While the Mawazine Festival continues to build anticipation for its 2026 edition, with major names already on the lineup such as Major Lazer, Tamer Hosny, and more, the spotlight naturally turns back to the moments that shaped its reputation. From record-breaking crowds to unforgettable stage performances, here’s a look at the artists and shows that took over Morocco’s Rabat over the past few years.
Will Smith (2025)
Will Smith kicked off his Based on a True Story headlining tour at the 20th edition of the Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Morocco, on June 2025, performing at the iconic OLM Souissi stage. Marking his return to music and his first major tour in nearly two decades, the show celebrated the release of his 2025 album and drew massive anticipation from fans across the region.
With high energy, nostalgic hits, and a commanding stage presence, Will Smith lit up the night and delivered a performance that reaffirmed his place not just in film, but on the global music stage as well.
50 Cent (2025)
50 Cent took to the stage at the Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Morocco, in June 2025, headlining the iconic OLM Souissi stage. His performance marked a major moment for the rap icon at Africa’s largest music festival, bringing his signature presence and a catalogue of global hits to a crowd that gathered for one of the most anticipated shows of the edition.
Ruby (2025)
Egyptian pop star Ruby brought her signature energy to the 2025 edition of the Mawazine Festival, performing on the Nahda Stage with a lively set that blended modern pop with classic Arabic flair. She ran through some of her most loved tracks, delivering a performance full of attitude, charm, and stage confidence. The crowd responded with clear excitement, as Ruby’s set added a fun, distinctly Egyptian pop moment to an already diverse festival lineup.
Hamaki (2025)
Mohamed Hamaki also took to the Nahda Stage at Mawazine 2025, drawing in a large and enthusiastic audience. His performance was a crowd-pleasing mix of his biggest hits, delivered with the emotional energy and strong vocals he’s known for. It was one of those sets where the audience sang along from start to finish, reinforcing the Egyptian popstar’s status as one of the region’s most consistent live performers.
Nancy Ajram (2025)
Lebanese pop icon Nancy Ajram delivered one of the standout performances of Mawazine 2025, performing to a massive crowd at the Nahda Stage. With an audience reportedly exceeding 100,000 fans, her show quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the festival. She moved effortlessly through her biggest hits, keeping the energy high and the crowd fully engaged throughout, an appearance that once again highlighted her lasting popularity across the Arab world.
Nicki Minaj (2024)
Nicki Minaj headlined the 19th edition of the Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Morocco, in June 2024, delivering a high-energy performance at the OLM Souissi stage. Performing in front of a massive crowd of over 200,000 fans, she turned the night into a standout moment of the festival, commanding the stage with a set packed with hits and signature energy that had the audience engaged from start to finish.
Mohamed Ramadan (2024)
Egyptian star Mohamed Ramadan performed at the 19th edition of the Mawazine Festival in Rabat, where he took over the Nahda stage during the festival’s closing night. His set drew a large and energetic crowd, with Ramadan delivering some of his biggest hits like Number One and Bum Bum, which had the audience singing along throughout the show.
Calvin Harris (2024)
British DJ and producer Calvin Harris headlined the OLM Souissi stage, delivering one of the most anticipated performances of Mawazine 2024, drawing over 250,000 people. His set transformed the stage into a massive open-air electronic dance experience, complete with high-impact visuals, lighting effects, and festival-scale production.
He played a string of global hits, including tracks like Summer, Feels, How Deep Is Your Love, and This Is What You Came For, keeping the huge crowd fully engaged from start to finish.
From regional favorites to international powerhouses, the Mawazine Festival has delivered some unforgettable moments over the past few years, bringing massive crowds, surprise appearances, and standout performances to stages across Rabat. With each edition raising the bar even higher, this year’s festival is already shaping up to be another major celebration of global and Arab music alike.
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