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Shobee

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Shobee
شعيب رباطي
Birth nameChouaib Ribati
Also known asShobee, Lone Wolf
Born (1991-05-12) May 12, 1991 (age 34)
OriginSafi, Morocco
Genres
Occupation(s)rapper, songwriter, music producer
Years active2006-present
LabelsWar Entertainment
Formerly ofShayfeen

Chouaib Ribati (Arabic: شعيب رباطي; born May 12, 1991)[1] better known by his stage name Shobee, is a Moroccan rapper, songwriter and music producer. Shobee first gained widespread recognition as one half of the influential rap duo Shayfeen, alongside Abdessamad Lamriq, known as Small X.[2] For over a decade, this duo was one of the most influential hip hop acts in Moroccan rap.[3][4] Together, they helped bring Moroccan rap to the international stage.[5] They are sometimes credited with popularizing trap music in Morocco, alongside 7liwa.[6][7][8][9] Shpbee's influence expanded further through his involvement with the international NAAR collective to contribute to the album ‘Safar’.[10][11][12]

Beyond his work with the group, Shobee also made a name for himself as a solo artist. He notably collaborated with Lomepal on the track “Ciel”[13] and with Madd and Laylow on “Money Call”.[14] Both songs amassed millions of streams on digital platforms, propelling Shobee into the spotlight.[15][16] He has released several successful singles, such as "Tcha Ra" (2028),[17] “L’Vibe” (2019),[18] “Dat Way” (2020),[19] “Makayn Tahed” (2021), and “Power – A ColorsxStudios” (2023).[20] That same year, he dropped his debut solo album, titled Howls, which was also well-received by audiences.[21][22]

Early life

[edit]

Chouaib Ribati, who would later become known as Shobee, was born on May 12, 1991, in Safi, a coastal city in Morocco. His formative years in Safi exposed him to a diverse array of musical genres, which fostered his passion for music and ultimately led him to pursue rap and hip-hop.[23]

Career

[edit]

As Shayfeen

[edit]

In 2006, Shobee co-founded the rap duo Shayfeen with Abdessamad Lamriq, or Small X.[24] This partnership quickly became a significant force within the burgeoning Moroccan hip-hop scene.[25][26] Shayfeen distinguished themselves through their unique sound and compelling lyrics, which frequently explored themes of ambition, societal challenges, and personal experiences.[27] They are credited with popularizing trap music to Morocco mid-2010s.[28][29] This new style was initially met with some misunderstanding, but it subsequently gained immense popularity following the release of their 2016 EP "07".[30]

In 2019, Shobee, as part of Shayfeen, joined the international artist collective NAAR. This affiliation provided a crucial platform for broader collaborations and significantly expanded their artistic reach beyond the borders of Morocco.[31][32]

As a member of NAAR, Shobee contributed to the Safar album, released in 2019. This album notably featured his solo appearances and significant collaborations, including "Ciel" with Lomepal and "Money Call" with Madd and Laylow.[33] These tracks garnered millions of listens across platforms, further propelling Shobee to the forefront of the music scene. Additional collaborations within the NAAR collective include "Can't Wait" with Amir Obè.[34][35]

Solo

[edit]

Following the disbandment of Shayfeen in 2021, Shobee fully transitioned into his solo career. His debut solo project, the album HOWLS, was released on June 22, 2023, featuring 18 tracks.[36][37] In his solo work, Shobee continues to expand the artistic boundaries of Moroccan rap, showcasing his versatility as an artist. Lyrically, his compositions delve into themes of personal upbringing, societal observations, youth experiences, and ambition.[38][39]

Shobee is particularly noted for his dynamic vocal delivery, which is often set against a backdrop of atmospheric, bass-heavy instrumentation.[40] His ability to effortlessly switch between Arabic and English within his tracks is a defining characteristic of his unique sound. His transition to a solo career after Shayfeen's separation allowed him to further develop his unique artistic voice.[41][42]

