The Dubai-based Algerian hip hop artist on his latest back to the future drop, 2116
Nataal has been a fan of Dubai-based Losez – known to his friends as Nazim Boudaoud – since his debut EP ‘ID’ came out in the autumn of 2020. Pulsating and incredibly catchy, this love letter to his native Algeria drew in part from 00s hip hop and roared out of our speakers, ensuring we weren’t the only ones who fell hard for his sound. The young talent, who runs in the same circles as Precious Trust founder and fellow Algerian Wathek Allal, immediately generated a bit of a buzz and was been hyped by the likes of creative platform Miiilkiina.
The twenty-something Amazighi artist, who grew up in Algiers but whose family hails from around the Kabylia – Bejaia, Azefoun and Tizi Ouzou – moved to the United Arab Emirates when he was a child and began writing when he was just 10 years old. Now he’s dropping ‘2116’, a trio of songs produced by $lushyy, and an accompanying film by Faith Guy, which sees the rapper metaphorically time travelling. Here he talks to us about his latest project and journey so far.
First of all, can you tell us a little about ‘ID’?
This is the project that finally allowed me to put my all into music and make what I wanted. It was meant to be my ID in music, a sort of introduction. I had some amazing feedback from some very talented people working with me like Iman, Bashar, Wathek, $lushyy and Sizer. Everything learnt before, during and after the release was very valuable and allowed me to push everything further and higher on ‘2116’.
Does ‘2116’ pick up where ‘ID’ left off?
It does in some way, of course, because I try to tell my story throughout the music and the different projects I release, so you can always see a continuation. The idea of ‘2116’ came on a night drive. I called $lushyy and told him that I wanted something different from ‘ID’, I wanted to take the people somewhere else with something futuristic but retro at the same time. From that moment I knew that ‘2116’ was gonna be a three-song story and as I came back from this mental journey, I knew exactly what I wanted to do in my music, and in my life in general.
How did you get into music originally?
The one song that changed my vision of music was ‘Wati By Night’ by Sexion d’Assaut and their album l’École des Points Vitaux in 2010. As I listened to them, I started writing and rapping. Later on, when I was around 14 years old, I decided to share my music on Facebook and YouTube and here we are now.
How has your sound changed since you started out?
I believe my sound is constantly progressing and since ‘ID’ I’ve been able to lock my target and understand that all I want to do is make music, disregarding the style or the genre. I will always will have my vision, even if the sound itself keeps changing with time depending on how I change as a person and what I experience.
Where do you find your inspiration?
There’s so many different themes and references in my music, some as simple as daily life, love and friends. However, if I had to narrow it down it would be my Algerian identity and the unusual background it gave me. I also look at old movies like Scarface, The Matrix and Shawshank Redemption, and I have a lot of interest in new technologies. Musically, I’m thinking of Charles Aznavour or Cheb Mami as well as Travis Scott, Rüfüs Du Sol, Laylow and even 113.
What do you want your work to say about Algeria?
Everyone knows Algerian people are very proud of their country. Our parents and grandparents fought and died for the flag so I think keeping the heritage and putting Algeria and its youth on the map is very important. Since [independence in] 1962, Algeria has continued to go through so much, such as the recent Hirak uprising, so it hasn’t reached its full potential. But we are talented and motivated people and I personally use music as my way of voicing our message to the world. Also, I really miss Algeria a lot. Today is Eid so I just want to say God bless Dzaïr and I can’t wait for it to become everything it deserves to be.
What’s your creative process like with $lushyy?
We create a DIY studio in a hotel and set up everything we need. As soon as he starts finding a melody or a nice drum pattern, I’m already looking for a top line, a few words, a theme. From there we record a ‘yaourt’, which is a gibberish version of the song on a first version of the beat. At this point I imagine the full song and start writing while arranging and adding to the beat. After a short time, the song is basically done. It’s very dynamic with $lushyy as we both participate in the whole process. ‘2116’ was not the first and it’s not going to be the last, me and $lushyy have so much more to give.
Can you tell us about the video with Faithguy?
Iman and I had already worked together on ‘ID’ and it just made sense to do this with him too. He understands where I wanna go while still taking me somewhere else. The story shows me going back to my roots as if I'm coming from 2116. The video is full of important references and details that brings the whole project together.
‘2116’ steps into the future so what does it hold for you?
God knows what the future holds for me but I have a plan in my music career that goes on for years. There are no limits to this - I'll keep creating, growing and evolving in every way.
Listen to Losez on Spotify here.