RE-VOLT MAGAZINE ISSUE 02

ISSUE 02 •DECEMBER 2013

YOUR MONTHLY SOURCE OF REAL HIP-HOP CULTURE

Contents FEATURE Hip Hop Article Redbull Music Academy Visual Storyline Beats, Rhymes & Relief MIC CHECK LOWKEY | British Iraqi HipHop Artist Top 5 Tunes on my Headphones LOCAL FLAVA’ Peeta Planet | Social Travel Series DHAD | Graffiti Store in Jeddah SPOT.F.Y.I Ashekman | Lebanese Graffiti Duo Ruben SANCHEZ | Spanish Graffiti Artist Shaweesh | Saudi Street Artist 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 criticized and lastly, where underground, talented and unrepresented artists are given a chance to stand out.

Album Release BOIKUTT | ‘‘Hayawan Nateq” ‫حيوان ناطق‬ DJ BOO | Omar Offendum X Poets of Protest NATIVE SUN | Indigenous Soundwaves E. Abbas, LIPOS & ELEPHEEL | TRIPNOL TAWASUL | THE BEIRUT SESSIONS

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.

Films & Documentaries MICROPHONE | It starts underground...

The culture of hip hop consists of these elements MC, BBoy, Beatbox, Graffiti, DJ and Knowledge A mic, a choreography, a vocal percussion, spraypaint, a vinyl record or a book.

We choose all the above, added to it the power of the pen to inform, to represent and to stay real!

Photography MICHAEL BOU-NACKLIE

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.com

ON THE GO Soundtrack of the Struggle

Beating Poetry Mark GONZÁLES | The Alchemy of Storytelling

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HIP HOP IN SAUDI ARABIA | PART 1 The Arabic Hip Hop Movement primarily came together through the Arab Diaspora mainly in the U.S. and Europe. Mostly Arabs, the artists, who are away from their homelands, felt concerned and duty-bound to transmit the truth of the MENA situation. Strong lyrics, striking awareness and lasting echoes are elements that assemble the agenda of the Arabic Hip-Hop Movement. It was inevitable for it to breach those geographic limits and become more present in the Arab region, especially after the Youth’s Spring.

Being the pioneer of the 1st Real HipHop FM Radio Show in KSA, I have a responsibility towards our society, and more importantly, towards my listeners. The choice of artists I interview or whose songs I play on my show are not random but well studied. It has come to my attention that there is quite a large number of hip-hop artists and rappers in Saudi Arabia. Some portray the commercial and the less realistic approach of Hip-Hop. They tend to copy/paste personas of ghetto warriors and fearless thugs. It’s quite stupid to watch these kinds of artists even try to perform. It’s also deceiving to see local artists identify to ‘foreign’ lifestyles such as drugs, money, thug-life, clubbing and women which don’t exist in our ‘hood’.

These issues are not part of Saudi culture. This attitude doesn’t make them genuine artists. So why not instead focus on ‘real’ Arab or local matters that, by highlighting them in their songs, will be given a voice.

Fortunately, other artists try to emphasize on the ‘real’ notion and message of hip hop but it gets tough.

The understanding of this genre is incomplete: people tend to collate negativity, bad behaviors, vulgarity, and the objectification of women to what the media defines as hip hop.

The masses are not to blame. Well, partially. They’re faced with a corrupt image and a materialistic view on a sinful genre. I don’t deny that there are some talented individuals and groups here in Saudi Arabia, who

strive to cleanse and showcase a more genuine and positive aspect of hip hop; in its true definition, it is a genre that carries awareness, truth, humanity and social consciousness.

My show “Laish Hip Hop?” is a strong effort to unchain hip hop from these unfair charges. Being constantly fought is nothing strange to my life. As the show builds credibility, I sometimes receive cruel feedback condemning - not only Hip Hop - but music from its root. These kinds of incomposed ‘spectators of the world’ choose to slam doors instead of opening doors of understanding, awareness and knowledge. No harm will come from learning: choosing to listen and understand reduces anger and disapproval. On this note, I move on to a major point, which is that Saudi rappers have a place in Saudi society and culture.

Obviously, they should be genuine.

