Our Diaspora: Yasin on Hip-Hop from The Bay to Morocco
Introduction: Bridging Continents through Music and Identity
In an exclusive conversation with DimaTOP Magazine, rising Moroccan-American rapper Yasin Benhaddou opens up about his journey — from making songs in his garage to founding a multinational collective. As the first feature in our new series spotlighting Moroccan diaspora artists, Yasin shares his influences, challenges, and ambitions to blend his cultural heritage with modern hip-hop.
Over the coming months, we’ll highlight more voices like Yasin’s, artists redefining what it means to carry Morocco with them, wherever they land. This series aims to introduce these groundbreaking artists and their contributions, not only to Moroccan audiences eager to connect with their global ambassadors, but also to a wider international community ready to discover the next wave of hip-hop innovators. This is just the beginning of a larger conversation about identity, creativity, and the power of the Moroccan diaspora; the Our Diaspora is here.
Roots: Where Was Yasin Raised?
Yasin Benhaddou, best known mononymously as Yasin, is a Moroccan-American rapper and songwriter, born and raised in Northern California’s culturally rich Bay Area near San Francisco. He later moved to Los Angeles on a scholarship to University of Southern California, graduating in 2022. His household was a Moroccan bubble, enriched with traditional food and cultural values, while the outside world exposed him to a vibrant mix of ethnicities and cultures.
Growing up in the Bay Area, Yasin was surrounded by a melting pot of cultures. This unique upbringing gave him a distinct perspective, blending Moroccan traditions with the diverse cultural influences of Northern California. The Bay’s hyper-local scene shaped him profoundly. Seeing artists like G-Eazy rise from his locally (even spotting G-Eazy grabbing burritos in Berkeley) made success feel tangible, Yasin puts it, made the dream feel “more realistic, more attainable.”
Influences: Who Shaped Yasin’s Sound?
Yasin’s earliest influences came from his older brother, Salim, who introduced him to 2000s rock bands like Green Day, All-American Rejects, and One Republic. Simultaneously, he absorbed the sounds of hip-hop legends like Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, and Kanye West. But the true catalyst was the Bay Area’s homegrown hip-hop explosion. Yasin vividly describes how artists like those in the HBK Gang, Iamsu, and G-Eazy didn’t just create music; they “influenced more than just the music. They influenced clothes and, you know, the slang and how people express themselves.”
This comprehensive cultural impact resonated deeply with Yasin, inspiring him to forge his own path in music. This local scene remains foundational. While Yasin’s sound isn’t “traditional” Bay Area, his delivery, cadence, and attitude are unmistakably stamped by the region. He aims to carve his “own path by putting all these different influences” into his work. Though he began releasing music at 17, his consistent creative grind started just 1.5 years ago, initially from his garage. This relentless hustle, paired with the Bay’s distinct local energy, ignited his recent breakthrough.
Yasin x Ermaine – Cali 2 Morocco (Official Music Video)
Identity: What Challenges Face a Moroccan Diaspora Artist?
One of the challenges Yasin faced as a Moroccan diaspora artist was a sense of isolation regarding his cultural identity. Having only visited Morocco a few times and not knowing another Moroccan until he was 19, his Moroccan culture primarily existed within his household. He notes, “in my house I’m Moroccan. But when I step outside, there’s no trace of culture.” This created a feeling of being “in the middle,” not entirely American nor fully Moroccan, even though his household was deeply traditional (Moroccan food and mint tea daily).
Despite this challenge, Yasin views it as both a “blessing and a curse.” This in-between identity has resonated with fans globally, particularly in Morocco, Paris, and Montreal, who now embrace him as an “American rapper with Moroccan roots,” finding his perspective fresh. This unique position has allowed him to connect with a diverse audience and learn more about his heritage more, turning a potential hurdle into an opportunity for broader appeal and cultural connection.
Culture: How Does Yasin’s Moroccan Heritage Define Him?
Yasin’s heritage is central to his identity, influencing his values, worldview, and how he interacts with others. He emphasizes that “being Moroccan has a huge influence on who I am as a person and how I was raised by my parents and how [I] treat people and how I act and how I think.” This deep-seated cultural upbringing, though experienced primarily within his family home, shapes his personal ethics, which inevitably trickle into his artistic expression. His name itself became a symbol of pride. “Yasin” is rare in the US (he knew no one else with it growing up), making it authentically tied to his roots. He chose it as his stage name to honor this uniqueness and cultural connection, despite its commonality in Morocco.
