Tell us about your first music memories as a child!?
SANNA: I think my first memory is from the age of four. I was sitting on my parents' bed listening to a cassette of Majida El Roumi that my father bought me as a present. I also remember my brother being super fan of Michael Jackson, and that my father sort of had a problem with it because of the skin bleaching issue. A huge part of my upbringing and a habit that I, as well as millions of Arabs, have taken on is listening to Fairuz in the morning. The Fairuz and Zaatar combo is essential. There’s definitely an oversaturation though. Sometimes I can’t stand her. Especially in public spaces when it becomes sort of involuntary.
SELWA: I remember being dragged to many Moroccan weddings in which Moroccan orchestra would play to entertain the guests. They would sometimes invite women to ululate and gnawas as well. Witnessing these sonic experiences at a young age was mind blowing as it unconsciously introduced me to naturally sense African rhythms.
Selwa, what kind of spiritual connection do you have with Morocco?
Although I was born in Casablanca, my spiritual connection resides in Marrakech. Every time I go there, I instantly feel at peace. My "teenagehood" in Casablanca wasn’t very glamorous so I don’t feel spiritually connected to that city at all. I also left Casablanca when I was 17 to exile to America because at that time I couldn’t stand the mentality of my surrounding. I guess I was rebellious. Thankfully I changed so did the city.