Saad Lamjarred: 10 essential songs you have to know
Quick facts
- Origin: Rabat, Morocco
- Born: April 7, 1985
- Genre: Moroccan Pop, Arabic Pop
- Active since: 2007
- Known for: Blending traditional North African rhythms with modern pop production
About Saad Lamjarred
Saad Lamjarred has become one of the Arab world’s most influential artists, known for blending traditional North African sounds with contemporary pop production. Born on April 7, 1985, in Rabat, Morocco, Lamjarred’s journey to stardom began with his participation in Super Star (the Arab version of American Idol) in 2007.
Growing up in an artistic family – his father being the renowned Moroccan singer Bachir Abdou – Saad was immersed in music from an early age. After his television debut, he gradually built his career through singles and collaborations, eventually becoming one of the most streamed Arab artists worldwide. His unique style of combining Moroccan Arabic dialects with modern beats has earned him a massive following across the Middle East and North Africa.
Essential Saad Lamjarred songs
From his record-breaking hit Lm3allem to cross-cultural collaborations, here are the essential Saad Lamjarred songs that deserve a spot in your Arabic playlist. Each track showcases his unique ability to blend traditional Moroccan elements with contemporary pop production.
Lm3allem (2015)
This breakthrough hit, performed in Moroccan Arabic (Darija), combines traditional North African percussion with modern pop elements. The song’s title means “The Boss” or “The Master” in Moroccan dialect. It made history as the first Arabic music video to surpass 1 billion views on YouTube.
🎵 Listen to LM3ALLEM on Spotify
Ghaltana (2016)
Sung in Moroccan Arabic, “Ghaltana” (meaning “Mistaken”) features a fusion of Arabic pop with R&B influences. The track showcases Lamjarred’s signature vocal style and was released as a follow-up to LM3ALLEM’s success.
🎵 Listen to Ghaltana on Spotify
Lewjah Tani ft. Zouhair Bahaoui (2021)
A collaborative track bringing together two of Morocco’s most prominent contemporary artists. “Lewjah Tani” (meaning “The Other Face”) combines modern Moroccan pop with electronic elements, featuring lyrics in Moroccan Darija.
🎵 Listen to Lewjah Tani on Spotify
Ghazali (2018)
“Ghazali” (meaning “My Gazelle,” a term of endearment) became one of Lamjarred’s most successful releases. The track blends traditional Moroccan rhythms with contemporary pop production and has garnered hundreds of millions of views.
🎵 Listen to Ghazali on Spotify
Let Go (2017)
This track marked Lamjarred’s first major English-language release, showcasing his versatility as an artist. The song incorporates both Western pop elements and subtle Middle Eastern influences in its production.
Adda Elkalam (2020)
Released during the global pandemic, “Adda Elkalam” (meaning “The Talk is Over”) features a mix of traditional Arabic musical elements with modern production. The track is performed entirely in Egyptian Arabic dialect, showcasing Lamjarred’s versatility across different Arabic dialects.
🎵 Listen to Adda Elkalam on Spotify
Ensay ft. Mohamed Ramadan (2019)
A high-profile collaboration between two of the Arab world’s biggest stars. “Ensay” (meaning “Forget”) combines Egyptian and Moroccan dialects, featuring a distinctive mix of North African and Middle Eastern pop styles.
Men Awel Dekika with Elissa (2022)
This duet with Lebanese superstar Elissa, “Men Awel Dekika” (meaning “From the First Minute”), is performed in Egyptian Arabic dialect. The collaboration brings together two distinct styles of Arabic pop.
🎵 Listen to Men Awel Dekika on Spotify
Ana Machi Sahel (2016)
“Ana Machi Sahel” (meaning “I’m Not Easy”) showcases Lamjarred’s signature style of mixing traditional Moroccan elements with contemporary pop production. The track is performed in Moroccan Darija. The music video features touching moments with his fans and includes an appearance by his mother.
🎵 Listen to Ana Machi Sahel on Spotify
Guli Mata with Shreya Ghoshal (2023)
A groundbreaking cross-cultural collaboration between Lamjarred and renowned Indian playback singer Shreya Ghoshal. The track combines Arabic and Indian musical elements, featuring lyrics in Arabic, Hindi, and English.
🎵 Listen to Guli Mata on Spotify
More about Saad Lamjarred
- Saad frequently collaborates with Moroccan producer RedOne, known for his work with Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez
- His music videos are known for their high production value and cinematic quality
- Many of his songs combine traditional Arabic instruments like oud and qanun with modern pop production
- His fan base extends beyond the Arab world, with significant followings in Turkey, India, and parts of Europe
- He regularly performs at major music festivals across the Middle East and North Africa
- Despite his commercial success, Lamjarred’s career has been marked by controversy due to several legal issues, though he maintains his innocence and continues to receive strong support from fans across the Arab world
- His music consistently tops Arabic streaming charts, with several videos reaching hundreds of millions of views
