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A Tale of Two Cultures: Sons of Yusuf shine a light through the fog

midst the Islamaphobic rhetoric taking the world by storm, some of which is Abeing dispersed by several presidential campaigns in the US, two youngsters from Kuwait are aiming to reveal the truth behind a region misunderstood. Sons of Yusuf are already known to many youth in Kuwait and the Arab World as performers of Western hip- hop music that talks about the great pride in being Kuwaiti, a Gulf citizen, Arab and Muslim. They’ve appeared on local TV ads in Ramadan, have performed at Kuwait University and other universities and art ven- ues across Kuwait, the United States, the Gulf and the Arab World and have been inter- viewed by CNN and Alarabiya. They have been endorsed time and time again by more and more cultural societies and media outlets as their fanbase gets bigger and bigger. Their Youtube video “Hala Hala (We Dem Boyz Arabia Remix),” which is a satire of a song by US rapper Wiz Khalifa with an Arab twist, has reached one million views. had their first interactions with American doing.” Sons of Yusuf’s videos show two guys nessed the Kaaba was indescribable.” known to the West. “Especially at this time, This is plainly due to the fact that Sons of children. “We saw how they would react to us. dressed in attire known to the Gulf as the ‘dish- Through a medium common to many you know, we feel like this is our time to Yusuf are not your typical run-of-the-mill pop All these questions we would get - ‘do yo ride dasha’, a white dress-like garment worn by young people around the world, including the speak up. group. While it is hard in this day and age to camels back home? Do you live in a tent?’.” This men, and a skull cap known as ‘gahfiyya’ as Arab region, the group say they aim to remind It’s about time we share our side of the find music that carries a message, they do. “We formed their desire to “explain things” to peo- well as t-shirts and baseball caps. Women in the younger Gulf Arab generation of their old story - not just the media and the news,” want them to know what our culture and her- ple, and “show people where we come from,” their videos wear the burqaa as well as jeans values and traditions. “We have a responsibili- explains Ya’kub. “We can’t change everything, itage is about,” they told KUNA, fresh from hav- Ya’kub, 28, says. and t-shirts much like the diverse Gulf society ty, especially to the youth,” Abdul’Rahman but we want to spark new ideas and inspire ing performed in Washington DC amongst a Younger brother Abdul Rahman, 26, who which has witnessed the entry of Western underlines. And, at a time where media does others to speak out through art and music.” group of travelling artists from the Arab Gulf. goes by the stage name of ‘Humble Abdul’, fashions yet still maintains its own. Despite not do much to highlight the culture and her- Sons of Yusuf are currently working on an After the Gulf War, which ended in 1991, says that the group’s music is about “being their obvious links to the West, Ya’kub says the itage of Kuwaiti and Gulf Arab societies, they album in Los Angeles, California, entitled two young brothers followed their family to ourselves. To basically stop chasing the brothers haven’t forgotten their faith, and “the have taken it upon themselves to “break “Sheikh The World,” with a US Grammy-award America where they we went to school and Western world and doing whatever they’re feeling I got when I visited Makka and wit- through boundaries” and make their culture winning producer. — KUNA Judge grants Sheen’s ex-fiance temporary Nude, singing with wolves? restraining order judge on Friday granted Charlie Sheen’s ex-fiancÈe a to test Eurovision limits Atemporary restraining order after she cited threats elarusian singer Ivan plans to take next animals.” The problem? It is not clear whether the French artist’s famous nude sculpture. the actor made toward her and two 2014 incidents of month’s by the act will be allowed to go ahead. “Can you imagine ‘The Thinker’ wearing alleged domestic violence. Superior Court Judge Alicia Bstorm-performing completely naked Eurovision bans animals on stage. And while jeans?” Eurovision, now in its 61st year, fea- Blanco approved the stay-away order Friday based on with a wolf at his side. But his plan may prove there is no rule on nudity, spokesman Paul tures acts ranging from the brilliant to the Scottine Ross’ application stating she was fearful of the too much even for a show known as an annu- Jordan told AFP this is “not appropriate” for a bizarre and pulls in a TV audience from actor because he purportedly threatened her life on an