How? By creating their own identity, keeping in mind absolute respect to their origins, culture and society.

That said, trying to copy western hip hop artists and rappers is an endeavor destined to fail. If so, what would they be adding to the Arabic Hip Hop Movement? Nothing.

No doubt, most of the rappers and hip hop artists in Saudi have a lot to learn about hip hop. But, many have the potential to rise and become true artists. It is not an easy path but it is worth the struggle and work.

Saudi Arabia is a very hard market

due to many criteria, one of which is language. In order to attract future listeners, rappers and hip hop artists need to go bilingual. One relevant example in this case is Qusai: he was able to venture into hip hop by keeping it real, using Arabic and English and relying on a commercial approach. His contents reflect the Saudi youth. Talking about what you know best increases your credibility.

And that’s exactly what Qusai gained.

Many artists have embraced this approach and used bilingualism as a tool for success.

Finally, I would like to say that Hip Hop is a speaker for the voiceless.

In these times, the Middle East is an oppressed region. Oppression has revealed voices, talent and youth persistence and power. High ranked American hip hop artists predict that the next best Hip Hop artist will emerge from the MENA Region.

What a thrilling prediction!

Hip Hop in Saudi Arabia is still young but with the proper nurturing and attention it could blossom into something to be proud of. Given the restrictions of the country, such as venues, events and media hype, it is quite hard to launch such a vivid and expressive genre of music. Accepting hip hop - as a positive music genre - within society is key and a first step towards a long journey of mind elevation and rising.

Hass DENNAOUI

ALBUM RELEASE | ‘Hayawan Nateq’ ‫حيوان ناطق‬

BOIKUTT | ‘‘Hayawan Nateq” ‫حيوان ناطق‬ Cover designed by Mothanna Hussein (Warsheh) www.soundcloud.com/boikutt www.twitter.com/boikutt www.tashweesh.com

M I C • C H E C K

Free Palestine Concert | American University of Beirut - Lebanon | May 2010

Lowkey : A virtuous Flow 1_ Tell me the process of releasing “Soundtrack To The Struggle” ?

Well, really it just came to the stage where it’s the second album I released; the first album I released was in 2008. But now it is at the stage where I am privileged to have more people listen to my music now more than I did in 2008 and people kept asking for more stuff.

2_ How does Hip Hop help you spread awareness?

Its important to understand that Hip Hop really has the power to speak for people who feel voiceless, to provide a way for the most

downtrodden ignored despised person to speak to the wealthy person and also it has the power to humanize the dehumanized.

We need equality in the world and Hip Hop, as a tool, it can legitimize the illegitimate.

3_ How far are you willing to go with your music and spread the message?

It’s important to understand that we are now at a stage where we don’t have to sign over our masters, our publishers, our mechanizers to these big major labels who monopolize expression. For example, going all the way back to people in the group Public Enemy, there was a man named Professor Griff who spoke of the suffering of the Palestinian people and was FORCED OUT of the group! Reason: The head of Def Jam at the time had certain political interests, which went against the

Palestinian people. I am in a position now where I believe I can be entirely independent, can be successful, can be heard and can live of what I do - being entirely independent and not allowing my voice to be used by somebody else or by people that dont have my best interest at heart 4_ The track “Long Live Palestine” was top at Hip Hop download charts on ITunes up against artists like 50 cent, Eminem, Black Eyed Peas ..

Tell us about this track ?

One of the Israeli assault operations left 1,400 dead at the end of 2009.

They used white phosphorus, which is illegal in international law.

During that time, there were alot of demonstrations here in London!

I spoke at one of the demonstrations when originally it was just a poem.

That poem was written out of frustration and something I wanted to say about what was going on.

ALBUM RELEASE | Omar Offendum X Poets of Protest

DJ BOO | Omar Offendum X Poets of Protest Cover designed by Omar Offendum Produced by DJ BOO

Mixed with Omar Offendum’s hip hop beats

Poetic Samples Mazen Maarouf (Palestine) Manal Al Sheikh (Iraq) Ahmed Fouad Negm (Egypt) Hala Mohammad (Syria)

STREAM / DOWNLOAD soundcloud.com/offendum/oo-vs-pp ➔ For more on DJ BOO www.facebook.com/boo.jenkins Twitter @Boo515

“It is our hope that this project can serve as a bridge between lovers of poetry & hip-hop between America & the Arab World - between generations, languages, cultures & continents.”

