The 20th edition of Mawazine – Rhythms of the World will spotlight the vibrant pulse of Afrobeats, one of the most influential sounds shaping today's global music scene. On Thursday, June 26, 2025, Rabat's OLM Souissi stage will be swept by Lagos vibes, led by two of Nigeria's biggest stars: Wizkid and Lojay. Kicking off the night is none other than Lojay, Afrobeats' rising prince. Known for his bold and emotionally rich style, Lojay brings fresh energy to the genre while honoring the legacy of its pioneers. Bursting onto the scene with Monalisa — his international hit with Chris Brown and Sarz, which reached the Top 10 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats chart — Lojay quickly made a name for himself as a key voice in afrofusion. He followed up with Sensational, featuring Davido and Chris Brown, earning a 2024 Grammy nomination. In 2025, Lojay continues his meteoric rise with Somebody Like You, a new track produced by Sarz that explores love and vulnerability with striking depth. Taking the spotlight later that evening is the genre's global superstar, Wizkid. Known as Starboy, he has redefined Afrobeats with timeless tracks like Essence, Ojuelegba, Come Closer, and One Dance with Drake — making him the first Nigerian artist to enter the Billboard Hot 100 and earn platinum certification in the U.S. His collaborations with Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, and Chris Brown have taken Afrobeats to the main stages of the world's biggest festivals. With over 5 billion streams across platforms, Wizkid's influence is unmatched. His critically acclaimed album Morayo (2024), featuring Brent Faiyaz and Tiakola, revealed a more mature and introspective side, while his latest release KESE is already climbing the charts. As part of a sold-out world tour spanning Paris, New York, Toronto, and Berlin, Wizkid's stop in Rabat will be nothing short of historic. Festival Mawazine – Rhythms of the World runs from June 20 to 28, 2025 in Rabat.
