Loading ...Judeline ‘Bodhiria’ Album Echoes Spiritual Awakenings from Spain’s South to Morocco’s North
By: Nissrine Bedda / Arab America Contributing Writer
Judeline, born and raised in a small seaside village in the south of Spain, is an emerging artist with a rich multicultural background that greatly influences her music. With roots in both Spanish and Arabic cultures, she has developed a unique sound that blends the rhythmic pulses of reggaeton, the energy of electronic beats, and the intricate melodies of Arabic music. Growing up immersed in diverse musical traditions in Andalusia, Judeline’s early exposure to both Western and Arab sounds shaped her musical identity.
Known by DEEZER to be “…a Spanish singer, her music blends flamenco, trap, R&B, reggaeton, and Arabic influences, reflecting her Cádiz and Andalusian roots. She aims to represent artists from her region through her work.”
It’s no surprise to witness the seamless fusion of Spanish and Moorish cultures in Andalusian society. Foreign tourists immerse themselves in the vibrant blend of Moroccan and Spanish influences, from bustling markets in Sevilla to the rhythms of flamenco and the melodies of the Spanish guitar intertwined with Arab sounds. It’s natural to see Moroccans and Spaniards connect, sharing the same foods and songs as they grow up together. This rich cultural tapestry serves as the inspiration behind Judeline’s latest album, Bodhiria.
Spiritual Awakenings
Bodhiria, meaning “spiritual awakening,” is a collection of songs that blend themes of Christianity and Islam, with some tracks featuring lyrics in Arabic. From travels to Tangier to songs like Zahara, named after a town in southern Spain, this album honors not only Spanish culture but also the rich diversity of Andalusia. From hearing the athan in the streets to traditional weddings infused with Islamic influences and the seamless blending of Arabic into flamenco pop, these everyday interactions embody the essence of Andalusia—captured perfectly in this album.
In an interview with NPR, Judeline mentions how Judeline’s dad was born in Madrid, but…he was raised in Venezuela, so he feels Venezuelan…her dad eventually moved back to Spain, where he raised her. But she says that tide of migration across the Atlantic and back, taking one culture, combining it with a new one, is still part of her family’s DNA, and it’s embedded in her music.
Andalusia on the Rise
This fusion is nothing new for Andalusian-born artists who are rising in Spain and beyond, bridging two distinct cultures. Arabic and Spanish speaking audiences alike are captivated not only by the blending of rhythms but also by the cultural connection that unites them. Artists like Dellafuente have also mixed these rhythms in their music and is recognized across the region for collaborating with famous spanish artists as well as Moroccan, such as the infamous Morad, with a song recently released titled “Manos Rotas” translating to “Broken Hands” that became viral with about 48 million views over this past summer.
In Judeline’s well-known song Inri, we see scenes set inside a Moroccan riad alongside moments of entering a chapel. These Christian-Islamic depictions highlight the deep connections between religions in Andalusian culture, a relationship that has long been interwoven into everyday life.
Tanger
The Northern city of Morocco, Tanger, is also featured as one of her titles for her song featured as a single. Her song includes lyrics like “Que cuando llegue a Tánger voy a quedarme allí en la orilla
Y hasta que no aparezcas no me vuelvo a Andalucía” translating to “that when I get to Tangier I’m going to stay there on the shore And until you appear I won’t return to Andalusia”. These lyrics paint vivid imagery of the closeness between Tangier, Morocco, and Spain’s southernmost region, Andalusia—two cultures separated by just 60 kilometers yet deeply intertwined.
In an interview, she shares her belief that Arab rhythms are deeply connected to flamenco, though the people of southern Spain have found a way to add their own unique twist. She also mentions that in her hometown, Los Caños de la Meca, Spain, and Tangier, Morocco, feel almost connected. Growing up, many of her classmates and neighbors were of Moroccan origin, which she believes may have influenced her strong sense of connection—both personally and in her lyricism.
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