The 20th edition of the Mawazine-Rhythms of the World Festival concluded this past Saturday, attracting over 3.75 million festival-goers to Rabat and Salé.
This massive turnout solidifies Mawazine’s position as one of the world’s largest musical events, fostering an atmosphere of unity, creativity, and cultural exchange over nine days.
From June 20 to 28, the stages across Rabat and Salé buzzed with energy, hosting more than 100 international and Moroccan artists. The Maroc Cultures Association announced the remarkable attendance, noting that sold-out venues nightly underscored the festival’s unique appeal. Mawazine stands out by combining artistic excellence with largely free concerts and a strong commitment to promoting local Moroccan talent. Organizers highlighted that this success reflects Morocco’s rich cultural tapestry, its welcoming spirit, and its dedication to diversity and artistic openness as pillars of its global influence.
The OLM Souissi stage, the epicenter for international acts, saw electrifying performances from global icons. Kid Cudi, Becky G, Aespa, Lil Baby, Wizkid, Afrojack, Lojay, MoBlack, and Lost Frequencies ignited the esplanade each night. However, three concerts particularly captivated the audience: Will Smith, 50 Cent, and ElGrande Toto. Their shows, featuring stunning futuristic lighting, monumental screens, intricate choreography, and powerful moments of connection, transformed OLM Souissi into an immersive open-air spectacle, embodying Mawazine’s highest artistic ambitions.
The Nahda stage, a revered platform for Oriental music, resonated with the voices of Arab world stars, including Nancy Ajram, Myriam Fares, Sherine, Hamaki, Ruby, Aminux, Ragheb Alama, and Boudchart, demonstrating music’s power to unite hearts across borders.
Dedicated exclusively to Moroccan artists, the Salé stage witnessed unprecedented attendance. Legendary figures like Abdelaziz Stati, Najat Aatabou, Daoudi, Hajib, Adil Miloudi, Samy Ray, and Mohamed Adly shared the stage with a vibrant new generation, including Lmorphine, Lazaro, Rafiaa, 7-Toun, Zakaria Ghafouli, and Kaoutar Berrani. Hundreds of thousands of fans transformed this stage into a lively showcase of Morocco’s rich and diverse popular music scene every evening.
At the Mohammed V National Theatre, audiences experienced the intimacy and intensity of indoor concerts. Michael Kiwanuka, Slimane, Saber Robai, Tamer Achour, Wael Jassar, Carmen Suleiman, Ziad Bourji, Lila Downs, and even a hologram concert of Abdelhalim Hafez created truly memorable moments. Among the most moving performances were those by Kadhem Saher, a master of sung poetry, and Majida El Roumi, an icon of Arabic song, who blended emotion, virtuosity, and elegance.
The Bouregreg stage was the hub for World Music, taking the audience on a global sonic journey with artists like Salif Keita, Julian Marley, Yemi Alade, Etuk Ubong, Cheikh Lo, Burning Spear, De La Soul, Al Qasar & Guests, and Ans T Crazy.
Finally, the historic Chellah venue offered a more contemplative experience, where music became an inner narrative. Performances by Soukaina Fahsi, Egyptian Project, Luis Salazar, Banista, and Gulay Hacer Toruk provided moments of grace each evening.
With over 500 accredited journalists, extensive national and international media coverage, and millions of social media interactions, the 20th edition of Mawazine transcended musical boundaries, solidifying its status as a significant global cultural event.
The Maroc Cultures Association extended its profound gratitude to the vast audience, the artists, sponsors, partner institutions, and the authorities and security forces, whose exemplary commitment ensured the smooth execution of this monumental edition. Mawazine 2025 will be remembered as a powerful celebration of creativity, cultural diversity, and the profound connection between peoples, fueled by the enthusiasm of an entire nation.
MK/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA