Hoba Hoba Spirit is a Moroccan fusion and rock band formed in Casablanca in 1998. It is composed of Adil Hanine (drummer), Anouar Zehouani (guitarist), Saâd Bouidi (Bass guitar), Reda Allali (vocalist and guitarist), Othmane Hmimar (percussionist) and Philippe Laffont (trumpeter). The name of the group is based on a song by Bob Marley.
Hoba Hoba Spirit's musical style mixes rock, reggae and gnawa with little pinches of hard rock. They refer to their music as "hayha," meaning chaos, randomness and just pure vibes. Their lyrics are mostly in Darija (Moroccan dialect), French and sometimes English. Recurring themes in their songs are the disorientation and confusion of young Moroccans either politically, socially or interpersonally.
A notable duo of Hoba Hoba Spirit was with Moroccan rapper Bigg in a single called "Goulou Bazz", which was a huge success. The single is included in the album Trabando (2007).
Since 2003, the band has emerged as one of the most popular rock acts in Morocco, frequently playing the country's major festivals, such as the Mawazine Festival in Rabat, L'Boulevard Tremplin in Casablanca, Timitar Festival in Agadir, and the Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira.
During the 2007 Maghreb Music Award, Hoba Hoba Spirit won three awards in the categories of "best fusion artist, best album for Trabando, and best title for the song "Fhamator."
Discography Hoba Hoba Spirit (2003) Casa Soudani Maricane Gnawa Blues Fine Ghadi Biya Basta Lahya La tele La'hrig
Blad Skizo (2005) Jamal Blad Schizo Chalala... Ma Ajebtinich El Kelb Aourioura El Caïd Mötorhead Seddina (wa choukrane)
Trabando (2007) Hoba's Back Intikhabat Fhamatôr Kalakh Baz feat. Bigg Maradona Zerda Tiqar Marock'n Roll II Miloudi Trabando Super Caïd
El Gouddam (2008) Radio Hoba Hyati Wakel Chareb Na3ess feat. Stati Jdoudna kanou shah 60% Rabe3a Femme Actuelle Arnaque mondiale El Gouddam Spoutnik
Nefs & Niya (2010) Bab Sebta Les Anesthésistes Dark Bendir Army Terrorist Black Moussiba Fawda Al Qanat Assaghira The Debil Happy Hour Qadi Hajto Nefs & Niya
Kalakhnikov (2013) Kalakhnikov Sidi Bouzekri Grimma Awards Ketama Airways Khoroto driver Abdelkader Kerch power Heroes La ra7ma la chfa9a La volonté de vivre
Kamayanbaghi (2018) The cover art of this album was designed by Rebel Spirit.
Tri9i Moulay Tahar Le Maroc Fitna Dégoutage Décalage Mchat 3lia Zerbana La logique Nabil Lhbil L'b7ar Jnouni
See also
Music of Morocco List of rock genres Fnaire (group)
References
External links Official website An interview with Hoba Hoba Spirit