DAM, the Palestinian hip hop group performed in Bethlehem to enthusiastic crowds. DAM is made up of three Palestinian singers who live in Israel. They come from the city of Lod.
They are interesting for several reasons. For one, they try to address different audiences: Israelis, Palestinians in Israel, Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza and in the diaspora. As they say, the message is the same, but the attitude is different. They sing in Arabic and Hebrew (Hebrew when they are particularly angry) and they mix hip hop, and more recently reggae, with more traditional Arabic sound. They are hybrid alright. Their songs deal with state racism and terrorism, drugs, dispossession of the Palestinians, community apathy, women's rights, love etc. They issued their first album in 2006. It's called "Ihda'" (Dedication).
Their name means "eternity" (this is the translation on the CD) but is taken to mean "blood" by some. It's hard not to read it in English as Dam! as in curse.
To learn more and hear and see some of their music, check:
video clip: "Born Here" (Hebrew Version); (Arabic Version)
My space page (can listen to songs)
ana mali 7urreyyey (I have no freedom) (also their official website)
"Meen el erhabi ?" "Who's the Terrorist?" (video clip)
4 comments:
I like the song where they graft Madrasat al-mushagibeen into it. Plus the song on hurriyya which has a young girl reciting Nizar qabbani. The puns and twists of meaning in Meen Irhabi are absolutely stunning!
DAM it up,
ng
Here is the first time that I heard of DAM.
Thanks for the other links!
ng,
they are good, arent' they? I don't like hip hop, but I like this hip hop. I'm getting converted.
FurGaia,
Thanks for the link. good site.
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