Omar Offendum

ALBUM RELEASE | Omar Offendum X Poets of Protest

OMAR OFFENDUM X POETS OF PROTEST (OO vs PP) is an experimental juxtaposition of some of the Arab World’s most notable poetic voices layered and scratched by Filipino-American DJ Boo over a mix of sample-based Hip-Hop instrumentals from Omar Offendum’s beat catalogue.

The four poets sampled were Mazen Maarouf (Palestine) Manal Al Sheikh (Iraq) Ahmed Fouad Negm (Egypt) Hala Mohammad (Syria) - as seen/heard on the Aljazeera Artscape series ‘Poets of Protest’ released a little over one year ago (September 2012). After listening to this short mix (16:15), we encourage you to watch the full documentary series which includes two more poets Yehia Jaber (Lebanon) - Al Khadra (Algeria | Sahara), as well as translations of all their verses and links to more of their inspiring work.

“Originally, I thought of using his own poetry to be showcased along with his beats, but then, while watching news updates and scouring for samples on Al Jazeera English’s YouTube Page, I came across a preview for the documentary

series, Poets of Protest. Each week the series profiled a poet from a different region in the Middle East, told their story, and shared their words with the viewer. With each episode I was reminded about the power of words and how they are, not only, cathartic but also inspiring for others during difficult times.

The words were a source of comfort and a rallying point that reflected the opinions and emotions of the public. After watching each episode, I approached Offendum with the idea of using pieces from the series in the mix. The idea was to set the words of these poets to Offendum’s beats, somewhat like what The Last Poets had done with their socially conscious verses over music.” (DJ BOO) ➔ Check out Poets of Protest series www.aljazeera.com/programmes/poetsofprotest/

FEATURE | RED BULL MUSIC ACADEMY BASS CAMP DUBAI 2013

More info on Red Bull Events www.redbull.com/mea/en ☛ Check out Ruben Sanchez commissioned wall artwork in Jumeirah, UAE - featured in our spotf.y.i. section...

In Sept 2013, I was invited by the awesome team of Red Bull Saudi [Special Thanks to Mo Samman a.k.a. “MVP”] to attend the Red Bull Music Academy in Dubai.

It was a great experience for the simple reason that I got to meet and see the artists “in action”, producing, jamming and having a good time creating. Another amazing thing to mention is that I got to meet people I have been following online - like DJ Outlaw from Bahrain and Jebberish (Hip Hop Artist based in Dubai), in addition to many others that have given me much inspiration.

The Red Bull Music Academy has been going on since 1998, and the aim is to group 30 producers, vocalists, DJs, instrumentalists and other music industry folks under one roof for a series of lectures, workshops, studio time, brainstorming, tune sampling and live jam sessions in the host city’s most happening venues.

Although I am not an artist, this experience was very enriching for me, given that I was in the middle of jam sessions, studio time recordings and I got to witness the creative process these artists go through. The beauty of music is the fact that it is a universal language. The proof is shown through the irrefutable harmony and affinities that were created

between the different artists who all came from various cultures. ➔ Here some pictures I took during this multicultural and musical experience.

Also, check out the videoclip www.redbull.com/mea/en/music/ stories/1331614590973/rbmabass-camp-dubai-video

ALBUM RELEASE | Indigenous Soundwaves

NATIVE SUN | Indigenous Soundwaves http://nativesunofficial.bandcamp.com/album/indigenous-soundwaves http://nativesunmuzik.com/ http://www.facebook.com/NativeSunMuzik http://www.nativesunmuzik.tumblr.com/ http://www.youtube.com/user/NativeSunTV Twitter @NativeSunMuzik

LOCAL FLAVA’

[Announcement]

Season 2: Peeta Planet will be written and directed by renowned filmmaker Suha Araj

Mission Peeta Planet

Bridging cultures through social media

For many people, travel means packaged deals and itineraries that cater to the masses. We are herded to major tourist attractions; we stay within sanitized environments and eat the same sterile restaurant and café food. If you are lucky, you might penetrate this bubble long enough to connect with a local person or two... maybe. The question is, how many of these tour packages have your personal name on it, besides the bill? Does mass tourism allow you to explore foreign cultures and places in the context of your own interests? Does it enable you to connect with like-minded locals? Does it allow you to discover the city’s best-kept secrets? Probably not.

