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Home , Drive Slow, Drive You Crazy, Graffiti, I Won, Oh Land, Protest song

Mic Check Hip-Hop from North Africa and the

BAM Howard Gilman Opera House MAR 9 at 7:30pm Approximate running time: 1hr and 40min

Amkoullel with Yacouba Sissoko Deeb Brahim Fribgane El Général with Oussama Ben Amor Shadia Mansour with DJ Johnny Juice (of Public Enemy)

The concert will close with a finale on the theme of justice, human rights, and peace, with all the artists collaborating together.

BAM PETER JAY SHARP BUILDING 30 LAFAYETTE AVE. BROOKLYN, NY 11217 Photo courtesy of the artist AMKOULLEL, a Malian rapper, took his stage name from the title of one of the novels of the greatest Malian writers, Amadou Hampâté Bâ, in order to pay tribute to all African cultures. He started getting serious about rap when, in his first experience on the at the age of 13, he was banned by the authorities. A year later he organized his first rap concert with scholarship money. He went to France to study law but changed course when he realized that he would rather be of the voiceless onstage. Amkoul- lel has released three and has been honored at the Mali Hip-Hop Awards three times. In response to the radical Islamist rule in northern Mali, he created a collective called “Plus Jamais Ça” (never again) “to defend the democracy and the sovereignty” of his country. Photo by Msia

DEEB is an Egyptian hip-hop artist and poet who first appeared on the scene in 2005 with the Egyptian hip-hop group Asfalt. Born in Cairo in 1984, Deeb left Asfalt in 2007 to found Wighit Nazar (which translates as “point of view”) with Mohamed Yasser. Their brand of Arab hip-hop took audiences by surprise with its positive yet sarcastic wordplay. Deeb has focused on his solo career since 2010. Cairofornia, his first solo , is written in colloquial and addresses social, personal, Photo courtesy of the artist and cultural concerns of everyday life in . Mic Check marks Deeb’s US debut.

BRAHIM FRIGBANE is a Moroccan player and percussionist based in . He has performed with Dr. L. Subramaniam, , Hassan Hakmoun, Zakir Hussein, Steve Gorn, and Reggie Workman and has recorded with Harry Belafonte, Pau- la Cole, Club d’Elf, Jamsheid Sharifi, Leni Stern, DJ Logic, Malika Zarra, and Morphine.

Photo courtesy of the artist

EL GÉNÉRAL, Tunisian rap , is best known for his “Rais Lebled,” released in 2010, which has been described as the “hymn” of the Tunisian Jasmine by protestors. He is known for his intensity and social . His lyrics provoke listeners with strong words as he lays bare issues of political and social corruption while pressing for the rights, justice and dignity of his people. Two days after his second fa- mous song, “Tunisia Our Country,” was released on YouTube and one week after the in Tunisia began, he was arrested by Tunisian police and imprisoned for Photo courtesy of the artist three days. His forthcoming album La Voix du Peuple (The Voice of the People) has been given the support of the new Tunisian Ministry of Culture. He began rapping when he was 17. Mic Check is El Général’s US debut.

Artists2 SHADIA MANSOUR, Palestinian, entered the musical arena during her teens at the forefront of public protests in highlighting injustices against her people. She quickly established herself on the hip-hop scene after joining the first Arab crew from the Diaspora, ARAP, in 2000. Her political drive stems from her interest in speak- ing truth to power at political rallies from an early age using hip-hop as a “musical intifada” to express and globalize the voice of the struggle. She states, “Arabic hip- hop is not just a certain genre of music, it is the finger that points at everything and questions to instigate change. This is a culture of resistance. The only way it can be Photo courtesy of the artist eradicated is if we refuse to exist.” Mansour has recorded with Johnny Juice of Public Enemy. Her single features M1 of Dead Prez and is titled “Al Kufeyyah Arabeyyah,” (The Kufeyyah is Arab).

OUSSAMA BEN AMOR started rapping at the age of 21 and is a member of El Gé- néral’s group. Mic Check is Oussama Ben Amor’s US debut.

Photo courtesy of the artist

DJ JOHNNY JUICE is an Emmy-nominated composer, producer, turntablist, engi- neer, MC, DJ, and community activist. Raised in and transplanted to Long Island, he formed a crew with MC’s KBMC and Chill O Ski who became Charlie Brown and Busta Rhymes of Leaders of the New School. Juice won a DJ contest organized by Chuck D and Hank Shocklee, and became DJ and MC for The Kings of Pressure. He became the ghost scratcher and member of the Bomb Squad, and went Photo courtesy of the artist on to scratch and add production to hip-hop albums including Public Enemy’s Yo! Bumrush the Show!, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, Slick Rick’s The Great Adventure of Slick Rick, and L.O.N.S.’ A Without a Past.

YACOUBA SISSOKO is a Malian traditional musician and griot known for his mas- tery of the stringed ngoni instrument and talking drum. He has performed with many of the greatest of today and has toured internationally with master musi- cians ensemble Afrocubism.

Photo courtesy of the artist ALBAN SARDZINSKI (lighting designer) Previous productions at BAM include: When Past & Future Collide (John Cale), Red Hot + Cuba, Dr. John: Insides Out, Crossing Brooklyn Ferry, Red Hot +New Orleans, and .

ZEYBA RAHMAN (curatorial consultant), creative director/producer of global culture, is a bridge building cultural ambassador working at the intersection of the and civil society. She conceived and provides curatorial leadership for Mic Check; is artistic director for the Arts Midwest-produced Caravanserai: A Place Where Cultures Meet; and director, Asia and North America, of Fes Festival of World Sacred Music, Morocco. Past projects include: creative consultant, public programs, Metropolitan Museum’s Arab Lands, , , Central Asia and Later South Asia Photo courtesy of Zeyba Rahman Galleries; chief curator, Alliance Française/French Institute’s World Nomads Mo- rocco Festival; project director, planning phase, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Global Cultural Connections and Children’s Museum of Manhattan’s Muslim Cultures; and senior advisor, Muslim Voices: & Ideas Festival. Twice honored by New York City for enriching the city’s cultural life, Rahman is the subject of two profiles as a global cultural leader.

