VOICED: Arab hiphop breaks new ground

Desert Heat, a pioneering rap group from the Gulf, was formed by two brothers inspired by hip hop and motivated by the 9/11 attacks to counter negative stereotypes about Arabs and Muslims. They use their music to challenge stereotypes, incorporating Arabic expressions and traditional melodies. Despite initial resistance, their popularity has grown internationally, aided by the Internet. Their music balances tradition and modernity, but faces cultural challenges, including bans in some Middle Eastern countries.

What inspired the formation of Desert Heat?

• The love for traditional Gulf music

• A competition win in the United States

• The events of 9/11 and a desire to share their perspective

• A collaboration with Western artists

How does Desert Heat incorporate their cultural identity into their music?

• By using only Arabic lyrics

• By avoiding any Western musical influences

• By blending Arabic expressions and traditional melodies with English rap

• By performing exclusively in the Middle East

What was a significant challenge Desert Heat faced initially?

• Lack of interest from local audiences

• Difficulty in finding a record label

• Competition from other Gulf rap groups

• Resistance due to the perception of hip hop as a Western genre

What was a notable achievement for Desert Heat?

• Selling 100,000 copies of their first album

• Gaining a fanbase that extends beyond the Middle East

• Winning a Grammy Award

• Collaborating with a famous Western artist

Why was a Desert Heat music video banned in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait?

• Because it featured Western artists

• For being too experimental

• Because it was too traditional

• Due to its political content