Issam (rapper)

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Issam
Born
Issam Harris

(1993-05-22) May 22, 1993
Derb Sultan, Casablanca, Morocco
OccupationRapper
Years active2016–present[1]
Musical career
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 4 September 2025.
  3. "Moroccan Issam Harris signs the biggest deal ever for any Arab artist with Universal France". The Arab Edition. 26 May 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  4. Tapponi, Roisin (1 August 2019). "Issam Harris: the Moroccan Rapper You Need to Know - MILLE WORLD". Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  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. 8 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
  9. "Issam, le nouveau prince de la trap marocaine – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  10. "ISSAM - Universal Music France". universalmusic.fr (in French). Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  11. Saeed, Saeed. "Rapper Issam Harris wants to showcase Moroccan youth culture to the world with debut album 'Crystal'". The National. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  12. "Reclaiming Culture & Aestheticising Nostalgia: Issam Harris & Moroccan Rap's New Frontier". SecneNow. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  13. Dazed (13 September 2019). "Meet the Moroccan trap artists reclaiming the Arab aesthetic". Dazed. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  14. "Issam - NAAR". naar.fr.