Call for Kuwaiti Hip Hop
I am interested in trying to find any Kuwaiti hip hop artists, even if its just a bunch of kids rapping in their diwaniyahs to their x box. Although there is a budding movement of "djs" here in Kuwait--a term I use loosely--I would like to know about anyone working on hip hop. I know for a fact hip hop is popular here, based on what booms from car speakers.
When I was in Lebanon, some acquaintences I met told me about some Palestinian hip hop artists as well as about a growing death metal movement in the Gulf countries. Hip hop is one of America's most exportable institutions, in that it is a vessel for social consciousness and discontent that can be easily applied to many contents and cultures; it hybrids easily. However, there is also a lot of gimmicky and materialistic hip hop, emerging as a powerhouse for profits. I am interested in learning more about any hip hop in Kuwait, as well as the content of the rhymes. In short, what do Kuwaitis rap about? Please let me know if anyone has any ideas.
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Hip Hop's roots come from the inner city. The children of the ghettos used the spoken language (poetry) to express their objection to the inequalities of the day (racism and the lack of opportuni. The poets, Maya Angelou, Gwendolyn Brooks, Piri Thomas and others were the precursors of the Rap movement. The rappers sought to introduce rhythms and literary forms to send a message to the "Man" that everyting was not alright, that a change had to come about... 2 Pac, Ice-T, Snoop Dog... all poets speaking for those oppressed and without a voice.
My point is: What can the Kuwaiti kid rap about, what is their pain? What is the struggle?
A Poem: My struggle!
Hey lady, I struggle every morning trying to figure out what to wear, what mall to go to, where to eat tonite.... my life is rough... hard... so maybe I'll rhyme and sing and you can call it a Rap.
Unknown
A real Poem by Gwendolyn Brooks
We Real Cool
We real cool. We
Left School. We
Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We
Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We
Jazz June. We
Die soon.
good point-can good hip hop be born where there is no struggle or problems?
It is a very broad generalization to say that there is no struggle or pain in Kuwait. Yes, many have issues of which mall to go to, or where to eat tonight.
but one might need a finer ear to listen to those without a voice and not just take what you see as what it is...
i completely agree with you sarah, this is why i am curious to know and trying to put my ear to the ground so to speak, let me know if you have any leads!