DAM (band)
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DAM | |
|---|---|
 DAM in Washington, DC, in 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Lod, Israel |
| Genres | Arabic hip hop |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | |
| Members | Tamer Nafar Suhell Nafar Mahmoud Jreri Maysa Daw |
| Website | https://www.damofficialband.com/ |
DAM (
DAM raps primarily in
In January 2017, they signed with the London-based independent record label publishing and services, Cooking Vinyl.[10]
Name
The name DAM is an acronym for "Da Arab MCs" that also means "enduring" or "everlasting" in Arabic (دام; dām) or "blood" in Arabic and Hebrew (دم; dam).[6][7][4]
History
1998–2000: Early development
DAM founders
DAM leader Tamer Nafar began his career in 1998 in the Jewish–Israeli rap scene under the wing of the Tunisian–Iranian-origin Israeli rap artist Subliminal.[6] In 1998, Tamer released his first EP, "Stop Selling Drugs," featuring his younger brother, Suhell Nafar. Nafar then formed DAM in 1999 with his brother Suheil and their friend Muhammad Jrere,[4] but as late as 2000 the group continues to perform in concert with Subliminal and other Jewish–Israeli rappers.[6]
DAM was created in order to give a voice,[12] and a platform to express widespread disillusionment and discontent felt by the Palestinian youth facing discrimination and oppression from Israel. The trio having experienced adolescence in this context, used hip hops as a means of communicating their sentiments towards their difficult situations as Palestinians.[13] In their early days, the group had limited access to recording studios and necessary equipment, and experienced censorship, surveillance and persecution by Israeli authorities.[14]
They later went on to perform in the West Bank, where they sampled "famed protest poetry and traditional song material" and brough it into their rap.[15] The film Slingshot Hip Hop features DAM's three founders as protagonists as it traces the rise of DAM and other Palestinian hip hop groups.[16] Though DAM is sometimes mistakenly identified as the first Palestinian hip hop or rap group,[17] they were preceded by a band named "MWR", a group from Acre that has since disbanded.[6]
DAM started recording songs on their home computer, and most of their songs back then were recorded over known
2000–2005: Second Intifada period
With the onset of the
Around that time, and after listening to the
"Min Erhabi? – Who's the terrorist?" (2001)
In 2001, DAM released their breakthrough single "Min Erhabi? – Who is the terrorist?", which was soon downloaded more than a million times.[19] It was released in the wake of a bombing in Tel Aviv, after which Israelis gathered around the Hassan Bek Mosque in Yafa, throwing stones at it and screaming "Death to the terrorist Arabs".[citation needed]
The song features politically charged lyrics in which DAM critiques the "racist, essentialist notion" of "the Palestinian terrorist":[20]
Who's a terrorist? I'm a terrorist?
How am I a terrorist while I live in my country?
Who's a terrorist? You're a terrorist!
