“Hip hop Palestinian style with DAM the leading Arab rap group” CNN

“Intifada Hip Hop” VIBE

“Very impressive.  Hard to imagine how they managed to make such a good record in the current circumstances. Unlike many hip hop albums, each song is clearly different from its neighbour, some decorated with traditional Middle Eastern instruments like qanun and oud. There’s humour and beauty as well as pride, anger and defiance. Hearing the album wets the appetite for seeing the group play live ” BBC Radio CHARLIE GILLETT UK

“DAM lend their hip-hop beats a uniquely local flavour with the clattering use of indigenous Arabic percussion.” * * * *THE TIMES UK

“DAM address the big issues. Traditional Arabic strings and funky breaks help punch home the message * * *”THE OBSERVER UK

DAM is the first and leading Palestinian Rap Group and one of the most interesting groups to get international attention. It is composed of Tamer Nafar, 31, his younger brother Suhell, 27, and Mahmoud Jreri, 28. The group has been performing together since the late 90s. Tamer, who had been performing Rap since 1998 with his brother, was first contacted by Mahmoud Jreri. Mahmoud was writing his own lyrics so they quickly decided to join forces and the group was born in 1999. All three members of the group were born and grew up in the slums of Lod, a mixed town of Arabs and Jews, 20 km from Jerusalem.

DAM’s album is a tour de force and has been completely written and conceived at home with key producers from the local scene. It is a unique fusion of East and West, combining Arabic percussion rhythms, Middle Eastern melodies and urban Hip Hop/Rap.

Interview with Palestinian Hip Hop Group DAM from IMEU.NET on Vimeo.

The powerful lyrics of DAM are influenced by the continuing Israeli – Palestinian conflict as well as by the Palestinian struggle for freedom and equality. DAM also draw their influence from such controversial issues as terrorism, drugs and women’s rights.

Musically they take their inspiration from both Hip Hop artists (Nas, Common, 2Pac, Mos Def, IAM, NTM, Saian Supa Crew, MBS etc.) and Arabic music (Marcel Khalifa,Kazem Saher,George Wassouf, Majda al Romi etc.)

DAM’s debut album “Stop Selling Drugs” was released locally in 1998, followed by the second album called “Min Irhabi” (“who’s the terrorist?”) which was released in 2001. The controversial title track of this album was released on the net and more than 1 million people downloaded it within one month from the website ArabRap.Net. The song was also distributed free with Rolling Stone magazine in France and became a “street” anthem. It was also featured in a compilation in France with Manu Chao, Zebda, Noir Desir and many other top artists.  Furthermore, the lyrics of the song were taught in some Universities around the world because of their deep meaning, and were also used in pro-Palestinian demonstrations around the world.

Further information on DAM on:

www.dampalestine.com

www.myspace.com/damrap

www.slingshothiphop.com

http://www.dubaifilmfest.com/en/films-explorer/?id=2839

Montreal-born poet and spoken word artist Rachna Vohra dreams of a better world. With a goal of transforming minds, she found spoken word to be an empowering tool towards social change and critical thinking. Over the last few years, she has begun effecting change by addressing social, political, and emotional issues through her work. She has self-published two books; been published in magazines, zines, and anthologies; has been recorded on CD; has performed at a variety of literary and arts festivals; and has featured, slammed, and read at poetry and spoken word venues across North America.

CONCERNING CHANGE

“We can always justify our reactions, but we rarely think twice about the reasons behind them. My work aims to push activism inwards to help build awareness within each individual of our collective role in the crises that plague the world. It speaks to the kind of world we could live in if we took action in our own life, and the goal is to inspire listeners to develop their own belief systems and work at improving themselves. The purpose of the performance would be to encourage critical thinking and empower the audience to take back their thoughts and shake off inaction and complacency.

Poetry and spoken word are effective mediums to relay such messages because the pieces are short and have a high level of energy, reeling the audience in for just enough time to get through to them. Poetry also transcends barriers such as age, gender, and race, bringing listeners together as people. My works cover topics ranging from racism and women’s rights to environment and the media, and I use reflections from my experiences as a visible minority and a woman in today’s society to help the audience see the effects of social issues on everyday people. The message of the performance would be that we should all think for ourselves, and realize that if we change, the world can change.” – Rachna Vohra

CONTRIBUTING TO CHANGE

Spoken Word: All That You Can Be

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST

• Visit RachnaVohra.com

Crystal is a poet and educator who was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Writing poetry since the age of 10, she always sheds light on the setbacks in working-class communities and social injustices while coming up with solutions to eradicate these problems, which is what led her to the classroom. Crystal hopes to continue to affect change through writing and teaching. She is the author of a poetry collection, Women on Fire.

Concerning Change

“One of my favorite quotes is: ‘The only thing constant in life is change’. I truly live by that quote in every sense of the word, because change is inevitable. My definition of change is the abolition of social, racial and economic injustices at home and beyond. Specifically speaking, I affect change in my neighborhood by teaching the youth in inner city and urban communities. Education is the key to freedom and empowerment, which is why I have dedicated my life to giving my students the best education possible. The primary root of change is also allowing those who have less, to have the same opportunities as those who have more, and one of the best ways to enact these changes is in the classroom via education.

CONTRIBUTING TO CHANGE

Crystal Belle’s video performance of “Size Me”.

Crystal’s freestyle, “Army of Salvation”.

Crystal Talks about her art.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST

crystalbellepoet.blogspot.com

Sweta Srivastava Vikram is an author, poet, writer, blogger, marketing professional living in New York City. Born in India, Sweta spent her formative years between the blue waters of Libya and the green hills of Missouri, before arriving in bustling New York. She is a graduate of Columbia University in New York. In 2008, her first book of poetry, “Pabulum,” was published. Sweta’s fiction and poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in Mirage Books, Desijournal, Rangoli Magazine, Kala Kahani, EGO Magazine, India Currents, and Recovering The Self: A Journal of Hope and Healing. She serves on the board of DesiLit. Sweta is also seen at poetry readings in New York City.

Concerning Change

“My writing is a voyage through the three cultures I grew up in: India, Libya, and the US. I am committed to inscribing pieces that highlight logic, question authoritarian doctrines, and promote social change in a non-aggressive yet intellectual manner. I am fascinated by timeless, forward-thinking creations, like Jane Austen’s pieces, that can be read by any generation and yet found relatable.

My poetry is a philosophical inquiry into the stereotypes surrounding gender inequality and human rights. It has a spiritual undertone that expresses the quest for change within the parameters of ethnicity. It dissipates geographic boundaries and cultural interceptions. My nonfiction and fiction pieces reflect on my cultural experiences on both the conscious and subconscious level. My blog gives voice to the illogical adages that makes a society retrogressive and advocates change to keep with the times.

My current work involves a book of poetry that traverses through the wardrobe of colors from an Indian woman’s perspective. It subtly educates people and nudges them to step away from the pigeonhole of shades and empathize with the significance of each color from a unique viewpoint. I am also working on a fiction novel that delves into a woman’s life, who for the most part, unknowingly defies traditions but remains true to the people around her.”

CONTRIBUTING TO CHANGE

• Spoken Word: Womanhood

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST

• Visit Sweta’s website