Kat Harlton
Photos: Schael Marceus
Moroccan culture has gained global recognition through its diaspora, Montreal based artist, El Mehdi reveals it from a fresh and unapologetic perspective. Formerly known as Mehdi Bahmad, the artist, Moroccan-born and Canadian-raised after a brief time in France, makes a powerful return following a significant hiatus with the release of his debut single,“EL KASS HLOU.” This spirited and heartfelt bop, reinterprets the emblematic work of one of the pioneers in Moroccan popular modern music, Houcine Slaoui. The track was released via RENAISSANCE on all streaming platforms.
Produced by El Mehdi and SŪN JÙN (AntsLive, Ramengvrl, CHLOBOCOP, Tallisker), and mixed by Wez Clarke (Sam Smith, Beyoncé, RAYE) the song explores themes of love and desire. Paying homage to El Mehdi’s roots through the blending sounds of lush strings, infectious rhythms and nostalgia-infused melodies.
For the accompanying music video El Mehdi undertook extensive archival research, unearthing forgotten audiovisual treasures from Moroccan archives. The result is a previously untold narrative that celebrates the richness and diversity of Moroccan culture, especially that of the Amazigh, the Indigenous people of North Africa he is of descendant. In this dreamlike Maghrib, tradition and modernity intertwine, creating a mesmerizing and thought-provoking space. Ecstatic and intoxicating, “EL KASS HLOU” truly celebrates life, desire, and simple pleasures.
With a hybrid soundscape transcending genres, El Mehdi blends contrasting musical styles of pop, electro, classical, chaâbi and amazigh into a unique fusion that reflects his multicultural background and generation. His honey-laced vocals seamlessly interlace the musical traditions of North Africa while embracing French, English and Darija (the Moroccan Arabic).
His journey thus far has been shaped by both music and visuals, with imagery playing a central role in his artistic expression. Initially drawn to music through pop videos, he began writing for others, eventually turning his focus inward to create for himself, while studying visual arts. Despite these diverse influences, music continues to be his most authentic form of expression, leading him to reconnect with the roots he had once been denied.
El Mehdi has performed for capacity crowds including shows during Canadian Music Week, Pride Montreal, Nuit Blanche and Mode+Design. He has topped Anghami’s French Songs chart by reaching the 3rd spot, climbed to the 40th spot on Anghami’s Top International Downloads, peaked at the 21st spot on Deezer Daily Top 100 Lebanon for several days and was selected among the Best Arabic Indie Releases by Deezer.
The release of El Mehdi’s new song offers a glimpse of the freedom and empowerment he envisions while simultaneously setting the tone for his forthcoming musical project slated for release in 2025.
I had the opportunity to chat with El Mehdi about his debut single, his musical journey this past year, and more.
Kat: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your musical journey so far?
El Mehdi: I was born in Morocco, lived in France, and later moved to Canada with my family. My musical journey is a blend of my cultural roots and the experiences of living in different parts of the world. It has been influenced by all the fragments of my identity—sometimes contradictory—an experience I’ve come to realize is shared by many. This journey has also been deeply marked by healing and by coming to fully embracing these fragments.
Kat: What inspired you to create “EL KASS HLOU,” and what does the song represent to you both personally and culturally?
El Mehdi: EL KASS HLOU pays homage to Houcine Slaoui’s song. As a child, I grew up with Haja El Hamdaouia’s version, which frames the song as a tribute to Moroccan tea. Only years later did I uncover Houcine’s original interpretation, where the “sweet glass” symbolizes alcohol—which is haram. This change in meaning struck me as both unsettling and profoundly thought-provoking, revealing a layer of cultural censorship. Reimagining this classic allowed me to honor Houcine’s narrative while reclaiming our stories on a deeper level.
Kat: What was the creative process like for this single? Any unique challenges or memorable moments?
El Mehdi: The creative process for EL KASS HLOU was both fun and empowering. Collaborating with Sūn Jùn, we explored ways to weave Moroccan sounds into a modern dance-pop framework. One unforgettable moment was hearing the very first prod draft Sūn Jùn did after sending him a voice memo of me singing the song. Crafting the string arrangement was challenging but deeply rewarding, as I have a profound love for dramatic orchestration.
Kat: Which artists or genres have influenced your music the most?
El Mehdi: From a young age, I was immersed in Moroccan, Amazigh, and Arabic music, inspired by iconic artists like Samira Said, Najat Aatabou, Nass El Ghiwane, Mohammed Rouicha, Nancy Ajram, and Haifa Wehbe. At the same time, I developed a deep passion for pop music, especially female pop icons such as Shakira, the Pussycat Dolls, Lady Gaga, Kylie Minogue, Doja Cat, and Melanie Martinez.
Kat: What message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from your music?
El Mehdi: I hope my music evokes a sense of connection and empowerment. My goal is to inspire people to celebrate their roots while embracing their identities. I want to build a community. I feel guided to create the kind of music I longed for growing up. I also strive to create music that anyone, from anywhere, can enjoy.
Kat: What else can fans expect from you in 2025?
El Mehdi: You can definitely expect more music. I’m currently working on a larger project, with more visuals. While I may take my time releasing things, I’m very dedicated to what I do, and I wear many hats. Stay tuned!
Connect With El Mehdi
Instagram: @salamelmehdi
X/Twitter: @salamelmehdi