Ali B

Last updated

Ali B
Ali B (2018).jpg
Ali B in 2018
Born
Ali Bouali

(1981-10-16) 16 October 1981 (age 43)
Zaanstad, Netherlands
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer-songwriter
  • television presenter
  • cabaret performer
  • stand-up comedian
Years active1999–present
Criminal information
Criminal charge
  • Rape
  • Attempted rape
Penalty2 years imprisonment
Website alib.nl (in Dutch)

Ali Bouali, known professionally as Ali B (born 16 October 1981), is a Moroccan Dutch rapper and entertainer. [1] He is one of the most prominent rappers in the Netherlands [2] [3] and has collaborated with musicians such as Akon and Marco Borsato. He is seen as a leading figure in Dutch inter-ethnic relations. [4]

Contents

Ali B has released three albums and various singles, including the 2004 Dutch number-one hit "Wat zou je doen" with Marco Borsato. He has performed at national events including the 2005 Queen's Day celebration and the 2013 inauguration of Willem-Alexander. [4] [5] He has been a judge on the television talent shows The Voice of Holland , The Voice Kids , X Factor , Holland's Got Talent and Ali B op volle toeren.

Following sexual misconduct allegations made against him in 2022, which resulted in two criminal charges for rape and two charges for assault, Ali B lost many of his endorsement deals and positions. [6] [7] On 12 July 2024, he was convicted on one count of rape and one count of attempted rape and sentenced to two years in prison. [8]

Life and music career

Ali B was born in Zaanstad and moved to Amsterdam's De Pijp neighbourhood when he was two, and later to Amsterdam-Oost. When he was 14, he moved to Almere. In his teenage years, he dealt drugs to make money, regularly smoked marijuana, and stole shoes from his local mosque. [9] Seeking to set him straight, his mother made Ali B live with his grandparents in Morocco for ten months. He found refuge in Islam and rapping. [4]

His 2004 collaboration with Marco Borsato, "Wat zou je doen", reached number one in the Netherlands with proceeds from sales going to the War Child charity organisation. He had further successful songs including "Leipe mocro flavor" and "Wij houden van Oranje", a remake of a football chant featuring original singer André Hazes.

In 2004, Ali B became the first rapper to receive a wax figure at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam. [10] He collaborated with Akon on the international remix of his single "Ghetto". In 2006, Ali B was knighted as the "Baron of Ooit" in the children's theme park Land van Ooit and given a statue in the park's Main Street. He received the honor because the park felt that "he is committed to children in a special way." [11]

Ali B in 2008 Ali B - 13-09-2008 1.jpg
Ali B in 2008

After hugging Queen Beatrix at the 2005 Queen's Day celebration, he was often called the "knuffelmarokkaan" (cuddly Moroccan), which at first he did not like because it suggested he was only cuddly because of the low standards applied to Moroccans. However, he tried to paint the phrase in a more positive light. [12]

In 2015, The Economist noted how his "empathetic moments have probably done more to promote Dutch acceptance of Muslims than any policy could have achieved." This came amongst growing anti-Muslim tensions in the Netherlands owing to the rising popularity of far-right politician Geert Wilders and his Party for Freedom. It was noted that Ali B was such a cross-cultural icon that he "is the one prominent Moroccan-Dutch figure whom the PVV’s leaders never attack." [4]

In 2017, Ali B's song "That is Money" caused controversy over the lyric "sits on money like a Jew." Ali B said that the lyric was not antisemitic because he was "calling them good businesspeople." [13] He eventually apologised to the Central Jewish Organisation. [14]

In 2020, Ali B started "Ik Wil Groeien" (I Want to Grow), an online coaching and self-help platform. [15] In 2021, he published the book De Ali B-Methode (The Ali B Method), featuring 12 life lessons shared by him. [16]

Following accusations of sexual assault and rape in 2022, which eventually became charges, companies severed ties with Ali B. Maven Publishing ceased all printing and sales of his book The Ali B Method, and LikeMeat pulled his "Mocro Flavour" vegetarian chicken brand from shelves. [7] Telecom magnate Jasper de Rooij scrapped his planned million-dollar investment into an Ali B-promoted invention. RTL Nederland removed Ali B as a judge from all its programs, NPO 1 announced it would no longer play Ali B songs on the radio, and many Dutch celebrities unfollowed him on Instagram. [7]

