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Connecting the Dots: Meet Palestinian Rap Group DAM

Arab Hip Hop in full Effect: Nakba Coverage pt 3

by Davey D

Listen to the Breakdown FM Interview by Clicking Link: http://odeo. com/audio/19213443/view

We conclude our coverage of the historic Nakba festival at San Francisco Civic Center. This took place Saturday May 10th. It was the ‘otherside’ of the celebration that was going on with Isreal celebrating its 60th anniversary. Palestinians don’t see Isreal’s anniversary as cause for celebration.

In this podcast we kick things off with an interview from Boots Riley of the Coup who came out to show support and solidarity. He came through and did a nice accoustic/ spoken word set. We captured some of that in our coverage.

During our interview, Boots explained why it was important to link the struggles he deals with domestically with the struggles of the folks in Palestine. He also noted that it was important that we here in this country take a cue and follow the leadership of the Palestinian liberation movement.

We also talked about the upcoming elections and explored the role that Hip Hop had in energizing so many young people in the direction of Barack Obama. We asked Boots if he thought that he and other so called backpack/underground Hip Hop artists helped get people living in small towns acclimated to seeing Black and Brown faces in leadership position.

Next we hear excerpts from Palestine’s most celebrated rap group-DAM. They came through and wrecked shop. We also interviewed them and learned that they came into Hip Hop after listening to 2Pac and seeing his videos. They said although they did not understand English at the time, they could feel where Pac was coming from through the images.

During our interview we discussed the challenges the group faces when traveling overseas and talking out against Isreal. We also got their take on Barack Obama and him possibly being the next President. They noted that they thought the way we treat our electoral politics was ‘funny’. It seems more geared for entertainment then substance. They also noted that Obama may bring change to people in the US, but not neccesarily change in Palestine.

We also chop it up with Bronx based group Rebel Diaz who felt it was important to come connect the Latino struggles with Palestine. The key word here is land occupation. Lah Tere breaks that entire concept down. Group member Rockstar followed up by linking domestic struggles like the recent Sean Bell verdict with what is going on in Palestine.

We also talked about the presidential election and asked if any of the candidates will make difference for the Palestinian cause. Rockstar a former Chicago native said he was voting for Reverend Jeremiah Wright.

We close out our interview with longtime community activist Kali Anku of the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement. He talked to us about the importance of building solidarity and connecting the plight of those displaced in new Orleans with those displaced in Palestine.

We also talked to Kali about the newly formed Reconstruction Political Party he has been working with in New Orleans.

You can peep this interview on Breakdown FM by clicking the link below:

http://odeo. com/audio/19213443/view