# 360 (album)

360 is an album by Moroccan singer Manal, released on May 21, 2021, by Bench & Guess Entertainment. The album features a blend of various musical genres, including pop, hip-hop, and traditional Moroccan influences, showcasing Manal's versatility as an artist. It includes popular tracks like "Niya" and "Call Me," which highlight Manal's soft vocals and distinctive sound.

## Background

360 is the debut album of Moroccan singer Manal. This project showcases her versatility as an artist, highlighting her ability to sing in various styles, countering the perception that she is primarily a rapper. Known for her contemporary style and feminist stance, particularly advocating for Moroccan women, Manal uses this album to reflect different women's perspectives, addressing themes of empowerment, love, betrayal, and personal growth.
Manal collaborated with producers Blaise Keys and Mounchild, with the writing team consisting of Ayoub Toute, Blaise Keys, Manal, Mounchild, and Nordine Achalhi. The album is musically experimental, incorporating a variety of styles such as Moroccan beats, oriental-infused beats, and Latin beats. It is primarily written in Western scales, with occasional infusions of Arabic scales, particularly in the songs "Niya," "Oriental," and "Call Me." This diversity in musical influences aims to create a unique sound that resonates with a wide audience while staying true to Manal's cultural roots.
The recording process for 360 spanned several months, with a focus on blending traditional and modern elements to create a cohesive narrative representing the complexities of modern womanhood. Through this album, Manal aims to break stereotypes and demonstrate her range as both a singer and a rapper.

## Release and promotion

360 was released on May 21, 2021, and marked Manal's debut album. The album's promotion was notably supported by Spotify, which had recently become available in Morocco, thereby playing a crucial role in introducing the album to a broader Moroccan audience.
To further promote the album, there were live performances of the tracks "Ice" and "Denbi," featuring the band AYKONZ. These performances helped showcase the album's dynamic range and Manal's versatility as an artist.

## Composition and themes
### Genres and lyrics

360 is primarily a pop and R&B album with elements of rap incorporated into certain tracks such as "360," "Sans toi," and "Django." The album's lyrical content revolves around themes of empowerment, love, betrayal, and personal growth, reflecting different women's perspectives. Manal infuses oriental keys and instrumentation throughout the album, blending traditional Moroccan sounds with contemporary styles. Additionally, the album features Latin instrumentation and rhythms, such as the tresillo pattern in "360" and trap influences in "Sans toi."

### Songs

* Ice: Serving as the introduction to the album, "Ice" features electric guitars with R&B and pop influences. The song is characterized by its Western keys and sets the tone for the album's diverse musical landscape. Lyrically, it talks about betrayal and emotional coldness, emphasizing resilience and self-reliance.
* Call Me: This pop song incorporates Arabic drums like the darbouka and instruments such as the oud, qanun, and strings. The use of brass elements and Arabic melodies gives it a distinctive oriental flavor. The lyrics assure a lover that Manal is always there for him, providing comfort and support.
* Ghi Nsayeh: Featuring guitar and R&B influences, this track is built on Western keys, creating a smooth and emotive sound. The lyrics focus on moving on from a lover who never valued her, emphasizing self-worth and letting go.
* 3iytou Lbouliss: A pop song with Latin influences, "3iytou Lbouliss" incorporates the tresillo rhythm and flutes, adding a lively and rhythmic texture to the track. The lyrics talk about retail therapy and a girl's insatiable desire to buy more to avoid her problems.
* Baka Baka: Combining pop and contemporary R&B elements, "Baka Baka" also includes the tresillo rhythm, reflecting its Latin influences. The lyrics tell the story of a girl who still longs for her ex and hasn't moved on from the past relationship.
* Denbi: This track features contemporary R&B and pop influences, creating a mellow and introspective atmosphere. The lyrics express feelings of confusion in life and the struggle to understand whether to blame oneself or others.
* Orientale: An R&B track with half-tempo and pop influences, "Orientale" features Arabic strings, adding depth and cultural resonance to the song. The lyrics celebrate the strength of oriental women, asserting their uniqueness and resilience.
* Niya: Blending pop and R&B influences, "Niya" incorporates a Moroccan 6/8 time signature rhythm, muted guitar, Moroccan drums like taarija and nwaqas, as well as Arabic instruments like qanun and strings. The song talks about shedding naivety and demanding honesty and commitment from a man.
* Django: This R&B track features African and tropical influences, with synths, flutes, and a grand piano, creating a rich and diverse soundscape. The lyrics discuss life’s confusion between choosing love or money and the desire for freedom like Django.
* Comme toi: The first ballad of the album, "Comme toi" features soft piano, Western keys, emotional vocals, and the sad tones of a cello and viola, making it an emotionally impactful track. The lyrics talk about her deceased father and the profound impact of his loss.
* B3id: An R&B track with pop influences, "B3id" features arpeggiated rhythmic instruments like the kalimba and Arabic influences with qanun, blending traditional and contemporary sounds. The lyrics portray a young man with big dreams and ambitions, reflecting Manal’s own past aspirations.
* Tu m'aimes: Sung mostly in French, this track combines reggaeton and Latin influences with a half-beat rhythm, brass elements, retro synths, and Western keys. The lyrics criticize an ex for his lies and broken promises, asserting that he will regret losing her.
* Sans toi: A trap rap song with reversed instruments, upfront vocals, rhythmic percussive elements, and French lyrics, making it a standout track for its bold production. The lyrics address betrayal from a close old female friend.
* 360: A rap song with pop influences, "360" features the tresillo rhythm and rhythmic percussive instruments, showcasing Manal's versatility as an artist. The lyrics declare her resilience and determination to stay in the music industry despite adversaries.
* Pardon: An R&B track with French lyrics, influenced by rap and trap, "Pardon" blends smooth vocals with contemporary beats, closing the album on a reflective note. The lyrics are about battling life’s challenges and staying close to loved ones.

## Personnel

* Manal – vocals, writer
* Blaise Keys – producer, writer
* Mounchild – producer, writer
* Ayoub Toute – writer
* Nordine Achalhi – writer