mic check!Brother Ali

by Hass Dennaoui

Suheir HAMMAD

ISSUE 01 • NOVEMBER 2013

HIP-HOP Culture

A diamond in the rough

YOUR MONTHLY SOURCE OF REAL HIP-HOP CULTURE

Beating Poetry

TOP 5 TUNES ON MY HEADPHONES

Q&A | MOH FLOWLOCAL FLAVA’

Contents FEATURE Hip Hop Culture | A diamond in the rough FEATURE DJ Lethal Skillz MIC CHECK Brother Ali: The Undisputed Truth Teller Top 5 Tunes on my Headphones Local Flava’ Q&A | Moh Flow

Local Flava’ Existence is Resistance Movember at PAUL

SPOT.F.Y.I El Seed

Beating Poetry Suhair Hammad

mic check!Brother Ali

by Hass Dennaoui

Suheir HAMMAD

ISSUE 01 • NOVEMBER 2013

HIP-HOP Culture

A diamond in the rough

YOUR MONTHLY SOURCE OF REAL HIP-HOP CULTURE

Beating Poetry

TOP 5 TUNES ON MY HEADPHONES

Q&A | MOH FLOWLOCAL FLAVA’

re-volt magazine is a new platform under the same roof as re-volt blog, which initially started as a space where views on mainstream music can be openly discussed, where the music industry is put on the stand and criti-cized and lastly, where underground, talented and un-represented artists are given a chance to stand out. Our main focus is to expose hip hop as a positive genre and detach it from the corrupted mainstream hip hop. Initiating a magazine will benefit this message as re-volt magazine will reach more readers worldwide and will enlighten people on the power of the word and the role of hip hop in the Arab region. The culture of hip hop consists of four elements- MC, BBoy, Graffiti, DJ - which enrich its capability in transmitting the same message in diverse mediums.

A mic, a choreography, a spraypaint can or a vinyl record. We choose all the above, added to it the power of the pen to inform, to represent and to stay real! EDITOR HASSANE DENNAOUI ASSOCIATE EDITOR | GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hanane FATHALLAH

CONTRIBUTORS If you are interested in writting for re-volt magazine, email us at revoltmag1@gmail.comArticle topics mainly revolve around the culture of hip hop. Essays, reviews and interviews are also valid.

Culture is a powerful tool that defines humanity. It is a fragile phenomenon, as it does not remain constant. Always apt to change, cultural patterns are continuously evolving into products of people interacting with each other and into universal changes - politically, socially and economically. The youth is the most affected demographic division as it is the future of the next century. We are not exactly living in a problem-free world; therefore shouts, revolutions, and demands are the youth›s main motto. The right to live in decent circumstances summarizes the peoples goal. What sort of medium enables them to convey their emotional bruises?

The principal means of expression is music, through leaving-nothing-implied lyrics. Essentially, Hip Hop is an intelligent music genre and movement, charged with truth, reality and freedom. Intoxicated by the mainstream money making rappers, Underground Hip Hop has managed to rise and reflect its true essence and purpose.

LAISH HIP HOP? (WHY HIPHOP?) Hip Hop is a culture and form of ground breaking music and expression. Hip means «to know» and «to be aware and updated». Hop stands for «to move» and «to act upon». Basically, it is an intelligent movement and we can also call it a conscious movement. The so-called Hip Hop we listen to on the radio has polluted the true essence and purpose of ‹real› Hip Hop. Money-oriented acts, thirsty-for-publicity ‹artists›, ridiculous lyrics and no real flair. Hip Hop was based on lyrical prowess and was created upon four elements: The MC, The DJ, The B-Boy, and the Graffiti Artist

F E A T U R E

A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

hiphop culture

These parameters have faded away and have almost gone extinct in the mainstream music industry. Although these elements give Hip Hop its character and reputation, popular artists tend to choose the money and corruption path. Why Hip Hop? Still we ask ourselves, how is our world today? While there are crucial issues jeopardizing humanity, some are singing about money, “bling-bling” women, cars, clubbing, and about more explicit matters such as sex, drugs and violence. No offense to every-now-and-then little fun but Hip Hop›s main purpose is to deliver awareness not foolishness and vulgarity. The rise of a new era for Hip Hop is paving the way of the neglected youth towards freedom. Proof of this new age are underground artists with revolting, solid and intelligent lyrics such as - from the Arabic Hip Hop Movement (fig. 1) Shadia Mansour, The Narcicyst, Omar Offendum & LOWKEY They are gliding against the thickness of the loud and frivolous mainstream industry. Political corruption, social decay, economical demise and humanitarian neglect are agents to causing the world to shake out of its shell and revolt against the system.

