Best Moroccan Rapper, Track and Music Video of the Month
This month’s top picks were democratically chosen through an interactive survey on our Instagram account @dimatopmagazine. Here are the winners of August 2025:
Rapper of the Month: Small X
Small X is the best rapper of August. He shook the Moroccan hip-hop scene by igniting a rap beef and sparking a major debate about what constitutes “real rap.” The drama started with some back and forth on social media with some rappers, including Shaw, which quickly moved to the studio. Small X kicked things off with his diss track, “DIKEÇ #1,” on August 4, 2025. Shaw fired back five days later with “#LEWLA_ 7ADARIA.” The beef continued when Small X dropped his second diss track, “DIKEÇ #2,” on August 16, 2025. Shaw’s reply, “MIKEC,” came out on August 31, 2025. Small X’s ability to keep the scene buzzing throughout the month proves he is worthy of the title.
Track (Solo) of the Month: Chabab by Raid
The best solo rap song of the month is “Chabab” (The Youth) by Raid, released on August 21 to coincide with Youth Day in Morocco. The track’s power lies in its raw, honest portrayal of the struggles and hopelessness faced by young people in the country. The lyric, “Eid Chabab bla chabab” (Youth Day without Youth), perfectly captures the song’s essence and the feelings of a disillusioned generation. In an Instagram post, the artist dedicated the song to the late rapper Nab Fake and to every listener who connected with its message. The song’s cover art features 3 identical images of a cake on the ground, surrounded by rats. Under each picture, a different word is written: ‘karama’ (dignity), ‘3adala’ (justice), and ‘7uriya’ (freedom). This visual is a powerful metaphor for the wasted potential of youth, with the rats likely symbolizing the forces of corruption and societal decay that are devouring the very ideals of dignity, justice, and freedom in Morocco.
Track (Featuring) of the Month: Awakhir by Damost x Don Bigg
The best rap song (featuring) this month is “Awakhir” by Damost Ft. Don Bigg, from Damost’s album Tinnitus, which dropped on August 22, 2025. Each rapper delivered a standout performance. The track is catchy, driven by Damost’s signature ‘Americanized’ cadence and fire flows. Don Bigg’s charismatic delivery, with a hook that we noted for its uncanny similarity in cadence and vocal style to prime-era The Game, giving the track a distinct West Coast gangster vibe. Beyond its musical quality, the song has made a significant impact by stirring up controversy. Both rappers took shots at various figures in the scene, with Don Bigg specifically name-dropping ‘3azzy’ (Dizzy DROS). This diss has ignited a fiery back-and-forth on social media, with fans and artists alike speculating that it could lead to a second full-blown rap beef between the two heavyweights, reigniting their previous feud from 2018.
Track (Morap) of the Month: Hezz 3inik by Levy
The best Morap song of the month is “Hezz 3inik” (Look Up) by Levy, released on August 19. The track is a showcase of Levy’s skills, as he devours the beat with his versatile flows, flawless delivery, and heavy-hitting bars. Produced by MoBench, the instrumental is a genre-bending piece of art that fuses the aggressive bass of dubstep and rage music with traditional Moroccan elements, including Gnawa qraqeb for percussion, claps, and a sped-up take on the classic 6/8 rhythm. Lyrically, the song is packed with fire bars, and many listeners believe Levy takes direct shots at fellow rapper Jntyyy, potentially reigniting their beef from 2023. Beyond the music, the song’s cover art features an image of Dogor, an 18,000-year-old preserved canine specimen that scientists initially couldn’t classify as a dog or a wolf. Levy’s version of the ancient specimen is given a modern twist, wearing diamond grills similar to those seen in a famous Keanu Reeves meme.