3 Q&A WITH ZEYBA AMKOULLEL No, no, never again! Embezzled public funds RAHMAN, MIC CHECK 1/ S.O.S No, no, never again! CURATOR This is an S.O.S, an S.O.S! We are in a state of emergency! The poorest condemned Q: What is the role of hip-hop in the This is an S.O.S, an S.O.S! No, no, never again! Middle East and North Africa? How has Everything must change! it evolved even in just a couple of years? Religion used to manipulate This is an S.O.S, an S.O.S! No, no, never again! A: Hip-hop is a medium for youth We are in a state of emergency! in societies around the world to express This is an S.O.S, an S.O.S! We all need to dream themselves. In the Middle East and North Everything must change! My people are starving! Africa, it is a very popular means for emcees to be social commentators, giving The people rage, We all need hope voice to burning social and political issues. Their dreams are being killed, My people cry! As such, hip-hop culture and rap music They no longer know in what to believe has wide appeal across the region. Over REFRAIN the last couple of years, with so many Lies rise, This is an S.O.S, an S.O.S! Arab countries in the grip of a social- Always the same thing, We are in a state of emergency! political tsunami, hip-hop has emerged as The truth is buried This is an S.O.S, an S.O.S! a prominent form of cultural resistance, We would not be surprised Everything must change! an alternative to armed movement, and a If one day it all just explodes strong voice for change. This is an S.O.S, an S.O.S! The people rage, We are in a state of emergency! Q: How do you see more traditional Their dreams are being killed, This is an S.O.S, an S.O.S! music fitting into this wave of new socially They no longer know in what to believe Everything must change! conscious artists, both of which will be onstage at BAM? If there is no hope, 2/ TEACHING, STUDIES Always the same, Since 90, the Malian school, slipped into A: We humans are a storytelling species; Don’t be surprised, crisis we share stories constantly in so many If one day it explodes, Solutions proposed are ridiculous different ways—by writing, , Pupils and students that neglected dancing, and acting them out to share Look at me, Here comes the time of reckoning, with the world around us. Conscientious Look at my Maliba hip-hop emcees use their medium as sto- What are you doing? Private schools, so well equipped, rytellers and are social activists who draw Why is it like that? Public education, neglected, attention to civic issues just as so many The poor have no choice, traditional artists do. They can be accom- Everyone shuts up, [They’re] just following the instructions of panied by accomplished musicians who Technical chameleons, others. build a rich soundscape to heighten the New religion, listener’s enjoyment of the message. Have millions The country’s children need education, Here, I’m thinking most especially of The darkness of illiteracy is very dense Africa’s ancient tradition of griot musicians. Weakest link, The country’s children need education, For Mic Check at BAM, live traditional This is the law of retaliation, The darkness of illiteracy is very dense musicians will accompany some emcees You have scruples, die! Students piled one upon another, crowded and also create musical links in between How cute together, sets of each one. Odors and perspiration mixing, We have waited too long Teachers starving, Q: Are there musical trends you are I’m tired of having an outstretched hand! How can they receive proper educational watching emerge in that area now? training in these conditions? REFRAIN A: It’s fascinating to see the ways in which This is an S.O.S, an S.O.S! Until now the country is on its knees musicians are constantly experimenting We are in a state of emergency! The darkness of illiteracy is terrible with traditional and contemporary music This is an S.O.S, an S.O.S! We are in the dark from their countries and around the world. Everything must change! And the country’s leaders have neglected Often, we can hear some of those influ- This is an S.O.S, an S.O.S! us ences re-imagined and layered into their We are in a state of emergency! music in creative new ways. This is an S.O.S, an S.O.S! Develop your mind and your knowledge, Everything must change! work, Foreigners kidnapped That’s the only thing that you really pos- No, no, never again! sess, even in the after life, Nobody can steal it, Democracy on paper A place to teach should not to be confused No, no, never again! with a place to do business, Our politicians are a joke Lyrics4 Bribes rule everything when little brother I pray gets caught cheating, For educational problems to be resolved in Only the work will take us out of this And little sister uses her body to pay if she Mali misery gets caught cheating I pray Without sacrifice and without effort, things For Africa to come out of darkness will only get worse The nation’s children need education I pray The nation’s children need education For a better future 4/FARAFINA (AFRICA) The nation’s children need education I pray, I pray Africa, Africa The density of illiteracy is very dark It is time Each one carries his own cross, his burden The nation’s children need education on this earth, Africa The density of illiteracy is very dark One only shouts out rage to the sky The time to work has arrived Study, study, study, What should I do, The density of illiteracy is very dark What should I say? Africa Every day I pray Get up and out of your misery Studies for knowledge Poverty pushes the head of the family to Africa steal from his country Get up and walk like Sundiata Studies for knowledge The loss of hope drives the mother into The hour of freedom has arrived Studies to thrive Poverty pushes children to flee the country You don’t have to beg for respect, but it is Studies to progress your right The loss of hope fills the streets with beg- In fact, this dependence is presuming the Study, otherwise one day you’ll be sorry ging children same thing Studies for knowledge As slavery, which is already passé Studies to thrive Poverty pushes the head of the family to Now I just need to immigrate steal from his country So many things that they proposed to us, Studies in progress The loss of hope drives the mother to that they show to us on TV Studies, otherwise one day you’ll be sorry prostitution It’s normal for young people to dream, and want to participate Others are advancing, Poverty pushes children to flee the country The only thing they do not tell you is if We are going backwards you’re black you just cannot, Others advancing, The loss of hope make the streets full of No you cannot, if you come from Africa, What is Africa waiting for? begging children eh!

Others are advancing, Each carries his cross, his burden on this Do you know what they say about us We are going backwards earth, We are the wretched of the earth Others argue, One only shouts out rage to the sky That we only have famine, war and desola- Nobody will wait for us tion What should I do That is why nobody respects us The nation’s children need education What do I say? The density of illiteracy is very dark Every day I pray Africa The time to work has arrived The nation’s children need education Only the work will take us out of this The density of illiteracy is very dark misery Africa Without sacrifice and without effort, things Get up and out of your misery The nation’s children need education will only get even worse and worse The density of illiteracy is very dark Africa Only work will make Africa no longer de- Get up and walk like Sundiata 3/ TOMORROW pendent on others Each one carries his own cross, his burden The hour of freedom has arrived on this earth, The world wonders: Africa, why are you One only shouts out rage to the sky still stagnant in misery? Either it is contempt, or even worse, pity, How would you respect those who are What should I do, It says that it’s famine, war and diseases always needy, What do I say? that ravage Africa Constantly stereotyped, Every day I pray Thanks to the TV, I pray Stand up and get working to change that Lobotomized, self-denigrating, For Africa to get out of the darkness The country’s youth are lost, I pray Only work will take us out of this misery dreaming of big bucks, For a better tomorrow Without sacrifice and without effort, things Shackled hand and foot, left to shine, I pray will only get worse and worse The country’s youth are lost, That the law of the powerful ceases What should I do, dreaming of big bucks, I pray What do I say? Jamana deminsennoun Sinin Yé Yé! For the end of racism Every day I pray

5 Do you know what they say about us Come dance, We are the wretched of the earth Dance, dance, We only have famine, war and desolation That is why we do not get respect Everyone is side by side Africa Maintain the boundaries, pay attention The time to work has arrived Don’t touch, na i don kè Let’s go Africa Get up and out of your misery Everybody can dance to the music, Africa Don’t be shy, Get up and walk like Sundiata Don’t be embarrassed about how you look, Fat, slim, tall, short, The hour of freedom has arrived It doesn’t matter, just party with me

