H-Kayne

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H-Kayne
Origin Meknes
Genres Moroccan hip hop, Hip hop music and Rap music
Years active1996–present
LabelsPlatinum Music
MembersHatim Bensalha (HB2), Adil Benchakroune (Sif Lssane), Azzedine Ter-Hoor, Otmane, DJ Khalid

H-Kayne (meaning "What's happening?" in Moroccan Arabic) is a pioneering Moroccan rap group formed in 1996 [1] in Meknès. The original lineup consists of Adel Benchekroun (Sif Lssan), Hatim Bensalha (HB2), Ezzedine Bouhout (Ter 7or), Othman Benhami, and DJ Khaled. [2]

Contents

The group's breakthrough came in 2003 when they won first prize at Casablanca's prestigious L'Boulevard des Jeunes Musiciens festival. This victory led to their signing with Universal Music's Platinum label, marking them as one of the first Moroccan rap acts to secure an international recording contract. Their success at this competition demonstrated rap music's growing acceptance in Moroccan culture and paved the way for future artists.

H-Kayne achieved widespread fame through hits like "Issawa Style" (2004), "F'mo Hadak," "Ba Makna," "Hdaw Hdaw," and "Jil Jadid." These tracks showcased their ability to merge traditional Moroccan musical elements with contemporary hip-hop, earning them recognition as pioneers of Maghrebi rap. Their cultural significance was formally acknowledged when King Mohammed VI honored the group with the Order of Ouissam Alaouite, one of Morocco's highest civilian distinctions, cementing their status as national cultural ambassadors.

History

H-Kayne was formed in Meknes in 1996. [3] The group performed their first concert in 1997. In 2003, they won first prize at the L’Boulevard festival. [4] In 2004, the group released a self-produced album, 1 Son 2 Bled'Art.

In 2005, H-Kayne released a second album called "HK-1426" produced by Platinum Music.

In 2006, H-Kayne performed at the Bataclan in Paris, [5] the only Moroccan rappers to have done so. [6]

In 2011, H-Kayne were appointed goodwill ambassadors in Morocco for the United Nations Development Program. [6]

In 2013, the group were bestowed the Order of Ouissam Alaouite by King Mohammed VI. [7]

Discography

Albums

References

  1. ↑ "H-Kayne". Festival Mawazine. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  2. ↑ "H-Kayne". Discogs. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  3. ↑ "Nouveau clip: H-Kayne chante l'addiction dans «Gana»". Aujourd'hui le Maroc (in French). 16 January 2017. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  4. 1 2 3 "Les dix albums qui ont marqué l'histoire du rap africain – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  5. ↑ "Les H-kayne au Bataclan". bladinet (in French). Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  6. 1 2 "H-Kayne lance bientôt «Ana Hor»". Aujourd'hui le Maroc (in French). 13 April 2017. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  7. ↑ "Fête de la Jeunesse: La liste des décorés". Médias24 (in French). 2013-08-21. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  8. ↑ Charry, Eric (2012-10-23). Hip Hop Africa: New African Music in a Globalizing World. Indiana University Press. p. 352. ISBN   978-0-253-00582-3.
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