Who was Cheikha Tsunami 'Imane Bahiji'? All About Moroccan Chaabi Singer

May 2024 · 8 minute read

Cheikha Tsunami, whose real name was Imane Bahiji, was a Moroccan singer and a star of the chaabi genre. She passed away on October 17, 2023, at the age of 45, after a long battle with cancer. She left behind a legacy of songs that captivated millions of fans in Morocco and beyond. Here is everything you need to know about her life, career, and death.

Imane Bahiji’s Age, Birthday & Biography

Cheikha Tsunami was a Moroccan singer who was born in 1978 in Marrakech, Morocco. She died on October 17, 2023, at the age of 45, after a long battle with cancer. Her birthday is not known, but some sources suggest that she was born on February 14, which is also Valentine’s Day.

Education

Cheikha Tsunami did not have a formal education, as she lost her father before she was born and had to help her mother, who was a cook, to support the family. She started singing at the age of 15 at weddings and ceremonies, where she discovered her talent and passion for music.

She moved to Casablanca, where she met and collaborated with famous artists and learned from them. She became one of the most popular and influential singers of chaabi music, a traditional Moroccan genre that combines folk and modern elements.

Early Life and Career

Imane Bahiji was born in 1978 in Marrakech, Morocco. She lost her father before she was born and was raised by her mother, who was a cook. She developed a passion for music at a young age and started singing at weddings and ceremonies when she was 15. She moved to Casablanca, where she met and collaborated with famous artists such as Hamid Zahir, Abdelaziz Stati, and Oulad El Bouazaoui.

She adopted the stage name Cheikha Tsunami, which means “the lady of the wave”, because of her powerful voice and charismatic presence on stage. She became known for her interpretation of the songs of Hajja Hamdaouia and Hajja Hlima, two legends of the chaabi genre. Chaabi is a popular style of music that originated in the 1920s in Casablanca and combines traditional Moroccan rhythms with modern influences.

Tsunami rose to fame in the Moroccan music industry and gained a large fan base. She released several albums and singles that achieved record-breaking viewership on YouTube and other platforms. Some of her most famous songs include “Ya Lala Torkia”, “Moulay Abdellah”, “Choufou Lkafra”, and “Lahbib Li Walftou”. She also performed in many festivals and events in Morocco and abroad.

Who is Cheikha Tsunami’s Husband?

Cheikha was married to a businessman named Rachid, who supported her career and accompanied her to many shows. They had two children, a son named Yassine and a daughter named Imane. Tsunami was very close to her family and often shared pictures of them on her Instagram account.

Imane Bahiji’s Musical journey

Born in Marrakech in 1978, Tsunami began her musical journey at the young age of 15, initially gaining popularity through wedding performances and various ceremonies. She left Marrakech for Casablanca, where a renowned artist took her under her wing and helped her launch her career.

She rose to fame in the Moroccan music industry, captivating audiences with numerous songs that achieved record-breaking viewership. Some of her most famous songs include “Moulat El Khimar”, “Zine Zine”, and “Lahbib Li Walftou”. She also collaborated with renowned artists, such as Abdelaziz Stati and Oulad El Bouazaoui.

Although she was known for her Chaabi repertoire, interpreting the successes of Hajja Hamdaouia and Hajja Hlima, Tsunami was also a great admirer of classical Arabic music, enjoying the works of Mohamed El Hayani, Mohamed Abdelwahab, and Kadim Saher.

Cheikha had a loyal fan base that appreciated her authenticity and her talent. She was also considered a generous and humble person who supported many charitable causes. She leaves behind a daughter and a legacy that will not be forgotten.

What is Chaabi music?

Chaabi (lit. “popular”) refers to several types of popular music in Morocco, combining rural and urban folk music. The genre started out as street music performed in squares and souks and can be heard in cafés, at restaurants, and at weddings. Rural varieties include Jerra and al-Aïta (lit. “the cry”).