The revamped version of Hip Hop embraces all ethnicities and all social status; it is in fact a universal means of expression, translating true life’s struggles and experiences into poetry. The underground scene avoids the mainstream, which constrains the outbreak of the ugly truths surrounding the world. The artists of the new era exercise their right of freedom of speech and excel in transmitting important issues through deep meaningful lyrics and ear-catching beats. To portray this point, Hip Hop was used in the recent Arab revolutions, which took place in Tunis, Libya, Egypt, Yemen and Syria, to convey the youth’s message. Moreover, there were some tracks that were done in collaboration with Western artists. This could imply the awakening of the West and its concern and support towards the broken sides of the Arab World. Let’s not forget that Hip Hop has planted its seed all over the world, no exceptions. Individuals with power to influence and high-level of intellect and education are leading this humble cause of setting awareness through music, more precisely through Hip Hop. They are the ones composing, recording and transmitting. Young, they recognize the problems

and issues that need immediate attention and they hold within the faith in change. Positivity and reality in revolutionary acts give confidence to the crowds. Going back to the main question “Laish Hip Hop?” (“Why Hip Hop?”). It is the name of the first real Hip Hop show on a FM Radio Station in Saudi Arabia. Hasaane Dennaoui, a.k.a Big Hass, is the show host of this ground-breaking unique show. There is no doubt that breaching the mainstream in this manner threatens its fake stability. Underground Hip Hop is revolting in words and in actions. It is only a matter of time for it to shed enough light on the issues of the world and for people to really listen.

Strong in its entity, Hip Hop cannot pass through without giving it attention or a listen. It is in its formation to impact, to shock, to aware, to explain, to describe and to plead…

Hassane Dennaoui Blogger - REVOLT

Radio Host - Laish HipHop? revoltradio.blog@gmail.com

revoltradio.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/BIGHASS121

Twitter @BIG_HASS

1. Artists of the Arabic Hip Hop Movement: Shadia Mansour | The Narcicyst | Omar Offendum | Lowkey

DJ Lethal Skillzis the oldest and most establishedturntablist in the Arab Hip Hopmovement. Besides being a world-class DJ, he has also distinguished himself as a prolific producer and long-running ambassador for the Arab hip-hop massive.He has two seminal Arab Hip Hop albums to his credit: _ New World Disorder (2008) _ Karmageddon (2012)

Karmageddon (2012) features nearly everyone in the Lebanesehip-hop scene past and present and many of Arab hip-hop stalwarts from the region and Diaspora!

Throughout his journey he hascollaborated and performed with major historical figures in hip-hop lore - including opening up for the likes of: Pharoahe Monch and M-1 of Dead Prez at The Forum, Kentish Town, in London, England; as well as playing with the likes of De La Soul, Dj Q-bert, Rob Swift, Dj Akakabe and Co-ma World DMC Champions as well as mainstream acts like Timbaland, 50 cents, Whokid, Big Ali, Missy Eliot, Sean Paul, MIMS, Coolio to mention a few...

For more info, check out these links:www.facebook.com/djlethalskillz961 www.reverbnation.com/djlethalskillzwww.youtube.com/djlethalskillz

www.myspace.com/anewworlddisorderwww.myspace.com/lethalskillzwww.soundcloud.com/djlethalskillz

DJ | Turntablist | Producer | EntrepreneurDJ LETHAL SKILLZ

TOP 5 TUNES on my headphones

AKALA | Find No Enemy L-FRESH The LION | Faithful INVINCIBLE | Sledge Hammer JURASSIC 5 | Back 4 You AKUA NARU | Runaway

➔ Recommended Video L-FRESH The LION | Faithful

In one of your interviews , you said, that the Middle East & Africa have so much potential in Hip Hop, Elaborate more on that?BA: The thing about Hip-Hop is that you don’t need anything at all to create Hip Hop, you don’t need instruments, you don’t need training

