7liwa
{{Notability|music|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = 7liwa
| image =
| birth_name = Ihab Ikbal
| alias = 7liwa, Wa7li
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1996| January |19}}
| birth_place = Casablanca
| occupation = Rapper . songwriter
| years_active = 2011-present
}}
Ihab Ikbal (Arabic: إيهاب إقبال; born January 19, 1996), better known by his stage name 7liwa (Arabic: حليوة), is a Moroccan rapper from Casablanca. Considered by many to be one of the most influential figures in Moroccan rap history.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-31 |title=TOP 10 Best Moroccan Rappers of All Time |url=https://dimatopmagazine.com/top10-list/top-10-moroccan-rappers/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=DimaTOP Magazine}}{{Cite web |title=7liwa |url=https://www.reservoir-media.com/listing/7liwa/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=Reservoir Media |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Morocco: ElGrandeToto, 7liwa, Naar… Rap in Darija goes international |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/264755/morocco-elgrandetoto-7liwa-naar-rap-in-darija-goes-international/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=The Africa Report.com |language=en}}
7liwa's influence on Moroccan hip-hop is profound, as his groundbreaking music has not only inspired generations but also paved the way for emerging rap stars such as Inkonnu, ElGrandeToto, and Ily.{{Cite web |title=7liwa and Shayfeen are now leading the wave |url=https://rwipa.com/en/events/new-wave/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 22, 2025 |website=Rwipa.com}} Some refer to him as "the Lil Wayne of Morocco," 7liwa draws a parallel to Lil Wayne's role in launching the careers of global icons like Drake, Tyga, and Nicki Minaj. Just as Lil Wayne reshaped the American rap scene,{{Cite web |last=Terrell |first=Dontaira |title=5 ways Lil Wayne redefined the art of hip hop |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2019-09-27/85542/5-ways-lil-wayne-redefined-the-art-of-hip-hop |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=REVOLT}} 7liwa has played a pivotal role in elevating Moroccan hip-hop.
Biography
7liwa was born in 1996 in Casablanca,{{cite web|access-date=5 June 2023|language=fr|title=7liwa sur le site nrjmaroc|url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrjmaroc.com%2Fartists%2Fartist%2F7liwa#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url|website=nrjmaroc}} he began his musical career in 2012.
In 2013, Moroccan rapper 7liwa released his debut track, Da7k T9ada,{{Cite web |title=7liwa |url=https://www.lodj.ma/7liwa_a3148.html |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Portail de L'Opinion des jeunes marocains - l'Opinion DJ |language=fr}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=GC40xjzdVYeUpNh2&v=JCOzlrW99gs&feature=youtu.be |title=7Liwa . Da7k T9ada (video clip officiel 2013) Réalisé par Omar Chanini |date=2013-02-09 |last=Been com studios |access-date=2025-03-20 |via=YouTube}} followed by Batal L3alam,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=S5GI7O_0sa5gPsGL&v=7ZHfD4NfgHU&feature=youtu.be |title=7liwa - Batal l3alam (Official Audio) |date=2013-05-24 |last=7Liwa |access-date=2025-03-20 |via=YouTube}} a ten-minute song without a chorus. Widely regarded as one of his most impactful works, Batal L3alam played a significant role in establishing his reputation and contributing to his rise to fame during the early stages of his career.