al celebration of weirdness, held this year in family show. Drobysh insists the performance around the world. Its finals are set for May 14. audio recording obtained by the celebrity website in May. The act by the lanky 21- is an artistic statement. Ivan will represent Belarus, a small ex- RadarOnline.com. year-old with a mane of reddish blond hair Soviet country not exactly known for its liber- Ross’ filing also stated Sheen kicked her on the ground was dreamt up by Viktor Drobysh, a well- ‘Art, Not Porn’ tarian ways. It is sandwiched between the in January 2014 and choked her to the point she almost known Russian producer with a strong “It’s not about vulgarity or sex at all. “We European Union and , its chief ally. “The lost consciousness a few months Eurovision track record. “It’s undoubtedly an want this to be art, not porn,” he said, as the final version of the song will be confirmed lat- later. Emails to Sheen’s publicist experience, a great experience,” Ivan, whose studio staff-with a bit of irony-tinkered with a er,” chief spokeswoman for Belarus state tele- and lawyer seeking comment real name is Alexander Ivanov, told AFP in an future track by Ivan with the chorus, “I want vision and radio company Svetlana were not immediately returned. interview at Drobysh’s Moscow studio. sex, sex, sex.” “I think the beauty that will be in Kraskovskaya told AFP. “What you see is one The order requires Sheen to refrain “Especially as I have never performed on our performance is comparable to that of of the options,” she said of a promo video of from contacting Ross; to stay 100 stage before in my birthday suit and with wild Rodin’s ‘The Thinker’,” Drobysh said, evoking Ivan singing his contest entry, “”, yards from her, her home, work- in which he appears naked with a trained place and car; and to turn in any shewolf named Shakira by his side. A picture shows Belarus’ singer Ivan, guns he may own. The order also Eurovision is known for its wacky outfits- whose real name is Alexander Ivanov, allows Ross, who performed in from ’s 2006 winner Lordi in their playing the guitar during an interview adult films under the name Brett monster masks to ’s 2007 drag queen with AFP at Russian producer Viktor Rossi, to record any conversations contestant in her disco-mir- Drobysh’s studio in Moscow. she has with the actor. rored headdress. But Ivan has been dubbed in with their mix of authentic peasant outfits There are no indications in the filing that Sheen has some reports as possibly the songfest’s weird- and disco beat, he’s made a name at sought to contact Ross recently. Los Angeles police con- est contestant yet, something he takes as a Eurovision. He said the Belarusian state televi- firmed Wednesday they’re investigating Sheen after compliment. He says he and Drobysh thought sion company “is working on all the legal receiving a criminal report last week. They haven’t identi- long about possible costumes, but ultimately questions”, although its spokeswoman told fied the alleged victim or the exact nature of the investi- decided on none at all, to show “nature and AFP that Drobysh himself is in charge of gation, which is being headed by detectives from a unit man are together”. Working with a wolf negotiations. that investigates serious stalking and criminal threats cas- brought another challenge. “The first Eurovision “will take a decision” after see- es. RadarOnline has said it was served with a warrant rehearsals were very scary, but all the same ing a “second-by-second outline of the rou- seeking audio that is purportedly of Sheen threatening to we made friends,” said Ivan, adding the tine,” said Drobysh. He admitted there is a less bury Ross, whose relationship with the actor ended in sausages he fed her helped. “She liked my exciting plan B for the performance, which he 2014. The website has said it believes the warrant is ille- smell and started rubbing up against me.” described as a “lite” version. Belarus has per- gal. Ross is suing Sheen, claiming he had sex with her Spirit of the times formed at Eurovision 12 times since 1994 and without disclosing he has HIV. That case is being handled Drobysh is pushing for the act. And as the its best result was Dmitry Koldun’s sixth place in arbitration. A hearing to extend the temporary restrain- man behind Russia’s Buranovskiye Babushki, a in 2007 with “”. Some online ing order has been set for April 28 in Santa Monica. — AP A picture shows Belarus’ singer Ivan, whose real name is Alexander Ivanov, posing choir of elderly ladies who won second place commentators in Belarus have expressed for pictures. —AFP photos- in 2012 when they charmed the audience shock at the planned performance. —AFP