Track (Diss) of the Month: Pawn Bigg by Pause Flow
The best diss track of this month is “Pawn Bigg” by PAUSE, a powerful response to Don Bigg’s diss “Shouka,” which itself was a reply to a diss PAUSE released over a decade ago. Dropped on August 29, 2025, this track is less of a lyrical battle and more of a strategic dismantling of a rival’s reputation. In “Pawn Bigg,” PAUSE takes direct aim at Don Bigg’s character, accusing him of being an asset of the government, a mole within the hip-hop community. He makes a direct and cutting accusation, stating, “nta machi Don, nta drone dl 3amala” (you’re not a Don, you’re a drone of the system). Here, “3amala” is a metonymy, implying that Bigg is an informant working for ‘THEM’. Instead of attacking Bigg’s undeniable skills or timeless impact, PAUSE goes for the one thing that can be stained: his name. This is a particularly effective strategy, as it’s not the first time Bigg has faced accusations of being a sellout.
Music Video of the Month: Malaga by Bo9al
The best music video of August is “Malaga” by rapper Bo9al, directed by Bob Gadiri and released on August 9, 2025. The video is a vibrant and raw depiction of street energy, which has become Bo9al’s signature. It features a large crowd of his homies and supporters surrounding him, waving flags from his “44” neighborhood in Casablanca, creating an atmosphere of raw, unfiltered authenticity. The visual captures the song’s central theme: the dream of Moroccan youth to emigrate to Spain, or generally Europe, in search of a better life, even though never guaranteed. The hook, “drari ra 7arraga, cha9inha l Malaga” (the youth are emigrant-inspired, heading to Malaga), encapsulates this bittersweet aspiration. Fans have consistently praised Bo9al for this genuine persona, which shines through in his music and videos, as well as in his live shows.
Best Moroccan hip-hop Project, Producer, and Designer of the Month
Project of the Month: Aymane Haqqi - The Backstory of Galilee (EP)
The best project of the month is Aymane Haqqi’s EP, “The Backstory of Galilee“, released on 15 August. The EP is a powerful work that transformed a public defeat into a narrative of resurrection. The project was born from a humiliating moment during Jawshow in May 2024, where Haqqi lost his composure and was eliminated. Many considered this the end of his career, but Haqqi used this experience as the inspiration for his comeback. The EP’s title, The Backstory of Galilee, is a deliberate spiritual metaphor, referencing the biblical story of Jesus walking on water. The EP’s cover art further emphasizes this, depicting Haqqi crucified on a Y-shaped cross, with the Y symbolizing a message to the listener: “It’s You, too.” This project, and Haqqi’s journey, is an example of an artistic REMONTADA, or as Haqqi’s chosen, a RESURRECTION.
Producer of the Month: Lbandy
The best producer of the month is Lbandy. He had a highly productive August, having produced several tracks that topped the charts. Lbandy’s biggest project this month was serving as a co-executive producer for Damost’s debut album, Tinnitus, which was released on August 22. He produced most of the tracks on the album, including hits like “Awakhir” (ft. Don Bigg) and “Me,” which quickly reached the top of the Spotify charts in Morocco. In addition to his work on the album, he also produced Don Bigg’s diss track, “Shouka,” released on August 15 and aimed at rapper PAUSE. The track sparked a major reaction and a long-awaited lyrical confrontation, as fans had been anticipating a beef between the two artists for over a decade. Lbandy’s work this month demonstrates his versatility and his key role in shaping some of the biggest releases in the Moroccan hip-hop scene.
Designer of the Month: La9ta
The best designer of August is La9ta, recognized for creating the powerful cover art for Loun’s album, Therapy, released on August 30, 2025. La9ta, a filmmaker and photographer, clarifies that the cover wasn’t digitally edited but was captured using a technique of shooting at a low shutter speed, a testament to his raw, in-camera approach. The cover is a profound image that perfectly captures the album’s emotional themes. The main image is a heavily distorted face, which becomes a powerful visual metaphor for a mind in turmoil. It could symbolize a loss of identity, a fragmented self, and the overwhelming flood of emotions that often accompany mental health struggles. By physically blurring the face, La9ta makes the suffering universal, allowing listeners to see their own chaos reflected in the art.
