Video: Rap Speaks To Politics

January 31, 2012 Leave a comment

It’s no secret that rap is political. A recent New York Times article highlights various songs and MCs who’ve made a real impact on revolutionary movements in the Middle East and Africa – sometimes paying a serious price for their rhymes. DIY production and social media have made it possible to spread the word of MCs like El Général, AKA the voice of Tunisia, who has been imprisoned. El Général’s song, ”Head Of State” (video above) helped spur public outcry that ultimately ousted President Ben Ali. OKA fav Keyti from Senegal, and Mohamed el Deeb from Egypt (below) were shown love for their outspoken politics. When interviewed, Deeb rightfully noted that “shallow pop music and love songs got heavy airplay on the radio, but when the revolution broke out, people woke up and refused to accept shallow music with no substance.”

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Audio: DJ Zhao’s Ngoma 9 Arabic Mix

November 4, 2011 Leave a comment

DJ Zhao delivers this 78-minute (!) mix rooted in North African and Middle Eastern sounds. Radio Ngoma #9 – Eternity takes off from an Algerian and Moroccan Rai starting point and treads through several different times and regions:

“Egyptian darbuka meets Kraftwerk, Palestinian electric oud spiced with Afro drums, Israeli folk music with the moonbah treatment. Also included are some relatively contemporary groups like the unique pan-Arabic electro-dub outfit Checkpoint 303, as well as diasporic sounds like Algerian expat Hiphop made in France.” (NS)

Stream and grab it below! (via GB)

TRACKLIST
01 [Morocco] Nour Eddine – Talaa Albadrou Alaina (The Full Moon) (intro)
02 [UK] Muslim Gauze – Afghans (Rev. V.01) (transition)
03 [Palestine/Tunisia] Checkpoint 303 – Hawiya Dhay (Dj Zhao Afro Drums edit)
04 [Egypt/Germany] Hossam Ramzy + Kraftwerk – A Step in Time (Dj Zhao Non Stop Edit)
05 [Israel/France/Unknown] Ora Sittner & Youval Micenmacher – Debqà Rafiah + Peter Bucci, Sammim – Hay Consuelo (Obeyah Edit)
06 [Algeria] Cheikha Rimitti – Ana Ou Ghzali
07 [Egypt/Germany] Hossam Ramzy – Fallahi Rhythm (Desert Rhythm) + Furesshu – Tel Aviv
08 [Morocco] Oriental Angel – Jammin With the Snake
09 [Thurkia/Unknown] Harem – Darbouka Solo + Band Apach – Desert Energy
10 [Lebanon/Australia] Wadih Mrad – Da3 El Hawa + Sampology – Piggy Bank (Gnucci Swick Remix)
11 [Unknown] Unknown – Saida
12 [Iran] Yasmin – Kalil I Hila
13 [Lebanon] Said Mrad – Esmerim
14 [Algeria] Najim – Raha Walete
15 [Algeria] Rohff ft Mohamed Lamine – Trop D’energie
16 [Algeria] Reda Taliani – Partir Loin
17 [Morocco] Rayan & Rima – Dana Dana
18 [Algeria] Cheba Zahouania – Yana Yana
19 [Morocco] Hassan Houssini – Eleil Eleil
20 [Algeria] Cheba Fadela – Ateni Bniti (Part One)
21 [Algeria] Cheba Fadela – N’Sel Fik
22 [Algeria] Warda Djaou – Lamouni
23 [Morocco] Nour Eddine – Talaa Albadrou Alaina (The Full Moon) (outro)

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American Bob Bradley To Replace Egyptian National Team Coach

September 20, 2011 Leave a comment

The Egyptian national soccer team’s former coach, Hassan Shehata, left his post amongst criticism for his backing of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, as well as his team’s lackluster performance. This February, at the height of protests in Tahrir Square, Shehata publicly voiced his support for Mubarak to the dismay of fans and protesters. Interestingly enough, the Pharoahs have now hired former American coach Bob Bradley to lead their team — a move that could be indicative of broader diplomacy measures between Egypt and the US. Just saying.

Egyptian soccer has had a tumultuous season in the midst of a national uprising. A three month ban enacted to avoid protests spilling over into stadiums and recent confrontations between players and fans have taken a toll on the national team. Bradley will look to take the Pharaohs to their first World Cup since 1990.

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Revivalists’s African Jazz Issue: Salah Ragab’s Egyptian Jazz

July 11, 2011 Leave a comment

The continuation of Revivalist’s African Jazz Issue features legendary musician and pioneer of Egyptian’s jazz genre, Salah Ragab. The multi-instrumentalist is responsible for introducing jazz music to the Afro-Arab world, and also acted as a political dignitary, making the music part of the national agenda. Ragab is known for embracing the crux of true jazz – improvisation – and introducing it to his cadre of Egyptian musicians.  He is perhaps best known outside of Egypt for two collaborative concerts he performed with the great Sun Ra (one of the masters of improv), in 1971 and 1983. Get a taste for his sounds with the video above, and check out the full Revivalist feature HERE.

 

 

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Egypt’s Revolutionary Graffiti

May 26, 2011 Leave a comment

Graffiti has come to Egypt, at long last. The fall of Hosni Mubarak’s regime has given our Egyptian counterparts their first taste of freedom of expression – and they’re spraying it all over the walls. These works reflect and commemorate the revolution, including those that have recently gone up over  the first ever “Mad Graffiti Weekend” which began May 20th. In this gallery from the UK’s Guardian, check out more of Egypt’s 21st century graffiti artists.

 

 

 

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Fela’s Movement Comes Alive

May 3, 2011 Leave a comment

From beyond the grave, Fela Kuti‘s Movement of the People – the political party under which he ran for president of Nigeria ( think “Black President”), calling on the masses to reject the corrupt and tyrannical rulers across the African continent – has been reborn today.

DirectFrom Fela HQ:

Fela’s Movement Of the People lives today.

Fela Kuti was defamed, jailed, and beaten for his refusal to stand down in the face of corrupt and oppressive regimes. He started his own political party, The Movement Of the People, and wrote a corresponding track – a call to action – called “M.O.P. (Movement Of The People) Political Statement Number 1.” If he were alive today, he would be proud to watch the people of Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Cote D’Ivoire, and Sudan, among others, who are fighting for their political and personal freedoms. Like him, they are ready to pay a heavy price to for their transformative subordination.

Come join Fela’s Movement of the People, M.O.P., and stand in solidarity with the people of the world fighting for their rights.

Check the official website to get involved – they’re offering a bunch of downloads and more, as well as a slew of parties and events coming up around the campiagn.

Below enjoy the song that spawned the movement:

M.O.P. (Movement Of The People) Political Statement No. 1 by knitrecords

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Audio: “#Jan25″ for Egypt, by Freeway, Ayah, Amir Sulaiman, The Narcicyst, & Omar Offendum

February 10, 2011 1 Comment

“#Jan25,” inspired by the resilience of the Egyptian people during their recent uprising, has brought together North American artists Freeway, Ayah, Amir Sulaiman (Def Jam Poet), The Narcicyst, and Omar Offendum to contribute and co-sign their support to the Egyptian people. Unfortunately looks like they’re going to need it, after Mubaraks’ speech today (2/10/11). “This track serves as a testament to the revolution’s effect on the hearts and minds of today’s youth, and the spirit of resistance it has come to symbolize for oppressed people worldwide.” Canadian vocalist, Ayah is also currently working on an album with DJ Jazzy Jeff, be on the lookout for that one soon.

#Jan25 – Omar Offendum, The Narcicyst, Freeway, Amir Sulaiman & Ayah (Produced by Sami Matar)

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