Mohammed & Peyman Parham Al Wadhi are two Emirati brothers that started the gourmet shawarma sandwich concept “Wild Peeta”. Through Wild Peeta, they shared their passion for gourmet shawarma sandwiches with people across the globe via social media.Continuing to dream big, the brothers embarked on another challenge by launching their own social TV show “Peeta Planet.”

How did you guys come up with the idea?

We came up with the idea four years ago. We decided to take a vacation and let our social media followers decide the itinerary for our trip, including the country we would visit.

What followed was the most meaningful trip we ever had because we were able to experience the country through the suggestions of locals, not tour operators.

What is your advice to the youth who has a creative idea but doesn’t have the financial support to get started?

Make sure you are bringing an innovative idea to the market.

We also highly recommend working with like-minded people who have a wealth of experience, as it facilitates the launching process. Develop a solid plan that clearly explains your needs and try to be thrifty in your expenditure.Finally and most importantly, never give up!

You launched a gourmet shawarma sandwich concept called “Wild Peeta” Tell us more about that?

Its the first of its kind concept and we plan to grow slowly on the national front. We’ve learned

the hard way that great things take time.

What has been the most eye-opening trip in your experience so far?

Every country has been an amazing adventure because we experience it through the lens of social travelers.

What was the most shocking incident in your trips?

We are not easily shocked, as social travelers we experience both the beauty and the imperfections of any place.

You bridge cultures and bring in a new fresh concept to the Arab World. What is the message you would like to convey?

Middle Eastern youth are not portrayed accurately across the world.

As such, we are trying to show people that what unites us is a lot more than what separates us. We are actually more alike than different; we share similar values, fears and aspirations.

Hass Dennaoui Arabnews | 22 May 2013

ALBUM RELEASE | TAWASUL

TAWASUL| THE BEIRUT SESSIONS TRACKS 1. ZOOM OUT | DEEB, ASSASI NUN FUSE, CHYNO & HANOUNEH 2. REBEL RHYMES | DEEB, AL SAYYED DARWISH & HANOUNEH 3. AKHER NHAR [ONE DAY TO LIVE] | EL EDD & HANOUNEH 4. TARIQAH | AL SAYYED DARWISH & HANOUNEH 5. ISSUE/SIBOUNI | JAM SESSION WITH BILAD AL SHAM, ASSASI NUN FUSE & HANOUNEH 6. TAWASUL | EL EDD, CHYNO, DEEB, ASSASI NUN FUSE & HANOUNEH

ALBUM RELEASE | TAWASUL

TAWASUL is a project by • Hanouneh & The Awakening Band (SWEDEN) • DJ Lethal Skillz (LEBANON) • DEEB (EGYPT) • EL EDD (LEBANON) • CHYNO (LEBANON)

During one hot September week in 2013, musicians and politically active artists from Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Palestine and Sweeden joined forces in Beirut with the purpose of TAWASUL - Reaching out & Connecting - and to process issues of justice, democracy and freedom of speech.

The music and lyrics are created from scratch and recorded during intense sessions throughout the week and the result is this ep.

• Al Sayyed Darwish (SYRIA) • Assasi Nun Fuse (SYRIA) • Bilad Al Sham (LEBANON/SYRIA/ PALESTINE)

PROJECT TAWASUL has been kindly funded by THE SWEDISH INSTITUTE/ CREATIVE FORCE.

