Oooooh of course there is :D Parallel to the commonly known rap scene in the west, I group up listening to D.A.M. , an arab israeli rap group that used to have very political (1) tracks and now are more critical towards society. Specially their lead guy, Tamer Nafar (2). However, when you look for good, as in, sounds good, I think of Bo Kulthum (3) and N3rdistan . N3rdistan is probably my best "rapper" I have heard from the arabic world. Maybe because of his approach. His texts are known arabic poems. Either a few hundred years old like this one from Al Maari (4), or, my current absolute favorite, a recent poem from Nizar Qabbani (5). There is for sure much much more, my knowledge is however more focused to what I stumbled upon by chance. There is also the very local, palestinian scene. I think from there I suggest Al Nather and his track Fi Wa'et (6) (couldn't find a youtube video). I hope that is a good starter for now. There are a few spotify playlists with arabic rap if you are interested. I am very picky with the rap as I don't like mumble rappers, overly autotuned, silly rappers (that have no message) etc. so I end up zooming onto a few. 1 2 3 4 5 6
While undecided on Tamer Nafar, N3rdistan and Bu Kolthoum are the mood for going 15 over [the speed limit] on a 1-lane road cutting through summer plains. Jackpot. Thank you! Other DAM tracks and specifically Fi Wa'et sounds exactly like the feel I'm seeking from Ravid - Fi Wa'et moreso. Next up is making a radio with Fi Wa'et and checking out those arabic rap playlists. Absolutely a great starter. In the same boat, this and N3rdistan's approach (making music of known arabic poems) is what drew me to Matisyahu. He tells his story, which was shrouded in his religion for so long. It's a bit of a trip to me since I sure as hell wouldn't be caught listening to English rap about christianity. That all to say, thank you! I'm pumped to add in N3rdistan for my casual listening. The search for the essence of Fi Wa'et and Ravid Kahalani encapsulated in an artist continues through arabic rap playlists of spotify.I am very picky with the rap as I don't like mumble rappers, overly autotuned, silly rappers (that have no message) etc. so I end up zooming onto a few.
Yeah... uh... what's the opposite of regret? I got that. This was such an apt share. Makes me wish I spent my couple months in Haifa instead of Karmel. LOL. My guide in IL had this love of psychedelic trance, to the point he'd crank it up on his speaker strapped to his backpack on our night trek through Jaffa and day hikes. Sidenotes: I remember signs to Ramallah from Jerusalem, and Ramallah was referenced a lot in the show Fauda, but I never realized how close it was to Jerusalem. The bits with DAM and Al Nather speaking about using their music to converse with their home town sounds SO much like how Mackelmore approached his early tracks. Questions: Anna Loulou, that's reference to Honolulu, Hawaii? Since you're in Tira, would Trump's plan relocate you? What would happen to your Israeli passport (assuming you were born there)?
Anna loulou translates to "I am lulu", never thought about the possible connection to Honolulu 😂 Sadly, the place closed down last year (a few months after this docu came out). My favorite place to hang out in jaffa :( Trumps plan would simply bend the current border to include Tira in the west Bank territories... Feels very surreal to think about it. I would probably lose my Israeli passport. I am also a big fan of psychedelic trance :) my connection to the jazar crew comes from a couple of friends I met at a psytrance festival in Hungary in 2014. What were you up to in Israel?
Sorry to hear it closed. :C It sounded like a hidden gem of Jaffa. Psytrance festival is on my list of things to do now. Surreal fits the bill. That's... a big move. I was in Israel to put a pause on life in America for a bit on a bee farm. Somewhere between plotting a course for the next couple years and getting distance from dating woes.Trumps plan would simply bend the current border to include Tira in the west Bank territories... Feels very surreal to think about it. I would probably lose my Israeli passport.