In 2014, 7liwa collaborated with Soolking on the track Bilal.{{cite web|access-date=2023-05-20|language=fr|title=la rade de 7liwa|url=https://www.abcdrduson.com/articles/ride-de-7liwa|website=abcdrduson}}{{cite web|access-date=2023-05-20|language=fr|title=Rencontre avec le rappeur marocain soolking|url=https://www.moroccanhiphop.com/2017/10/18/7liwa-feat-soolking-bilal/|website=moroccanhiphop}} He gained significant recognition in 2016 with the release of the music video for his song NIK DT amassing around 20 million views,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=FDd4h3rZo2NFWxGM&v=bfSo53lRSeg&feature=youtu.be |title=7LIWA - NIK DT (Official Music Video) #WF2 |date=2016-04-28 |last=7Liwa |access-date=2025-03-20 |via=YouTube}} followed by other popular tracks such as Adidas and Haribo. In 2017, he released three music videos within three months, including Mimi, which garnered over 22 million views on YouTube.{{cite web|access-date=2023-05-20|title=Hip Hop Corner Les 20 rappeurs marocains|url=https://www.lodj.ma/7liwa_a3148.html|website=lodj}}. That same year, he was listed among the top five most notable Moroccan rappers by the Pan African Music site, solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the Moroccan hip-hop scene.{{cite web|access-date=2023-06-05|date=2017-08-28|language=fr-FR|title=Cinq rappeurs marocains à suivre|url=https://pan-african-music.com/cinq-rappeurs-marocains-a-suivre/|website=Pan African Music}}
He has emerged as a prominent figure on social media, amassing 1.5 million followers on Instagram and 1.9 million subscribers on YouTube as of March 2025. Primarily rapping in Darija, the Moroccan Arabic dialect, he also communicates to varying degrees in French and English.{{cite web|access-date=2023-06-05|date=2022-11-25|language=fr-FR|title=Maroc : ElGrandeToto, 7liwa, Naar… Le rap en darija s'exporte – Jeune Afrique|url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1384937/culture/maroc-elgrandetoto-7liwa-naar-le-rap-en-darija-sexporte/|website=JeuneAfrique.com}} Reflecting on his artistic approach, he emphasizes the importance of cultural authenticity, stating, “It’s very important to create in your culture, in Darija, so that access to creation is first and foremost for people from the same country as you.” {{cite web|access-date=2023-06-05|date=2022-11-25|language=fr-FR|title=Maroc : ElGrandeToto, 7liwa, Naar… Le rap en darija s'exporte – Jeune Afrique|url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1384937/culture/maroc-elgrandetoto-7liwa-naar-le-rap-en-darija-sexporte/|website=JeuneAfrique.com}}
On September 21, 2018, an interview featuring 7liwa, posted online by the Kifache TV channel, garnered nearly one million views on YouTube within just three days, highlighting his growing popularity.{{cite web|access-date=5 June 2023|author=Ikram Belarabi|title=Ridouane Erramdani vs 7liwa : Coups pour coups|url=https://lobservateur.info/ridouane-erramdani-vs-7liwa-coups-pour-coups/|website=lobservateur}}.
In 2019, 7liwa reached a significant milestone in his career by signing with Sony Music Middle East, a major achievement that expanded his reach in the music industry.{{Cite web |last=April.Perez |date=2019-04-08 |title=CHECK OUT '7LIWA' DEBUT SINGLE WITH SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT MIDDLE EAST "OHLALA" |url=https://sonymusic.me/news/check-out-7liwa-debut-single-with-sony-music-entertainment-middle-east-ohlala/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Sony Music ME |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Alaoui |first=Zineb |date=2019-03-23 |title=7liwa signe avec un grand label... |url=https://www.welovebuzz.com/7liwa-signe-avec-le-label-sony-music-middle-east/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Welovebuzz |language=fr}} That same year, he performed a concert at Oukacha Prison, the largest penitentiary in Casablanca.{{Cite news |title=Le rappeur 7liwa chante à la prison d'Oukacha |url=https://leseco.ma/maroc/le-rappeur-7liwa-chante-a-la-prison-d-oukacha.html}}{{Cite news |title=Casablanca: 7liwa enflamme la prison d'Oukacha |url=https://www.h24info.ma/casablanca-7liwa-enflamme-la-prison-doukacha/}}
In March, 2022, 7liwa signed with music publisher PopArabia, in conjunction with Reservoir Media, Inc.{{Cite web |title=PopArabia, In Conjunction with Reservoir, Signs Moroccan Hip-Hop Star 7liwa – PopArabia |url=https://poparabia.com/poparabia-in-conjunction-with-reservoir-signs-lebanese-indie-music-icon-zeid-hamdan/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |language=en-GB}}
Style
7liwa is known for his distinctive fast-paced vocal delivery and sharp, biting lyrics, often marked by scathing repartees. His unconventional approach extends to his music videos, which are visually striking and often push boundaries, as well as his provocative lyrics that delve into themes of personal struggles, societal issues, and darker subjects like "his devils," murder, and drugs.
One of his most groundbreaking works is the 2012 music video Mosi9t Chitan (translated as
Discography
= Albums =
= Mixtapes =
= Singles =
References
{{Reflist}}
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{{Portal bar|Music|Morocco}}
Category:Moroccan male singers