- Title: Singer Chris Brown performs in Morocco
- Date: 22nd May 2016
- Summary: THE BOUREGREG STAGE VARIOUS OF AMERICAN ARTIST, MARCUS MILLER AND HIS BAND PLAYING JAZZ MUSIC
- Embargoed: 6th June 2016 11:12
- Keywords: Chris Brown concert Rabat music festival
- Location: RABAT, MOROCCO
- City: RABAT, MOROCCO
- Country: Morocco
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Music
- Reuters ID: LVA0034IW1Z6D
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: American musician, Chris Brown inaugurated the Mawazine music festival on Friday (May 20) much to the delight of his screaming fans cheering for him front of stage.
The Grammy Award winning singer, is famous for his R&B and hip hop music.
Brown has sold over 9 million copies of his albums and 35 million single hits like 'Kiss kiss", 'Forever' and 'Do not judge me'. He has accumulated 3.5 billion visits on YouTube with fans eager to access his tunes.
The Mawazine Festival - Rhythms of the World, now in its 15th year, features both international and local musicians, aiming to promote Rabat as an open, diverse and global minded city.
In recent years, other famous artists who have perfumed at the event have included Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, Alicia Keys, Rihanna and Justin Timberlake.
General manager of the Mohammed V national theatre and official partner of the festival, Mohamed Benhsain said the event was a fantastic opportunity for Moroccans.
"After fifteen editions, Mawazine festival acquired a kind of trust and popularity and is adding a lot to the Moroccan cultural scene. The expectations of the Moroccan public are met every year with the line up of groups of great artists who are touring the world. It is an opportunity for Moroccans to see these great artists that is not easy to see if you don't travel in the world,'' he said.
Mawazine, now one of the main musical events in the region prides itself on hosting musicians from all genres and regions.
World renowned jazz artist, Marcus Miller was also among the musicians playing at Mawazine, he said he frequently visits Africa for inspiration.
"I think I've always had African influences in my music. You know, when I was growing up in New York, I'd play with African bands, African musicians who were living in New York. So I've always had a connection. But in the last few years, it's very strong now, you know, after visiting these places. It is one thing to hear the African music in New York, it is another thing to hear African music in Africa. It's another thing to be in Essaouira, at the festival of Mawazine at the festival, and to hear and to see and to feel the music and now, I am incorporating that feeling into my music,'' he said.
A master of classical Persian music, Alireza Ghorbani said the blend of nationalities at the festival was a great opportunity for dialogue and understanding.
"I was here a few years ago in Layali Ramadan and I had concerts in five cities including Casablanca, Tangier and El Jadida and different cities. This is a very very good opportunity for a dialogue between different cultures, Arabic culture, Persian culture, Turkish culture and may be from the United States (and) from the other countries", Ghorbani expressed.
One of Africa's most popular talents, Rokia Traore from Mali was hugely admired for her stage performance of traditional Malian beats with with occidental modern music.
The closing show will be performed by Christina Aguilera and will come to an end on the 28th May. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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