You've taken everything I own while I'm living in my homeland.[19][5]
The lyrics offended some Israelis, prompting demonstrations at concerts, including one attended by the then Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev, a former military censor, who called the song "an act of violence".[19]
The song generated an international buzz around DAM, with Rolling Stone featuring the song and releasing a compilation alongside the magazine featured DAM's Min Erhabi and other International artists such as Manu Chao and Zebda. At that same time, Udi Aloni released his second documentary "Local Angel" that also featured DAM and they toured around Europe with the film.[citation needed]
Min Erhabi remains both one of DAM's most popular and controversial songs, giving voice as it does to the perpetual circle of violence within the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[18]
The pro-peace song "Summit Meeting" was also released in 2001 by Sagol 59, DAM's Tamer Nafar, and Sha’anan Street, the front man for Israeli rappers Hadag Nahash.[18] Recorded amid spiraling violence, it was the first example of a Jewish-Arab hip-hop collaboration performed in both Hebrew and Arabic.[18]
2003–2004
In 2003 Anat Halachmi, an Israeli film director, released the
In the song "Kan Noladti – Born Here", the group featured the female Palestinian rapper Abir al Zinati , shown walking the streets of Lod.[5] The song was created as a reference to a known Israeli song by "Dats and Datsa" that said, "I was born here, my children were born here, and this is where we built our houses with our hands", DAM changed it to "I was born here, my grandparents were born here, and this is where you destroyed our houses with your hands".[citation needed] The Born Here Campaign also featured a bus tour in the Palestinian neighborhoods for Israel's top celebrities. The campaign created a huge local media outrage. Many artists joined the ride, among which were: Moni Moshonov, Aviv Geffen, Ha Yehudim, Yoav Kutner, Gila Almagor.[citation needed]
"When we say Hip Hop is a bridge, we mean it metaphorically and Literary," said Tamer in his TEDEX speech at 2012, Nazareth. Tamer maintained to make political and historical tours after that, for schools, local and foreign groups, and for International artists such as Erykah Badu, Ezra Koenig from the American Rock band - Vampire's Weekend, Michael Franti, Gbenga Akinnagbe actor on the TV show The Wire. The Born Here Campaign with DAM also toured Israel to spread awareness for the campaign.[citation needed]
2006–2010
DAM released their first album, "
In 2008, the American filmmaker
The soundtrack was mostly recorded at Sabreen Studio, East Jerusalem; the album had songs such "Who is the terrorist" by DAM, "Tzakar" by PR, "Blinded Freedom" by Shalabi, "The witch's Uprising" by Abeer and Suhell Nafar and “Sot el Samt” by
In 2009, when Israel started to advertise for Israel's Palestinian citizens to serve in the National Service instead of the Army, the campaign was opposed by Palestinian organizations and activists, including the Baladna organization, which asked DAM to write and record a theme song for the campaign.[citation needed]
In 2010, DAM were asked by Adaleh to participate in the short film that describes the Israeli legal discrimination towards Palestinians, DAM was offered to meet with Adaleh's lawyers, ask questions and regarding the answer, they will go to the studio followed by the camera and record a song about it. DAM came out with the song "Muwaten Mustahdaf – Targeted Citizen", the directors liked the title of the song, so they ended up using it for the title of the film and the campaign.[citation needed]
In 2010, Tamer Nafar fronted the international music event "Lyrical Alliance" in the UK, which drew together artists from North Africa, the Middle East in what was subsequently called "The dream team of Arabic hip hop".[22]
2011–present
After 5 years of performing and touring, and participating in other Artists' projects, DAM decided to release the first single from their future album "Nudbok Al Amar – Dabka on the Moon". The name of the first single is "Risale min Zinzane - A Letter from the Cell", they featured in the song Trio Joubran and Bachar Marcell Khalifa. [citation needed] During the writing process of the song, DAM met with the Addameer organization a few times to collect information, personal stories, and letters so they can create three fictional characters that will be based on true stories.[citation needed]
Musical style and impact
DAM's musical style merges Western hip hop with traditional Palestinian musical influences, creating a distinct music genre that reflects their political message and identity. Rapping in both English and Arabic and even Hebrew, this fusion is further seen in their lyrics, which describe their experiences as Palestinians under occupation, their aspirations for social justice and human rights as well as their critiques of the society they live in.[17]
