Bab L’ Bluz

Bab L’ Bluz’s mission is to reclaim the blues for North Africa, upending tradition in the process.

In a long-held musical culture where groups are led by men, Bab L’ Bluz is fronted by an African-Moroccan woman. “There are still times when we are confronted with outdated attitudes… which only makes me more determined to express everything I feel. I will not censor myself,” says singer and band co-founder, Yousra Mansour.

With a name that means “door of the blues”, Bab L’ Bluz are breaking boundaries around both gender and genre. Founded in Marrakesh in 2018 by Mansour and French multi-instrumentalist Brice Bottin, the band play electrified versions of ancient instruments like the North African guembri–a three-stringed bass-lute–to create powerful, hypnotic music that blends in other influences including Algerian Chaabi, funk, American and desert blues.

Uncut Magazine says: “Fiery and exultant. Bab L’ Bluz’s sound, which fuses traditional Moroccan folk music with a strong, rhythmic drive–that of the Amazigh, Gnawa, Hassani and Houara peoples–to psych-blues, rock and funk in songs that address local socio-political issues.” 

Mansour says of their music “we channel our huge range of influences into music that crosses borders and travels through time.” You will want to tag along for this East meets West journey. – EM