Manal Benchlikha balances stardom and motherhood with bold authenticity

Thursday 26 March 2026 - 13:37

By: Dakir Madiha

Manal Benchlikha balances stardom and motherhood with bold authenticity

Manal Benchlikha commands attention in Morocco's music scene. Born September 18, 1993, she grew up between Casablanca and Marrakech. She taught herself guitar through YouTube tutorials in her bedroom. She sang softly to stay unnoticed. She wrote original songs in a worn notebook. She rehearsed before mirrors, picturing packed venues. Her family sensed her artistic leanings but underestimated her dreams and early shyness.

Self-taught rise from Tangier shadows

Manal started with small steps. She joined the TV competition Mantsayadch, gaining early notice. In 2015, she released "Denia," her debut single under DJ Van's Magic Castle Entertainment. The track won her Best Female Artist in Northern Africa at the Africa Music Awards that year. She followed with "Koulchi Ban," drawing praise and Sony Music Middle East's interest.

October 2017 marked a pivot. Manal signed with the major label as one of Morocco's first artists. Her bold trap-pop style set her apart. She paused music briefly for studies, earning a master's degree in 2016 and starting a PhD. Music pulled her back stronger.

"Classico" sparks breakout moment

"Classico" dropped in 2017 and changed everything. Young women belted its lyrics across streets and social media. Manal admitted deep nerves beforehand. Her style felt risky and different. She phoned friends late at night, asking their honest takes: would it work? Success hit harder than expected. Pressure mounted fast. She mastered guarding her private life amid the spotlight.

The song blended raw street energy with sharp production. It built her as a voice for urban youth. Albums followed: 360 in 2021 with hit "Niya," and Arabian Heartbreak in 2024. Recent single "Carta Rouge" carries rai influences and mature depth.

Private marriage weathers storms

Manal married Moncef Guessous on November 25, 2018. He runs a low-profile business life in Morocco. They met off the grid, letting love grow quietly. During COVID-19, when concerts vanished, he backed her streetwear launch "Bari & Soch." The brand filled a creative gap and financial need.

Their wedding stayed intimate, free of fanfare. Moncef urged her forward: sing without fear. This support lets Manal chase art while anchoring family stability.

Daughter Aya reorders her world

Manal welcomed daughter Aya in early 2025 in Casablanca. Motherhood upended routines. Studio days once stretched endlessly. Now she carves precise time for music around Aya's needs. She speaks frankly about the pull: her girl demands full focus and tenderness. Manal aims to show up fully as parent and performer.

This balance forged resilience. "Carta Rouge," released after a year-long break, pulses with new wisdom. Fans celebrated her November 2025 return. Pregnancy and birth inspired her lifestyle series "Alhayat with Manal," sharing home life, dream house builds, and presence over constant tours.

Offstage heart stays grounded

Stage Manal radiates fearlessness. Private Manal cherishes romance and calm. She takes quiet trips with Moncef and Aya. Family meals in Marrakech or Tangier ground her. She tackles women and youth issues through lyrics, not endless interviews.

Tragedy marked her path too. Her father passed from a heart attack. Brother Jaafar Benchlikha stays close. Fans embrace her as relatable: Tangier roots intact beneath stardom. At 5'5" with striking presence, she stands as Morocco's pop force, blending commerce studies with unscripted art.