West Africa is known for some of the best folk music in the world, giving rise to the Moroccan producer Vitanota‘s recent folktronica remix of ‘Summertime,’ originally from Bilevicius and Rik-H on Cafe De Anatolia. The weaving of classic guitar melodies with a deep house beat that Vitanota brings more progressive elements shows mastery and is music you could listen to for days on end.
Always curious about the electronic music community around the globe, we jumped at the chance to chat with Karim as he is coming off releases with Cafe De Anatolia, Club Tropicana Records and Wanda Records with two upcoming releases that we will present next month titled, ‘Whispers’ on Sandy Records, (August 8th) and the second called ‘Tune Trunk’ on Jaco Rcords (August 10th).
Plug into Vitanota’s worldly house music discography as you discover his story and inspiration and more about the Morrocan music scene, hidden gems, folkflore and cusine.
Can you share a little more about your project, what is your current niche and something you recently learned in the studio?
Vitanota is not just making music; he is creating a legacy. With each beat, he invites listeners to join him in a musical voyage that is both a reflection of the past and a beacon for the future of dance music.
The most valuable thing I learned in the studio is that you can’t work on everything at the same time. I pick one or two corrections to fix so I don’t feel overwhelmed. Once I see improvement, then I can add another element to work on.
I think the single activity that helped me get better in the Studio was a lot of PRACTICE. I participate in remix contests, which helped me expand my knowledge in all production stages by working on different genres and changing themes. For me, the fun of practicing alone is the freedom to move as you need, to explore new aspects and new challenges.
What are 5 tracks you find at the forefront of electronic music lately?
That’s a tough question to answer! There are many tracks that I found at the forefront of electronic music lately, but here are my top 5 :
Kiswahili – Enzo Siffredi, FNX Omar feat. BAQABO
Tell Me What You Want – Oden & Fatzo, Poppy Baskcomb (Extended Mix)
La Verdolaga – HUGEL, Totó La Momposina (Extended Mix)
The Cure – Blond:ish, KeeQ, Chloe Paige (Extended Mix)
The Drama – Bebe Rexha
How is summertime in Morocco? What are some of the best festivals, events, or venues to attend or play in Morocco?
Summertime in Morocco is characterized by warm to hot temperatures, particularly in the southern parts of the country. Coastal regions like Casablanca, Rabat, and Tangier have milder and more comfortable weather due to the Atlantic Ocean’s influence.
Morocco hosts several vibrant festivals and events during the summer, reflecting its rich cultural heritage. Here are some of the best ones:
Gnaoua World Music Festival : Location: Essaouira : This festival celebrates Gnaoua music, which combines African, Berber, and Arabic rhythms. It attracts international artists and features a variety of performances across different genres.
Timitar Festival : Location: Agadir : Celebrating Amazigh (Berber) culture, from July 4 to 7, 2024, Timitar features traditional and contemporary music, bringing together artists from Morocco and around the world.
Nostalgia Lovers Festival : Location : Casablanca: Nostalgia lovers aims to position itself as one of the must-sees on the summer festive agenda. For its first edition, from July 4 to 6, 2024, the event will take place in an uninhibited, pop and crazy atmosphere with a view to offering a real immersive experience and a real moment of decompression and celebration.
MOGA Festival: MOGA is a Boutique electronic music festival inspired by the Atlantic vibes, providing an experience connecting people from all around the world through dance, music, art and wellness. Location: Essaouira from 2nd to 6th of October 2024.
What are some of the best Moroccan folk or traditional songs?
“Inas Inas” by – Mohammed Rouicha
Mohammed Rouicha is one of the most famous Amazigh singers and his song “Inas Inas” is probably the most prominent Amazigh song of our country, and therefore an indispensable gem when speaking of Moroccan music and culture.
“Allah Ya Moulana” by – Nass El Ghiwane
Nicknamed “The Rolling Stones of Africa”, Nass El Ghiwane are the most influential Moroccan band of the 20th century. Their work encapsulates Moroccan culture and history in timeless classics like “Allah Ya Moulana”, their most successful song.
“Hazou bina laalam” by – Haja El Hamdaouia
Haja El Hamdaouia is a singer that specializes in Aita Marsaouia, a folkloric genre from Morocco’s biggest city Casablanca. She is the first to have modernized Moroccan traditional music, in a context of struggle for independence from the French protectorate. Her most famous song “Hazou bina laalam” is a vital piece to understand the Moroccan ethos.
What is a hidden gem in Morocco to visit or to eat?
Chefchaouen, known as the “Blue City,” is a hidden gem located in the Rif Mountains. It’s famous for its striking blue-washed buildings, creating a serene and picturesque atmosphere. Highlights include: Medina, Ras El Maa Waterfall, Kasbah Museum, Local Handicrafts.
Dar Hatim is a family-run restaurant in Fes, offering an authentic Moroccan dining experience. Located in a traditional riad, it provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Highlights include: Traditional Moroccan Dishes include: pastilla, tagine, and couscous.
What is your favorite Moroccan folklore or stories?
No show of popular folklore is complete in Morocco without music and dance. The spectator is, needless to say, enthralled by the diversity and richness of costumes and music that stretch back in time for a thousand years.
THE AHWASH
The dance comes from the High Atlas valleys in the Ouarzazate area. A circle of women in multicolored robes stands motionless. In the center, men sit around a fire, each of them with a “bendir” (a circular wooden frame with a hide stretched over it). A piercing cry breaks the silence. It is a shout more than a song. All the drums beat. The song of the men begins, mounting skyward. The women reply. Shoulder to shoulder, they sway rhythmically and slowly. The rhythm gets faster and faster until the end.
THE GNAOUAS
African in origin, the Gnaoua dance belongs to brotherhood music-lore. The instruments are as primitive as ever: large drums and wrought iron castanets form the orchestra. Cowrie shells and glass beads are worn as ornaments that recall the dance’s origin and its magical or religious aspect. Some of the dancers perform leaps worthy of the best acrobats. They manage to jump high in the air without missing a beat of the rhythm. It is a show with great dramatic intensity.
THE AHIDOUS
In the Middle Atlas Haidous dance singers and dancers form a large circle with the men and women standing alternately shoulder to shoulder. Sacred and secular influences are deeply linked in this ceremony. To the rhythm of tambourines, the men and women undulate and sing a joyful hymn.
THE DEKKA (MARRAKECH)
The people who perform this rhythmic entertainment are not professionals. The strange orchestra composed of craftsmen and merchants of Marrakech is made up entirely of drums with different dimensions. The ceremony starts with simple and rather solemn rhythms, and then the cadence of hand-clapping accelerates. High and lower pitched beats on the drums are cleverly orchestrated and the men start singing powerfully in chorus. The rhythm changes suddenly from time to time, but it is all amazingly well- regulated. The general impression is an explosion of joy, a sonorous enchantment that seems wild but is disciplined.
If you liked this folktronica release we recommend continuing the day with N A T U R R I T U’s mix and exploring more electronic music for mother earth.
