Resistance Music: Palestinian Singers
By Ruqyah Sweidan / Arab American Contributing Writer
When we think of Palestinian resistance, we imagine fighting, throwing of rocks, and loud and proud protests. However, not all elements of the Palestinian cause are physical or political. Some of the greatest aspects of the resistance are in art, poetry, and, especially, song. Music is a language shared by the whole world. It is held in highest esteem. It is memorable and imperative to all cultures and histories. For Palestine, resistance music is uniquely regarded because of its ability to bond the millions of Palestinians living around the world, of all backgrounds. This article will name a few of the most influential Palestinian resistance singers and their best pieces to listen to!
Mohammed Assaf
Mohammed Assaf is probably the best-known Palestinian singer around the world. He gained international recognition after appearing on and winning Arab Idol. He grew up in a refugee camp in Gaza. Assaf did not have professional training, but he had a raw talent which first appeared at age five. He sang mainly at weddings or events of friends and won a few local competitions. Then came his adventure to get into Cairo for the Arab Idol auditions. Arab Idol was still a new program, having just begun its second seasons. There were hundreds of thousands of competitors. Yet, Assaf was the only one to come from Gaza.
It took him two days to convince the Egyptian border force to allow him to enter Egypt. But Assaf arrived too late at the hotel where auditions were being held. The doors were closed, and Idol was at capacity. Nevertheless, Asaf did not give up. He climbed the walls surrounding the hotel and made his way into the lobby. He still could not get a number. But a fellow Palestinian heard him singing to other contestants and gave Asaf his own number, knowing Asaf was good enough to reach the finals. Asaf did, and he subsequently won the show by his talent as well as his inspiring genre of music of old classical, feel good Palestinian identity songs. Today, he travels the world continuing as a professional singer of Palestinian pride songs and Palestinian advocate.
Mays Shalash
Another singer is known as Mays Shalash. She is a Palestinian woman who performs empowering and feminist anthems mainly dedicated to Palestinian women. And she sings in hijab. While she received criticism from some Muslims across Palestine, a respected Islamic scholar from Egypt had come to her defense, sighting her pure intentions in the cause for freedom. Like Asaf, she showed immense talent as a child. Her voice is described as uplifting, melodious and movingly deep. She has released several albums throughout her career with songs about the right of return, the suffering of the children, and the incomparable valor of her people.
Bashar Murad
Finally, there is the singer Bashar Murad. He is known as a risk taker and an establishment challenger. Murad is not worried about not being married by a certain age nor is he controlled by the conservative side of Arab culture. He even mentions the LGBT community in his music. Murad has additionally collaborated with different artists. One performance that received a lot of attention was one with an Icelandic group Hatari. They proudly waved Palestinian scarves while on stage in the Tel Aviv Eurovision Song Contest. While this received immense backlash from Israelis, the group was proud to have made a statement about an atrocity that should not be ignored.
Collaborating Talent
In the summer of 2018, a world-renowned music platform, “Boiler Room” hosted Boiler Room Palestine for the first time in its history. This was a potent political statement. Local artists, men and women, performed at the event, all in different genres of music. People from around the world tuned in to see the show making music history in Ramallah. This was crucial in portraying the humanity of Palestine, not merely its misery. Since the early 2000’s, an increased number of youth musicians became more visible. Their music voiced their resistance against the Israeli occupation. They want to relay a message of hope in their defiance of physical and social restrictions imposed by Israel. They also speak against mishandlings by the Palestinian Authority. Such sentiments have revitalized the creativity, potential and optimism of the Palestinian people.
Yalla! Follow these links to hear these singer’s greatest hits! (Only two have English translation but all three have compelling music videos) Mohammed Assaf “Dammi Falastini” Mays Shalash “Nashmia” Bashar Murad and Hutari “Samed“
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