7LIWA // Interview

If you’re interested by Moroccan Rap, you must have already seen the name of 7liwa. Indeed, the rapper is in the Top 10 of the most influential Moroccan rappers from the Maghrebin music scene and it’s understandable when we see the millions of views that he generates on YouTube and the streaming platforms.

The young artist makes himself known in 2013 with the video 'Da7k T9ada', since then, he has continued to be creative to offer the best to his audience. The same year, he released his second song 'Batal l3alam', a 10-minute song without any chorus that became a reference in the Moroccan Rap Game. Since that day, 7liwa continued its relentless rise and collaborate many times with artists such as Lartiste, Shayfeen [e.d: you can find our interview with Shayfeen on here], Mister You and many others.

A Rap & A Cup Of Tea went to meet this iconic rapper who told us everything about his dazzling success, his ambitions and also his future projects. No doubt that 7liwa is an artist to follow.

What’s the meaning behind your pseudo 7liwa?

It comes from a long time ago. When I was still at school, my friends called me 7liwa and I thought it was cool. In the end, everyone around me loved that nickname and over time I became more recognizable with that nickname than with my real name. “7liwa” means all the sweet stuff, it also means sociable.

You’ve got a lot of success in Morocco, how do you feel about that? Is it not too difficult to handle?

Obviously, success is not easy to manage especially, when you are young... Actually, I don’t feel different when I’m with my people, but when I go out it’s definitely another thing... There are fans who love asking you for selfies, etc. All of this is not that difficult to handle to be honest, but it’s true that you have to put aside your privacy.

I saw that you went famous thanks to your exceptional freestyles like with 'Batal l3alam'... How do you find all this inspiration?

I’m very inspired by lots of American rappers and some historical movies as well. I would say that in the studio, inspiration comes straight. I don’t need to force things. You start listening to the beats and directly after, you start to have a vision of the lyrics and what you wanna say. Then I add “my 7liwa touch” that I keep secret...

We often see you alongside many rappers such as Lartiste, Soolking, Shayfeen... is it important for you to collaborate with other artists for your next projects?

Collaborations are always important. I will soon release my second album on which there are featuring with several world-famous artists which is great. For now, I don’t think I have a “dream featuring” in mind... but it could change, who knows.

The song ‘Safi’ is a very touching one... Is it difficult for you to open yourself that much through the lyrics?

It’s true that the song ‘Safi’ is one of my best one from my last album La Street released in 2019. I think it’s just a mood in which I feel good. To be honest, it’s pretty simple for me to open myself to people. I don’t think it’s “too easy” or “too difficult” to do, but I think it’s a different exercise compared to the other songs.

The goal of my career is to be international, in my opinion, this is the real success.

I saw that your clips generated millions of views and the visual is always a high-standard one. Is it you behind the creative process of all the making of?

A long time ago, I was into audiovisual stuff and I did lots of directing, so it allowed me to work with many directors on my different projects. I guess, it helped me to have a better result in term of visuals and creativity. But at first, I did everything myself without anyone’s help.

You have more than 197 million views on YouTube, it's huge. Do you think that in Morocco it’s easier to share music via YouTube than on other streaming platforms?

Yes, I think so. Here, in Morocco, people are more inclined to go on YouTube, I couldn’t explain why. Things start to evolve gradually and now we also go on streaming platforms but it’s true to say that YouTube was our main platform of broadcasting.

Is it important for you to develop your career internationally?

Of course, it is. The goal of my career is to be international, in my opinion, this is the real success. For me, it’s very important to develop my career and reach an international audience. I also think that being broadcasted internationally is a double benefit because it’s beneficial for me but also for the Moroccan music industry and the rest of the country.

What do you prefer, being on stage or in the studio?

I’d say the scene. I rather prefer being on stage with my mate. It’s a completely different atmosphere and mood. It’s lit to be on stage to meet the fans.

What’s next?

I will release my single 'Dale' soon enough and then I’ll drop my second album.

Instagram: @7liwa

Words © Fanny Hill Scott