Other notable solo releases include the single "POWER - A COLORS SHOW," released on March 16, 2023, which was a standout track from his then-forthcoming debut album, making him the first Moroccan on ColorsxStudios.[43][44] His solo discography also features "Makayn Tahed", "Dat Way", and "L'VIBE". His collaborative efforts are extensive, including tracks like "Train De Vie" (featuring Laylow), "Committed" (featuring Snor), and "Work" (featuring Madd), among many others.[45][46][47][48]

Reception & impact

[edit]

His debut solo album, HOWLS, released in 2023, has garnered critical acclaim. A collective analysis by DimaTOP Magazine awarded the album an overall rating of 8.1/10, bestowing upon it a "TOP" rating for "Artistic Excellence & Impact". The review specifically highlighted its Lyricism (3.75/5), Flow and Delivery (4.42/5), Production (4.54/5), Coherence (4.21/5), and Impact and Influence (3.38/5).[49] This strong positive reception for his solo debut indicates his continued artistic relevance and ability to produce impactful work.[50]

His music has served as a catalyst for the "empowerment and emancipation of young Moroccans in the wake of the Arab Spring".[51] Shobee's lyrical content frequently mirrors the realities and struggles faced by youth, employing indirect messages or slang that resonate deeply with his audience.[52] He has articulated his artistic purpose as a "mission to push Moroccan youth to reach the end of their ambitions," demonstrating that success is attainable despite prevailing difficulties.[53]

Discography

[edit]

with Shayfeen

[edit]
  • L’Energie (Mixtape, 2012)
  • 07 (EP, 2016)

