Meryem Aboulouafa


Meryem Aboulouafa is a singer, songwriter and narrator from Casablanca. Her first solo album Meryem, was released by Animal 63 and has received positive reviews throughout the music industry. Her singles Breath of Roma and Ya Qalbi were used for radio, television and film scores. On May 25th, 2025, she released “Horses,” the lead single from her upcoming album Family, along with a music video directed by Theo Gottlieb and produced by Birth. The full album, FAMILY, followed on December 3rd of the same year under Zerhoun Records. In her  latest work, Meryem celebrates family as the essential social unit, the cocoon we grow from and ultimately return to.

Early life

Meryem Aboulouafa, born on December 3, 1988, in Casablanca, Morocco, is a versatile artist known for her deep connection with music and fine arts. Her musical journey began with early exposure to the traditional Moroccan melodies and the sounds of the iconic divas of the Arab world. In addition, influenced by her father's musical taste, she was introduced to the world of rock classics, including the Neil Young, Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd, as well as prominent figures in French music such as Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, and Georges Brassens. Embarking on her formal exploration of music theory and violin at the Music Conservatory, Meryem refined her expertise at the Conservatoire of Casablanca.
In 2016, Meryem Aboulouafa graced the stage of a TEDx conference, introducing herself as an artist, proud Moroccan. Fondly reminiscing her roots in Casablanca, she humorously shared childhood beliefs that have since transformed. Within the intimate confines of her Casablanca bedroom, armed only with a guitar, Meryem gave life into her initial compositions by crafting poetry in English, French and Arabic.
After completing her high school education, Meryem enrolled into fine arts at the Ecole Supérieur des Beaux-Arts of Casablanca, ultimately earning her diploma as an interior designer. Subsequently, she took on the role of teaching interior design at the Academy of Traditional Arts in Casablanca and Euro-Mediterranean University of Morocco. Meryem envisions crafting "musical objects" and exploring the possibility of designing innovative instruments “objets musicaux”, thereby exemplifying her interdisciplinary approach to the arts.

Career

Meryem is starting to make a name for herself in the world of music in 2017 as she took the stage at MadJazz festival in Marrakech and Jazzablanca festival in Casablanca and made one of her first collaborations with Moulay Driss Alaoui Mdaghri, a great fan of Arabic and Andalusian poetry, who opened her the door to Italy, and subsequently to Francesco Santalucia. Together they produced a cover of the Algerian traditional song "Ya Qalbi" which later will become one of her most known songs. The artist moves on to have a musical tour in Indonesia and Italy.
Her musical journey took an unexpected turn when "Ya Qalbi" came to the attention of Emmanuel Barron, the head of the French label Animal63. This encounter marked the start of a new chapter in Meryem's musical career, affirming her position in the global music scene. As he notably wrote " … I came back to Paris two days later after meeting a mind-blowing artist, a rare woman, an artist living in a country where being an artist is not a simple choice. But above all I met a «voice,» but not only in the vocal, technical sense of the word. The voice of a modern Moroccan woman, a musician, believer and poet... ".
The fruit of this encounter was “Meryem”, the first album by Meryem Aboulouafa. It was released at the end of May in Europe and Morocco by the French label Animal 63, and was launched with the dreamlike music video “Deeply”. The 11 songs of the album, composed in both English and Arabic. Before her album release, Emmanuel Barron suggested that he re-record certain titles with new collaborators. Two names are working on the construction or reconstruction of her tracks: Jean-Baptiste de Laubier alias Para One, known for his energetic techno and for his more contemplative soundtracks, inseparable from the cinema of Céline Sciamma. And Maxime Daoud, musician, arranger and producer of music with gentle melancholy under the name Ojard. Following the release of her album, Meryem embarked on a tour featuring live concerts and made appearances on television and radio. Her debut album received a warm welcome from the music world and resonated well with music enthusiasts.

Discography

Studio albums

Family03 Dec. 2025Zerhoun RecordsLP, CD, digital download1Horses04:2735:42
Family03 Dec. 2025Zerhoun RecordsLP, CD, digital download2Letter to Andalous04:0835:42
Family03 Dec. 2025Zerhoun RecordsLP, CD, digital download3Allah ya Rabbi03:2335:42
Family03 Dec. 2025Zerhoun RecordsLP, CD, digital download4Resistance01:5935:42
Family03 Dec. 2025Zerhoun RecordsLP, CD, digital download5Family03:2735:42
Family03 Dec. 2025Zerhoun RecordsLP, CD, digital download6Hated Love03:3835:42
Family03 Dec. 2025Zerhoun RecordsLP, CD, digital download7Moon03:4435:42
Family03 Dec. 2025Zerhoun RecordsLP, CD, digital download8Samahtouk02:4935:42
Family03 Dec. 2025Zerhoun RecordsLP, CD, digital download9Paranoïa04:1135:42
Family03 Dec. 2025Zerhoun RecordsLP, CD, digital download10Greece03:5635:42

Usage in media

2025 - Deeply - La Peur au ventre S7 | E7 | Apple TV
2025 - Breath of Roma - Ginny and Georgia S3 | E10 | Netflix
2025 - Welcome Back to Me - Ginny and Georgia S3 | E10 | Netflix
2025 - Breath of Roma - S2 | E6 | Closing title | Disney Plus
2024 - - Ministry of Equipment and Water
2023 - - L’Office National Marocain du Tourisme
2023 - Le Paradis - Lost Boys
2023 - Ya Qalbi - Holy Family S1 | E2 | Netflix
2022 - Deeply - Skam France S7 | E7 | France TV
2021 - Je me promets - AlRawabi School for Girls S1 | E4 | Netflix
2021 - Mawadda -

Voice Overs

2024 - - Ministry of Equipment and Water
2023 - - RSI La 1
2023 - - Burning Man by Sodalime Burning Man
2022 - by Mayan Warrior Burning Man
2015 - | Official Trailer
2014 - by Meryem Aboulouafa.