Bab L' Bluz, meaning "The Gate to the Blues," is a Franco-Moroccan musical ensemble that emerged in 2018 in Marrakech. This Moroccan psychedelic rock group draws inspiration from Gnawa and Hassani traditions, skillfully blending contemporary rock music and Moroccan popular music. The band was founded when Moroccan singer/guitarist Yousra Mansour and French guitarist/producer Brice Bottin crossed paths in Marrakech in 2017. United by their passion for Gnawa music, they embarked on a journey to master the guembri, a traditional instrument. By mid-2017, they had composed a fresh collection of 10 powerful tracks that melded modern sensibilities with the analog sounds of the 1960s and 1970s. In mid-2018, the band welcomed fellow musicians Jérôme Bartholomé and Hafid Zouaoui from Lyon, solidifying their lineup. They marked their inaugural live performance on Radio Nova. 

Bab L' Bluz's music has resonated on international stages, including festivals like Arabesque, L'Boulevard, Rock Am Bach, Le Péristyle, the Lyon Opera Underground, and ARTE concerts. In June 2020, they released their debut album, "Nayda!," through Real World Records. The release of "Nayda!" garnered acclaim from critics and audiences alike. It secured accolades such as Mojo's Top 10 World Albums of the Year, recognition in Songlines' Best Albums of 2020, mentions in The New York Times, Vogue Arabia, BBC, Le Monde, Financial Times, Pan African Music, Uncut, and Radio Nova. In 2021, Bab L' Bluz clinched the Songlines Music Awards in the Fusion category, solidifying their reputation as boundary-pushing creators who meld tradition with contemporary sounds.

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