Chaabi music is characterized by its use of popular language, its creation of new rhythms, and its incorporation of various instruments such as lute, violin, darbuka, bendir, and qraqeb. Chaabi music is often associated with festivals and celebrations and is an essential complement to the dance.

Some of the most famous Chaabi artists include Hajja Hamdaouia, Hajja Hlima, Abdelaziz Stati, Daoudi, Hajib, and Said Senhaji.

Imane Bahiji Family

Cheikha Tsunami’s parents and siblings are not very well known, as she preferred to keep her personal life private. However, based on the information available from some sources, here is what I can tell you about them.

Tsunami’s father died before she was born, so she never knew him. Her mother was a cook who raised her alone in Marrakech. Cheikha inherited her love for music from her mother, who used to sing to her when she was a child. Her mother was also her biggest supporter and encouraged her to pursue her dreams.

Cheikha Tsunami had one sister named Sara Bahiji, who was very close to her. Sara was the one who revealed that Tsunami had cancer and denied the rumors of poisoning that circulated after her death. Sara also said that Cheikha was optimistic and hopeful until the end and thanked the royal family for their support and assistance.

Cheikha Tsunami did not have any other siblings, as far as I know. She considered her fans and colleagues as her extended family and often expressed her gratitude and appreciation for them. She also had a husband and two children, who were the most important people in her life.

Moroccan Chaabi Star Cheikha Tsunami Dies at 45 After Battling Cancer

Tsunami died on October 17, 2023, at the Military Hospital in Rabat, where she had been transferred on September 27, 2023, on instructions from King Mohammed VI. She had been hospitalized for more than a month in a private clinic in Casablanca before that, due to the complications of her cancer. According to Assabah, the royal intervention helped cover the medical expenses of Cheikha, which amounted to more than 250,000 dirhams.

The news of her death shocked and saddened her fans and colleagues in the music industry. Many public figures and celebrities expressed their condolences to her family and paid tribute to her talent and legacy. Her funeral took place on October 18, 2023, in Marrakech, where she was buried.

Cheikha Tsunami’s manager, Oussama, had initially claimed that she was poisoned by certain individuals and that she experienced intense pain after returning from a performance, prompting immediate hospitalization. However, her sister, Sara, dispelled the poisoning allegations and revealed that the artist had been battling cancer, which had spread throughout her body.

The singer had been hospitalized in a private clinic in Casablanca for several weeks before being transferred to the Military Hospital in Rabat last month, reportedly on instructions from the royal family. According to Sara, Tsunami’s health condition worsened during her last hours of life and she passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones.

The Moroccan music community mourned the loss of Cheikha, with several public figures and fans alike expressing their condolences to her family. Many praised her for her powerful voice, her charisma on stage, and her contribution to the Chaabi genre.

Tsunami will be remembered as one of the most influential singers of chaabi music in Morocco. She left behind a rich repertoire of songs that reflected her passion, energy, and authenticity. She also inspired many young artists who followed her footsteps and admired her style. She was a true icon of Moroccan culture and a source of pride for her country.

Height, Weight & Body Stats

However, there is not much information available about her height, weight, and body stats. Based on some sources, I can estimate that she was around 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) tall and weighed about 70 kg (154 lbs). She had a distinctive style that matched her personality and music. She loved to wear colorful and elegant outfits and accessories.

Cheikha Tsunami Wiki, Biodata

NameCheikha Tsunami
Real NameImane Bahiji
Date of Birth1978
Place of BirthMarrakech, Morocco
Date of DeathOctober 17, 2023
Place of DeathRabat, Morocco
Cause of DeathCancer
OccupationSinger
GenreChaabi
SpouseRachid
ChildrenYassine and Imane
SisterSara Bahiji
Instagramcheikhatsunami
Homepagenewsunzip.com

Trivia

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrKynspmle6S7zGiqoqaXmr9wr8eeoKSgkWLBtMHNmqSiZZmirq%2BxjJuYoaGannw%3D