Meryem Aboulouafa Explained

Meryem Aboulouafa
Native Name:مريم أبو الوفاء
Native Name Lang:ar
Origin:Casablanca, Morocco
Years Active:2017–present
Label:Zerhoun Records

Meryem Aboulouafa (Arabic: مريم أبو الوفاء) is a singer, songwriter and narrator from Casablanca.[1] [2] Her first solo album Meryem (2020), was released by Animal 63 and has received positive reviews throughout the music industry. Her singles Breath of Roma and Ya Qalbi were used for radio, television and film scores.

Early life

Meryem Aboulouafa, born on December 3, 1988, in Casablanca, Morocco, is a versatile artist known for her deep connection with music and fine arts. Her musical journey began with early exposure to the traditional Moroccan melodies and the sounds of the iconic divas of the Arab world. In addition, influenced by her father's musical taste, she was introduced to the world of rock classics, including the Neil Young, Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd, as well as prominent figures in French music such as Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, and Georges Brassens.[3] Embarking on her formal exploration of music theory and violin at the Music Conservatory, Meryem refined her expertise at the Conservatoire of Casablanca.[4] [5]

In 2016, Meryem Aboulouafa graced the stage of a TEDx conference, introducing herself as an artist, proud Moroccan. Fondly reminiscing her roots in Casablanca, she humorously shared childhood beliefs that have since transformed. Within the intimate confines of her Casablanca bedroom, armed only with a guitar, Meryem gave life into her initial compositions by crafting poetry in English, French and Arabic.[6]

After completing her high school education, Meryem enrolled into fine arts at the Ecole Supérieur des Beaux-Arts of Casablanca, ultimately earning her diploma as an interior designer. Subsequently, she took on the role of teaching interior design at the Academy of Traditional Arts in Casablanca and Euro-Mediterranean University of Morocco. Meryem envisions crafting "musical objects" and exploring the possibility of designing innovative instruments “objets musicaux”, thereby exemplifying her interdisciplinary approach to the arts.[7]

Career

Despite her distinctive musical trajectory, Meryem Aboulouafa never actively sought labels. Meryem is starting to make a name for herself in the world of music. In 2017 she took the stage at MadJazz festival in Marrakech and Jazzablanca festival in Casablanca and made one of her first collaborations with Moulay Driss Alaoui Mdaghri, a great fan of Arabic and Andalusian poetry, who opened her the door to Italy, and subsequently to Francesco Santalucia. Together they produced a cover of the Algerian traditional song "Ya Qalbi" which later will become one of her most known songs. The artist moves on to have a musical tour in Indonesia and Italy.[8]

Her musical journey took an unexpected turn when "Ya Qalbi" came to the attention of Emmanuel Barron, the head of the French label Animal63 (recognized for artists like The Blaze and Myth Sizer). This encounter marked the start of a new chapter in Meryem's musical career, affirming her position in the global music scene. As he notably wrote " … I came back to Paris two days later after meeting a mind-blowing artist, a rare woman, an artist living in a country where being an artist is not a simple choice. But above all I met a «voice,» but not only in the vocal, technical sense of the word. The voice of a modern Moroccan woman, a musician, believer and poet ... ".[9]

The fruit of this encounter was “Meryem”, the first album by Meryem Aboulouafa. It was released at the end of May in Europe and Morocco by the French label Animal 63, and was launched with the dreamlike music video “Deeply”. The 11 songs of the album, composed in both English and Arabic. Before her album release, Emmanuel Barron suggested that he re-record certain titles with new collaborators. Two names are working on the construction or reconstruction of her tracks: Jean-Baptiste de Laubier alias Para One, known for his energetic techno and for his more contemplative soundtracks, inseparable from the cinema of Céline Sciamma. And Maxime Daoud, musician, arranger and producer of music with gentle melancholy under the name Ojard. Following the release of her album, Meryem embarked on a tour featuring live concerts and made appearances on television and radio. Her debut album received a warm welcome from the music world and resonated well with music enthusiasts.[10]

Artistry

Musical style

On her debut album, Casablanca artist Meryem Abouloufa naturally sits within the same realm of smoky torch songs given a pop sheen as Lana Del Rey, Angel Olsen, and Sharon Van Etten, however what sets her aside from such company is that she uses the template of Western pop and gives it a Middle Eastern twist.[11]

Her background as an interior designer is evident in the set, sleek as the inside of a Glossier store; it is eerily soothing, almost pretty enough to mask the presence of the dark abyss at its center. It's a perfect representation of the sparring emotions bubbling beneath the surface of Aboulouafa's music.[12]

Discography

Studio albums

Duration
Meryem29 May 2020Animal 63LP, CD, digital download1The friend03:0338:17
2Breath of Roma03:25
3Deeply03:21
4Say the truth and run03:57
5Je me promets04:30
6Fighting03:31
7Évanouie03:33
8The Accident03:40
9Ya Qalbi03:06
10Welcome Back to Me02:47
11We'll get by03:19

Singles & EP

!Title!Released!Label
Breath of Roma2 December 2019Animal 63
Ya Qalbi12 February 2020Animal 63
Évanouie29 April 2020Animal 63

