This secound edition of Balacona brings a line up of Hip-hop artists and performers together in Amsterdam.

Balacona is a non-profit platform, born to fill the gap in the Amsterdam music scene when it comes to underground music and independent voices from North Africa (Maghreb). Our goal is to provide a vibrant stage space for artists and promote collaboration between them.

This event is supported by the Amsterdams Fonds voor Kunsten (AFK)

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Artists:

Nessyou is a Moroccan rapper and singer known for his versatile style and for blending elements of Hip-Hop. Rising to prominence in the Moroccan music scene, Nessyou gained popularity for his introspective lyrics and unique sound, addressing social issues and personal experiences in his music. He's celebrated for his ability to captivate audiences with his storytelling and emotive performances.
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Originally from the small Amazigh town of Khemisset, Khtek – "your sister" in Moroccan Arabic –, whose real name is Houda Abouz, is the fresh face of Moroccan female rap. In a music scene heavily dominated by men, she is emerging as the queen of her country's hip-hop in the 2020 BBC Women's ranking. Khtek started writing songs in 2016, and her free and creative rap doesn't hesitate to challenge the traditions of the Kingdom. Her most celebrated peers have given her a prominent place in their recent tracks: El Grande Toto, Don Bigg, and Draganov for "Hors Série," or Tagne and Stormy on "Fratello," just like her own videos "Kick Off," viewed over two million times on YouTube, or "Ftila," which stirred up social media. With her meticulously crafted and uncompromising groove tracks, along with her poetic and straightforward lyrics, Khtek asserts her Amazigh identity and denounces the inequalities and excesses of a patriarchal society that is often regressive. She embodies a new generation of strong, independent, and committed women. 
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OTAT is a rapper and visual artist hailing from Salé, Morocco, and now based in Amsterdam. His music blends rap and trap, infused with poetic and political lyrics inspired by his life experiences in Morocco and abroad. Writing poetry since childhood, OTAT delivers his rhymes in the Moroccan dialect, captivating audiences with energetic performances filled with audience interaction. Started off in 2019 recording his first tracks with producer Al Haqiqi, they’ll be bringing out their first collaboration release this Summer.
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Kayan, an artist hailing from Libya, breathes new life into the trap and hip-hop scene. With his Powerfull lyrics, style and distinctive voice, Kayan proudly represents the North African hip-hop scene, especially Libya.
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Al Haqiqi’s love for music expands all genres. His musical journey began with old skool hiphop, going to rock music and via drum n bass to techno and now back to hiphop. Playing booty shaking syncopated bass bangers when DJing Al Haqiqi knows how to get the crowd rekt.
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