Moroccan hip-hop group Fnaïre loses member in fatal crash
2008-06-18
The members of Fnaïre were just starting the drive home from Fez after performing at the Sacred Music Festival when a terrible crash claimed the life of Hicham Belqas. Fans and colleagues remember the talented performer as a kind-hearted young man and passionate musician.
By Imane Belhaj for Magharebia in Casablanca – 18/06/08
 [Imane Belhaj] At the age of 25, Fnaïre member Hicham Belqas lost his life in a car accident on Sunday. |
Tragedy struck popular Moroccan hip-hop band Fnaïre on Sunday (June 15th) when a car accident in Fez claimed the life of one of its members. Hicham Belqas, age 25, sustained a fatal head wound in the crash, while another member received lesser injuries.
Fnaïre – who had just taken part in the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music – have not yet overcome the trauma. Fnaïre vocalist Mohcine apologised for not being able to get into the details of the accident, commenting only to the press that what happened cannot be undone.
The loss of Belqas – one of the group's DJs – has shaken Morocco's music scene. Belqas was thought of by his friends as an example of a good-natured person, accepting of all kinds of criticism. Momo, founder of L'boulvard des musicians, emphasised that the late artist was an ambitious young man and a passionate musician.
Hicham's death is a loss for all young bands, said Momo, not just Fnaïre . He added that the organisers of L'boulvard decided to pay tribute this year to the late artist by observing a minute of silent mourning during the festival. Black badges will also be made available throughout the June 18th-22nd event, and a leaflet honouring Belqas has been included in L'boulvard’s hand-outs.
Hicham Bahou from the L'boulvard organising committee said, "It is natural for the event to pay tribute to the late member of the hip band, Fnaïre , since he was a key musician who served hip-hop music, and because L'boulvard supports that kind of music for the youth.
Fnaïre fan Mariam said Belqas's death is a loss to the band, and to all hip-hop music, noting that the late artist was a key member of the band whose presence was unmistakable in performance. She could not hold back tears as she spoke of the DJ's kind-hearted nature, having gotten to know him at an event in Casablanca.
Fourteen-year-old Fouad, another fan of hip-hop music, thinks the band is among the best in Morocco, "since they represent Moroccan hip-hop." He added he is devastated by Hicham's death, whose songs are memorised by young people and children, especially "El Lamanana" and "Yed El-Henna". He wondered how these songs could be performed without Hicham.
Sanaa, aged 25, expressed her admiration of Fnaïre , explaining that their musical style appeals to Moroccan youth. She said young people can relate to the music because it tackles everyday Moroccan problems with an optimistic outlook. Sanaa was sorry for Hicham's death, which will be a definite loss to the band, whose members all started together.
Fnaïre have become wildly popular among young people not only for their accessible lyrics, but for their blending of modern and traditional music, much of it from their native Marrakesh, in a style they have dubbed "teklidi (traditional) rap".
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karima 35 years old Posted 2008-06-18
I consider fnair as the best hip hop band in morocco .their songs touched my heart and those of all youngsters including children and their parents .Hicham's death will surely mark the band forever.I wish they would carry on their carreer successfully in memory of their late friend.May God rest his soul .
Moumine Posted 2008-06-18
Allahou Akber, We have to be always remembering that oneday we are back to Allah, so we have to repent. Hip Hop will never serve us in the hereafter,but our good work. Salam
hind Posted 2008-06-19
Hi! I am so sorry. Truly, I feel really sad that one of the members of Fnaïre died. This is truly a loss for the group and for all of us. You have all my condolences. From God we are and to God we shall return.
Anonymous Posted 2008-06-19
Why didn’t you post my comment from last night???
amina Posted 2008-06-19
May God rest the soul of Hicham Belqas. He was an ambitious young man. He was singing for his country and not for fame. A thousand mercies and light be upon him. I wish patience to the other members of the band and the family of the deceased. I want to say to Mohssine and Achraf keep on singing even if you have lost one member of the band. You must continue for the soul of the deceased because this is his wish, the continuity of the band in the same path of success. I ask you not to introduce any new member in the place of Hicham. Thank you.
