The L'Boulevard 2026 music competition, held from September 17 to 19 at the R.U.C., has announced its six winners. The competition, which aims to promote emerging musical talent in Morocco, received numerous applications across three categories: Rap/Hip-Hop, Fusion/Other contemporary music, and Rock/Metal. After a rigorous selection process, six winners were chosen, with two prizes awarded in each category. The winners will receive a week's training at Boultek from September 21 to 26.
In the Rap/Hip-Hop category, Shinohidden from Berkane took first prize. Shinohidden's music style combines rap with various languages, rhythms, and production styles, including trap and atmospheric sounds. His music often features collaborations with other artists, such as Achflan, and incorporates elements of raï, blues, rock, and gnawa music. BrownY Original from Casablanca secured second prize in the category, with a drill sound that blends trap, old school, and street aesthetics.
The Fusion/Other contemporary music category saw Metrotune from Casablanca-Settat take first prize. Formed in March 2026, Metrotune is a six-piece band that fuses Moroccan music with salsa, rock, and gnawa elements. The group's music is characterized by its energetic and lively sound, which combines rock and metal guitar and bass, Latin piano, gnawa percussion, and chaâbi-inspired drumming. Arinass from Fès won second prize in the category, with a sound that blends traditional Moroccan music with contemporary grooves and international influences.
In the Rock/Metal category, Lixivia from Salé took first prize with their crossover thrash sound. Formed in 2024, Lixivia combines aggressive thrash metal with hardcore punk energy, drawing inspiration from bands like Municipal Waste and Toxic Holocaust. Darih from Casablanca secured second prize, with a Black/Death Metal sound that explores Morocco's history, folklore, and mythology. The group's music features a mix of death metal, black metal, and haunting lyrics.
The six winners will benefit from a week's training at Boultek, which aims to provide them with the skills and expertise needed to succeed in the music industry. The training program, which runs from September 21 to 26, will cover various aspects of music production, performance, and promotion. This support is expected to help the winners take their music to the next level and gain greater exposure in the Moroccan music scene.
The L'Boulevard 2026 competition is a significant initiative that aims to promote emerging musical talent in Morocco. The event provides a platform for young musicians to showcase their skills and gain recognition in the industry. The competition's organizers hope that the event will help to foster a vibrant and diverse music scene in Morocco, with a wide range of styles and genres represented.
The winners of the L'Boulevard 2026 competition are: Rap/Hip-Hop - Shinohidden (Berkane) and BrownY Original (Casablanca); Fusion/Other contemporary music - Metrotune (Casablanca-Settat) and Arinass (Fès); Rock/Metal - Lixivia (Salé) and Darih (Casablanca).
Key points
- The competition's winners will receive a week's training at Boultek from September 21 to 26.
- The event aims to promote emerging musical talent in Morocco and provide a platform for young musicians to showcase their skills.
- The winners represent a diverse range of musical styles and genres, including rap, fusion, rock, and metal.