The media is perpetuating this Come dance, Only our misery and our failures are pro- Dance, dance, jected on screens Our successes have been quietly forgotten The way she’s moving, dancing and shak- And the truth is often distorted ing her body, It will drive you crazy, Do you know what they say about us And you can’t help yourself from dancing We are the wretched of the earth too That we have only famine, war and desola- The song makes your go crazy, tion So shake your body to the music That is why we do not respect us I see how you dance, You are the best dancer on the dance floor, Africa Everybody’s looking at you and realizes The time to work has arrived that you lead the party Keep on dancing and don’t stop it until Africa everybody goes crazy Get up and out of your misery Come dance, Dance, dance Africa Get up and walk like Sundiata The way she’s moving, dancing and shak- ing her body, The hour of freedom has arrived It will drive you crazy, And you can’t help yourself from dancing Africa too The time to work has arrived The song makes your go crazy, Africa So shake your body to the music The time to work has arrived The hour of freedom has arrived Come dance, Do you know what they say about us Dance, dance We are the wretched of the earth That there is famine, war and desolation Come as you are in us Shake what you have That is why we do not respect us Fat, come and shake it Slim, come and shake it too Work! Don’t be embarrassed, Show us what you’ve got, 5/COME DANCE Be proud of who you are Come dance, Be yourself and don’t care about what Dance, dance, people think about you I know you are beautiful, Come dance, You know you are beautiful Dance, dance, You are beautiful because you know it Come dance So keep on shaking who you are It’s Amkoullel coming into the place, So be ready for what is coming, Come dance, Dance, dance, It’s Amkoullel coming into the place, Come dance, So be ready for what is coming, Dance, dance The song makes you go crazy, So shake your body to the music DEEB 1) MIGRATING BIRDS Lyrics6 I want to travel somewhere far and go trip, The air hostess smiled innocently, mer the umbrellas in the sand, its sum- on an adventure in a new country just which helped to ease the tense atmo- mer time in Alexandria! Pick any beach like Ibn Battuta (Arab explorer) when he sphere, I my headphones and whether it be Bitash, El Maw’moura sailed his ship, They give me a weird look played music, Its weird how certain (famous beach spots in Alex) when they hear my heavy accent, which tunes remind you of special occasions makes them want to know where I’m in your life, a place you visited, an old El Sharkiyah is my hometown, Zagazig from, A stranger is easily identifiable and joke or even an incident with a friend, I is the capital, to be specific I’m from can be recognized at first glance, don’t buy into the old saying, “Birds of a Inshas, Moneeb (Egyptian singer) placed feather flock together,” because it doesn’t a ring on Belbeis, I’m in Suez celebrat- You can tell he’s not from town when you solve the problem of a diverse society, ing and drinking its Sharbat (a drink spot him in the metro trying to read the we’re not one type of bird, we’re ducks, served in weddings), Sinai is where I’ll be signs, I have my map and rhyme book pigeons and swans, Enough with the honeymooning, fishing on the docks of where I write all my observations and superstitions, we’re living between two Nuweiba, thoughts just like Anis Mansour (Egyptian extremes, Aliya Mahdy (revolutionary writer), You’ll cross seas and travel all woman blogger who stripped naked to Ladies & Gentlemen that was the end of around the World but there isn’t a place make a point about freedom) strips down my story, sending out my love and loyalty, better than home, Traveling and chang- and this guy wants to cover statues (refer- Egypt is my country Chorus: ing your environment and surroundings ence to extreme Islamists and their view is a must as it gives you a birds’ eye on arts) The people out there looking for Have you ever drank from the Nile and view when you go back home similar to truth are sick of the chase, And when you thought about singing a song to Her? when a flying bird lands down to feed its open your eyes to the truth, one of their I carry Her in my eyes and I feel her chicks, The mind is a terrible to thing to snipers pops it (referring to the incident problems and sorrows, My country, my waste, which is why I dusted the spider where snipers were shooting at Tahrir country, I give you my love and loyalty webs off it and brushed the fear off my protesters eyes in Mohamed Mahmoud body, My time here is limited, I cannot clashes) I’m a citizen returning home and 3) 4th of DECEMBER stay quiet, The ink of my pen will cross I feel betrayed, I love it when I see the On the 4th of December, 1984, Maha borders as long as I’m alive arrivals sign in the airport, I know I’m and Ahmed El Deeb celebrated the home, I’ve carried so many bags you’d birth of their first baby, They named me think I do weight training, My generation Mohamed like my Grandfather, it also CHORUS: is persistent, since January 25 I’ve been coincided with the birth of the Prophet I’m traveling like a migrating bird, Car- a new person, I spread my wings and fly Mohamed PBUH, I was born in a hospital rying a message to the World just like against the strongest winds overlooking the Maadi corniche, The pigeons, I’m traveling free in the air with name of the hospital was ‘The Peace’, no chains, I know the way back home 2) MY COUNTRY now you know why I say the word so, of course, I’m coming back home, I’m I went to the land of Thebes and met up peace a lot, Do you know why I want to traveling, I’m traveling with its lovely people, Aswan is a favorite, enlighten the World like lanterns? Why I love Luxor and I’m not talking about the I want to wake up the hopeless who The alarm clock went off reminding me beer brand, I’m talking about the city with are living their life like bats, waking up that I have a meeting with the clouds, But the beautiful temples, If you look at the at night and sleeping in the morning, I I’m sleeping comfortably in bed and I map from the south, you’ll find Quena, spent the majority of my life in the Gulf don’t have the energy to get out from decorated with its beautiful white houses, just like million other Egyptians who im- under the blanket, I have to continue my migrated in search for a better living, It struggle, A hot shower and a double shot You’ll feel the generosity of Upper Egypt, was my Father, Mother, Brother Sister and of espresso does the job, some people say the people there will get out of their I, During our childhood, we participated ‘Cafe’ We say ‘Ahwa’ (Arabic for coffee), way to help you out even if you’re a in soccer tournaments, Karate and played welcome, taxi driver and ev- stranger, As I travelled down the Egypt Nintendo, Back when art was real art and erything will be alright, They envy me for Agricultural road, I bumped into a beauti- had a message traveling around the world but don’t know ful Minyan girl, People go to Port Said to the heavy feeling of loneliness, Being eat seafood and buy new clothes for Eid CHORUS a stranger can get a toll on you espe- (Islamic religious celebration and feast), My name is Mohamed El Deeb, I’m here cially when you miss your family, friends, to bring you some fresh rhymes like milk food, I come back home to find my Mom Special thanks goes out to the people of to give you the nutrients that you need, I preparing my favorite dish for me, The Damietta for cooking the finest fool (Egyp- travelled the whole of Egypt from Delta to next day I join a protest to demand the tian beans, Egypt’s most popular dish) Upper Egypt freedom for my country, My country is like a butterfly that just spread its new CHORUS: My very first performance in Egypt was wings, flashing off its colors in her garden, Have you ever drank from the Nile and in 2005, I was joined by Meya Meya, Swearing an oath never to go back to its thought about singing a song to Her? Zeroboyz, MSE, Asfalt (underground sorrows I carry Her in my eyes and I feel her Hip-Hop bands), Back then, I didn’t write problems and sorrows, My country, my my rhymes in Arabic until this one night CHORUS country, I give you my love and loyalty in Assiut the same year I wrote my first Sitting in the airplane with people from The person who built Egypt was a sweet/ verse in colloquial Arabic, I joined Asfalt very far away places, Some are go- candy maker, evidence for this is number in 2006, it was comprised of Yasser, Gad, ing back home to check up on their ill of Beshbeeshi (local sweet/candy produc- Ibrahim and myself, We rocked shows mothers, others looking to spend a happy er) lined up on the Cairo-Alex road, Ham- everywhere, experienced the good and