Television career

Ali B is also known for his roles in television. In 2011 he was given his own television-show for broadcast on TROS -station; Ali B op volle toeren invites young rappers and (established) artists of other genres to make cover-versions of each other songs. In 2013, he served as a mentor on X Factor . From 2013 to 2022, Ali B served as a coach on The Voice of Holland (replacing Roel van Velzen) and The Voice Kids (replacing Nick & Simon). In 2020, he served as a judge on Holland's Got Talent . In 2016, Ali B released a single with long-time collaborator Brace and chart-topping reggae-artist Kenny B. He served as judge in 2020 and 2021 in the singing talent show We Want More .

In 2017 he made his acting debut in the Belgian movie Patser which premiered in early 2018.

Personal life

Bouali is married to Breghje Kommers, the half-sister of professional footballer Abel Tamata. [17] They have three sons together. [18] His cousin is Yes-R, who is also a rapper and television personality. [19]

Rape conviction

In January 2022, the Dutch Public Prosecution Service received reports against Ali B for sexual misconduct, including one rape. [20] This took place while Ali B was working as a judge at The Voice of Holland , as reported by the Dutch YouTube show BOOS episode "This is the Voice". He denied all allegations. In March 2023, Ali B was charged with three counts of sexual assault, including two rapes and one other assault. The incidents occurred between 2014 and 2018 in Morocco, Amsterdam, and Heiloo. [21] Singer Ellen ten Damme accused Ali B of raping her in Morocco during the recording of the show Ali B en de Muziekkaravaan. [22] [23] In another incident, Ali B was accused of assaulting The Voice of Holland contestant Jill Helena in the Amsterdamse Bos. [21] He was also accused of digitally penetrating a 20-year-old woman in Heiloo during a writer's camp while she was performing oral sex on rapper Ronnie Flex. [24]

On 12 July 2024, Ali B was convicted on one count of rape and an additional count of attempted rape, and sentenced to two years in prison. [8] Both Ali B and the prosecution have indicated that they would appeal the sentence. [25] [26]

Discography

Albums

YearAlbumPeak positionsCertification
NED
2004Ali B vertelt het leven van de straat19
2006Petje Af42
2016Een klein beetje geluk7

Singles

YearSinglePeak positionsAlbum
NED
Dutch
Top 40

NED
Single
Top 100

[27]
2003"Waar gaat dit heen?"
(with Karima)
Tip 1957
2004"Ik ben je zat"
(feat. Brace)
32
"Wat zou je doen"
(with Marco Borsato)
11
2005"Leipe mocro flavour"
(feat. Yes-R & Brace)
22
"Wat zullen we drinken (7 dagen lang)"
(with Bots)
-98
2006"Rampeneren"
(feat. Yes-R & The Partysquad)
46
"Wij houden van Oranje (2006)"
(feat. André Hazes )
22
"Zomervibe"2850
"'Till morning"
(feat Ziggy)
3842
2007"Dit gaat fout"
(feat. Gio)
2023
"Je weet zelluf"
(with The Opposites)
-59
"Groupie love"
(feat. Yes-R, Gio & Darryl)
93
2008"Baas"
(with Sjaak)
-19
2009"Me boy"
(with Yes-R & Lange Frans)
Tip 11-
2011"Troubadour 2011"
(with Kaiser)
-50
"Rosamunde 2011"
(with Yes-R & Brownie Dutch)
387
"Summertime"
(feat. Brace & the Sleepless)
Tip 1620
2015"Terwijl jullie nog bij me zijn"
(feat. Ruben Annink)
324
"Wanneer gaan we weer naar huis?"
(feat. Glen Faria)
-57
"Gekke kleine jongen"
(feat. Glen Faria)
-20
2017"Glimp van de duivel"
(feat. Nielson)
2894
"Ik ga weg"
(with Boef)
-5
"Voy a Bailar"
(feat. Boef, Rolf Sanchez & RedOne)
917
"Obesitas"
(with Mula B feat. Dopebwoy)
-58
"Paranoia"
(with Glades, Mula B feat. Lijpe)
--
2018"Niet verwacht"
(with Lijpe & Ismo)
-70
"Bentayga"Tip 2-
"Amsterdam Marrakech"
(feat. Ahmed Chawki, Soufiane Eddyani & Brahim Darri)
-71
"Dana"
(with Cheb Rayan, R3HAB feat. Numidia )
Tip 1042
"Meli meli"
(with Numidia feat. Ronnie Flex)
Tip 46
"Spectakel"
(feat. Boef & Ronnie Flex)
-55
"Waar Ben jij Nou"
(feat. Jim van der Zee)
--
2019"Sneaky Money"
(featuring Chivv & Boef)
-18
2020"Anderhalf"
(featuring Poke and Judeska)
27
[28]
5

