MAÂLEM NAJIB OUBELKAS

Born in 1987 in Marrakech, Maâlem Najib Oubelkas was introduced to Gnaoua art by several leading figures of the tradition, including Maâlem Abdenbi Gueddari, Maâlem Rachid Btita, Maâlem Hassan Boussou, Maâlem Mohamed Kouyou and Maâlem Abdelkébir Merchane. However, it was under the guidance of Maâlem Mustapha Baqbou that he refined his training, benefiting from the mentorship of one of the most respected masters of the genre. Building on this heritage, he gradually developed his own style while remaining deeply faithful to the spiritual and musical foundations of Gnaoua. His talent and commitment have led him to perform at numerous festivals in Morocco and internationally, steadily establishing his place among the new generation of Maâlems. As a bearer of authentic transmission, Maâlem Najib Oubelkas now stands as a key figure in the renewal of Gnaoua, combining respect for ancestral codes with openness to global sounds.