7 bad, Until everyone had to go in their is still under siege, harassment is still They didn’t care, Even if the earth were to own separate way even though the fans an everyday issue in our streets ask our open, Our revolution is a popular peaceful wanted us to continue, We solved our Sisters, It turns out that we’re the major- national revolution, We have demanded problems like grown men and understood ity (the People) and you are the minority freedom, dignity and social justice, The that each one of us had a valid point of (Muslim Brotherhood), Before banning people were controlled with an iron view, 2008 was the birth of my new duo, porn sites, tell us who the third party is fist, Business contacts and personal ‘Wighit Nazar’ (point of view in Ara- (forces acting against the revolution were interests, They treated us viciously, They bic), We had an impact on the scene, but given this term), They asked me what is appeared on satellite TV channels, And that had to end too because of creative humanity? I told them it’s a human being produced provocative statements, We won differences, There’s no hard feelings with and his intentions on February 11, A million-man joy, Ulu- music, and its fate that leads you on, I’m late o Egypt, o Bahia (a name used to saying this with the same positive attitude CHORUS symbolize Egypt), We have achieved that is felt in rain dances Promised a better life, because the one freedom, The revolution is not over yet, It we’re living today isn’t rosy, Stand by me has just begun, Looks like it’s our turn CHORUS or else we die, Shout out loud, “No to now, And you’re still in bed, C’mon get On this occasion I’d like to thank everyone the ruling of monkeys, this is the time of up! You’ll brush your teeth later, C’mon who supported me and motivated me to Lions” “No to the ruling of monkeys, this get up! Move, your regime is screwing continue, attended one of my shows/open is the time of Lions” you, Rise up, O Egyptian, No revolution mic sessions or even came across my can end in a night and day, Bear with music by chance, I’m not an amateur, I’m a musician like it a little, Have endurance and toler- Sayed Mekkawy (famous Egyptian musi- ance, Don’t fear over the cycle of produc- I’m clever in this field and I’m happy do- cian) Sayed Met’al (folkloric Egyptian tion, There should be a revolution against ing what I love, I’m working on achiev- musician) told us a lot of things but you oneself, Tomorrow is better than the past ing a dream with a meaning, I can’t see weren’t listening, You turned your eye myself doing a 9-5 and sitting down on on a lot of things, its as if your con- CHORUS a desk, The normal evolution of things is science was empty in the middle like a Rise up, O Egyptian, No revolution can be for me to dedicate my life to music so that bridge, They’re (government) playing with terminated in a night and day, Bear with one day I don’t look back and regret it, I us like video games, My tongue is my yourself a bit, Have endurance and toler- don’t want to chase net profit, I’m going horse (old Egyptian saying), I’ve tamed ance, Don’t fear on the cycle of produc- to reach my goals without the help of a it to protect me, I’ve lived a quarter of a tion, There should be a revolution against genie and a lamp, Since my birth I’ve century, and I’m going to sing to the day oneself, Tomorrow is better than the past been singing , I’m doing this for the God decides to take my soul, I demand records, don’t forget about me History, It the return of my country, 1 year and a A transitional period, A commercial started as a personal thing and now its a half passed since Mubarak stepped down break, Tea and Cleopatra (Egyptian strong movement in our community (re- and still my people are not satisfied, Don’t cigarettes brand), Yellow faces staying ferring to Hip-Hop), I’m not Nostradamus blame the revolution for the unfortu- up at night, To follow the newscast, A or a shrink but I always had a hope and nate events today, The previous regime penalty, The audience is waiting for the confidence in my people, My imagina- (counter-revolution) was working a system goal, Every day in newspapers we read tion didn’t betray me, which is why I’m to defeat our revolution, Remember the news about a dog that has looted the positive, withdrawal of the security forces, slowing country, Stop! return the gold, Weren’t you down of trials? Even an illiterate could in charge of the country’s media? False 4) PROMISED process the information and understand statements, odd expressions, The hard A call to all liberals, Islamists, womanizers what was going on, The Muslim Brother- part is over and history has been written, or Judges, let me speak my mind and hood must stop lying to the people, The Don’t think that the people is exhausted lets not look at the past, The past is gone media hasn’t changed and it still de- with its sadness and hurting, During the ceiving people just like Susan Mubarak transitional period, the people in charge days, I’m out of words when I see the bombarded us with sophisticated terms newly elected parliament members like ‘Technocrat Government’ and failed to (majority represented by Islamists) put- solve the real problems, ting their heads down in the ground like ostriches Corruption was prevalent in the country and stank like arm pits, And the cops 5) STAND UP EGYPTIAN were being commanded to take and The stock has been put out of commission, execute orders like Robocop, I’m using The old slogan is back: Police is in the the Arabic language to express myself service of the people, The situation was and remind the people of the discrimina- tough tion we faced, Before the revolution, if you spoke up you would get whipped Today it is better, We can make our desert and thrown in jail, The people that green, We got rid of Hitler’s rule, A carried this out are what we refer to as damned pharaoh, With the presence of counter-revolutionaries (Felool is the and the Egyptian walks Egyptian word), The current government confidently, Using the language of righ- is complacent and is not addressing the teousness, They used to tell us no real issues, We still export our gas, Gaza Lyrics8 EL GÉNÉRAL Schools, hospitals, buildings, houses, My people’s voice that was silenced [by But the sons of dogs have already fattened the system] before, [on the money diverted from it], The voice of the poor, the weak, the voice 1/ RAIS LEBLED/MR. PRESIDENT They stole, robbed, kidnapped, and were of the truth Why are you worried? unwilling to leave their positions, The voice of the one who has no voice, Would you tell me something? Don’t be I know that there are many thoughts in I solved some problems and created some afraid! people’s hearts that aren’t expressed, too, Mr. President, today I am speaking in the If there wasn’t this injustice, I would not be ’t allow anybody to hurt us anymore name of all the people and myself who here to say these things. or our kindness again, are suffering in 2011, I am RAP that runs in the veins, There are still people dying of hunger who Mr. President, your people are dead, I am the RAP that runs in the brain want to work to survive, Many people eat from garbage, But their voice was not heard, And you see what is in the When night arrives, the secret police jump Get yourself into the street and see, country, to start writing cases, People have become like animals, Misery everywhere and people who have What eyes can see plainly, Look at the police with batons, takatak, not found a place to sleep, Because they are developing weapons, they don’t care, I am speaking in name of the people who We have to go to war without getting paid, Since there is no one telling them to stop, are suffering and were squashed under- We fight and we defend, Even the law of the Constitution, foot. Let me be next to the people who want to Put it in water and drink it. fight [social justice] Every day I hear of invented process, 2/ ENA ERRAP/I AM RAP In spite of what the servants of the State I am RAP, who was confused, REFRAIN know, They locked the doors in my face, I am RAP, AKA the voice of the country, I see the snake that strikes women in I live happy one day and the day after I I am RAP, AKA the voice of the country, headscarves, suffer a lot, It’s been a long time since I have been You accept this for your daughter? I am RAP, who was oppressed, fighting against conflict, You know these are words that make you Not like in the other countries where there Against racism, against wars, against rot- weep, is RESPECT, ten mentality and misery As a father does not want to hurt his Now, everybody knows that RAP is making children, a difference, I am RAP, AKA the voice of the country, Then this is a message from one of your They create big trouble and sabotage me. I am RAP, AKA the voice of the country, children, They said that my musical style is not It’s been a long time since I have been Who is speaking of his suffering, compatible with our traditions, they said fighting against conflict, We are living like dogs, it is sinful, Against racism, against wars, against rot- Half of the people are living in filth, But in fact it is THEM who are doing sinful ten mentality and misery And drank from a cup of suffering. things and they will continue until the end. I am RAP, still moving forward, Mr. President, your people are dead, For them I am problematic, My soul is still the same [fighting for Many people eat from garbage, I am the one who is a nuisance to them, justice], And you see what is happening in the I am the one who denounces the SYS- I won’t abdicate, country, TEM’s injustices against my people, Every military watchman is afraid, Misery everywhere and people who have They only like arts and artists that serve My words are grenades, not found a place to sleep, them and their interest in this country, I am BACK! I am speaking in name of the people who That’s why they cancel all rap concerts, are suffering and were squashed under- I am not on stage because for them, I am I am RAP, I am ready to start, always on foot, outside the system, the move, Mr. President, you told me to speak with- I prefer to stay outside the system instead Never stopping, out fear, of prostrating to the dictators. My fire will never turn off, But I know that eventually I will get just I’m RAP, rapping for the public against the slaps, REFRAIN political system’s shenanigans I see too much injustice and so I decided I am RAP, AKA the voice of the country, to send this message, I am RAP, the voice of the country, I am helping you with my critiques, Even though the people told me that my It’s been a long time since I have been Do you think you will change your ways? end is death, fighting against conflict, I will never change, But, how long will the Tunisian live in Against racism, against wars, against rot- My words are addressed to the “enlight- dreams? ten mentality and misery ened” people, Where is the right of expression? I am free and have been for a long time They are just words... I am RAP, who speaks out and who has Tunis was defined the “green,” but there is been thrown into prison, REFRAIN (two times) only desert divided into two. I was injured, I was exiled and marginal- I am RAP, AKA the voice of the country, It is direct, forced, robbery that has domi- ized, I am RAP, AKA the voice of the country, nated a country, I am the one who was blacklisted on the It’s been a long time since I have been Without naming names everybody already biggest blacklist, fighting against conflict, knows who they are. I am RAP, the one who made the voice [of Against racism, against wars, against Much money was pledged for projects and my country] heard, rotten mentality and misery infrastructure, 9 I am RAP, AKA the voice of the country, I cannot be bought, neither can my REFRAIN I am RAP, AKA the voice of the country, message or my voice, Every day my head is held high It’s been a long time since I have been My voice is free and I won’t prostrate to the General, I am a soldier, I am not just an fighting against conflict, political games, MC, Against racism, against wars, against rot- I have credibility and, rap is a responsibil- In the top ten list I am number one, always ten mentality and misery ity on the move, Welcome to my world. General! I am RAP. Welcome to my world. Case after case, we try to show the truth, Because of oppression, my pen feels com- Every day my head is held high 3/ WELCOME TO MY WORLD pelled to speak out on paper, General, I am a soldier, I am not just an Welcome! We are still standing, MC, Just know that I am still hardcore, Although, for years the water in the glass In the top ten list I am number one, always My voice is my weapon, my rap is strong, has been overflowing [with social pres- on the move, Wherever there is evil I am facing it, sures and troubles], Welcome to my world. I am ready for life or death My rap is advancing at an even greater Don’t need to talk, the public knows my speed. We do not use the language of those using story, drugs as in some neighborhoods, General of the heart, General of war, I address my words to you the public, In life you should respect yourself, I am rapping for [the struggle for social My greetings to you, You are speaking a language that has been justice], Without my public I could never have been passé since 2000, For the voice of truth, the voice of the op- what I am, You were silent before, pressed. and the voice of the country, From the South to the North from the East Where were you during Zinelabbidine Ben I dedicate this to the jealous who envy so to the West, ’s [the former Tunisian president over- intensely. Public, thanks to you I have reached my thrown by the Jasmine Revolution] time? goal and realized what I want [to do], In Tunisia what was sinful then is an honor These dogs are standing, watching me as Thanks to God, he gave me new life, today, I fly high, I am alive, Look at the Revolution, Many were happy when the President I could have been dead and far away from Everybody used it and drank from it like threw me in jail, you, milk from a cow, But I reappeared like a nightmare, With you, I move forward, While I am fighting, My rap disturbs, it has a cause, it doesn’t With you, I live like a volcano, You and ones like you are singing about serve the government or political parties, With you, lyrics live! gooey love, I am blacklisted by the secret service, I am well known and you are insulting me, My rap makes them intensely angry. 5/ DIRTY GAME As a result, you are still look like spit on a Looking for a BUZZ and fame, wall. REFRAIN Rap in Tunisia sold its soul, You are talking behind my back, Welcome to my world, That is why in Tunisia the rappers are just And at the same time you want to be fea- Step with me and follow me. rapping rubbish, tured in a collaboration with me. It’s me versus my enemy, Following the policy of nonsense, I cleaned up Tunisian rap and made it You can never stop me [Excuses from policy makers like] I forgot listenable, to tell you that the ladder is broken, I am the one who gave it value and with Welcome to my world, Come back tomorrow. me the flag is flying high. Step with me and follow me. I am pulling you by your ears [I am carry- It’s me versus my enemy, You are cursing, but thank God I am ing you], You can never stop me advancing, Like Messi [Spain’s star soccer player] is You insult, dreaming that I am being af- carrying FC [Spain’s famous All my life is a risk and danger, fected by it [forcing me to stay up] all soccer team], I am a soldier in every war, night, I am like a thorn in your side, My road is dark and full of holes. Many words, many rumors about me, Rappers and government you’re still the I am here, Looking down at you from a distance, same, As you already know from the beginning, And I am on top, And I am still here like the eagle and you my lyrics and my rap are that of a [so- The Boss is back! [standing there like the owl] cially] engaged artist, Go back, back to your place, That has been my intention from the first Time to set everything in order, REFRAIN day, Tunisian rap is a jungle, Every day my head is held high Many people listened to me, listened to Full of [predatory] animals, full of lions, General, I am a soldier, I am not just an my art, while at the same time other MCs tigers, eagles, crocodiles and dinosaurs, MC hate me, Everything is imitation, all are thieves and In the top ten list I am number one, always They cursed me thinking they are putting hypocrites, on the move, me down, The public is aware of your games, Welcome to my world. We are living in a country where no one That is why my fans love me, has the courage to speak the truth, Because I am very sincere, Every day my head is held high Everyone is fake and can be corrupted, With the help of God, General, I am a soldier, I am not just an Except the one who has humanitarian My name and image won’t fall. MC, values, In the top ten list I am number one, always Lyrics10 on the move, wishes you well, Welcome to my world. You changed like the clouds and fog of We are confused about what is happening, weather People have sold their conscience. 4/ WAKFEEN/STANDING UP As for our friendship it’s over, General, OK, OK, You spat your poison like the viper, My advice, don’t try it again, I won’t abdi- Welcome to my world. What is in your heart you speak with your cate, mouth, Nobody will stop us except for God, on We are still standing up even though I don’t blame you, whom we rely, they’re talking badly about us. It’s over. Don’t listen to what is said about us, We don’t care about them, Your words like water have evaporated. Follow your path Each one has their own character, You talk behind my back and when with And let the dogs bark and run around. You see a lot of jealousy, a lot of hate in me you are ask for . hearts, I won’t blame you, REFRAIN You don’t want to accept destiny, You’ve shown the weakness of your char- We are still standing until we die, We are still standing even when, we were acter. With all what they say about us, betrayed by friends, I don’t want to see you again, We are still standing and as we are stand- I open my doors to them, I smell your cheapness. ing they are crying, But at the end they betrayed me like the In their eyes you can see the jealousy, dogs that they are. We are still standing, Like it or not you are jealous. The people today are judged by the money Like rocks of the pyramids, they have, Because we are standing, many of them We are still standing until we die, Specially in Tunisia, cried as they are fake rappers. With all what they say about us, When people get rich, everyone kisses Snow doesn’t melt during its season, We are still standing and as we are stand- their hands, The cold is accustomed to cold. ing they are crying, Do a comparison between the one who Those who are accustomed to cheapness, In their eyes you can see the jealousy, falls down and the one is standing up, are humiliated like faded flowers. Like it or not you are jealous. The one who falls, they step on him, And the one who is flying high, they stand REFRAIN in line to meet with him. We are still standing until we die with all Sick hearts, full of poison, what they say about us, Like vipers they eat [the weak sheep] with We are still standing and as we are stand- wolves and then cry to shepherd, ing they are crying, Like vampires they drink the blood of the In their eyes you can see the jealousy, hands that helped them, Like it or not you are jealous. Look to people with values, not to people that sold their souls, We are still standing until we die with all General! Strong and successful but never what they say about us, an oppressor, We are still standing and as we are stand- Many things were said, ing they are crying, I was young but now I am older. In their eyes you can see the jealousy, Like it or not you are jealous. REFRAIN We are still standing until we die We are still standing, With all that they say about us, Even though they tried to give us a bad We are still standing and as we are stand- reputation, ing they are crying, I am not disturbed by rumors, In their eyes you can see the jealousy. People know my truth very well. Like it or not you are jealous. We are still standing, Even the media are playing games and We are still standing until we die sabotaging us with the public. With all that they say about us, They want to put me in a box, We are still standing and as we are stand- They want to make fun of me and drive out ing they are crying, the reality. In their eyes you can see the jealousy. Don’t listen to them or follow them, we are Like it or not you are jealous. not on the same subject. They sell your secret to others, because We are still standing, they are disrespectful, You will never find a sky without stars, The bad mannered always remain on the In hard times we stand like people as they bottom, did on the first day, And will never see the light. We are still standing, as from the begin- We are kind of lost and each talks badly ning and a lot were with us, about the other, Those who put on masks, changed and They don’t want us standing, they want to lied [like chameleons], see us in darkness Each one has his character. Not everyone who knocks on your door

