Moroccan-Dutch rapper Ali B, once celebrated for his successful career and contributions to Dutch-Moroccan relations, has been sentenced to two years in prison for rape, marking a dramatic fall from grace. Moroccan-Dutch rapper Ali B has been sentenced to two years in prison for rape. The former coach of The Voice of Holland was found guilty of raping a woman identified only as «Naomi» in a writer's room in 2018. Previously, Ali B faced separate accusations of sexual assault from a contestant on The Voice. These charges, alleging inappropriate touching, were dropped by a Dutch court due to insufficient evidence. However, the rapper has a prior conviction for attempted rape. In 2014, the 42-year-old was found guilty of attempting to rape Dutch artist Ellen ten Damme while they were in Morocco. The court verdict stated, «Ali B's actions have seriously harmed the physical integrity of the victims. He was guided by his own sexual needs without taking into account the will of the victims or how his behavior would affect them». Ali B maintains his innocence and intends to appeal the verdict, his lawyer informed the Dutch national broadcaster NOS. From fame to court For years, Ali B has enjoyed a successful career as a rapper, TV host, producer, and beloved public figure in the Netherlands. Born to Moroccan parents, Ali Bouali grew up in the Netherlands. Before becoming a «role model» for the hip-hop community and the Dutch-Moroccan community, Ali B had a tough childhood. Growing up between Amsterdam-Oost and Almere, he dealt drugs during his teenage years. He even admitted in an interview that he once stole shoes from a mosque. «I stole shoes from a mosque a few times. That really affected me. My phones were gone while I was praying. That's when you get that karma feeling», he said. To steer him away from this path, his mother decided to send him to live with his grandparents in Morocco for ten months. There, he found refuge in Islam and rapping. Since then, his career has been in the spotlight. In 2004, he won several awards, including the Essent Award, Megaward, Zilveren Harp, Popprijs, Dutch Urban Award, two MOBO awards, and a TMF Award. That same year, he became the first rapper to have his own wax statue at the Madame Tussauds museum in Amsterdam. The wax museum approached him after a survey showed that the public wanted him to have a place in Madame Tussauds more than other celebrities. The «Cuddly Moroccan» Ali B also collaborated with American-Senegalese singer Akon on the song «Ghetto», which peaked at number 92 on the US Billboard Hot 100. He even gave Queen Beatrix, the former queen of the Netherlands, an impromptu hug during the 2005 Queen's Day celebrations, earning him the nickname «Cuddly Moroccan», a name he initially disliked but later embraced positively. In 2006, Ali B was even knighted as Baron van Ooit, receiving a seat on the most important avenue of the amusement park. This title was granted to him for his «commitment to children». Ali B became a representative of Dutch-Moroccan youth, making a name for himself in rap and TV production. In 2015, The Economist wrote that his «empathetic moments have probably done more to promote Dutch acceptance of Muslims than any policy could have achieved». He was considered the only «Moroccan-Dutch figure whom the PVV's leaders never attack». In 2021, Ali B wrote a personal development book in which he shares 12 life lessons. Alongside rapping, his TV career was also a success. In 2011, he hosted his own television show where he invited young rappers and artists to make covers. In 2013, he was a mentor on X Factor, and from 2013 to 2022, he served as a coach on The Voice of Holland. In 2020, he was a judge on Holland's Got Talent. However, in 2022, Ali B faced severe public backlash. In January of the same year, he was accused of sexual misconduct and rape. Just a month before his conviction, Ali B claimed he never had any indication that something was happening against someone's will.