حميد Posted 2008-06-19
In the name of God the most gracious the most merciful. Hamid, 20, is also a fan of the hip-hop music and Fnäire band. He thinks that it is one of the special young bands in Morocco because it presents “Moroccan hip-hop”. Hamid said that he was sorry for the death of Hicham Belqas who was very prominent with his songs known by heart by young people and little kids especially the songs “Lala Menana” and “Yed El Hena”. He said that he liked so much this song and can’t imagine that they will be sung without Hicham. Hicham will always remain in our minds. We will never forget him. From God we are and to God we shall return. Your brother Hamid.
rachidwana Posted 2008-06-19
We were very sad for the loss of the great artist Hicham. But he will always be in our hearts.
nada Posted 2008-06-19
By God I was sorry for him, poor man. May God receive him in paradise. By God, Fnaire without him will decline. From God we are and to God we shall return.
mohamed Posted 2008-06-19
You're right Moumine. But remember that our beloved Prophet said: "Oudkourou amwatakoum bikhair". May Allah forgive him and all the muslims in the world.
YASMiN Posted 2008-06-20
May Lord rest his soul, forgive him, protect him from the suffering of the tomb God willing. From God we are and to God we shall return.
Karima Posted 2008-06-20
hip hop music is the voice of a whole generation .It is the voice of the helpless and the repressed , It's a wind of change in our society we can't deny.I just like to stress that these hip hop singers we adopted can be as respectful of the ways of allah as any other person or may be more. Nobody has the right to teach something we hardly know if he indeed preaches.
ayoub Posted 2008-06-20
May God rest the soul of the deceased. From God we are and to God we shall return.
فدوى Posted 2008-06-20
From God we are and to God we shall return. This was predestined to him. No one can deter his destiny. It is only fate that happens. I hope that his family won’t be sad because this is life it offers you the good but at the same time there is something to make you sad.
soukayna Posted 2008-06-21
My God rest the soul of Hicham. He was the light of the Fnaire band.
شيماء Posted 2008-06-21
Hi Fnaire, I am very sad for you. Hicham is really the DJ. I am waiting for your reply. I want you to know that I am one of your best fans.
سكينة Posted 2008-06-21
May God rest his soul. He was my favourite in Fnaire. May God place him in Paradise. May God rest his soul. We are praying with him.
samir Posted 2008-06-22
Salam alikum. May God rest the soul of Hicham Belqas. To God we belong and to Him we shall return.
خولة Posted 2008-06-22
I was very sad about the death of the deceased. But what assuaged my feelings is that he died as a believer, close to his God. According to what was said by Mohssine, he never missed prayer times. So I ask all his fans and lovers to pray for his forgiveness. It is truly hard to listen to the group without Hicham. But they should keep going because that is what he wanted. We wish them success. I ask them not replace Hicham. Hicham will remain in our hearts.
abdelah hamidi Posted 2008-06-23
May God grant you patience my brothers Fnaire.
سناء Posted 2008-06-23
Oh. I wasn’t informed about this news. What a calamity! From God we are and to God we shall return. He was an excellent and ambitious young man. He loved art with all his feelings. We hope that God will receive him in His wide heaven.
محمد Posted 2008-06-25
First of all, I wish mercy to the deceased Hicham Belqas. I ask Achraf and Mohsine to make a new music for the deceased and continue their work because the fans like me are impatiently waiting for a new album. I wish to his family patience. We ask God to introduce him in His paradise. Thank you.
hind Posted 2008-06-25
May God rest his soul and forgive his sins.
نورة Posted 2008-06-25
I am Noura from the town of Salé El Jadida. I present my sincere condolences to the soul of the martyr Hicham Belqas. I ask God to grant his family tranquility and patience as well as Fnaire band who were affected by this sad accident. I am also a fan of this mythical group which presents some kind of classical hip hop that deals with social problems. I hope from the bottom of my heart that I will see you one day, Good willing. (Noura from Salé El Jadida).
wafaa Posted 2008-06-25
I present my condolences to all the members of Fnaire band and also to the family of the late Hicham Belqas. From God we are and to God we shall return.
fatha Posted 2008-06-25
My condolences, my dears. We are all going to die one day, but we need to be strong in order to move on. May God keep you and bring you the best. May God rest your soul! I love you all so much!!!
zeee Posted 2008-06-25
May God rest his soul, Amen my Lord.
محمد Posted 2008-06-26
In the name of God the most gracious the most merciful. Mohamed from Italy. May God rest the soul of the late Hicam Belqas. From God we are and to God we shall return. Other members of the group must continue.
issam Posted 2008-06-26
Good.
zakaria Posted 2008-06-27
May God make restitution to his parents, and may he serve as guidance to the other members of the band. He died while he was listening to music instead of the holy Qur’an, and maybe he didn’t perform his prayers. Only God knows this. May God rest the soul of the deceased. God is repenting and most merciful. God says the truth.
dalila Posted 2008-07-01
Fnaïre are not the only ones to have lost Hicham; Fnaïre’s fans risk losing the entire group. We love you! Keep it up!!! My condolences go to Hicham’s family and to the members of Fnaïre.