“No artists made their art powerful and made their art popular, the people do that for you.” Hip Hop comes from who you are, it comes from your expression. It’s the rawest form of human expression that we have. It’s a perfect voice for people who are voiceless, it’s a tool and medium for people whose sto-ries aren’t heard, whose faces aren’t known, whose names aren’t spoken;

those who are suffering. And in the ME & Africa, a lot is going on there. Even musically, the culture and history have always been rich! All the elements of Hip Hop are there for people in ME & Africa to useHip-Hop as a vehicle for letting the world hear what’s going on there. In Saudi Arabia, to be given a chance to perform live is very minimal. What advise would you give hip hop heads here?BA: The most important thing is to express yourself completely honestly, the thing that makes art powerful is the people. No artists made their art powerful and made their art popular, the people do that for you. If their truth in that artistic creativity is there, so people will hear, the people will seek you out. excerpt from radio interview with Hassane DENNAOUI

When was the first time you held a mic and performed? BA: My first show was in 1985, when I was 8 years old. I actually performed at my Grandmother’s funeral ; she was really supportive of me..so when she passed away , it was the first time ever getting a mic & performing & i have done ever since then. It wasn’t until 2002 that i was able to really have a career & supporting myself with music. How do you think Islam is affecting your life?BA: It’s really been my way of under-standing myself and the world. It’s everything for me. It has given me a perspective on life and wanting to give myself - my entire self to Allah. It’s a process; a life long process. I’m trying to give up a picture on whats going on inside me when I’m creating music. I don’t feel like music for me is to teach dawa or preach . I think my role and my responsibility is to make the most honest and real music I can.

M I C • C H E C K

BROTHER ALIThe Undisputed Truth Teller

LOCAL FLAVA’

1| You’re in a country where live events are minimal. What do you do to balance this gap?Usually artists in the music business make more money and gain more exposure by touring and performing live than they do selling records. Saudi Arabia forces me to put out as much music as I can to reinforce my artistry. Since very few people have seen me perform live in KSA, I count on pushing free music to the people as much as possible as a tool for me to reach my city.

2| You’re releasing a new album “Inspired”. What has been your inspiration ?“Inspired” actually translates my name to English. This body of work (ملهم)consists of many different concepts and genres of music. My inspiration has been mostly situations that put me down, but on this project there are a few “feel good” tracks. These tracks were inspired by other music and dreams that I have and wish to accomplish.

3| Who is in your ear drums now? I spend a lot of time in my car and my way of going through music is to update my iPod with 5 albums I haven’t heard yet or in a while and keeping them on repeat for a week or more. It could be anything from beat tapes to “Maze & Franky Beverly”. Here are some of the artists I have been listening to recently: Pusha T , Mac Miller, Ab-Soul, Jay-Z, Lupe Fiasco, Outkast, Frank Ocean and Meek Mill.

Q&A | HipHop Artist MOH FLOW

Existence is Resistance | New York & Beirut

Paul Bakery | Jeddah, KSA

s p o t f . y . i .

{يا أيها الناس إنا خلقناكم من ذكر وأنثى وجعلناكم شعوباً وقبائل لتعارفوا }

{Oh humankind, we have created you from a male and a female and made people and tribes so you may know each other}

eL Seed calligraffiti

at the minaret of Jara in Gabes، Tunisia

What I will by Suheir HAMMAD

Beating Poetry I will notdance to your wardrum. I willnot lend my soul normy bones to your wardrum. I willnot dance to yourbeating. I know that beat.It is lifeless. I knowintimately that skinyou are hitting. Itwas alive oncehunted stolenstretched. I willnot dance to your drummedup war. I will not popspin beak for you. Iwill not hate for you oreven hate you. I willnot kill for you. EspeciallyI will not diefor you. I will not mournthe dead with murder norsuicide. I will not sidewith you nor dance to bombsbecause everyone else isdancing. Everyone can bewrong. Life is a right notcollateral or casual. Iwill not forget whereI come from. Iwill craft my own drum. Gather my belovednear and our chantingwill be dancing. Ourhumming will be drumming. Iwill not be played. Iwill not lend my namenor my rhythm to yourbeat. I will danceand resist and dance andpersist and dance. This heartbeat is louder than

death. Your war drum ain’tlouder than this breath.