Yoriyas: The Energy of Everyday Life
An iconic figure of Moroccan breakdancing through his group Lhiba Kingzoo, Yassine Alaoui Ismaili, better…
An iconic figure of Moroccan breakdancing through his group Lhiba Kingzoo, Yassine Alaoui Ismaili, better known as Yoriyas, turned a knee injury into the starting point of an entirely new journey. In photography, he found a different form of expression. Since then, his images have captured, with remarkable sensitivity, the energy of cities, the poetry of everyday gestures and the spirit of the people who inhabit them.A guest of the Tangier Photo Festival, the artist is presenting a series dedicated to travel, inspired by the figure of Ibn Battuta. We met a passionate observer of everyday life.
I received my first camera at the age of eight after winning a chess competition. I quickly broke it while taking it apart to understand how it worked. Later, when I travelled abroad with my breakdancing group, I got into the habit of photographing my route so that I would not get lost. The camera served as my GPS. When I had to stop dancing, I truly began photographing Casablanca. I had noticed that many foreigners were telling the story of Morocco through their images, while there were very few documentary perspectives created by Moroccans themselves. I wanted to tell the story of my country from within.
I am a positive person, and that naturally comes through in my photographs. Even when dealing with difficult subjects, I want to leave room for hope. My choice is to show what connects people, what uplifts them and what inspires them to move forward.
I grew up in the streets, between breakdancing and vibrant local neighbourhoods. My late father loved talking to people and listening to their stories. I inherited that curiosity. Very quickly, I realised that it is people who tell the story of a place. Landscapes are beautiful, but it is the people who give a territory its soul. Above all, it is the human story that interests me.
Most of my photographs are what I call “moments of grace”. Life sometimes creates situations more powerful than anything our imagination could invent. When I give masterclasses, my first piece of advice is to photograph first and think afterwards. If you try to analyse everything before pressing the shutter, you often lose the magic of the moment. I missed so many photographs because my camera was in my pocket that now I keep it in my hand, ready at any moment.
Casablanca, without hesitation. It is the city that shaped me. I am currently preparing a short film that will follow several characters over twenty-four hours in a working-class neighbourhood. It is another way of telling the story of Casablanca, this time through moving images.
I would begin with Casablanca, but far from the usual tourist routes, in its popular neighbourhoods. I like taking the time to observe the light, meet local people and understand the rhythm of a place. Then I would head towards the Atlas Mountains. This region offers extraordinary light, landscapes and stories.
Tangier played a defining role in my life. It was there, during summers spent with my cousin, that I discovered breakdancing as a teenager. I have also photographed the city extensively. Today, I am presenting a series dedicated to travel. Tangier was a natural choice: it is the city of Ibn Battuta, the city of departure, passage and openness to elsewhere. To speak about travel, I could not imagine a better place.
The gesture of a Moroccan greeting someone from afar with a hand placed over the heart. It is a simple, discreet gesture, yet one filled with respect and kindness. To me, it perfectly captures the Moroccan spirit.
Publication Date August 2026
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