Controversial French Rapper Booba Faces Backlash Over Planned Morocco Concert

It was on his Twitter account that the rapper Booba, whose real name is Élie Yaffa, announced that he will be in concert on June 21 at the Mohammed V sports complex. Internet users asked him what he was coming to do in Morocco when he had often attacked Moroccan women in some of his songs.

"Rapper Booba who on several occasions in his songs has insulted Moroccan women and the Kingdom of Morocco will be in concert on June 21 in Casablanca. This character is not welcome here, let’s all put pressure so that he cancels this concert, let’s also put pressure on the organizers who have no dignity to invite the enemies of the nation," reacted an Internet user supported by many others for whom the Moroccan authorities should not accept such a concert.

But for others, this campaign of hatred makes no sense. They consider that artists are free to go wherever they want. "You’re so hateful. Booba’s lyrics never bothered you when it came to featuring with him, huh little hypocritical opportunistic traitor! Good luck and if you’re hot for the challenge I’m here," replied an Internet user, recalling Booba’s recent song titled "Morocco" in tribute to the kingdom.

This is not the first time the rapper has found himself at the center of controversy in Morocco. In 2016, he was insulted and humiliated in a nightclub in Marrakech. In 2019, he had planned a showcase with his compatriot Kaaris in Morocco. But the rivalries between the two artists led Booba to post a video in which Kaaris spoke of Moroccan women in unflattering terms, causing a wave of outrage on the web. The concert was simply canceled.