The so-called "Arab Spring" uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa have been driven by a largely disaffected youth demographic aged 18 to 30 that dominates the populations of every affected country. In Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, the youth have demanded an end to the rampant corruption, unemployment, lack of democratic rights, and government policies that stifle freedom of expression and freedom of speech. Echoing these demands have been the representatives of the Arabic hip-hop movement living in both the Arab world and in the Diaspora.
This documentary will examine the rise of Arab hip-hop as a soundtrack to the revolution from its beginnings with Tunisian El General's song "Rayess La Bled (Head of State)" until today. It will include the voices of rappers in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and the Diaspora including the creators (Omar Offendum/The Narcycist) of the YouTube viral video #jan25 and the creators of the Egyptian rap video "Rebel" (Arabian Knightz)
Interviews will be balanced with testimony from relevant political commentators, photographers, producers and voices from the Arab street in order to discuss how Arab hip-hop contributed to revolution and how it is still inspiring artists and protest movements in the US, and demonstrators in Libya, Bahrain, Yemen and Lebanon - who are still blasting Arab hip-hop anthems from their boomboxes as they fight Gadhafi's forces in Libya, the security forces in Bahrain and Yemen and the Sectarian state in Lebanon.
Voices:
El Deeb – rapper/journalist – Egypt
Rush from Arabian Knightz – rap crew – Egypt
Eslam Jawaad - rapper w/The Good the Bad & the Queen – Syria/Lebanon/UK
Malikah – rapper – Lebanon/Algeria
Sam Zaki – Palestinian rapper – Jordan
Ramcess/Ram6 – rapper/student – Lebanon
John Nasr aka Johnny Damascus – bassist in Fareeq al Atrash - Lebanon
DJ Lethal Skillz – turntablist – Lebanon
Omar Offendum – rapper and creator of #Jan25 – LA, USA
The Narcycist – rapper and creator of #Jan25 – Canada
Laith Majali – documentary photographer – Jordan
Ben Gilbert - reporter for the Global Post/PRI's The World - Beirut/USA
Paul Salem – director, Carnegie Center, Middle East – Lebanon
Ben Herson – CEO and director of international hip-hop label Nomadic Wax
Street Voices – Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon
