Issam
Birth nameIssam Harris
Birth dateMay 22, 1993 (age 33)
Birth placeDerb Sultan, Casablanca, Morocco
OccupationRapper
Years active2016–present[1]
Issam (rapper)
Backgroundsolo_singer
InstrumentVocals

Issam Harris (Arabic: عصام حريص, born 22 May 1993), known mononymously as Issam, is a Moroccan rapper, songwriter and photographer.[2] He was born in Derb Sultan, Casablanca and became known in 2018 with his song and music video, "Trap Beldi".[3][4] This track allowed him to gain popularity being one of the first Moroccan trap songs to get millions on YouTube[5][6][7] and it was included in BBC's list of the "Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time," being the only Moroccan rapper on the list.[8]

In May 2019, Issam signed a contract with Universal Music France, in what was considered the biggest ever deal for North African hip-hop.[9][10] His debut album "Crystal" was officially released on May 6, 2021.[11]

Artistic style

What is particular of Issam's music is the blending of autotuned vocals delivered in Darija, and classic TR 808-generated beats with elements from traditional North African music. Many of Issam's works are influenced by raï—specifically by Cheb Hasni.[12][13][14]

Discography

Albums

  • Crystal (2021)

Singles

  • 2016: "Taba Taba"
  • 2017: "Rolex"
  • 2017: "Hasni"
  • 2018: "Bavra"
  • 2018: "Caviar"
  • 2018: "Trap Beldi"
  • 2019: "Makinch Zhar"
  • 2020: "Nike"
  • 2020: "Power Rangers"
  • 2021: "Wra Tabi3a"
  • 2021: "Hendrix"
  • 2022: "Phantom"
  • 2022: "YA HASRA"

See also

References

  1. ^ "Issam ⋆ Musique Urbaine ⋆ Le portail Hip Hop Rap RnB". Musique Urbaine
  2. ^ Vinti, Mike. "Issam is leading a new movement in Morocco". Crack Magazine. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  3. ^ "Moroccan Issam Harris signs the biggest deal ever for any Arab artist with Universal France". The Arab Edition. 2019-05-26. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  4. ^ Tapponi, Roisin (2019-08-01). "Issam Harris: the Moroccan Rapper You Need to Know - MILLE WORLD". Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  5. ^ "ISSAM – Trap Beldi", 8 July 2019, retrieved 8 July 2019
  6. ^ "The Gritty Rise Of Issam". Gentlemen's Quarterly. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
  7. ^ "Meet ISSAM, the Moroccan rapper making globalized 'trap'". The FADER
  8. ^ "The greatest hip-hop songs of all time – who voted". www.bbc.com. 2019-10-08. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  9. ^ "Issam, le nouveau prince de la trap marocaine – Jeune Afrique" (in fr-FR). JeuneAfrique.com. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
  10. ^ "ISSAM - Universal Music France" (in fr-FR). universalmusic.fr. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
  11. ^ Saeed, Saeed. "Rapper Issam Harris wants to showcase Moroccan youth culture to the world with debut album 'Crystal'". The National. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  12. ^ "Reclaiming Culture & Aestheticising Nostalgia: Issam Harris & Moroccan Rap's New Frontier". SecneNow. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  13. ^ Dazed (2019-09-13). "Meet the Moroccan trap artists reclaiming the Arab aesthetic". Dazed. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
  14. ^ "Issam - NAAR". naar.fr