Best Moroccan hip-hop Music Critic, and Rising Star of the Month
Music Critic of the Month: Zakaria Aguib
The best music critic of August is Zakaria Aguib, also known as Z x Star. He has become a standout voice in the Moroccan music scene this year, gaining a reputation as one of the most compelling and prolific content creators. Zakaria specializes in hip-hop and alternative genres, and his reviewing style is uniquely authentic. Instead of simply following viral trends, he dedicates himself to covering music he genuinely enjoys, often spotlighting underground artists and more experimental projects. By guiding audiences toward these hidden gems, Zakaria has become an essential resource for listeners looking to discover new and compelling sounds.
Rising Star of the Month: Ryukk
The best rising star of August is Ryukk, who released his new song and music video, “KENZ,” on August 19, 2025. This project follows his debut music video, “ECLIPSE,” which was released back on December 25, 2024. Ryukk stands out for his smooth blend of rapping and singing, a style that perfectly aligns with the current trend of melodic rap. His visuals are also a key part of his appeal, with his music videos praised for their creativity and stunning visual aesthetic.
Letter from the Editor
At DimaTOP Magazine, we believe in the power of music to unite and inspire. August the Moroccan rap scene was alive, full of new releases, lively festivals, and rap beefs. We love seeing this kind of passion. It’s a chance for rappers to showcase their skills, from complex flows and witty punchlines to versatile deliveries, and for fans to enjoy more music and witness their favorites triumph in the lyrical arena.
However, with that energy comes a responsibility to uphold the integrity of the art form we all love. Hip-hop is a genre that is often misunderstood and under attack, so it's our collective duty to avoid spreading cheap stereotypes and misconceptions. We saw this play out in the recent drama between two giants of the scene, Dizzy DROS and Don Bigg. While their impact is undeniable, the recent public conflict fell short of their iconic status.
To hear them accuse each other of “stealing” beats when they both understand and have used sampling, a fundamental element of hip-hop; and for them to dismiss each other as “remix boys” when both have created remixes, misrepresents the creative process and history of the genre. When these kinds of misconceptions are spread, they are adopted by newer, uninformed fans and can stick around for a long time.
Our shared task, even in moments of conflict, is to educate. We must protect the spirit of our beautiful community by celebrating its complexity and its history. Long live hip-hop!
Sincerely,
DimaTOP Magazine extends its sincere gratitude to the following individuals for their invaluable contributions to this issue. Their expertise, creativity, and dedication have been instrumental in bringing this publication to life.
Thanks to: 3ab9or, Beebop 3.14, Dionysus Amine, Issam Bentarki, Assim, Ben Pensmith, L5atire, Okawara Namiko
Photographs/Designs: Hamza Rochdi, Salaheddine Elbouaaichi, Mohamed Saad, Bob Gadiri, La9ta, and Trissinti
Stay tuned for more from DimaTOP Magazine, the voice of Moroccan hip-hop!
Become a DimaTOP Contributor
Are you passionate about Moroccan rap and eager to share your talents with the world? Whether you're a skilled writer or journalist, a visual storyteller with a camera, a talented graphic designer or illustrator, or an expert in any of the areas mentioned in this issue—we encourage you to get in touch!
Share your unique perspective and contribute to the growth of Moroccan hip hop. Send a sample of your work to contributor@dimatopmagazine.com
We can't wait to hear from you!
Become a DimaTOP Contributor
Are you passionate about Moroccan rap and eager to share your talents with the world? Whether you're a skilled writer or journalist, a visual storyteller with a camera, a talented graphic designer or illustrator, or an expert in any of the areas mentioned in this issue—we encourage you to get in touch!
Share your unique perspective and contribute to the growth of Moroccan hip hop. Send a sample of your work to contributor@dimatopmagazine.com
We can't wait to hear from you!
