Moroccan Singer Criticizes Cultural Grant Distribution, Defends Excluded Artists

The first point of the denunciation made by the Moroccan singer is related to the choice of eligible artists for such a grant, which aims to compensate the consequences that Moroccan artists must endure throughout the health crisis. "1.4 million dirhams have been granted to people who have contributed nothing to the cultural scene," laments Latifa Raâfat.

She recounts that while artists like Saâd Lamjarred who really need the grant have been excluded, some who do not deserve to benefit from it have pocketed it. "In the list released by the Ministry of Culture, there are, among the beneficiaries, people who don’t even live in Morocco. I even saw, with my own eyes, the name of a person who has a construction company."

Saâd Lamjarred had a meteoric international career. His fee for a single performance was $150,000. But the rape scandals for which he is still being prosecuted have tarnished his career with some inconveniences. Latifa Raâfat believes that this grant could help the artist to regain a certain health, before giving a boost to his career.