While he admits that his music isn’t heavily rooted in Moroccan melodies or lyrics yet, his upbringing has shaped his character. He strives to represent his heritage authentically, balancing his Moroccan identity with his experiences growing up in America. Recent trips to Morocco are deepening this bond. He’s now committed to visiting multiple times yearly, immersing himself to better understand and represent his heritage. This evolving connection directly fuels his mission to blend Moroccan elements into hip-hop.
Yasin’s Freestyle On The Radar.
Morap: How is Yasin Infusing Moroccan Sounds into Hip-Hop?
Yasin’s multicultural upbringing and exposure to diverse sounds make his music unique. While he doesn’t strictly adhere to Bay Area or Moroccan music traditions, traces of both are evident in his style. Yasin is actively working to integrate Moroccan elements into his music. He’s learning more Darija to incorporate it into his lyrics and is collaborating with Moroccan producers and artists to infuse “Moroccan elements” and “Afro sound” into his beats.
Even though not at the top of his list, but Yasin is open to contributing to Morap, a subgenre blending Moroccan sounds with rap. He believes that “especially in the United States, no one’s doing it,” signifying a wide-open lane for this unique fusion. He’s even considering sampling traditional Moroccan music, such as Gnaoua rhythms or classics from artists like Stati, to craft innovative tracks. His dream collaboration? With Moroccan-Belgian global hitmaker Dystinct, being his “dream feature from Morocco right now.” Yasin feels their sounds could mesh perfectly.
Global Brotherhood: Collaborating with the Moroccan Diaspora
Yasin has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering connections among Moroccan diaspora artists through his founding of Maroc Boyzz – a transnational collective unites Moroccan-American artists (including New York rapper LostBoy, Virginia-native bassist 48th Street, and Massachusetts R&B vocalist Ish) with Moroccan-British artists like Ermaine, each contributing distinct regional influences from their US/UK bases.
This isn’t just a rap group; it’s a strategic alliance. Yasin created it to pool resources, cross-promote, and amplify their shared heritage in a space with few Moroccans. He believes in the power of unity and sees collaboration as a way to uplift the Moroccan music scene globally. Their first project, a multi-artist compilation showcasing their diverse sounds, is set to drop by the end of 2025.
Yasin x Ermaine — Lalla (Official Music Video)
What’s Next? Yasin’s Vision for the Future
Yasin’s immediate focus is the Maroc Boyzz compilation. Fans can look forward to a wave of new music and creative projects. The Maroc Boyzz compilation will showcase the diverse sounds of Moroccan diaspora artists expected to drop “towards the end of the year [2025]”, while Yasin’s solo work will continue to shine.
He plans a Morocco trip this summer to meet artists in person, believing face-to-face collaboration is key. Yasin is set to bring his unique blend of Moroccan and American influences to an even broader audience.
Bonus: Anime & Ambition
Yasin’s love for anime (Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer and classics like Naruto and One Piece) isn’t just a hobby, it’s a creative goal. Longer-term, he dreams of writing an anime and scoring the soundtrack – a passion since childhood. Yasin is a self-proclaimed “anime nerd” with a Trafalgar Law sword in his studio.
Yasin is more than just an artist; he’s a cultural bridge, blending the best of his Moroccan roots with his American upbringing. As he continues to experiment with sounds and collaborate with artists worldwide, Yasin is poised to become a global force in the music industry. Stay tuned, this is just the beginning.
Conclusion: Yasin Benhaddou is Here to Influence
Yasin’s story is more than just a hip-hop journey, it’s a testament to the power of cultural fusion. From the Bay Area’s local rap scene to the rising wave of Morap, he’s proving that heritage and innovation can create something entirely fresh. With collaborations spanning from New York to London and a collective of diaspora artists uniting under Maroc Boyzz, Yasin is helping build a movement where Moroccan identity thrives on a global stage.
The call is clear: Dive into Yasin’s discography now and witness the unfolding narrative of an artist confidently carving out his unique space, and follow the rise of Maroc Boyzz. What are your thoughts on Yasin’s approach to hip-hop? Share your insights in the comments below, and stay tuned for the next installment in our series celebrating Moroccan diaspora artists!
Follow Yasin’s journey: @yasinb26
