In 1969, Abderrahim Boussif brought the family’s groundbreaking music enterprise, Boussiphone, to Brussels, transforming the city into a emerging corssroad for Moroccan music. Originating from Casablanca, where Boussiphone was established in 1959 by hist father, Mohamed Boussif, the company sought to support the Moroccan music scene by recording and publishing local artists. In Brussels, Abderrahim Boussif expanded this vision, opening two stores in Molenbeek and Anderlecht, which catered to the Moroccan diaspora, particularly from the Rif region. These stores became landmarks, offering recordings of iconic Moroccan and North African artists, such as Nass El Ghiwane, Lemchaheb, and Cheb Khaled, as well as lesser-known musicians.

Abderrahim Boussif integrated Brussels into the company’s international network. Master recordings from Morocco were sent to local pressing plants in Belgium for cassette production, and Abderrahim collaborated with studios like Action Video in Sint-Gilles to produce new recordings. The stores in Brussels not only sold music but also rented and distributed VHS cassettes featuring Moroccan films and musical performances, bridging the cultural gap for a diaspora community. The business tailored its offerings to the tastes of the local community, providing records popular among northern Moroccans in Brussels, distinct from those sold by his brother in Paris, who served southern Moroccan audiences.

Boussiphone also elevated Brussels as a center for Moroccan music through live performances. Starting in 1975, Ali organized grand gala evenings in prestigious venues like Ancienne Belgique, Botanique, and Salle Lumen, featuring stars from Morocco and beyond. These events solidified Brussels’ role as a cultural bridge between Morocco and Europe. By the 1980s, the company diversified further, producing Amazigh films and video cassettes, which gained immense popularity among diaspora communities. Today, the legacy of Boussiphone’s contributions to Brussels’ cultural landscape remains a testament to its role in preserving and promoting Moroccan musical heritage.

see: https://www.boussifreres.com/