ALL MUSIC BY THE AWAKENING BAND KAJ SZYSZKIEWICZ (GUITAR) MARTIN WALLÉN (DRUMS) KARL JANSSON (KEYBOARD) STAFFAN WINROTH (BASS) KARL EKSTRÖM (SAXOPHONE) DAVID WÄRMEGÅRD (TRUMPET)

TOP 5 TUNES

on my headphones Hekaya (Instrumental) | SANDHILL Watermelon Chunks | EUPHRATES Life is Better | Q-Tip & Norah Jones Muslim | DEEN ft. Sphinx Initiation | Abz, NF Gram & Sleuther ➔ STAY TUNED

Deymann Ijebeh (Always Positive) VIDEOCLIP Coming out in DEC 2013!

➔ THE BIGGEST URBAN

FESTIVAL IN TUNISIA

Organized by Karim JABBARI Team Calligraphy & Street Artist Amazing lineup of regional and international artists! www.madefromwords.com Twitter @karim_jab Instagram karim_jab

➔ Graffiti Workshop with

Ruben Sanchez & ElSeed

Organized by Crossword Foundation In partnership with TASHKEEL & Brownbook Magazine Friday, Dec 6th 2013 | 2:00 to 5:00 PM The Archive | Dubai, UAE All ages welcome. Free event.

Confirm attendance by email to info@crossway-foundation.org www.facebook.com/events/25836269 0984523/?source=1

D-1 for Shooting ASHEKMAN x DJ Lethal Skillz ‘”Deymann Ijebeh” Music Video | Photo by Hadi Syriani

ASHEKMAN & DJ LETHAL SKILLZ ➔ New Single & Music Videoclip DEYMANN IJEBEH (Always Positive) A new music videoclip is coming out SOON! Stay tuned to witness this epic collaboration between Ashekman and DJ Lethal Skillz...

ASHEKMAN | 100% Rap Crew The name ASHEKMAN means in slang Lebanese the exhaust pipe of

a vehicle, signifying the toxic lyrics used in their songs. The crew is composed of identical twin brothers: - MIJRIM KALEIM (born. Mohamed Kabbani) MC/Producer - CARBONN (born. Omar Kabbani) MC/Producer ➔ Their style is Lebanese rap, with Arabic lyrics/Lebanese dialect, with an aggressive/cynical tonality and underground topics that created problems with censorship and organizers. That exact explicity created a street buzz and a notorious reputa-

➔ From Feyrouz to Wadih Al Safi

Vivid colors, impeccable technique and limitless creativity...

Check out Ashekman’s amazing calligraffiti work, that is also featured in this issue -- in our section spotf.y.i If you are in Beirut, make sure you take a glimpse at these masterpieces up close and personal! A MUST-SEE!

tion for this duo crew, as the true voice of society.

DJ Lethal Skillz Middle East Official Hip Hop DJ/Turntablist/Producer/Entrepreneur “He ain’t called ‘Skillz’ for nothing.

His expertise will positively influence the quality of any project he stamps his vibes into! His positive attitude & true understanding of hip hop culture is much needed in the Middle East” (re-volt magazine) www.facebook.com/djlethalskillz961

ALBUM RELEASE | TRIPNOL

Edd Abbas, LIPOS and ELEPHEEL | TRIPNOL Cover designed by Omar Al Fil a.k.a ELEPHEEL TRIPNOL is a collaborative project between three local hip hop producers EDD ABBAS (FAREEQ EL ATRASH) LIPOS (JNOUD BEIRUT) ELEPHEEL www.facebook.com/events/229492627202471/

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ASHEKMAN Wadih el Safi Calligraffiti • Tabaris | Beirut, Lebanon (2013) www.facebook.com/ASHEKMANstreetart Twitter @ashekmanstreet Instagram ASHEKMAN

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ASHEKMAN Street Artists 5mx2m Arabic calligraffiti featuring Feyrouz “Min Kalbi Salamonn li Beirut” - ‫ فيروز‬- ”‫”من قلبي سالم لبيروت‬ www.facebook.com/ASHEKMANstreetart Twitter @ashekmanstreet Instagram ASHEKMAN

LOCAL FLAVA’ JAN 2014 | Issue 03 Exclusive Interview with DHAD! Stay tuned...