نورا Posted 2008-07-02
I am Noura. I ask Fnaire group to come up to us with a new look and present us as soon as possible a song about the late Hicham Belqas. Finally, I hope that you read all the comments I write. I hope to be a faithful friend to the mythical group. Thank you. Noura from Salé Al Jadida.
نعيمة Posted 2008-07-03
Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you. My brother Zakaria, who told you that Hicham, may God rest his soul, wasn’t performing his prayers? Who told you that he was listening to music instead of the holy Qur’an? We are Muslims. Our tolerant religion taught us to speak well of our dead. You said that he could be a cause for the guidance of the group. What is wrong with the group? Fnaire group is the best musical band. It tackles social problems in its own way. The best example is their song “Yed El Henna”. The most important thing is that I am proud of Fnaire group. I wish them continuity and always the best.
abdrahim boksim Posted 2008-07-04
Fnaire's accident is a destiny from God. I wish patience for the members of Fnaire.
samire Posted 2008-07-05
Hi. How are you? I am Samir. Honestly, there is nothing in this site. I want sites to include pictures. Thank you.
Aziz casawi Posted 2008-07-06
Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you. Hicham, may God rest his soul, wasn’t performing his prayers? Who told you that he was listening to music instead of the holy Qur’an? We are Muslims. Our tolerant religion taught us to speak well of our dead. You said that he could be a cause for the guidance of the group. What is wrong with the group? Fnaire is the best musical band. It tackles social problems in its own way. The best example is their song “Yed El Henna”. The most important thing is that I am proud of Fnaire group. I wish them continuity and always the best.
نورة Posted 2008-07-08
Please reply to the comments I write. I hope to get the phone number of Mohssine and Achraf to invite them to an important ceremony. Thank you. (Nora from Salé El Jadida).
خديجة Posted 2008-07-10
From God we are and to God we shall return.
نورا Posted 2008-07-10
I hope that this site answers my replies as I am growing impatient. (nora from Salé Al Jadida).
Mario Belgium Posted 2008-07-11
Thanks Hicham for the friendship and nice days I will never forget you Your friend
fatima zahra Posted 2008-07-13
I think that the loss of Hicham has disturbed all of Morocco’s cities. But, we belong to God and it is to Him that we shall return. You have all my condolences.
azig Posted 2008-07-13
Fnaire is a group which achieved great success nationally and internationally. This was achieved thanks to hard work and determination, of course. On the other hand, the cause of this success is the members of the group. Hicham Belqas doesn't need any definition. He is loved both morally and artistically, experience wins. But destiny prevails. "if He wants something Hejust says be and it happens", God says the truth. We will all die. May God grant you patience. From God we are and to God we shall return.
شادي Posted 2008-07-13
Salam alaikum sister Nora. I noticed that you are a fan of hip hop. I have a band named "Eagles from the North". Our style is similar to Fnaire. I hope that you will visit my site.
zaza Posted 2008-07-19
I am very sorry for the death of Hicham of Fnaire . Fnaire is a great band. May God rest his soul. This is life. We will all die.
elizabeth Posted 2008-07-22
three year aho i was introduce to this group fnaire, and i have been thier # 1 fan in canada. thier style is not on great but also very moving. greatly sadden by the lost of hicham , my prayers and sympathies go to rest of the members of fnaire and his family. he will be sadly missed by one and all. may god be with fnaire at this time.and give them strenght to carry on.
bouchra Posted 2008-07-25
I love you Mouhssine.
ilyass Posted 2008-08-03
I hope that God will forgive him. I would like to say that Fnaïre is my favourite group. I would like to get to know you. This is my dream! With my sincerest condolences.
jamila Posted 2008-08-05
From God we are and to God we shall return. May Lord rest his soul and accept him as a martyr. May God grant patience to his parents and all his family. Amen my Lord.
mostafa Posted 2008-09-02
How is everyone? I am Mostafa and I love Fnaire. Happy Eid!
ilham Posted 2008-09-23
Hi. How are you? I am from Rabat. I love Hicham. From God we are and to God we shall return. That's all. Thank you.
Yas Posted 2008-09-23
Great Band, I love them! Conscious lyrics..great songs..keep them coming Moroccans. May God rest the soul of Hicham of Fnaire. From God we are and to God we shall return.
imane Posted 2008-10-14
I love Fnaïre. I really loved this gentleman who died.
bilal Posted 6 days ago
You man are sick and you have good music.MAKE MORE ALBUMS.
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