#hitashya selects

[xlelife]

"Mahboula" by MANAL aka Manal Benchlikha, an artist from Morocco who is a mainstay in the NEW WORLD MUSIC playlist and genre. "Mahboula" is in the style of raï, an Algerian folk music that originated in the city of Oran in the 1920s, at a time when Oran was called "Little Paris" due to its mix of cultures and rowdy nightlife. Raï was a reaction against classical Algerian music, with improvised lyrics describing the reality of street life over simplified beats and melodies. The word raï, Algerian for "advice/opinion", comes through in the lyrics, which were often opinionated and controversial. Manal's "Mahboula" is a throwback to one of the golden eras of raï music, the 1980s-1990s, though this era was not without its controversies as well. After years of different kinds of colonization, many Algerian raï performers emigrated to France as raï was banned in their home country.

The lyrics warn other women to stay away from her man in an extreme and playful way, while the video shows it to all be a daydream Manal has, a game she plays with herself while seeing an enchanting stranger. "Mahboula" is the third single off her upcoming album, Arabian Heartbreak.

-From the NEW WORLD MUSIC playlist (Spotify and Youtube), selected by Hitashya

[xlelife]

Karima Gouit just dropped "Ihwawin", where the Marrakech native celebrates Amazigh heritage and folk music with a contemporary twist.

So far no properly translated lyrics but here is Google's best guess:

Oh melodies Where are your lovers? The people of Imi Ntanout They love art All the Amazighs Art lovers My father told me he got married I told him leave me alone He told me what happened to you I told him times have changed And it is no longer the same The owner of the beautiful hair stole from me You know that life does not love those who are useless In the name of God I begin my words And I begin my experience In all fields Beauty is planted, roses and ghanaz (velvet) and tea and then henna are planted So welcome to the beauties Whoever wants to put henna is welcome You just have to adhere to its conditions so that it does not go to waste

From the New World Music Playlist (on Spotify and Youtube) selected by Hitashya

[xlelife]

HITASHYA is currently guest posting some of her favorite #NewWorld music videos on XLE.LIFE.

You can also find her #NewWorld playlist on Spotify.

Hitashya works as a musician, dj and music video director, with an EP slow leaking on the platforms. Hear TEAR UP LA TIERRA on Spotify. She is currently based in Mumbai and Goa, India.