[FOLLOW DHAD]

www.facebook.com/dhadstore Twitter @DhadStore Instagram @DhadStore

DHAD | A graffiti store in the heart of Jeddah DHAD is the first space and store that cares about the art of graffiti in Jeddah. It is a place where not only spraypaint is sold, but where material and equipment (such as graffitti pens, clothes and gloves) are available. It is also recognized as a space and venue where painters and graffiti artists meet and share their experiences. Workshops and art events are often organized within DHAD. The aim behind these art seminars is to spread the graffiti culture to the youth, to ignite in them a certain love for creativity and expression and to explore young potential.

Art is a great means to deliver messages and issues to the community. Instead of getting in trouble with the authorities by drawing graffiti on public walls or vandalizing house walls, DHAD offers young amateur artists an opportunity to express their skills and art within a certified safe space, where creativity rules.

Finally, DHAD strives to enlighten the Saudi society about the art of graffiti. To let them know that graffiti is not synonymous to public vandalism...

Films & Documentaries

MICROPHONE It starts underground

SYNOPSIS When Khaled returns to Alexandria after years of travel he discovers that it is too late to rekindle a relationship with his old love because she is about to immigrate and that his relationship with his aging father is broken beyond repair. Self-absorbed, he roams the city and stumbles over the underground art scene: hip-hop singers who perform on sidewalks, female rock musicians on rooftops, skateboarders cruising all over the city, graffiti artists who confront the city with their shocking murals in the darkness of the night.

He is mesmerized by the discovery of this world and his life gradually changes. With his limited resources and connections, he tries to support this movement and draw attention to the diverse facets of his city. Details of his private life and events of this movement overlap. He awaits an inevitable change that he believes will come from the dynamic and unique art scene in Alexandria rather than from Cairo, Egypt’s overpopulated capital. ‘Microphone’ is a vibrant image of this colorful music and art movement. It is a real narrative of this new generation of artists from Alexandria and the intricate details of their lives. It is the 1st Egyptian movie to feature the local skateboarding scene http://www.microphone-film.com/

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Ruben SANCHEZ Spanish Street Artist www.iamrubensanchez.com Leaving his mark on the streets of Jumeirah Beach Road, UAE

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“The 0$ Bill�

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[FOLLOW THEM]

www.facebook.com/BeatsRhymesRelief www.beatsrhymesandrelief.org Twitter @rhymes4relief

designed and painted by - IZK DTOX of 3of1 Arts + JOE SKILZ of Skilz custom art It represents the idea that we should find more value in culture than money - in this case the value of Hip Hop Culture.

In the Center, we pay homage to Afrika Bambaataa for his endless passion, undeniable contributions and continued cultivation to Hip Hop. The Characters in each corner represent the core elements - Graffiti artists, DJs, Break dancers and Emcees.

The background is a universal galactic skyline with images of family, outreach and education to promote positivity throughout the global community.

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is an NGO utilizing the arts and celebrity performances to raise awareness and support for worldwide humanitarian relief efforts.

Beats, Rhymes & Relief is a US based NGO headquartered in Washington.Their mission is to utilize the arts to raise awareness and support for worldwide humanitarian relief efforts. ★MEET THE TEAM★ Omar Al-Chaar (President) Rameen Aminzadeh (Chief Operating Officer) Hazami Barmada (VP Strategy /Public Affairs) Beats, Rhymes & Relief harnesses the power of cultural diplomacy to raise the profile of global issues through high-profile public music concerts. Basically, their vision is to become a world leader in creating avenues for awareness and support of global humanitarian issues through arts and cultural diplomacy initiatives.

RATIONALE_ Annually, the music industry spends $14 billion/year worldwide. In the US, colleges spend nearly $250 million/year on live concerts for their student body.

In connecting music to social impact, the concept of celebrity charity concerts and celebrity endorsements for causes are becoming more popular, as more notable people globally are standing up against violence and in support of peace, global collaboration and support for relief efforts.

Historically, around the world, music and arts have been utilized to inspire commonality, provoke thought, educate, and bridge gaps between communities. As Ludwig van Beethoven famously said:“Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents.”

The purpose of Beats, Rhymes & Relief is to utilize music to create a neutral, apolitical and secular environment to being people diverse people together united around a larger cause, while celebrating our common humanity. Music is the conduit.

Through appreciation of music, we can each play a role in contributing to alleviating poverty, suffering and disaster globally.