Other Collaborations & Remixes

!Title!Artist!Released!Album!Label
13.10Francesco Santalucia2017MemoriaLa grande onda
DeeplyNezar Bouabid5 September 2020
Ya QalbiNezar Bouabid20 November 2020
Fighting (Remix)Van2021
Breath of Roma (Remix)Alper Gursoy29 November 2021PalmTherapy Sounds
OasiElasi29 July 2022Oasi ElasiCapitol Records/Universal Music Italia
Le paradisBachar Mar-Khalifé13 May 2023The End - Music for Films, Vol.1Balcoon
D'âme à âmeAnna Chedid20 October 2023Peau neueveAnna Chedid Publishing
J'irai partoutDominique Dalcan27 September 2023Last Night a Woman Saved My LifeOstinato Records

Concerts

Jazzablanca

Visa for Music 2021

Meryem Aboulouafa & Francesco Santalucia Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone - 28 April 2017

Meryem Aboulouafa - Bachar Mar-Khalifé - Arte Piano Day 2022 - 1 May 2022 in Campus Pierre-et-Marie-Curie (Jussieu), Paris

Meryem Aboulouafa - Saint-Eustache, Paris - microqlima

Usage in media

1. Le Paradis / Lost Boys (Film, 2023)

2. Deeply - Skam France S7 | E7 | Episode 7|

3. Je me promets AlRawabi School for Girls S1 | E4 | NETFLIX

4. Ya Qalbi - Holy Family (aka Sagrada familia) S1 | E2 | NETFLIX

5. Mawadda - Moroccan movi

Voice Overs

2014 - Watchtower of Turkey by Leonardo D.

2015 - AMF2015 | Official Trailer (Amsterdam Music Festival)

2022 -Waking dreams by Mayan Warrior Burning Man

2022 - Ulili commercial

2023 - Do you remember? - Burning Man by Sodalime Burning Man

2023 - Fez, di Meryem Aboulouafa - RSI La 1

2023 - Forever Marrakech - L’Office National Marocain du Tourisme

References

  1. Web site: 2020-06-08 . Meryem Aboulouafa - "Meryem" . 2024-01-31 . France Inter . fr . 2024-01-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240131130107/https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/podcasts/dans-la-playlist-de-france-inter/meryem-aboulouafa-meryem-6016550 . live .
  2. Web site: Meryem Aboulouafa : le pari inattendu du label de The Blaze . 2024-01-31 . Numéro Magazine . fr . 2023-01-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230104175600/https://www.numero.com/fr/musique/meryem-aboulouafa-interview-album-breath-of-roma-ya-qalbi-evanouie . live .
  3. Web site: 2017-09-29 . La chanteuse Meryem Aboulouafa dévoile son premier album "Meryem" - Plurielle . 2024-01-31 . www.plurielle.ma/ . fr-FR . 2024-01-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240131130108/https://www.plurielle.ma/lifestyle/arts-culture/la-chanteuse-meryem-aboulouafa-sort-son-premier-album-meryem/ . live .
  4. Web site: Maisterra . Pauline . 2020-07-23 . Meryem Aboulouafa, le coup de cœur musical de la rédaction . 2024-01-31 . Femmes du Maroc . fr-FR . 2024-01-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240131130108/https://femmesdumaroc.com/archives/meryem-aboulouafa-le-coup-de-coeur-musical-de-la-redaction . live .
  5. Web site: 2020-06-09 . Le souffle chaud de Meryem Aboulouafa, une artiste qui n’est qu’au début d’une belle histoire . 2024-01-31 . Le Soir . fr . 2024-01-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240131130107/https://www.lesoir.be/305904/article/2020-06-09/le-souffle-chaud-de-meryem-aboulouafa-une-artiste-qui-nest-quau-debut-dune-belle . live .
  6. Web site: Lecarpentier . Charline . Meryem Aboulouafa, ballades intérieures . 2024-01-31 . Libération . fr . 2023-11-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231101223722/https://www.liberation.fr/musique/2020/06/02/meryem-aboulouafa-ballades-interieures_1790104/ . live .
  7. Web site: Meryem Aboulouafa : le pari inattendu du label de The Blaze . 2024-01-31 . Numéro Magazine . fr . 2023-01-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230104175600/https://www.numero.com/fr/musique/meryem-aboulouafa-interview-album-breath-of-roma-ya-qalbi-evanouie . live .
  8. Web site: Yabiladi.com . Meryem Aboulouafa, la voix qui envoûte le public italien et indonésien . 2024-02-01 . www.yabiladi.com . fr . 2023-01-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230104175601/https://www.yabiladi.com/articles/details/53383/meryem-aboulouafa-voix-envoute-public.html . live .
  9. Web site: Maisterra . Pauline . 2020-07-23 . Meryem Aboulouafa, le coup de cœur musical de la rédaction . 2024-02-01 . Femmes du Maroc . fr-FR . 2024-01-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240131130110/https://femmesdumaroc.com/archives/meryem-aboulouafa-le-coup-de-coeur-musical-de-la-redaction . live .
  10. Web site: Lecarpentier . Charline . Meryem Aboulouafa, ballades intérieures . 2024-02-01 . Libération . fr . 2023-11-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231101223722/https://www.liberation.fr/musique/2020/06/02/meryem-aboulouafa-ballades-interieures_1790104/ . live .
  11. Web site: Moroccan artist Meryem Aboulouafa impresses on her debut album . 2024-02-02 . The Line of Best Fit . en-US . 2024-02-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240202210854/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/moroccan-artist-meryem-impresses-on-debut-album . live .
  12. Web site: Meryem Aboulouafa: "Deeply" . 2024-02-02 . Pitchfork . en-US . 2024-01-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240122032241/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/meryem-aboulouafa-deeply/ . live .