Moroccan Music Icon Abdelmounaim El Jamaï Dies at 73

Abdelmounaim El Jamaï, one of the pioneers of modern Moroccan song and one of its best voices, known and recognized, is no more. His family, who announced the sad news on Sunday, is organizing his funeral at the Sidi Messaoud cemetery in Hay Riyad after the Addohr prayer.

Abdelmounaim El Jamaï was born in 1948 in Salé. At the beginning of his career, he interpreted the great classics of Arab singing stars, including Abdelhalim Hafez. He learned to play the Lute at the Conservatory of Music for five years. The song "Nihaya", composed by the late Mohamed Iraqui and arranged by the late Hamid Benbrahim, will launch his artistic career in 1968.

During his career, he has shown exceptional musical ability, especially in "zajal" and "qassida". The deceased is the author of several hit songs including "Ja Fi al Miaad". He contributed to the enrichment of the Moroccan musical repertoire and worked with a group of great lyricists and composers.

In August 2016, the deceased was decorated by King Mohammed VI with the Ouissam Al Moukafâa Al Wataniya of the 3rd class (Officer).