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Moroccan Rapper Faces Prison for Controversial Song Criticizing Government
Thursday 7 November 2019, by
After his arrest on November 1, the rapper Gnawi, co-author and performer of the song, "3acha cha3b" ("Long live the people"), appeared before the Prosecutor of the King near the Court of First Instance of Salé on Monday. He is being prosecuted for "contempt and insult towards public officials in the exercise of their duties" and "insult towards a constituted body". He faces up to one year in prison.
Rap is by nature denunciation, commitment, insolence and, sometimes, recklessness, but never contempt or disrespect for the laws of the Kingdom. According to TelQuel, his arrest took place just two days after the publication on YouTube of the track, "3acha cha3b", in which he collaborated with the rappers, Weld L’Griya and LZ3ER.
A song whose counter already displays 8.4 million views, is at the top of the Moroccan trends on the video platform. According to a security source quoted by several media, his arrest "has nothing to do with the song in question".
The site describes the song "3acha cha3b" as a real social claim. It sings without filter the unequal distribution of wealth, the social movements and, in particular, the Hirak, the social disparities but also words of rare irreverence towards the Commander of the Faithful, the person of the King and one of his advisers.