Featured in

YearSinglePeak positionsAlbum
NED
Dutch
Top 40

NED
Single
Top 100

BEL
(Fl)
2005"Hartendief"
(Brace feat. Ali B)
75-
"Het kind"
(Brace feat. Ali B & J-Rock)
3835-
2006"Ghetto (remix)"
(Akon feat. Ali B & Yes-R)
32-
"Hard to Get"
(Gio feat. Ali B, Party Squad & Ambush)
Tip 441-
"De leipe Bauer flavour"
(Frans Bauer feat. Ali B & Lange Frans)
-14-
2008"Eeyeeyo"
(Darryl feat. Ali B, Soumia & Rio)
2910-
2013"Koningslied"
(Nationaal Comité Inhuldiging featuring various artists including Ali B)
2141
"Muziek"
(Marco Borsato feat. Bag2Bank & Ali B)
91Tip 8
2017"Ego"
(Mula B feat. Ali B)
-77-
"Money voor mij"
(Kosso feat. Ali B & Boef)
-74-
2018"Slow down"
(Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike x Quintino feat. Boef, Ronnie Flex, Ali B & I Am Aisha)
184-
"Willie"
(Oualid feat. Ali B, MocroManiac & Kippie)
-80-

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategory
2000Poetry Slam
2004 Essent Awards
2004Megaward
2004 Zilveren Harp
2004Dutch Urban Award
2004Mobo AwardBest Dutch Urban act
2004 Buma Cultuur Pop Award
2005Mobo Award
2005Kids Choice AwardBest Kaaskop
2005TMF AwardsBest newcomer
2005 Nightlife Award
2006TMF AwardsBest Urban Act
2007 3FM Awards Best R&B/HipHop Artist
2012 Gouden Televizier-Ring Best TV program for Ali B op volle toeren (nomination)
2012 Zilveren Televizier-Ster Man Best male host

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dutch hip hop</span> Regional music genre

Dutch hip hop or Nederhop ("Netherhop") is hip hop / rap music created by Dutch speaking musicians in the Netherlands and Flanders (Belgium). Although the first Dutch rappers in Europe typically wrote in the English language, this began to change when Osdorp Posse gained a big following of fans. They were the first to record and release hip hop in the Dutch language, perform for big crowds and to achieve chart success with their albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Osdorp Posse</span> Dutch rap group

The Osdorp Posse, founded in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 1989, was the first group to make rap music in Dutch. All four members are related to each other. Influenced by gangsta rap, they made a name for themselves by combining the music of hardcore hip hop with Dutch lyrics featuring literal translations of American slang. Initially appreciated only in the Dutch underground scene, they achieved commercial success and exerted great influence on the Dutch hip hop scene. The band is additionally notable for their satirical, socially conscious lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marco Borsato</span> Dutch singer (born 1966)

Marco Roberto Borsato is a Dutch singer. Born in Alkmaar, North Holland, he started performing in Italian before switching to Dutch in 1994. He has consistently been one of the most successful and biggest-grossing artists in the Netherlands and Belgium for the past thirty years.

Johann Georg Friedrich "Fred" Grim is a Dutch football coach and former player who is currently manager of FC Emmen. A former goalkeeper, Grim represented Ajax and Cambuur during his playing career.

<i>Top 2000</i> Dutch radio program

The Top 2000 is an annual Dutch marathon radio programme that plays the 2,000 most popular songs listeners have deemed the best of all time. The show runs 24 hours a day, starting Christmas and ending on New Year's Eve, functioning as a countdown to the new year. The show is hosted by national public radio station NPO Radio 2. A significant part of the population of the Netherlands listens to the broadcast each year; during the 2019 edition, NPO Radio 2 had a national radio market share of 17.7 percent. In regard of its popularity and notoriety, the show is often called de lijst der lijsten, the chart of charts.

