Julian Belbachir , Australian-Moroccan multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and N’goni Fola, Julian Belbachir stands at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, crafting a musical language that bridges ancestral African knowledge with contemporary global sound.

Born in Sydney to Moroccan heritage, Julian’s relationship with music began at an early age. At just five years old, he was introduced to traditional West African percussion and quickly became immersed in the teachings of master drummers and griots living within Australia’s African diaspora. These formative experiences shaped not only his musicianship but also a lifelong commitment to cultural exchange, mentorship, and reverence for traditional knowledge.

Driven by a deep desire to understand the origins of the music he loved, Julian later embarked on extensive journeys throughout Guinea, Senegal, Mali, and Morocco. There, he studied with some of West Africa’s most respected musical masters, dedicating himself to both performance and the craft of traditional instrument making. Over time, he developed advanced skills in building and playing instruments such as the Kamele N’goni, Djembe, Dundunba, Kora, Balafon, and Guembri — instruments that would become central to his artistic identity.

Julian’s work is defined by his ability to unite seemingly distant musical worlds. Drawing inspiration from Moroccan Gnawa trance traditions and desert blues, he seamlessly integrates these sounds with reggae, dub, takamba, wassalou, hip hop, and electronica. This synthesis creates a sonic landscape that is at once deeply rooted and unmistakably contemporary — honoring lineage while speaking to modern audiences across continents.

From 2013 to 2022, Julian was a core member and drummer for the internationally acclaimed Australian Indigenous dub group OKA, performing in more than 30 countries and appearing at major festivals across Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. The band’s fusion of First Nations culture, electronic production, and the Yidaki (didgeridoo) provided a powerful platform for Julian’s rhythmic versatility and cross-cultural musical vision. Following the passing of the band’s founder, Stuart Boga Fergie, Julian transitioned into his solo career, marking a new chapter in his artistic evolution.

His debut album Babdoukkala received widespread international recognition, including five-star reviews from Songlines Magazine and placement in the European World Music Charts Top 10. The release led to invitations to perform at leading festivals, including WOMADelaide, Vivid Sydney, Visa For Music in Morocco, and numerous cultural exchange events across North Africa, Australia, and North America.

Alongside his performance career, Julian has built a respected reputation as a producer, working closely with Indigenous artists around the world. His collaborative approach has resulted in projects with Yolŋu elder Andrew Gurriwiwi, Malian guitarist Moussa Diakite, Moroccan Gnawa artist Abdel Benaddi, and Canadian First Nations artist Leonard Sumner — recordings that received Juno Award nominations. His wider creative network has also included collaborations with artists such as A Tribe Called Red and Nick Littlemore from Empire of the Sun, demonstrating his ability to move fluidly between traditional and contemporary music scenes.

Whether performing on festival stages, producing records in major studios, or crafting instruments by hand, Julian Belbachir’s work is guided by a clear philosophy: music as a living bridge between cultures. Through rhythm, collaboration, and deep listening, he continues to contribute to a global musical conversation — one that honors the past while imagining future sound worlds.

notable collaborations

Featured on award winning Best Album of the Year in the Juno awards ‘We Are the Halluci Nation’ (2017) by A Tribe Called Red

Worked on a number of recent projects with Empire of the Sun and Pnau (LA based Aria award winning group from Australia)

Recorded Juno nominated (2019) Leonard Sumner album ‘Standing in the Light’

produced “kanafo” by Moussa diakite (mali)

produced “blue magic” by Moussa diakite (mali)

c0 produced 3X nima award winning record “Sing your own song” angrew guruwiwi band