Passing of a Legend in Moroccan Music

Mohamed Ben Abdessalam, a renowned musician and composer, passed away Thursday morning in Rabat at the age of 94, after battling illness, according to his family.

Born in Salé, Mohamed Ben Abdessalam is celebrated as one of the cornerstones of Moroccan music. With a rich artistic career spanning decades, he greatly enriched the Moroccan music scene with timeless creations.

Nicknamed « The Master of Moroccan Dialect Songs, » the late artist composed around 250 musical pieces performed by iconic singers such as Ismaïl Ahmed, Abdelwahab Doukkali, Naïma Samih, Bahija Idriss, and Mohamed Idrissi.

In addition to his solo achievements, Mohamed Ben Abdessalam founded the « Union Saléenne » orchestra and led the Moroccan radio’s variety orchestra. He also left a lasting mark through popular radio programs such as « The Ear’s Memory » and « Evening Gathering. »