7liwa


Ihab Ikbal, better known by his stage name 7liwa, is a Moroccan rapper and songwriter from Casablanca. Widely regarded as one of the most influential artists in Moroccan rap history, he is credited with pioneering the popularization of trap and rage music in the region. His distinctive fast-flowing style, use of auto-tune, and provocative lyrics have inspired a generation of artists.
7liwa's influence on Moroccan hip-hop is profound, as his music has inspired many and paved the way for emerging rap stars such as Inkonnu, ElGrandeToto, and Ily. Some refer to him as "the Lil Wayne of Morocco," 7liwa draws a parallel to Lil Wayne's role in launching the careers of global icons like Drake, Tyga, and Nicki Minaj.

Biography

7liwa was born in 1996 in Casablanca, Morocco.

Career

7liwa began his musical career around 2011-2012, initially releasing his music on YouTube. His early tracks, such as "Da7k T9ada" and the ten-minute chorus-less song "Batal L3alam", were pivotal in building his reputation for sharp lyricism and establishing his early fame. In 2014, 7liwa collaborated with French rapper Soolking on the track "Bilal" to great success. He gained significant mainstream recognition in 2016 with the music video for "NIK DT", which amassed millions of views, followed by other popular tracks like "Adidas" and "Haribo". That same year, he performed a concert at Oukacha Prison, the largest penitentiary in Casablanca.
The year 2017 marked a period of intense activity with the release of three music videos in three months, including "Mimi", which garnered over 22 million views on YouTube. A major milestone in his career was signing with Sony Music Entertainment Middle East in 2019. In 2022, he signed a worldwide publishing deal with PopArabia and Reservoir Media, covering his existing catalog and future works.
In 2025, 7liwa announced that he is working on his "retirement album".

Artistic style and influences

7liwa is regularly listed in rankings of top Moroccan rappers. DimaTop Magazine’s “Top 10 Moroccan Rappers” includes him 4th, noting that modern Moroccan rap is built in large part upon his influence. He is listed among the top five most notable Moroccan rappers by Pan African Music, as well as 5th best Moroccan rapper by Kulture Vulturez.
7liwa primarily raps in Darija, while also incorporating French and English. He is known for his fast-paced vocal delivery, biting lyrics, and a provocative approach that often explores themes of personal struggle, societal issues, and darker subjects.
His influence extends beyond his own music; through his Zawa City collective, he has been instrumental in launching the careers of now-superstar Moroccan rappers such as ElGrandeToto and Inkonnu.
His 2014 horror-inspired music video for "Mosi9t Chitan" was a revolutionary moment in Morocco's music scene, pushing visual and thematic boundaries in a way that had not been seen before.

Discography

Albums

  • La Street
  • Weld Fatima II
  • Champion

    Mixtapes

  • Ktabi Baki
  • #WF