Tarik Oulida is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for Ajax (1992–1995), Sevilla (1995–1998), Nagoya Grampus Eight (1998–2002), Sedan Ardennes (2002–2003), Consadole Sapporo (2003), and ADO Den Haag (2004).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lodewijk Asscher</span> Dutch politician

Lodewijk Frans Asscher is a Dutch politician and jurist who served as Leader of the Labour Party (PvdA) from 2016 to 2021 and parliamentary leader in the House of Representatives from 2017 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brace (singer)</span> Musical artist

Eddy Brace Rashid MacDonald, shortened to Brace, is a Dutch singer. He is best known for his collaborations with Dutch rapper Ali B, who helped to bring Brace to stardom after their first musical collaboration on the hit single "Ik ben je zat" released in the summer of 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kathleen Aerts</span> Belgian singer, actress and host

Kathleen Aerts is a Belgian singer, actress and host. She was a member of the successful girl group K3.

<i>The Voice of Holland</i> Dutch reality television competition

The Voice of Holland, also known by its acronym TVOH, is a Dutch singing reality competition television series that became a global TV format franchise, created by media tycoon John de Mol Jr. and musician Roel van Velzen in the Netherlands and airs on RTL 4. For the first nine seasons, The Voice of Holland was hosted by Martijn Krabbé and Wendy van Dijk. Starting from the tenth season (2019–2020), Wendy van Dijk was replaced by Chantal Janzen. The twelfth season concluded prematurely in 2022 due to sexual misconduct allegations relating to the series' crew members, and the series has not aired since.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lange Frans</span> Dutch rapper

Frans Christiaan Frederiks, known by his stage name Lange Frans, is a Dutch rapper and television presenter. From 1997 to 2004 he was a member of the band D-Men. Between 1997 and 2009 he was part of the Lange Frans & Baas B duo before starting a solo career. In 2019 the duo reformed and made a few appearances, but in April 2021 Baas B returned with a solo album, claiming that he and Frederiks were no longer on the same page "in terms of message". Before taking the stage name Lange Frans, he used the name Akela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yes-R</span> Dutch rapper and television presenter

Yesser Roshdy, better known by his stage name Yes-R, is a Dutch rapper and television presenter. He was born in Amsterdam, to an Egyptian father, and a Moroccan mother. Before going solo, he was part of the Dutch hip-hop formation D-Men. He has also appeared in the films 'n Beetje Verliefd and Gangsterboys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joram van Klaveren</span> Dutch politician (born 1979)

Joram Jaron van Klaveren is a Dutch politician. As a member of the Party for Freedom he was an MP from 17 June 2010 until 21 March 2014. He subsequently was an independent until his term in office ended on 23 March 2017. He focused on matters of desegregation, employment-to-population ratio, egalitarianism and emancipation. From 24 March 2011 until 11 June 2014, he also was a member of the States-Provincial of Flevoland. He became well-known for anti-Muslim comments. In October 2018, he converted to Islam halfway through writing an anti-Islam book. After becoming a Muslim, he decided to rededicate his book to his search for religiosity and the subsequent conversion to Islam. His book titled Apostate: From Christianity to Islam in Times of Secularisation and Terror was published in both Dutch and English.

The Voice Kids is a Dutch talent show produced by Talpa and broadcast on RTL 4 since January 27, 2012. It was hosted by Martijn Krabbé and Wendy van Dijk in seasons 1 to 8. From season 9 to 10, it was hosted by Martijn Krabbé and Jamai Loman. Since season 11, it has been hosted by Buddy Vedder and Jamai Loman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lil' Kleine</span> Musical artist

Jorik Scholten, professionally known as Lil' Kleine, is a Dutch rapper, actor and singer. He collaborated with fellow rapper Ronnie Flex to produce the number one single "Drank & Drugs" and the number one album WOP!.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Hofman</span> Dutch television presenter, journalist, poet, and columnist

Tim Hofman is a Dutch television presenter, journalist, poet, and columnist. Hofman often worked under the pseudonym debroervanroos. He is among other things known as the presenter of the online program #BOOS, with which he has won many awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soy Kroon</span> Dutch actor (born 1995)

Soy Kroon is a Dutch actor. He is known for his role as Sil Selmhorst in the soap opera Goede tijden, slechte tijden and the spin-off series Nieuwe Tijden. He is also known for his role as Diederik in the Flemish television series Galaxy Park.

