| Background: | group_or_band |
| Origin: | Casablanca, Morocco |
| Genre: | Gnawa, rock, punk rock, reggae |
| Years Active: | 1998 – present |
| Label: | Hayha Music Division Hot Lunch Records |
| Website: | Official website |
| Current Members: | Reda Allali (lead vocals/guitar) Anouar Zehouani (vocals/guitar) Adil Hanine (drums) Saad Bouidi (bass) Othmane Hmimar (vocals/percussion) Abssamad Bourhim (backline/guitar) |
| Past Members: | Mohamed Laâbidi |
Hoba Hoba Spirit is a musical fusion band based in Casablanca, Morocco. The band was formed in 1998.[1] It is composed of Adil Hanine (drummer), Anouar Zehouani (guitarist), Saâd Bouidi (Bass guitar), Reda Allali - (vocalist and guitarist), Othmane Hmimar(percussionist) and the newly added member Philippe Laffont (saxophone guy). The name of the group is based on a song by Bob Marley.[2]
Hoba Hoba Spirit's musical style mixes Rock, Reggae and Gnawa with little pinches of hard rock.They refer to their music as "Hayha" which means chaos, randomness and just pure vibes. Their lyrics are mostly in Darija (Moroccan dialect), French and sometimes English. Recurring themes in their songs are the disorientation and confusion of young Moroccans either politically,socially or interpersonally.
A notable duo of Hoba Hoba Spirit was with Moroccan rapper Bigg in a single called "Goulou Bazz", which was a huge success. The single is included in the album Trabando.
Since 2003, the band has emerged as one of the most popular rock acts in Morocco, frequently playing the country's major festivals, such as the Mawazine Festival in Rabat, L'Boulevard Tremplin in Casablanca, Timitar Festival in Agadir, and the Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira.
During the 2007 Mghrib Music Award, Hoba Hoba Spirit won three awards in the categories of "best fusion artist, best album for "Trabando", released in 2007, and best title for the song "Fhamator."[3]