North Africa, the cradle of ancient cultures that stretches from Morocco to Egypt. Enriched by Berber and Arab cultures, the countries of this region share a musical culture nourished by continuous exchange between Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa – separated from the North by the Sahara.

Here, Qwest TV introduces you to contemporary artists who exist at the heart of the rituals and spirituality of traditional North African rhythms, at the confines of ancestral cultures and customs, combining tradition and modernity with elegance and mysticism.

The documentary Gnawa Music, Body and Soul, plunges into the world of the Gnawa people, made up of religious brotherhoods descended from former slaves in sub-Saharan Africa, who perpetuate their traditions through trance-inducing music in Morocco.

Dhafer Youssef with his emblematic oud, Sofiane Saidi and her psychedelic raï, Emel Mathlouthi and her Arab-infused trip-hop, Naïssam Jalal and her spiritual jazz perfumed with Sufi traditions, Alsarah and her Nubian retro-pop as well as, finally, Souad Massi, will all blow your mind in this new Qwest TV playlist.