Chakib Hilali grew up in Casablanca, Morocco, born into a family of musicians and athletes. While in Morocco he founded a small ensemble, which began with four musicians, and grew to eleven members. He also performed oud with an Arabic orchestra called Ferqat al Ma'arif.

Chakib was studying oud (Arabic lute) at the Conservatory of Music in Casablanca, but his studies were cut short at the age of 21, when he had an opportunity to immigrate to the US, and came to Denver, Colorado. He has lived in Colorado for two years, and in that time has performed with local musicians Rachid Halihal, Saltanah Middle Eastern Music Ensemble and Khalil al Tarab, and also performed in concerts with Lebanese percussionist Souhail Kaspar and Israeli artist Yair Dalal, and visiting New York musicians Richard Barsimian and Michal Hess. Chakib also plays Rai music with singer Reda Ray.

Chakib plays concerts around the US with the group Al Karisma.

Chakib’s primary instrument is oud, but he is also proficient on violin, ney, Arabic keyboards and on percussion instruments including darbuka, riq and bendir.

He enjoys playing many styles of Arabic music, from classical Arabic music, Tarab, Moroccan music, folk music of the Arab countries, belly dance music, and Rai - a modern style that fuses western instruments with North African rhythms and melodies.

In 2005,Chakib was invited to perform and teach at the Mendocino Middle Eastern Music & Dance Camp. He taught Morrocan percussion on a variety of instruments, and a style of Moroccan singing known as "Shaabi".

Chakib is available for performances, lessons and workshops.