Näss

Näss ('People') connects the popular and urban dimension of hip hop dance with the profoundly ritual and sacred aspect it can summon.

What happens when the raw energy of 1970s Moroccan music meets the visceral pulse of contemporary hip hop?

In Näss ('People'), choreographer Fouad Boussouf orchestrates a high-octane encounter between seven men, blending traditional North African rhythms with fierce, urban movement. Drawing inspiration from the legendary Moroccan Gnawa musical pioneers Nass el Ghiwane, Boussouf finds a powerful analogy in hip hop’s own quest for identity and roots. The performance is a profound, hypnotic rite; a sacred commotion that bridges cultural heritage with modern, unbridled expression.

On stage, the performers confront one another through a stack of diverse techniques, each dancer fiercely committed to his own unique style and strength. Boussouf masterfully orchestrates this group dynamic, keeping the audience on edge through an unending evolution of movement. Infused with the nuances and colors of his native Morocco, where the company retreated during rehearsals to find the work's pulse, the choreography seamlessly weaves urban dance styles into a grand, trance-like experience.