Simo Lagnawi

Gnawa Master • Cultural Ambassador • Musician • Educator • Founder of School of Gnawa London

Simo Lagnawi is a Moroccan Gnawa master, musician and cultural ambassador based in London. Originally from Morocco, he has become a prominent representative of Gnawa culture in the United Kingdom, dedicated to preserving, performing and sharing the rich musical and spiritual traditions of Gnawa heritage with audiences across the UK and internationally.

Based in London, Simo leads Gnawa London, performing traditional Gnawa music while creating opportunities for wider audiences to discover this important Moroccan and African cultural tradition. He is also the founder of School of Gnawa London, where he delivers workshops, educational sessions and collaborative projects, passing on Gnawa music, rhythms, instruments and cultural knowledge to new generations.

Simo received two Songlines Music Awards nominations in 2014, for Best Newcomer and Best Artist. Throughout his career, he has led and collaborated with a range of bands and international musicians, building bridges between traditional Gnawa music and contemporary global sounds.

His recording career includes seven albums, comprising four albums under his own name and three with the EJ Band. His debut solo album, Gnawa London, was released in 2013 through Waulk Records and was featured by Songlines magazine among its “Top of the World” album selections in September 2013.

Simo’s music and cultural work have been featured across major international media platforms, including BBC World Service, CNN International, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Proms and Vox Africa, alongside numerous radio programmes, magazines and cultural media outlets around the world.

He has performed at major festivals and cultural events including Glastonbury Festival, Secret Garden Party, Latitude Festival and Boomtown, as well as at venues and events internationally.

His performances and cultural projects have taken him across the United Kingdom, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, the United States, Latvia, Denmark, Belgium and Portugal, including appearances in cities such as Los Angeles and Miami.

Through his performances, recordings, collaborations and educational work with School of Gnawa London, Simo Lagnawi continues to promote Gnawa heritage internationally while creating connections between Moroccan tradition, African musical heritage and London’s diverse contemporary cultural landscape.
Sìmo Lagnawi