While DAM was characterized early on as "young, angry, hardcore Palestinian Israeli youth straight out of Lyd's ghetto", they later took a different direction, "speaking to issues of racism and reconciliation with Israel",[23] voiced in song lyrics such as:
Where is the equality when I live in a shack? ... When I am not mentioned in the national anthem[23]
By 2012, DAM is said to have grown tired of their identification as a "resistance band", with its members instead seeking identities as mainstream commercial artists wanting to "move beyond the political hype" and "be known for their beats and verses".[15]
There has been almost no analysis of DAM's Hebrew songs or its position in Israeli society and culture, but the simplistic outline of a resistance narrative does not adequately reflect DAM's nuanced political and cultural stances and the multiple audiences it addresses.[24]
Reception
Because of the stance DAM has taken, the group has faced political pressure and censorship from Israeli authorities, who view their music as a threat to Israeli legitimacy. As a result, the rap group experienced difficulties in organising events and performances, Israeli authorities actively wanting to shut down these events over basis of inciting hate and unrest towards the Israeli state.[14]
They have also faced backlash for their song "Mama I fell in love with a Jew", with a parodic music video where the rap group is in an elevator with an IDF soldier.[25]
Their drawing on themes such as Arab violence and drug dealing have also drawn criticism from within the Arab community, which tends to avoid airing these problems in public.[5]
Discography
- Albums
- Ihda' (2006)
- Dabke on the Moon (2012)
- Ben Haana Wa Maana (2019)
Together, these albums have earned DAM critical acclaim and helped make of this group a leading voice in Palestinian artistic resistance movements.[26]
- Contributing artist
- The Rough Guide To Arabic Revolution(2013)
DAM in TV and cinema
- (2002) Local angel (as DAM)
- (2003) Channels of Rage by Anat Halachmi (as DAM)
- (2007) Forgiveness (as DAM)
- (2007) DAM – UK London by Eliot Manches (as DAM)
- (2008) Slingshot Hip Hop by Jackie Salloum (as DAM and Suhell Nafar as the narrator)
- (2008) Salt of the sea by Annemarie Jacir (DAM's Song Shidu al Himme produced by K Salaam, and a Small part by Tamer Nafar as a waiter)
- (2008) Where in the world is Osama Ben Laden? By Morgan Spurlock (In the soundtrack – Mali Huriye – I have no freedom song)
- (2009) Checkpoint Rock – Songs for Palestine by Fermin Muguruza and Javier Corcuera (as DAM and Suhell Nafar as the narrator)
- (2010) Targeted citizen by Rahel Lea Jones (as DAM)
- (2011) Habibi Rasak Kharban by Susan Youssef (Tamer & Suhell Nafar in a small part as fishermen)
- (2012) I'lam Media Center: I have the right! By Firas Khoury (Tamer Nafar as himself)
- (2012) Yala on the Moon (Yala al Amar) by Jackie Salloum and Suhell Nafar (DAM in the soundtrack and Tamer Nafar in a small part as a driver)
- (2012) Art/Violence, a documentary by Berlinalefilm festival 2012, DAM were part of the characters in the movie and their music video "If I Could Go Back in TIme-Law Arjaa bil Zaman" was used in the movie, as well Tamer Nafar was part of the Producers of the movie.
- (2012) Insha'Allah a Canadian/French feature film directed by Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette, the movie uses in one of the scenes 2 songs "Love us and Buy us - Hibuna Ishtruna ( from Ihdaa/Dedication) and the single "Targeted Citizen - Muwaten Mustahdaf"
Live performances and collaborations
Many of DAM's live performances in Palestine and around the world have been in collaboration with other activist groups and artists in support of Palestinian resistance and culture. They are furthermore associated to other activist groups, advocating for the safety of Palestinian refugees and political prisoners. [27]
Legacy and influence
DAM's music has been recognised[by whom?] as a powerful means to express Palestinian discontent and culture, spreading their message around the world. This group has inspired hope and change amongst the Palestinian resistance movement and general supporters of the Palestinian cause. [28]
References
Citations
- ^ Orwell, Victoria (11 April 2011). "Bethlehem Hosts Festival for Sure Palestinian Hope". Palestine News Network. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- ^ Corne, Jonah (1 May 2010). "Hip-hop Palestinian style: an interview with DAM". Canadian Dimension. 44 (3): 56–7.
- ^ "About DAM". About DAM, DAM's homepage. Archived from the original on 18 March 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f Heim 2012, p. 24.
