Lowkey + Finkelstein + Mansour: Hip Hop and Talk on Gaza

Even if you don't agree with them, this is sure to be a thought-stimulating event.

"launch of NORMAN FINKELSTEIN's book on Gaza and its aftermath:
THIS TIME WE WENT TOO FAR

"iraqi rapper LOWKEY & first lady of arab hip-hop SHADIA MANSOUR

appearing together in support of a just peace in israel/palestine

"THURSDAY, MAY 6TH • 7-10 PM • THE GRIFFIN • 50 GANSEVOORT ST, NYC

"FREE. Please RSVP to rsvp@culturesofresistance.org "

Hichkas & Reveal Perform Live Together for First Time

This will be Hichkas' first legal live concert!

Iranian rapper Hichkas, the "President of Iranian Hip Hop", performs in the Cannes Award winning film, "No One Knows About the Persian Cats" currently showing in New York and soon to open nation-wide. Hichkas recently released the track, "Ye Rooze Khoob Miad" which implicitly shows support for democracy in Iran while at the same time showing support for Iranians' reconciliation. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to see what Hichkas says and does next, now that he is outside of Iran! The Fred Khoshtinat video for Hichkas' Ye Mosht Sarbaz is one of the reasons that I visited Iran last May. I hope that while he is in Malaysia he makes another video!

Hichkas has featured British-Iranian rapper Reveal on some of his most amazing, Mahdyar Aghajani-produced tracks--including "Dideh & Del". Hichkas and Reveal were both featured recently by British-Iraqi MC Lowkey, on "Long Live Palestine--Part 2" which was a smash hit and climbed to the top of the charts. (Lowkey recently performed at Southpaw in Brooklyn together with DAM, the Narcyssist, and Shadia Mansour.)

This concert is sure to be epic!!!!!!!! I hope they come to New York soon!

Facebook Event Page:

"HICH-KAS AND REVEAL LIVE IN CONCERT

"Friday, May 14, 2010 at 9:00pm

Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 2:00am

Dragonfly

Jalan Kia Peng

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

"For the first time ever, live in concert all the way from Tehran Iran, we are proud to present an event of truly epic

proportions...

"For years Hich-kas has dominated the Persian rap scene even though circumstances have been such that he has been unable to ever perform live in concert.

"Now, for the very first time, Hich-kas will be performing live alongside special guest Reveal all the way from London, UK for one night only at the exclusive Dragonfly venue in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

"This performance marks the start of the international Hich-Kas tour , the dates of which will be announced shortly...

"Make sure you do not miss this truly historical event!!!!"

THIS EVENT IS SELLING OUT VERY VERY QUICKLY, PLEASE MAKE SURE U BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!

FOR MORE INFO AND TICKETS CALL:

006017-2053 079

006017-2053 360

006017-2053 361

This event is organized by SEDAYE NOU and sponsored by GULLY GARMZ.

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British-Iraqi Rapper Lowkey is in New York

by Julie Jigsawnovich


Tonight British-Iraqi, Palestinian and American rappers will perform and have a panel discussion at 7:30pm in Held Auditorium, Barnard College in Manhattan. They are seeking to promote Hip Hop as a means of addressing social justice problems.

Included will be MC Lowkey, a half-British half-Iraqi rapper, who created a song called, "Long Live Palestine" together with Palestinian, Syrian, Iranian and American rappers. Part 2 of the song specifically addresses the Israeli bombing of Gaza.

I saw Lowkey speak on a panel with Professor Norman Finkelstein, Jody McIntyre, Jajla Said, Hurriyah, Lamis Deek, MC Immortal Technique, MC Hasan Salaam and others a few nights ago at Alwan for the Arts in Manhattan. Key points generally advocated during the discussions were: 1.) Ending ethic cleansing of Palestinians 2.) Equal rights for Palestinians and Jews 3.) A secular, non-racist government which would govern a single state which would include what is currently named Israel and the Palestinian Territories. The majority on the panel didn't seem to believe a two-state solution is feasible any longer.

Although some of their ideas may seem politically radical within the generally pro-Israel context of New York, they reflected a spirit of fairness rather than retribution. And the proposals were based on reason rather than religion. In fact there was a marked absence of religious and/or violent rhetoric. Although the speakers were passionate, their language was not fiery.

During the discussion, MC Lowkey did mention the level of military support the U.S. gives to Israel. And Lowkey recently made a song and video bitterly critical of President Obama, and of specific historical and current U.S. foreign policies and actions. The irony of course, is that his right to make these criticisms here in the U.S. is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, by American cultural norms and even, one could argue, by U.S. foreign policies and military actions which have defended freedom of speech. Yet Lowkey's criticisms have an element of Kant's Categorical Imperative. As part of the process of finding out whether something is morally correct, one asks oneself--how would the world be if everyone did the same thing I want to do?

I talked to Lowkey briefly before the panel discussion, and showed him An Open Letter of Reconciliation and Responsibility written by two former specialists, U.S. Army--one of whom carried the 10 year old Iraqi girl in his arms in the infamous "Collateral Damage" video leaked to Wikileaks--as he sought to bring her to medical treatment. Lowkey responded to my placing this letter in his hands by saying, "I wondered how it was for the people there on the ground." He told me he would read the letter later in private. It will be interesting to find out his response to it, and see him speak again tonight.

I truly cherish the rights to free speech and public debate so associated with America. This country gave birth to Hip Hop. It's hopeful to see people from other countries exploring the constructive potential of this art form, especially when they advocate winning hearts and minds for positive social change rather than advocating violence. And when they have such mad skills and flow on the mike!