<i>BOOS</i> Dutch TV series or program

BOOS, in its first years known as #BOOS, is a Dutch online investigative journalism and consumer show that is broadcast on the eponymous YouTube channel as well as the online channels of public broadcasters NPO and BNN/VARA. The main host of the show is Tim Hofman, and producer Marije de Roode also often appears as a co-host.

Traag is a song by Dutch hip hop artist Bizzey, featuring rappers Jozo and Kraantje Pappie, released as a single in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flemming (singer)</span> Dutch musician (born 1996)

Flemming Freddie Viguurs is a Dutch singer-songwriter who performs mononymously under the name Flemming. He is known for songs like "Automatisch" (2021) and "Amsterdam" (2022).

References

  1. van Wijk, Jetteke (4 April 2007). "Dutch rapper Ali B. in Middle East". Radio Nederland Wereldomroep. Retrieved 22 January 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  2. Kooijman, Jaap (2008). Fabricating the absolute fake: America in contemporary pop culture. Amsterdam University Press. p. 113. ISBN   978-90-5356-492-9.
  3. Miezkowski, Sylvia; Smith, Joy; de Valck, Marijke (2008). Sonic interventions. Rodopi. p. 269. ISBN   978-90-420-2294-2 . Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "The rapper Ali B has charmed the Netherlands. Can he stay above the fray?". The Economist . 21 November 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  5. "Koninginnedag 2005: win de Seat Altea van Bea". www.autozine.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  6. "Boycot Marco Borsato en Ali B: muziek in de ban, beeld uit Madame Tussauds". parool.nl (in Dutch). 21 January 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 "Zakenimperium Ali B brokkelt af, al is 'KLM waarschijnlijk eerder failliet'". RTL Nieuws (in Dutch). 25 January 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  8. 1 2 "Ali B krijgt twee jaar cel voor verkrachting en poging tot verkrachting". nos.nl (in Dutch). 12 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  9. "Ali B.: Ik jatte schoenen uit de moskee, ik ging echt ver". Algemeen Dagblad. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  10. ANP, Door (9 December 2004). "Ali B eerste rapper met beeld in Madame Tussauds (video)". NU (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  11. "Ali B wordt Baron van Ooit". www.omroepflevoland.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  12. Novum, Door (27 August 2011). "Ali B niet blij met 'knuffelmarokkaan'". NU (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  13. "Dutch Rapper Defends 'Sits on Money Like a Jew' Lyrics". The Forward. 5 January 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  14. Rijken, Kemal (6 January 2017). "Ali B. betuigt spijt aan CJO om antisemitische zin". Jonet.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  15. "Of course, I say to Ali B Are you sure you want a Bentley". APG. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  16. Offringa, Hans (24 November 2021). "Ali B over zijn nieuwe boek: "Dit is de oogst van wat ik toen zaaide"". Op1. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  17. "Abel Tamata bonkt op de deur bij PSV" (in Dutch). BN/DeStem. 22 December 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  18. "Prachtig! Ali B noemt pasgeboren zoon Nouri". Sportnieuws.nl. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  19. "Ali B's neef Yes-R is ook beroofd". jeugdjournaal.nl (in Dutch). 5 December 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  20. "Rape accusation filed against The Voice judge Ali B.; Another allegedly groped minors". NL Times. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  21. 1 2 "Rapper Ali B could face 3 years in prison for raping, sexually assaulting three women".
  22. "Singer Ellen ten Damme accuses Ali B of sexual misconduct | NL Times". nltimes.nl. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  23. "Ali B ook vervolgd voor seksueel ontoelaatbaar gedrag bij Ellen ten Damme, al deed zij geen aangifte" . Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  24. "Ali B volhardt in zijn onschuld, maar zijn slachtoffers voelen zich verminkt: 'Nee is nee, Ali'". de Gelderlander. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  25. "Ali B gaat in hoger beroep tegen celstraf". ad.nl (in Dutch). 12 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  26. "OM gaat ook in hoger beroep in zaak tegen Ali B". nos.nl (in Dutch). 24 July 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  27. "Discografie Ali B". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  28. "Top 40 week 16 van 2020".