The rich contacts and expertise of the founders of Beats, Rhymes & Relief and their direct networks will pull in diverse expertise, top notch artists and high quality pre- and postproduction of concerts.

PHOTOGRAPHY | MICHAEL BOU-NACKLIE

ON THE GO | TESTIMONIALS ON HIP HOP CULTURE

ount of messages is album is the am th in ls ai ev pr t ha “W rs a cause ch track fully hono Ea . es em th ng iri sp and in t that big on music. Since I’m no dge. through lyrics and a source of knowle as ic us m r fo go n reading, I ofte ate wisdom its power to propag d an ic us m in ve strous, I belie the mundane to disa at tre n ca it s: es en and awar an. the material to hum ds in providing a m, Lowkey succee bu al k ac -tr 26 s hi In ciety. I can role of hip hop in so e th to e iv ct pe rs t you can’t new pe ce is to choose wha oi ch er is w e th at ould only say th ine. By then, you w ag im t n’ ca u yo t ha relate to and w n mentally, u would have grow yo d an h uc m so gained tellectually.” emotionally and in UI a.k.a Big Hass Hassane DENNAO Radio Founder of Re-Volt Hop?” p Hi Host of “Laish ow st Hip Hop FM Radio Sh Saudi Arabia’s 1

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“AL BAIK” by Shaweesh | Saudi Street Artist

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“My dream is to have my name be synonymous to Saudi Art” (Shaweesh -

‫) شاويش‬

Shaweesh is a young Saudi street artist, based in Riyadh, who is part of a growing movement of young street artists in the kingdom. He believes in initiating dialogue on the streets with his interpretations and impressionable art.

He began in 2009 with graffiti art and expanded his expertise into digital, street and pop art. Shaweesh pursues American pop culture and classic Arabic themes of art. He has 5 years of experience creating digital art, typography and graffiti.

[Follow me] Twitter @Shaweesh_

“Sara Attar” by Shaweesh | Saudi Street Artist Twitter @Shaweesh_

Beating Poetry

THE WHY?

After traveling across fifteen countries, listening to stories of wounds and resiliency, each so painfully beautifully unique, a common request was identified: the need for new language and ways to understand ourselves.

This is my offering to them, to you, and to all of us who have grown tired of the boring and bigoted ways people speak about the things we love.

THE WHO?

Mark Gonzales | @WageBeauty {Storytelling & Idea Design} Mohammed Aerosol Ali | @aerosolali {Muralist & Urbanography} Rory Barber | @roryjbarber {Cinematographer}

Mark Gonzales & Aerosol Ali

The Alchemy of Storytelling A story of medicine for all you who have ever felt abused by discourses so damaging and boring, when what we need is beauty.

We invite you to watch.

We ask you to share.

We love when we grow.

We live between crosses and crescent moons prayer rugs, cell blocks, and a ballot box prisoners and presidents resistance and resilience hope and a hurricane hope and a hangman hope and a hang noose.

A community does not make sense of the world thru statistics but stories and bigots are painfully unimaginative this is why they want to censor our culture they know they cannot compete with our creativity.

So this is for you who dance write speak dream love exhale the work anew When our children are elders their children will who place starlight in the barrel of rifles and call this time we live in “the era of wounded march against darkness dreams” when systems openly assassinated militant sunflowers holding up your heart up like imaginations. a hand grenade No one tells stories anymore. hummingbird in a hurricane with hope strapped It›s as if we believe gravity is real & unicorns are to its core like it was c4. not.

We›ve swallowed the dust coated cyanide that We remember the only reason we are alive tells us the narratives of invaders hold more is because we had at least one ancestor who truth than the memories of my grandparents. refused to die and lived long enough to have children who did How damaged our belief systems are. the same.

We tell ourselves existence is resistance, not life is affirmation. to fight and write back, but not fight and dream forward to deconstruct empire but rarely blueprint ourselves it is as if we have forgotten that a nation is nothing more than a collection of narratives.

This is our genetic inheritance remember this so dance indigo cultivate brilliance speak life name pain grow dreams & in times of terror...

Wage Beauty.

2013 Š re-volt magazine