 'Y Dor' with Soolking positioned him at the heart of the MENA Afropop wave. The viral success of 'La'—which soared to No. 1 on Billboard Arabia's Hot 100—and the hit 'Wala 5,7,10' cemented his status as a chart-topper, propelling him to No. 2 on Billboard Arabia's Artist 100. Meanwhile, his track 'Spider,' with French artist GIMS, reached new heights, earning multiple Diamond certifications, and is currently approaching 200 million streams. The versatility in dialects in these tracks—from Moroccan to Khaleeji Arabic—reflects his fluency, not just linguistically but musically, across several continents. French Montana's career paved the way for this kind of ambition, though from a different era and scale of global success. From his breakout mixtapes in the late 2000s to major label success, Montana represents an earlier wave of diasporic success—one that had to Americanize first, then reconnect with its roots. With 'Ya Baba,' the script flips: Dystinct doesn't compromise his sound for global appeal; he elevates it on his own terms, and French Montana meets him there. In a world where music is increasingly borderless, this collaboration signifies more than a co-sign—it's a recognition that cultural identity, when channeled authentically, has the power to travel. As French Montana raps in Darija and Dystinct carries Arabic textures across languages and platforms, 'Ya Baba' becomes a symbol of the present moment: one in which artists don't have to choose between global and local but can be both. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Ya Biladi
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
«A boy's dream come true»: Chemsdine Talbi excited ahead of debut with Morocco team
Moroccan-Belgian Club Brugge winger Chemsdine Talbi couldn't hide his excitement after being called up to the Moroccan national team for the first time. The 19-year-old footballer, who announced his decision to play for Morocco internationally just earlier in March, said he is thrilled with his selection. «A boy's dream come true, I am very happy to be here with some great players», he told Sporza. «I learn every day and try to integrate myself step by step into this new team and get to know all the players», the Club Brugge talent said. «I want to win as many titles as possible with this team. My goal is to make all Moroccans proud and happy», said Talbi. Talbi could soon make his debut for the Moroccan national team. Morocco now has two World Cup qualifying matches on the program. The Atlas Lions will play against the Niger national team on Friday, March 21, 2025, and against Tanzania on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Talbi is one of the young new talents summoned by coach Walid Regragui. Unveiled last week, the list features Chemsdine Talbi as well as names called up for the first time, including Omar El Hilali from Espanyol in Spain, Bilal Nadir from Olympique Marseille in France, and Hamza Igamane from Rangers in Scotland.
Morocco World
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
Rising Star Ambar Tesoudali: From Kickboxing Champion to Silver Screen Debut
Doha – Ambar Tesoudali, the 13-year-old Moroccan-Belgian kickboxing prodigy and promising champion from Borgerhout, Belgium, has made her debut in the highly anticipated film 'Patsers 2,' which premiered on February 17 in Antwerp. Initially selected by actress Nora Gharib for a role that was later removed from the script, Tesoudali still contributed to the production through her boxing expertise and served as a stand-in for Gharib. The film, directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, known for directing 'Bad Boys for Life,' features Matteo Simoni reprising his role as Adamo. The sequel to the 2018 film 'Patser' takes a darker turn in exploring Antwerp's drug world, with production handled by The Searchers company. At the premiere, Tesoudali reunited with cast members including Nora Gharib, Junes Lazaar, Jennifer Heylen, and Said Boumazoughe, a Moroccan-Belgian actor who has become an inspiration for young people. The event drew notable attendees, including Antwerp Mayor Bart De Wever, Paul Jambers, and filmmaker Jan Verheyen. Read also: Five Biggest Moroccan Athlete Wins in ONE Championship in 2024 The young athlete's involvement in 'Patsers 2' follows her recent victory at the International Fight Promotion (IFP) championship in Germany, where she claimed the youth title in the 46 kg category in December 2024. Tesoudali began her martial arts journey with taekwondo at age five before transitioning to kickboxing at eight, earning recognition from legendary kickboxers Ernesto Hoost, who dubbed her the 'queen of the ring,' and Andy Sauwer. 'Patsers 2' is set for nationwide release in Belgian cinemas on February 19. The film's story, developed with input from crime journalist Joris van der Aa, blends fiction with real events from Antwerp's criminal underworld. While the directors were unable to attend the premiere due to commitments in Saudi Arabia, the film showcases their evolution as filmmakers despite working with a significantly smaller budget than their Hollywood projects. The film also features performances from Pommelien Thijs, Ward Kerremans, Louis Talpe, Geert Van Rampelberg, and Dutch actors Yolanthe Cabau and Soundos El Ahmadi. Tags: Belgian CinemaMoroccan TalentYouth Sports
Ya Biladi
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Ya Biladi
Belgo-Moroccan identities in literature : A new collective work marks 60 years of immigration
To mark the 60th anniversary of the bilateral convention signed between Morocco and Belgium on February 17, 1964, a collective work titled «J'ai deux Amours» (I Have Two Loves) has just been published under the direction of Fatiha Saïdi. Co-published by La Croisée des Chemins (Morocco) and Les Nouvelles Éditions Belges, in partnership with the Council of the Moroccan Community living abroad (CCME), this collection of short stories delves into the plural identities of generations shaped by this immigration. The title, inspired by Joséphine Baker's iconic song—an anthem of anti-racism and resistance—symbolizes the dual cultural belonging experienced by Belgian-Moroccans. Through stories of tension and fulfillment, the texts reveal personal and collective journeys marked by the pursuit of a better future, resilience in the face of sociocultural upheavals, and the richness of inherited legacies. In the foreword, Fatiha Saïdi and Said Ben Ali write: « Literature allows these themes to be illuminated while wrapping emotions, real or imaginary, in words». Meanwhile, in the preface, Nouria Ouali reflects on Joséphine Baker's enduring commitment to fraternity, a spirit that resonates through the contributors' narratives. The collection features contributions from authors such as Taha Adnan, Souad Fila, Mustapha Haddioui, and ten other Moroccan-Belgian writers. Their stories, as reflections of shared humanity, challenge conventional notions of belonging and break down stereotypes surrounding immigration.
