Hamid Zahir

Born Hamid Belkas in the historic Medina of Marrakesh, Hamid Zahir began performing in the vibrant open-air theater of Jemaa el-Fna in the 1950s. Combining traditional Marrakshi hand-clapping and ta'rija polyrhythms with electric strings and melodic oud, he created an irresistible new folk sound.

His 1960s hit Lalla Fatima became the unofficial wedding and festive anthem of the entire kingdom, celebrated for its breezy humor and authentic working-class poetry. He performed across the Arab world and Europe, revered as the acoustic voice of Marrakesh's joie de vivre.