About Uness
From the very beginning, Uness infused his music with a cosmopolitan spirit, performing and creating across the globe in the USA, Canada, Germany, France, Dubai, Switzerland, Costa Rica, and his native Morocco. Born in Rabat on December 9, 1983, Uness attended Lycée Descartes for high school, where he cultivated a love for foreign languages, particularly Spanish. Beyond academics, he excelled in athletics, winning several medals in track and field sprints. Though he had a natural talent for all sports, it was music that truly captured his heart.
Behind closed doors, Uness nurtured his passion for music from a young age. His life took a pivotal turn when a neighbor lent him a cassette of Michael Jackson's Bad. At 14, his father gifted him a Spanish classical guitar, which became his constant companion. On weekends, he would gather with classmates to play songs by Nirvana and Sam Cooke. Around the same time, he began experimenting with recording, using a thrifted microphone and a double-decker boombox to create his first demos.
One of these early recordings, though rough in sound quality, was a source of pride for the young artist. He brought the tape to school and played it for a friend, who borrowed it. Within a week, the tape had circulated throughout the entire school, unveiling Uness’s raw talent to his peers and marking the first time his music gained an audience.
In 2006, Youness (Uness) Maroufi struck a deal with renowned record producer and entrepreneur Ryan Leslie (NextSelection/Warner). He played an integral role in crafting hits as a soloist, including standout tracks like “Woman Got Culture” and “Taste Your Heartbeat.” As a songwriter, he has penned tracks for high-profile artists such as Cassie and Katharine McPhee, contributing to hits like “Not With You” and “Do Me Right.” Alongside his breakout single “Buggin’ Out” (#18 on Billboard’s Emerging Artist chart), Uness has released several acclaimed mixtapes, including The Seeker, which featured memorable songs such as “Would You Love Me.”
In the fall of 2017, Uness joined The Kings of R&B tour in Germany, performing alongside iconic artists Dru Hill, 112, and Ginuwine on a five-date series.
Beyond his performances, Uness has also found success online, releasing The Real Live Sessions in 2014, a video series on Facebook that captivated thousands of fans. Reflecting on his independent journey, he notes, “I had so many ideas but no team. So I didn’t have a choice; I had to wear more than one hat to get it done.”
In 2018, Uness made his catalog available on all major streaming platforms with On My Way, a curated collection of his most notable songs. While much of his music is written in English, Uness also crafts songs in French and Arabic that remain unreleased, as he carefully awaits the perfect moment to share this deeply personal side of his artistry with the world.
In the summer of 2022, Uness unveiled his latest EP, Snap!, a vibrant collection of three tracks that traverse genres from New Jack Swing to '80s City Pop and Synth-Funk. This release highlighted not only his deep musical expertise but also his talent for infusing nostalgia with a fresh, modern twist. Among the standout tracks, "P.O.V." has garnered significant acclaim, amassing nearly a quarter million streams on Spotify.
In November 2024, Uness embarked on an innovative project, releasing a series of demos on SoundCloud. He describes this endeavor as an "open workshop," inviting listeners to be part of the creative journey as his forthcoming album gradually takes shape. This interactive approach offers fans a rare glimpse into his evolving artistry, culminating in the album’s official release in late 2025. The highly anticipated launch will be celebrated with a live show featuring his latest music.