'Arab Spring' draws inspiration from American hip-hop
theGRIO REPORT - In the Arab world. Arabian rappers are using tales of turmoil from the streets to send an important message: Throw your hands up for peace...
Hip-hop has become synonymous with “thawra”, meaning revolution, in the Arab world. Arabian rappers are using tales of turmoil from the streets to send an important message: Throw your hands up for peace.
“And if you want war, hit ‘em with a peace sign,” said DJ Outlaw, Bahrain producer of “Arab World Unite”
“We don’t want your mercy, we just need your love. Forget about the money and the other stuff. Our families are dying but yeah we’ll stay tough. Gaddafi is trying to assassinate us,” said Boge, 18, a Benghazi hip-hop artist
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From Tunisia to Bahrain, revolutionary rap is being used to tell the truths about the troubles, struggles and violence of the Arab nation. Capturing the ear of young audiences, it has become a tool for the revolution. Hip-hop is looked upon as the eyes in places that the media can not see. It’s the insight on the real situations. Egyptian rapper, Masrah Deeb aka. “Deeb” said, “Hip-hop is from the streets. We know what is going on.”
The fight to unite has not been an easy one. Many Arabian hip-hop artists have been imprisoned or even killed for their peace efforts. According to Boge, there are secret cops whose sole duty is to suppress the music. One legendary artist whose song, “Come on leave Bashar,” is now the revolutionary anthem, was arrested and stripped of his vocal chords.
Still Arabia’s hip-hop artists will not be silenced. Omar Offendum says, “The fear barrier has been broken.” Freedom fighters are inspired and people are now speaking on the issues that were once forbidden.
