Hamid El Kasri is a singer and guembri player and a maâlem (master musician) in the Gnawa tradition, which fuses elements of Islamic and sub-Saharan indigenous spiritual practices. Though Gnawa was not in his immediate family, he grew up immersed in the culture of Gnawa, and credits his initial inspiration for pursuing music to his grandmother’s husband, who was a formerly enslaved person from Sudan.

El Kasri is Vice President of the Yerma Gnaoua Association as well as a long-time pillar of the Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival. Beyond his devotion to Gnawa music, he has engaged in adventurous collaborations with artists such as Austrian pianist Joe Zawinul and Brooklyn-based jazz fusion group Snarky Puppy. He has also collaborated with British jazz fusion musician Jacob Collier, performing with him at the BBC Proms and contributing to his album Djesse Vol. 1.

Jury citation

"For exceptional artistry as a master of Gnawa music, lifelong dedication to preserving and renewing Morocco’s musical heritage, and inspiring work to foster dialogue and mutual respect across cultures."