Date/Time
Date(s) - 08/07/2026
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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Location
Middle East Institute

Categories

Cost:
$25 USD
Contact Person:
MEI ARTS & CULTURE CENTER
Email:

Website:
https://givebutter.com/sons-of-yusuf-872026-hitu10
Phone:

Organization:
Middle East Institute

Join MEI’s Arts and Culture Center for a live performance by pioneering duo Sons of Yusuf, brothers Ya’koob and AbdulRahman, who blend rap with traditional Arabic instruments, poetry, and storytelling into music they call “Arabhop.”

Born in Kuwait and living between Kuwait and Los Angeles, they work as cultural ambassadors, using music rooted in Middle Eastern heritage to carry Kuwaiti and Gulf identity to audiences far beyond the region.

Their debut album, Shaykh the World, established their international presence and since then their videos have amassed 40+ million organic YouTube views and earned praise from CNN and Al Jazeera. Their newest release, Battle of the Black Gold, explores oil’s role in shaping Gulf economies, borders, and conflicts, and reflects on how the region’s stories are told and often misunderstood.

This performance is part of MEI’s First Friday celebration — also the final event of our Kuwaiti exhibition Beyond the Weave: Contemporary Dialogues with Al Sadu. The exhibition is free and open to the public; tickets are required to attend the performance.