11 SHADIA MANSOUR That’s why we wore the kufeyyeh for peace, Because it is our original identity) As long as peace remains in progress, Come on, raise your kufeyyehs The people will continue to pay the price 1/ KOLHUM ENDHUM DABABAAT Raise them up for Bilad esh’sham [Greater Produced by: Sandhill; Lyrics: Shadia , that includes , , Mansour Syria, ] REFRAIN Oh Gaza of blood, Oh Gaza of worry The Kufeyyeh is Arab, and it stays Arab Since ‘67, meetings and assemblies We share your sorrow and shall fulfill your And the people suffer from this language struggle There is no other after the Arab people of peace Palestine, oh land of lions, we shall return Show me one region in the world that is Oh freedom fighters, with your faith, more influential You will defeat the Zionist, racist, cowardly The picture is clear, we are the origins of mission civilization Oh righteous martyrs of Gaza Our history, tradition and custom bears For too long, you have stood in the line of witness to our existence fire That’s why I wore the Palestinian dress Your souls, shall be our beacons From, Haifa, Jenin, Jabal e’naar (Nablus) Your victories, written all over the walls to Ramallah Long live, long live, long live, Palestine Let me see the kufeyyeh (the red and white And to the Arab leaders, who are still one) sleeping Raise it up to the sky Where are you? I am..Shadiyat el Arab Where are your voices that should be filled Like an earthquake, I shake the ground with outrage and fury at this situation? My words are war Record! REFRAIN I am...Shadia Mansour They all have tanks, but we have stones And this scarf is my I.D. They demolish our homes and kill our From the day I was born, the people have children been my responsibility Oh Palestine the free, oh Gaza the brave Look, I was raised, between the East and Zionism shall be defeated West Between two languages 2/ KUFEYYEH ARABIYE/THE KUFEYYEH Between the rich and the poor IS ARAB However, I am like the kufeyyeh Produced by: DJ Johnny Juice; Lyrics: However you wear me, wherever you leave Shadia Mansour me Good morning cousins I stay true to my origin...Palestinian. Come in and honor us with your presence

