Naïma Samih, Icon of Moroccan music, passes away at 72

Naïma Samih, a legendary figure in Moroccan music, has passed away at the age of 72 after a long illness. Born in 1953 in Casablanca's Derb Sultan neighborhood, she left an indelible mark on both the Moroccan and Arab music scenes.

Coming from a conservative family, Naïma had to leave school in 1966 to train in hairdressing and aesthetics. However, her passion for music quickly led her to talent discovery shows on Moroccan Radio-Television, including Mohammed Bouanani’s Khamiss al Had and Abdenbi Jirari’s Maouahib. Despite her family's initial reluctance, her talent and determination eventually won them over.

Her distinctive voice, blending softness and melancholy, evoked the rich tones of female singers from Morocco’s southern Amazigh regions. Among her most iconic songs are Yak A Jarhi, Ghab Aaliya Lehlal, and El Bahhara, considered masterpieces of Moroccan music.

In the 1980s, Naïma Samih captivated Tunisian audiences with a performance at the Carthage amphitheater, strengthening cultural ties between Morocco and Tunisia. Her unique voice and rich repertoire earned her recognition across the Arab world.

Throughout her career, she collaborated with some of Morocco’s most prominent musicians, including Abdallah Issami, Ali Haddani, Abdelkader Rachdi, Mohamed Bennabdelssalam, and Abdelwahab Doukkali.

Known for her humility and discretion, she remained beloved by both her peers and her audience. Her last public tribute came in 2016 during the Voix de Femmes festival in Tetouan.

In December 2024, her health deteriorated, requiring hospitalization in Rabat. Though she experienced a brief improvement that allowed her to return home, she passed away on March 8, 2025, leaving behind an invaluable musical legacy.