GNAWA LOVE
Samir LanGus Announces New Album “Gnawa Love” — A Bridge Between Morocco and the World
New York, NY — February 13th, 2026 — Moroccan-born, New York–based artist Samir LanGus proudly announces the release of his new album, Gnawa Love — a vibrant, soul-stirring journey through ancestral sound, contemporary fusion, and universal healing.
Rooted in the sacred traditions of Gnawa — often called “the Moroccan blues” — LanGus’s music channels the deep rhythms and spiritual resonance of his heritage while opening a dialogue with modern jazz, funk, folk, and global fusion.
“Gnawa Love was born out of an enduring longing—for home, for healing, and for a profound connection with the world around me,” says LanGus. “It’s my offering to keep that spirit alive—for myself, and for anyone searching for something deeper.”
A Heritage Reimagined
LanGus grew up in Ait Melloule, Morocco, immersed in traditional Gnawa culture. As an apprentice to Maalem Hamid El Kasri, one of the world’s leading Gnawa masters, he learned the power of
the Sintir — a three-stringed, camel-skin lute that anchors Gnawa’s hypnotic rhythms — and
the Karakebs, metal castanets whose sound recalls both memory and resistance.
After moving to New York a decade ago, Langus began blending these sacred traditions with the city’s boundless energy and cultural intersections. His arrangements now embrace trumpet, synthesizer, guitar, drums, harmonic vocals, and improvisation, expanding Gnawa’s timeless pulse into new dimensions.
Collaborations Across Continents
To bring Gnawa Love to life, Langus collaborated with artists who share his vision of connection through rhythm.
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Legendary Maalem Hamid El Kasri contributes his voice and spirit on the track “Trance.”
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Trinidadian trumpeter Etienne Charles delivers a powerful solo on “Habibi.”
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Brazilian rhythm collective Miami Bloco and producer/artist Proda infuse the record with global textures and vibrant energy.
Together, they create what Langus describes as “a journey to the common root”—a sound where Moroccan, West African, and diasporic traditions meet the pulse of New York.
A Message of Healing and Belonging
Beyond its rich sonic landscape, Gnawa Love is deeply personal. For LanGus, the album is an act of remembrance, resilience, and reconnection — a musical homecoming that honors his ancestors while celebrating the future of African-led collaboration in global music.
“Africans deserve to hear our own powerful traditions transforming the world,” LanGus says. “Gnawa is a portal. It’s not just where I come from — it’s where we can go together.”
About Samir LanGus
Samir LanGus is a Moroccan-born, New York–based musician, composer of Gnawa music. Drawing from the deep well of North and West African spirituality and rhythm, LanGus creates soundscapes that blend ancient ritual with contemporary artistry. His performances have captivated audiences worldwide with their trance-inducing grooves and healing intent.
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The Story of Gnawa Love
Gnawa Love was born from longing for home, for healing, and for connection.
As a child of Morocco, Gnawa music lived in my blood. It was never just sound. It was a spiritual language, a way to speak with the unseen, to gather people, to call the soul back into the body. When I moved to the United States, I carried that spirit with me, and I felt its absence just as deeply.
This album is my way of keeping that flame alive. Not only for myself, but for anyone searching for something deeper.
The sound of Gnawa Love was shaped by two worlds. By the music I grew up with in Ait Melloul, Morocco, and by the energy and rhythm of New York City. I have always wanted to bring these worlds together, to reconnect the three musical families of Gnawa, Blues, and Jazz in a place where they continue to evolve side by side.
Every track carries a piece of my journey. The rhythms are rooted in centuries of tradition, yet the sound is alive, shaped by the places I have been, the people I have met, and the music that has moved me along the way. From the streets of Ait Melloul to the stages of New York, these songs form a bridge between worlds.
I made this album with love. For my ancestors, my culture, and for all those who live between places, holding more than one home in their hearts. My hope is that listeners feel the love and spiritual power of Gnawa music, discover the deep connections between Gnawa, Blues, and Jazz, and are carried by the sounds and energy of New York City.
Gnawa Love is not just about where I come from.
It is about where we can go together.