What would you like us to serve you, Arab 3/ THE LANGUAGE OF PEACE blood or tears from our eyes? Produced by: Lethal Skillz; Lyrics: Shadia I think that’s how they hoped we would Mansour receive them Beware of the language of peace, That’s why they got tangled up when they It’s all gibberish when its just words with tripped up on their own mistake no action That’s why we wore the kufeyyeh The people are sick and tired of broken The black and white one promises. Dogs of the past starting to wear it as a I’ve heard enough of this language of statement peace, However they change it, whatever color Of hearing the same slogans over and over, they make it Getting bored of the same old story… The Kufeyyeh is Arab, and it stays Arab. Beware of the familiar faces, Our scarf, they want it Of the sketchy smiles, Our dignity, they want it Of the scripts we all know too well Our intellect, they want it One minute you’re considered a terrorist Everything ours…they want it And the next minute you could be consid- We will not be silent, will not allow it ered It suits them to steal something that ain’t A partner of peace or a statesman… theirs Peace seems to be hurting us, instead of They imitate our style saving us, As if all this land, is not enough, Is anyone hearing us? Know how to be human How many times should we allow our Before you wear our scarf dignities to be exploited? How long should we allow this silence to REFRAIN go on for? That’s why we wore the kufeyyeh More than 60 years and we’re still waiting Because it is our national Lyrics12 CONNECTING WITH THE or syllables are reversed or recombined, English, singing along with the songs and or both. Think of it as a Gallic Pig . wearing clothes (e.g. baggy pants, fitted PERFORMANCE With Verlan the typical greeting ‘’Bonjour, caps, or certain brands of sneakers,) that By Amy Linden ça va?’’ (‘‘Good day, how are you?’’) is are often associated with hip-hop. Some flipped into ‘’Jourbon, ça av?’’ and ‘’Une of those fans might even adopt lingo and For the purposes of this guide “hip-hop fête’’ (a party) is remixed into ‘’une teuf’’. body language that they’ve seen in Ameri- and “hip-hop culture” will refer to a broad- Even the word Verlan itself is a rework- can rap videos. But is there a point where er creative experience that includes break ing of the French word “l’envers”, which imitation turns into mimicry? Is it pos- dancing, beat boxing, MC’ing, graffiti, and means to reverse. sible to remove portions of a culture out of DJ’ing. The use of “rap” will apply to the its original context? And should you? musical component of hip-hop-culture. Over the course of a few decades, Verlan Shadia Monsour’s single “Kofeyye Ara- In the 1990 KRS-One, an old school rap has spread from the suburban housing beyye” (The Kofiya is Arab) addresses legend and co- founder of the seminal projects of France’s poorest immigrants, identity, and what it means to claim own- group Boogie Down Productions coined most of whom come from France’s former ership. A Kofiya is the traditional black the term “edutainment.” His purpose was colonies in Africa (e.g. Senegal, Ivory and white scarf that is worn by many Ar- to highlight that rap music could serve Coast, and Mali), The Antilles and North abs. But there are many people, especially two purposes at once, without having to Africa), to , , TV and most in the United States, who do not know compromise one for the other. The word of all France’s hip-hop and rap music that the Kofiya is more than just cool might have been new but the suggestion scene. With the rise of French rappers fashion. The crux of Monsour’s song is to that rap could stand for something dated such as NTM, Soon E MC, Passi, IAM, point out that when the Kofiya, is taken back to Grandmaster Flash & The Furi- and MC Solaar Verlan became the lan- out of context, you negate its significance. ous Five’s groundbreaking 1983 hit “The guage of hip-hop. Rappers use Verlan to Message” which can be looked at as a keep outsiders at bay as well as a sly way “The Kufeyyeh is Arab, and it precursor of so-called conscious rap. to poke at fun at France’s obsession with stays Arab. Our scarf, they want it the purity of its language as an indication Our dignity, they want it Critics have often derided rap music by of what it means to be a “real” French Our intellect, saying that it doesn’t stand for anything. citizen. Verlan is a way for 1st and second they want it Everything ours...they want it But what, if any, responsibility does hip- generation immigrants as well as the poor We will not be silent, will not hop culture and rap music have in an and disenfranchised to reinvent them- allow it .It suits them to steal some- overall political and social debate? Can selves within the context of their adopted thing that ain’t theirs hip-hop culture and rap music be the culture and claim a language of their own. They imitate our style catalyst for a more serious discussion of Verlan is just another example of how As if all this land, is not the many issues that affect young people? language and social politics can inter- enough, Know how to be human Can it provide young people with the sect. By writing in colloquial Arabic the Before you wear our scarf means to advocate for social, political, Egyptian rapper Deeb is pushing back and, economic change? And if it can, what against formal Arabic. By taking on the does that mean to you or your peers? The vocabulary of the streets Deeb is forming artists that are performing in Mic Check an alliance with his audience, many of “I am...Shadia Mansour come from diverse backgrounds and bring whom might not be as educated as those And this scarf is my I.D. with them their own experiences and more fortunate. Language is a way to form From the day I was born, perspectives. Their common bond is the an alliance. the people have been my belief that hip –hop culture and rap music responsibility Look, I was raised, between can play an important role for all young Culture. the East and West people. Between two languages When you think about hip-hop culture Between the rich and the poor Language or rap music do you ever consider how However, I am like the it might have changed the way you see kufeyyeh however you wear me, Do you speak in a certain way to certain other people? Is it possible that through wherever you leave me I stay true to my people or in specific circumstances? Does rap music you’ve become more open to origin.” your vocabulary, dialect, or intonation ever new thoughts, religions, lifestyles, and change and if it does then do you have culture? Has hip-hop helped in any way to Hip-hop and rap music has grown to be any idea why? The ability to switch back expand your view of the world? so ubiquitous and deeply embedded into and forth from the standardized language much of the that a debate that we’ve all been taught in school to a Hip-hop culture and rap music ranks as over proprietary rights might well be moot. more colloquial, fluid, or so-called “street” one of America’s biggest cultural exports So, has hip-hop culture been co-opted language or dialect is known as code and its influence can be heard and seen and if so, then by whom? And does it even switching. Very often we will speak in a everywhere. There are dozens of countries matter or affect how you feel about the more relaxed fashion or in a vernacular that have their own homegrown hip-hop music? that could be looked at as non-standard communities and rap scenes. But it is when we are around friends or others American hip-hop and rap that has helped who come from a similar background. shape and define youth culture on a Politics One example of code switching is a form global scale. If you attend a rap show in of French slang known as Verlan. When Germany, , , or Brazil you The wave of uprisings known as the Arab speaking Verlan standard French spellings will hear fans, many of who don’t speak Spring began in the North African country

