A Moroccan Beber from the town of Khenifra in the Middle Atlas Mountains, Boutat began playing the loutar as young boy in middle school. The loutar, a four stringed skin-faced lute, is among the diverse instrumentation found in Berber music, which also includes bagpipes and oboe. Music is an integral part the extensive history of Berber cultural traditions in North Africa. Berber music is noted for its use of folk oral traditions, as well as particular scales and rhythmic patterns, which include pentatonic music and African rhythms. The music is kept alive by traveling musicians who perform at weddings and other ceremonial and social events. Boutat began playing at local social events and weddings in Morocco before migrating to Canada, and later settling in New York. He has played in concerts presented by prestigious cultural organizations such as Le Festival du Monde Arabe de Montréal and World Music Institute. In Brooklyn Maqam programming, Boutat will draw from his repertoire of Berber music, accompanied by Brahim Fribgane and Ahmed Sahel on bendir.