Abdelkader Haddada

A native of Tangier, Maâlem Hadada, whose real name is Abdelkader El Khelify, was immersed in Gnaoua culture from an early age within his family home in the medina of Tangier. He trained under some of the leading Maâlems of northern Morocco, including M’Barek Elkasri, Brahim Baha, Tayeb Ouazzani, Abdelkader Zefzaf and Abdelouahed Stitou. He spent his youth surrounded by these masters, from whom he learned the spiritual essence of Tagnaouite. In 1996, he began collaborating with Dar Gnawa Tanger, founded by Maâlem Abdellah El Gourd. Together, they worked on numerous projects and collaborated with internationally renowned artists such as Randy Weston and Archie Shep. During this period, Maâlem Hadada performed in many concerts and festivals across the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Europe and Africa. In 2007, he decided to leave Dar Gnawa to launch his solo career and founded his own group, “Mlouk Gnawa.”