Will Smith is heading back to the stage—and this time, it’s in Rabat. The iconic rapper and actor will perform on June 25 at the OLM Souissi stage during the 2025 edition of the Mawazine Festival, which runs from June 20 to June 28. This marks a rare and highly anticipated return to music for the Hollywood star, who spent the last few decades focusing almost entirely on film.
Before becoming a blockbuster fixture, Smith broke into the spotlight as half of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. The pair became one of rap’s early mainstream success stories, earning a Grammy for the wildly popular track “Parents Just Don’t Understand” and later cementing their legacy with the timeless summer anthem “Summertime.” Smith eventually launched a solo career that produced global hits like “Men in Black,” “Wild Wild West,” and “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It,” elevating him to a level of pop culture fame few artists ever reach.
His upcoming appearance at Mawazine is expected to be one of the festival’s biggest highlights, drawing in longtime fans nostalgic for his ’90s-era sound, as well as a new generation curious to see him return to his musical roots. The event is poised to deliver not just a performance, but a cultural moment, bridging decades of influence in music and entertainment.
Smith won’t be the only American rapper commanding the stage at this year’s festival. Two days before his performance, on June 23, Kid Cudi is set to perform at the same venue. The announcement, made by festival organizers, has already generated buzz among Moroccan fans, eager to witness the artist’s first appearance at the event.
Kid Cudi—born Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi—is known for reshaping modern hip-hop with a sound that’s both introspective and sonically adventurous. Since his breakout single “Day ‘n’ Nite” in 2008, he’s carved out a unique space in the music world, with critically acclaimed albums like “Man on the Moon” and “Indicud” influencing a generation of artists.
Mawazine’s 2025 edition promises an eclectic lineup, mixing international heavyweights with regional talent, continuing its legacy as one of the largest and most diverse music festivals in the world. With Cudi’s emotional depth and Will Smith’s larger-than-life presence, the festival’s OLM Souissi stage is set to deliver two unforgettable nights of live music.
Tickets for Kid Cudi’s show will be available through the festival’s official website, and organizers are encouraging fans to buy early, given the expected surge in demand.