- ^ a b c d e Kurzman 2005, p. 71.
- ^ a b c d e f Swedenburg 2013, p. 19.
- ^ a b c Kurzman 2005, p. 70.
- ^ "Rival rappers reflect Mid-East conflict". 2004-11-26. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ "DAM | Official website". www.damrap.com. Archived from the original on 2017-07-31. Retrieved 2017-07-30.
- ^ "DAM – Legendary Palestinian Hip-Hop Group Announce New EP 'Street Poetry' For June 16 - Cooking Vinyl". Cooking Vinyl. 2017-06-02. Archived from the original on 2018-05-15. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
- ^ a b c Puig 2010, p. 113.
- ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ a b "Israel: Police attempt to shut down Palestinian rapper's show over 'incitement'". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ a b Urkevich 2015, p. 148.
- ^ Allers, Jackson. "Slingshot Hip Hop invades Lebanon". Menassat. Archived from the original on 2010-02-06. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
- ^ a b Dutton, Jack (2019-04-10). "Da Arab MCs: Palestine's first hip-hop group on politics, feminism and their third album". The National. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ a b c d Heim 2012, p. 25.
- ^ a b c Cazzato & Taronna 2023, p. 140.
- ^ Cazzato & Taronna 2023, p. 142.
- ^ a b Andersen 2013, p. 85.
- ^ Cazzato & Taronna 2023, p. 136.
- ^ a b Urkevich 2015, p. 147.
- ^ Swedenburg 2013, p. 22.
- ^ "'Mama, I Fell in Love With a Jew': Behind Palestinian Rap Group's Newest Song". Haaretz. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ "Palestinian rhythms of resistance". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ Murphy, Maureen Clare (2010-12-17). ""We will continue to sing": DAM's Suhell Nafar interviewed". The Electronic Intifada. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
Sources
- Andersen, J. L. (2013). "Transgressing Borders with Palestinian Hip Hop". Palestinian Music and Song: Expression and Resistance since 1900. Indiana University Press. pp. 82-96. ISBN 9780253011138.
- Cazzato, L.; Taronna, A. (2023). "Decolonial Mediatic Artivist Engagement and the Palestinian Question". Postcolonial Publics: Art and Citizen Media in Europe (PDF). Studies and Researches. Vol. 30. pp. 131–148.
- Heim, K. (2012). "Beats not bombs: Hip-hop to create peace in the israeli-Palestinian conflict". Nota Bene: Canadian Undergraduate Journal of Musicolog. 4 (2): 19–32. .
- Kurzman, C. (2005). "da arabian mc's". Contexts. 4 (4): 70–72. S2CID 62142111.
- Puig, N. (2010). ""Welcome to the Camps": 1 The Emergence of Palestinian Rap in Lebanon, a New Social and Political Song". Manifestations of Identity, The Lived Reality of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon. Institute for Palestine Studies. pp. 107–122. ISBN 978-9953-453-35-4.
- Swedenburg, T. (2013). "Palestinian Rap". Popular culture in the Middle East and North Africa: A postcolonial outlook. Routledge research in postcolonial literatures. Vol. 46. Routledge. pp. 17–32. ISBN 9780415509725.
- Urkevich, L. (2015). "[Review of My Voice is My Weapon: Music, Nationalism, and the Poetics of Palestinian Resistance, by D. A. McDonald]". Notes. 72 (1): 146–148. S2CID 163041655.
Further reading
- McDonald, D. A. (2020). "Junction 48: Hip-hop activism, gendered violence, and vulnerability in Palestine". Journal of Popular Music Studies. 32 (1): 26–43. S2CID 214058472.
- Turner, M.; Shweiki, O. (2014). "Introduction: Decolonizing the Study of the Political Economy of the Palestinian People". Decolonizing Palestinian Political Economy: De-development and Beyond. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 1–9. ISBN 978-1-349-49658-7.
External links
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