13 of Tunisia on December 18, 2010. The “Oh Gaza of blood, Oh Gaza of worry The only thing they do not tell you is consisted of prolonged acts We share your sorrow and shall fulfill your if you’re black you just cannot, of and resistance in struggle No you cannot, if you come from Africa, campaigns that involving strikes, demon- Palestine, oh land of lions, we shall return eh! strations, rallies and marches and the use Oh freedom fighters, with your faith, Do you know what they say about us of . The impetus for the Arab You will defeat the Zionist, racist, cow- We are the wretched of the earth Spring came from many issues but key ardly mission That we only have famine, war and deso- among them was government corruption, Oh righteous martyrs of Gaza lation human rights violations, rampant unem- For too long, you have stood That is why nobody respects us ployment, hunger, and the refusal of in the line of fire… Thanks to the TV, Lobotomized, self- many young people to bow down to the denigrating, powers that be. “They all have tanks, but we The country’s youth are lost, have stones they demolish our homes and Dreaming of big bucks, After fierce confrontations the President kill our children. Shackled hand and foot, left of Tunisia was toppled in January 2011. Oh Palestine the free, oh Gaza to shine, The country’s youth are lost, That action kicked off a domino effect the brave Zionism shall be defeated”. Dreaming of big bucks, Jamana demin- where, in quick succession the leaders, Whether you agree not Monsour’s lyrics sennoun Sinin of Yemen, Libya, and Egypt were also show how powerful rap can be. Yé Yé! disposed. Released in 2010 El General’s Do you know what they say about us “Rais Lebled” (Head of State) became the For close to two years the West African We are the wretched of the earth unofficial of the Jasmine Revolu- nation of Mali has been embroiled in We only have famine, war and desolation tion, called that because the national conflict. Currently Islamic fundamental- That is why we do not get respect flower of Tunisia is the jasmine. An artist ists, who have enacted strict Sharia Law, Africa the time to work has arrived.” and political prisoner, El General’s music are controlling the country. Thousands of and You Tube videos helped galvanize the people have been killed and many more Shadia Monsour, Deeb, Amkoullel, and El young people both in Tunisia and across displaced with the situation growing so General do hip-hop culture and rap music the Middle East. dire that earlier this year France sent proud. They have their own style, their troops in to help its former colony. Mali own swagger and each have something to “Mr. President, today I am speaking of is an impoverished nation but one with a tell us that relates not only to their own myself deep musical history. Some well-known country but also to the world at large. and all of the people who are suffering in Malian musicians include Salif Keita, We hope you will be edutained. 2011. Amadou & Mariam, Ali Farka Toure, There are still people who are dying of Omumou Sangare, and Tourmani Diabete. CCR-6-12 writing (1-5) Sadly under Sharia Law the playing of Speaking and Listening (1-3) hunger CCR 9-10 Reading Standards (1-3) 11-12 (4) who want work to survive. any music not deemed as sacred can be Get off into the street and see, banned. People have become like animals. See the police with their batons”. Amkoullel’s raps address the turmoil in his homeland. On “S.O.S.” he calls out for his During the Arab Spring Deeb also emerged people to rise up. as a voice of the people. In an interview for the web magazine Taste Culture the “This is an S.O.S, an S.O.S! former journalist took note of the unique We are in a state of emer- role that rap music played helping orga- gency! This is an S.O.S, an S.O.S! nize people throughout Arab speaking Everything must change! nations. “ have a similar history so This is an S.O.S, an S.O.S! the culture of hip-hop unites us. Rap has We are in a state of emer-gency! This is become a language for resistance and an S.O.S, an S.O.S! against cultural, ethnic, or social dis- Everything must change!” crimination, and corruption. This is in the spirit of its roots that started with African Other topics that Amkoullel speaks to are –Americans’ using rap as a vehicle to talk self-hatred and how outside forces, includ- about racism, human rights, and equality. ing the media, have contributed to the If you look at the all the countries where oppression of his people. In “Farakina” the took place, there was rap.” (Africa) he declares: “You don’t have to beg for respect, Likewise Shadia Monsour has positioned but it is your right herself as a spokesperson. Her songs take In fact, this dependence is presuming the on the politically charged and decades same thing long war between and Palestine. As slavery, which is already Because Monsour’s mission is to represent passé Now I just need to immigrate for her people outsiders might look at her So many things that they proposed to us, lyrics as provocative and even inflamma- that they show to us on TV tory. In “Kolhum Endhum Dababaat “ It’s normal for young people to dream, Monsour raps and want to participate

