Moroccan-Canadian artist, Othman Wahabi reweaves black lore into universal music

The 1980s were times of cultural growth in Morocco, and Casablanca was the center of it all, being the home to a number of cultural movements.

It’s where a young Othman Wahabi, born in 83, opened his eyes to a passionate, music loving family, where his father, Hassan Wahabi, would listen and play Blues, Jazz, Reggae, Rock and West African music, a memory he cherishes and proudly carries with him throughout his life.

It took him from being a listener, to a musician at the young age of 13, picking up a guitar and joining one of the first Heavy Metal Bands in Morocco, KEOPS.

Described as a transcending link between the east and the west by critics, Wahabi’s music channels elements from the traditional west and north African music, derivative of Afro-American Blues and Jazz.

‌”It’s spiritual and revolutionary music that has nothing to do with white record executives who used uneducated black artists looking for means to survive,” he told Hespress EN in an interview.

A thought that for 39 year old Moroccan-Canadian artist Wahabi, symbolizes art as a lever for goodwill that has shaped his career with altruistic, rustic vision.

With words and a tongue meant for unity, spirituality, peace, racism and poverty, a move to Canada in 2005 broadened the horizon for a young Wahabi to actively make a change and speak out for the good of people.

With a slide guitar on his back, he walked the path of a messenger. His successful release, a Robert Petway rendition of Catfish Blues, was a staple in the international blues community’s recognition for his art and message, as he describes it: “it is my versatility as a musician and the way I’m able to mix my African roots, with western influences together, that brought me positive reviews and an eclectic fan base that stretches beyond the scope of blues music.”

His message takes several shapes, as Wahabi is also an educator and an antiracism activist. 

In September 2022, he spent a month and a half on the road, where he was invited by production company “La Boite Interculturelle” and the Canadian Government, to be the main artist and the face for the project “Weaving and Reweaving”, an interactive musical experience of fighting racism and intolerance, through inciting citizens to come together with music as a facilitator agent.

His efforts will see him present project “Afrika Blues – Une Histoire Noire” on February 2023, sponsored by the Government of Quebec, as part of Black History Month celebrations.

Ali Farka Toure, Nass El-Ghiwan, Ry Cooder and Pops Staples to name a few are inspirations for Wahabi who believes in their art being “Spiritually connected and with conscious roots.”

The blues knocked on Wahabi’s door at a young age, as he noticed the strong African influence in the art. Similar to many aspiring artists, he started playing Rock infused Blues believing it to be the true form of the art.

Joining the black preservation movement led by artists and folklorists such as Corey Harris and Lamont Jack Pearley, and enriching his knowledge led him to understand historical facts, how Blues music was portrayed in mainstream music. 

He said, recalling an interview between Ali Farka Toure and his friend Corey Harris, “The Blues was not created for the Whiskey nor for Scotch nor for the Beer.”

He considers himself a Folk Artist and an “heir of the real field hollers.” He also includes an Islamic influence on the artform in his work, and encourages Sylvianne Diouf’s work as a good reference for the work he does and the subject itself.

His work is appreciated and revered in World Fusion and by “Blues Connoisseurs”, he was able to make an impact in his environment with his message of multiculturalism and peace, which led him to producing projects funded by the Canadian and Quebec Governments.

Sky’s the limit for Wahabi, who is “planning on having an impactful 2023, inchallah.”

A French tour as well as shows in the US, Burundi and Senegal are on the artist’s mind. He remains hopeful for a visit to Morocco in the upcoming months as he maintains  contact with production companies in the country.

He hopes to be remembered for being a proud African who “did his part on preserving and innovating on the music of his people.” And who created sounds that awaken the souls and the consciousness.