Madd's Album Sensus:
Exploring Spiritual & Musical Innovation in Moroccan Rap
Most rap albums follow a familiar formula, but Madd’s Sensus breaks the mold. This second album from the Moroccan artist is a bold exploration of new musical frontiers and inner spiritual landscapes. As the Canadian novelist Robertson Davies famously said, “The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.” This quote captures the spirit of Sensus: much of its meaning requires the listener to dig deep, embrace open-mindedness, and be willing to journey inward.
When Madd unveiled Sensus on Instagram, he described it as more than just an album drop, it was the culmination of a transformative journey. “The path has been paved, the road was long and challenging but it only served to make me stronger and discover more of myself along the way,” he wrote, setting an introspective tone for what listeners could expect.
He insisted that Sensus is a “genre-bending album” designed to “share emotions and perspective,” and give fans a chance to “peek inside my soul along this journey through sound.” For Madd, this project is deeply personal: “After years of perfecting my craft, I’ve put my own existence into melodies and words, with the hope of reaching the little kid sleeping inside each one of us, and give his struggles some sense… some SĒNSUS.”
Musical Innovation: Exploring New Sounds and Genres
From the outset, Sensus stands apart due to Madd’s willingness to experiment. The album draws on a variety of genres: electronic music, UK 2-step garage, innovative trap rhythms, R&B melodies, and even subtle touches of rock. Unlike many commercial releases, Sensus features instrumental tracks performed acoustically, not merely programmed using production software. This commitment to organic sound design marks a significant evolution in Madd’s artistry and pushes the boundaries of the Moroccan rap scene.
Lead single of MADD’s second album — Expensive (Official Music Video) | 23 October 2024
The Spiritual and Psychological Journey at the Heart of Sensus
Unchained: The Sound of Inner Struggle
The album opens with “Unchained,” a track filled with distorted sounds that mirror psychological suffering and the chaos within. This sets the tone for the journey that unfolds, a journey into the self, with all its challenges and revelations.
Expensive: The Price of Self-Discovery
On “Expensive,” Madd reflects on the high cost of truly knowing oneself. Freedom and self-knowledge come at a price: confronting your own trauma and problems, realizing that you can’t escape yourself. This ongoing psychological struggle, as experienced by Madd (or Mehdi), has forged a resilient character, adaptable to any situation, a theme explored further in tracks like “Extendo” and “Spliff.”
Madd’s first lines on Expensive:
"I spent all my life trying to escape it,
Bach nahreb men rassi ga3ma kayn fen, (nowhere to run from myself),
Haz hemmi fou9 ktafi and i'm rolling, (I carry my suffering on my shoulders & I'm rolling),
Yeah it get's hard; yeah it get's heavy on my soul."
Ego, Isolation, and Spiritual Growth
Carcera: Facing the Ego
The track “Carcera” (meaning “Prison” or “Isolation”) represents Madd’s confrontation with his own ego. The ego is always present—an entity that can deceive and challenge us. In the song, this is symbolized by distorted vocals, pitch shifts, and reverb effects. Madd’s conclusion isn’t to destroy the ego, but to learn to coexist with it, recognizing it as an inseparable part of the self.
Yin Yang: Exploring the Complexity of Good and Evil
On “Yin Yang,” Madd delves into the duality of human nature, showing that good and evil are not simple opposites but exist within each other, completing a complex whole. Guest artists Xcep and Small X deliver exceptional verses that further enrich the track’s philosophical layers.
Second M/V from the album: Madd Ft. Snor — Drive (Official Music Video) | 19 November 2024
Signs, Introspection, and the Journey of Self-Discovery
Lost Chapter: The Search for Meaning
Not everything that is felt can be put into words, a theme captured in the track “Lost Chapter.” Here, Madd explores introspection, the journey of self-discovery, and the changes that create doubt and transformation. The question “Who am I?” becomes central. Madd ultimately reaches a point of no return, burning bridges to his old comfort zones.
The Ongoing Quest for Self-Knowledge
Though this journey brings psychological challenges, Madd recognizes that the answer lies ahead. As he says, “What’s past is past.” The truth, like the sun, is hard to look at, but it must eventually be faced. “End of Time” closes the album with hope: only you can save yourself, and understanding life’s codes is key to overcoming your inner struggles.
The Art of Simplicity: Lyrical Depth Without Complexity
Breaking Down Barriers in Rap Writing
Some rap purists may criticize Madd’s writing for lacking intricate rhyme schemes or dense wordplay. However, his style echoes the literary school of Russian formalism, which values the effect and function of art over its technical form. Madd’s genius lies in his ability to communicate profound truths with simple, accessible language. He replaces complex rhyme with impactful toplines, melodies, and flow techniques that give him the freedom to express deep emotions.
Lyrics That Resonate
A standout example appears in “No Permission”:
“You ask about the way, tell me when you’ll realize everyone here is lost.”
On the surface, this line seems straightforward, but its message is powerful: you must love and trust yourself, and not wait for others to tell you how to live. True answers come from within.
Music as Catharsis: Healing Through Creation
For Madd, music is more than a career—it’s a form of catharsis and spiritual healing. He expresses that music, not money or fame, is the true goal. This passion shines through every track on Sensus, echoing the Sufi poet Rumi’s words: “The wound is the place where the light enters you.” Madd sees pain and heartbreak as gateways to deeper understanding and spiritual connection.
Album Artwork: The Symbolism of the Eye
The Sensus album cover features an eye, a symbol of insight, the “third eye,” or a sixth sense. Madd encourages listeners to develop this intuition to connect more deeply with themselves, with others, and with the Creator.
Watch the video version of this review by 3ab9or (in Moroccan Arabic) | 21 November 2024
Conclusion: Sensus—An Album of Growth and Spiritual Awakening
Madd’s Sensus is a landmark in contemporary Moroccan music, a work that dares to experiment musically while tackling deeply personal and spiritual themes. Through its innovative sound, honest introspection, and philosophical lyricism, the album invites listeners to join Madd on a journey of self-discovery, growth, and healing. It’s a vivid reminder that in rap, as in life, meaning is often found beneath the surface, waiting for those prepared to see.