14 15 Major support for BAM Education programs provided by: Altman Foundation; Booth Ferris Foundation; Brooklyn Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin; William Randolph Hearst Community Foundation; The Simon & Eve Colin Endowment for Education and Humanities Programs; Irene Foundation; Ford Foundation; Lemberg Foundation; Diamond Fund; and The Robert and Joan Catell Fund for The New York Community Trust; Rockefeller Brothers Education Programs. Fund; The Rockefeller Foundation New York City Cultural Innovation Fund; The Skirball Foundation; and Seth Your tax dollars make BAM programs possible through Sprague Educational and Charitable Foundation funding from: Mic Check is part of Diverse Voices at BAM sponsored by: Education programs at BAM are supported by: Barclay’s Nets Community Alliance; Barker Welfare Foundation; Tiger Baron Foundation; BNY Mellon; The Bay and Paul Foundations; Constans Culver Foundation; Expansion of BAM’s Community and Education Programs Charles Hayden Foundation; Jaharis Family Foundation; BAM would like to thank the Brooklyn Delegations of the made possible by the support of the SHS Foundation. Mic Check Emily Davie and Joseph S. Kornfeld Foundation; David New York State Assembly, Joseph R. Lentol, Delegation Leadership support for BAM Education programs is and Susan Marcinek; Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation; Leader; and New York Senate, Senator Velmanette provided by Cheryl & Joe Della Rosa, The Irene Diamond National Grid; PennPAT: a program of the Mid Atlantic Montgomery, Delegation Leader. The BAM facilities are Fund, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Arts Foundation; Tony Randall Theatrical Fund; The owned by the City of New York and benefit from public Trust, and The Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation. Jerome Robbins Foundation, Inc.; May and Samuel Rudin funds provided through the New York City Department Family Foundation; Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation; of Cultural Affairs with support from Mayor Michael R. Leadership support for school-time performances, Sills Family Foundation; Surdna Foundation; Michael Bloomberg; Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin; pre-show preparation workshops and educational Tuch Foundation; Turrell Fund; Joseph LeRoy and Ann C. the New York City Council including Council Speaker screenings is provided by The Simon and Eva Colin Warner Fund. Christine C. Quinn, Finance Committee Chair Domenic Foundation and Lemberg Foundation. M. Recchia, Jr., Cultural Affairs Committee Chair Jimmy Van Bramer, the Brooklyn Delegation of the Council, and Education programs at BAM are endowed by: Councilwoman Letitia James; and Brooklyn Development of new education and community initiatives Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund for in the BAM Fisher supported by The Achelis Foundation; Community, Educational, & Public Affairs Programs;

About BAM Education BAM Education also serves family audiences In September 2012, BAM launched On Truth & Humanities with BAMfamily concerts, the BAMfamily Book (and Lies), a series hosted by philosopher Simon Brunch, and the annual BAMkids Film Festival. Critchley that explores the ambiguity of reality with BAM Education is dedicated to bringing the In addition, BAM Education collaborates with prominent artists and thinkers, as a co-presentation most vibrant, exciting artists and their creations the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation with the Onassis Cultural Center NY. to student audiences. The department presents to provide an arts and humanities curriculum to performances and screenings of theater, dance, students who perform on stage in BAM’s Humanities at BAM also include year-round literary music, opera, and film in a variety of programs. DanceAfrica program. programs: Unbound, a new fall series presented In addition to the work on stage, programs take in partnership with Greenlight Bookstore that place both in school and at BAM that give context Humanities at BAM celebrates contemporary books and authors from for the performances, and include workshops with across the literary spectrum, and the ongoing Eat, artists and BAM staff members, study guides, and BAM presents a variety of programs to promote Drink & Be Literary series in partnership with the classes in art forms that young people may never creative thinking and ongoing learning. The National Book Awards, in the spring. have had access to before. These programs include Artist Talk series, in conjunction with mainstage Shakespeare Teaches, AfricanDanceBeat, Afri- programming, enriches audiences’ experience The department also hosts master classes, canMusicBeat, Dancing into the Future, Young during the Next Wave Festival and the Winter/ including the Backstage Seminar, a series of Critics, Young Film Critics, Brooklyn Reads, Arts Spring Season. The Iconic Artist Talk series, workshops on the process of theater-making & Justice, and our Screening programs, as well as launched as part of BAM’s 150th anniversary with BAM’s production staff and guest artists. topically diverse professional development work- celebrations, features iconic artists and companies shops for teachers and administrators. examining the evolution of their work at BAM over the years through on-screen projections of original footage and images from the BAM Hamm Archives.

Department of Education and Humanities Staff: About the writer:

Stephanie Hughley: VP Education & Humanities Amy Linden is a noted music and cultural critic , Suzanne Youngerman, Ph.D.: Director of writer and educator. She is a proud citizen of the Education & Family Programs hip-hop nation. John P. Tighe, DMA: Assistant Director Violaine Huisman: Humanities Director John S. Foster, Ph.D.: Education Manager Gwendolyn Kelso: Program Manager Eveline Chang: Program Manager Copyright © 2013 by Brooklyn Academy of Music Shana Parker: Event Manager All rights reserved. No part of this book may be Jennifer Leeson: Administrative Coordinator reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any Nathan Gelgud: Box Office Manager/Program means, electronic or mechanical, including photog- Associate raphy, recording, or by any information storage and Tamar McKay: Administrative Assistant retrieval system, without permission in writing from Molly Silberberg: Humanities Assistant the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Rebekah Gordon: Administrative Assistant Hannah Max: Humanities Intern CreditsLulu Earle: Education Intern