Solo

[edit]
  • HOWLS (Album, 2022)[54]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Shobee". Montreux Jazz Festival. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  2. ^ Belkhadra, Thémis (2018-10-18). "Shayfeen et le rap marocain, un long travail de sape(s)". VICE. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  3. ^ "Shayfeen : le groupe le plus populaire du Maroc". Mouv' (in French). 2019-02-11. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  4. ^ Sefraoui, Nadia (2019-03-06). "Shayfeen, un groupe de Rap qui cartonne". VH Magazine (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  5. ^ "A Rap & A Cup Of Tea - Shayfeen". A Rap & A Cup Of Tea. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  6. ^ Dazed (2019-09-13). "Meet the Moroccan trap artists reclaiming the Arab aesthetic". Dazed. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  7. ^ "This is what Moroccan 'trap' looks and sounds like". The FADER. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  8. ^ "7liwa: Morocco's Lil Wayne | Parallels Of Two Hip-Hop Icons". DimaTOP. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  9. ^ "Musique : quand le rap marocain passe à la trap". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  10. ^ "Shayfeen - NAAR". naar.fr (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  11. ^ L'équipe 1863 (2020-05-28). "SAFAR, l'étonnant mélange". 1863 (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "Morocco: ElGrandeToto, 7liwa, Naar… Rap in Darija goes international". The Africa Report.com. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  13. ^ Mouv', Team (2019-08-30). "Shobee et Lomepal nous donnent rendez-vous dans le "Ciel" avec un superbe clip". Mouv' (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  14. ^ "Les Marocains Shobee & Madd avec Laylow pour «Money Call» [VIDEOCLIP]". Booska-p (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  15. ^ Romdane, Sarah Ben (2020-07-24). "21 Boundary-Pushing Moroccan Artists Unite in New Exhibition - MILLE WORLD". Mille. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  16. ^ Alhusseini, Majid (2024-09-09). "Major Collaborations Between Middle Eastern and International Artists You Didn't Know About". Visionary Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  17. ^ Acseo, Admin (2018-04-25). "A VOIR : le rap marocain s'installe sur le parvis du Trocadéro avec Shayfeen, Ouenza, Toto, Madd et West". Clique.tv (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  18. ^ "Dosseh s'allie à Shayfeen pour « Kssiri » [VIDEOCLIP]". Booska-p (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  19. ^ "Shobee connaît la voie à suivre avec son nouveau single, "Dat Way" | PAM | Pan African Music". PAM | Pan African Music (in French). 2020-05-15. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  20. ^ "Shobee - Music, Videos, Bio | COLORS". COLORSxSTUDIOS. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  21. ^ "10 Arab Rap Songs We Can't Stop Listening To - MILLE WORLD". Mille. 2018-10-10. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  22. ^ "Top 10 Moroccan Rap Albums Of All Time | DimaTOP". DimaTOP. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  23. ^ "Concert Shobee (invited by Martha Kirszenbaum) | Festival Art Explora". www.artexplora.org. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  24. ^ LNT (2019-02-21). ""WA DRARI" : Le documentaire qui plonge au coeur du phénomène SHAYFEEN". La Nouvelle Tribune (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  25. ^ "Le duo Shayfeen au cœur d'un documentaire diffusé sur 2M". Telquel.ma (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  26. ^ Acseo, Admin (2019-05-28). "CLIQUE & CHILL : Shayfeen, l'éveil du rap marocain". Clique.tv (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  27. ^ Film-documentaire.fr. "Wa drari". Film Documentaire (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  28. ^ Acseo, Admin (2017-05-12). "Le rap marocain tient-il son nouvel hymne ?". Clique.tv (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  29. ^ "Rwipa, Moroccan Rap History". Rwipa. Archived from the original on 2025-01-18. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  30. ^ "McDonald's Maroc, Raïbi Jamila, Merendina… Moroccan brands love to rap". Telquel.ma (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  31. ^ "Shobee et Naar : la destinée du rap marocain - Radio Nova". Nova (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  32. ^ "shayfeen & madd (naar tour) + Nelick | Flow - Lille - Centre Eurorégional des Cultures Urbaines". flow.lille.fr. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  33. ^ "Le Marocain Shobee s'allie à Lomepal pour « Ciel » [VIDEOCLIP]". www.booska-p.com/ (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  34. ^ "L'Boulevard 2023: le rappeur Shobee signe son retour sur scène en solo". Le 360 Français (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  35. ^ "Vidéo. L'Boulevard. Après des années d'absence, Shobee signe un come-back triomphal". H24info (in French). 2023-11-17. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  36. ^ Bouzaroita, Majda (2024-07-03). "Meet The 5 Rappers Redefining North African Rap". Morocco World News. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  37. ^ "Dosseh annonce la sortie d'un son en feat avec Shayfeen ! [VIDEO]". Booska-p (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  38. ^ "'Voor Marokkaanse artiesten is cultuur maken een vorm van oorlogvoering'". NPO Radio 1 (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  39. ^ ELALAMI, Yassine. "Interview avec Shobee: « Ancrer mon art est la véritable essence de ma musique »". L'Opinion Maroc - Actualité et Infos au Maroc et dans le monde. (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  40. ^ "Top 10 Moroccan Rappers Of All Time | DimaTOP Magazine". DimaTOP. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  41. ^ "Shayfeen : l'appétit vient en mangeant... les toplines". PAM | Pan African Music (in French). 2020-04-15. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  42. ^ "Vidéo. Shayfeen : au Maroc, la rage de rapper". Le Monde.fr (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  43. ^ "Shobee signe sur son grand retour à travers Colors Studio | NRJ". www.nrjmaroc.com. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  44. ^ MASAITI, Amira EL (2023-03-18). "Rapper Shobee makes his comeback at the Colors music show". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  45. ^ "Vidéo. Shobee (Shayfeen) et Madd, le rap fraternel". H24info (in French). 2018-04-01. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  46. ^ "Shobee ramène Lomepal dans le clip de "Ciel" | Les Inrocks". Lesinrocks (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  47. ^ "La Gaîté Lyrique | [COMPLET] Shobee & Madd". La Gaîté Lyrique. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  48. ^ Twitter; Instagram (2018-04-25). "Shobee & Toto : "Être anti-système au Maroc, c'est se tirer 6 balles dans le pied"". Modzik (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11. {{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  49. ^ "Best Of Moroccan Rap - February 2025 Issue | DimaTOP". DimaTOP. 2025-06-09. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  50. ^ "Top 10 Moroccan Rap Albums Of All Time | DimaTOP". DimaTOP. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  51. ^ "Shobee". Montreux Jazz Festival. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  52. ^ "Shayfeen // Interview". Issuu. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  53. ^ "Shayfeen - NAAR". naar.fr (in French). Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  54. ^ alm (2023-06-28). "Shobee sort son premier album «Howls»". Aujourd'hui le Maroc (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-11.
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