Slingshot Hip-Hop: Free-ing the P one rhyme at a time

Slingshot Hip-Hop: Right-wingers, put a Lyd on it!

A couple of years ago, I got an e-mail from a dude called Ragtop. He was asking my crew Euphrates to hand a track in for a compilation that is soon to come out, by the name "Free the P"- he wasn't talking about the immediate release of half the legendary Mobb Deep. Talking amongst ourselves, we decided to hand in "I.R.A.Q.", a song about the love for our nation and people. Seeing as I am of Iraqi descent, I felt it only right to show the love for our motherlands and how similar our plights as Arabs are. A lot of the time, the focus and actions of our respective national representatives has been that of a divisive, antagonistic and back-stabbing nature. Nowhere in the public consciousness is there a general strengthening of our need to stick together when weathering the storm of our deserted nomadic roots.

Five years later, Ragtop is known to me as Nizzy (aka Rusty T), we've collaborated on the ARAB SUMMIT record and FREE THE P was a success story. The oneness we showed as artists helped in the semi-fundage of Director/Artiste Extraordinary Jackie Salloum's SLINGSHOT HIP-HOP. Two weeks ago, I had the distinct pleasure to be sitting next to Invincible, one of the artists featured on the aforementioned compilation. We weren't saying much to each other. Being at the MOMA in New York, I was too busy shaking my head in amazement (shaking like 'tsk tsk tsk tsk tsk, this is some history-prone celluloid'). The New York Premiere of SLINGSHOT was-in the memory of Siskel and Ebert- riveting, groundbreaking and a stereotype shattering two-thumbs and two big toes up material.

The story follows the growth of the Palestinian Hip-Hop scene, but by no means is limited to the music. In the first scene we are introduced to DAM, the premiere Palestinian Hip-Hop representatives, visiting the US for the first time. You see the members of the group humbled by the presence of one of their idols, Chuck D. On a promo run for their album DEDICATION, Public Enemy's head honcho invited the group over to his radio show for an exclusive interview and discussion about Hip-Hop and Politics. With DAM garnering international status, we return to the isolated experience that is being Palestinian in a world that doesn't recognize the identity as legitimate. As the film progresses, we are introduced to several groups such as PR, Arabeeyat and Sabreena The Witch, only a few of the burgeoning boom-bapers coming out of the holy land. Salloum takes us across the landscape of modern-day Palestine analyzing the omnipresence of the security wall and its effect on the psyche of the younger population, injustice, historical narratives (in some of the most bananas animation I have seen in a while!) and personal relationships that are obstructed by the inability to cross borders. (something most Arabs can relate to!)

Without giving away too much, the viewer is immediately invited into the homes of Tamer and Suhail (two members of DAM), going through their CDs, books and old home video footage of their passionate discovery of Hip-Hop. From Tamer's rendition of 2pac classics to the old school mistakes and lessons, I related to this film on so many levels. From growing up as the outsider that wore baggy pants and retarded steez to the close bond between strangers through music, I couldn't help but snap my fingers exponentially as the movie rolled out in front of my eyes. There is one scene towards the end that blew my mind. I am of course, not doing justice to the work put into this film. The first thing I thought was "wow". My second thought was "Jackie is the illest". Third, "How is this not huge yet?". Fourth was "I can't wait to go back to Iraq". Lastly, I couldn't help but feel for brothers and sisters trying to make it out the madness that is occupation and disillusionment.

The characters are multi-faceted, intelligent, well-spoken and fun to be around. From Mahmoud Shalabi to Abeer, we notice how distance cannot get in the way of passion and perseverance. One thing I really appreciated about this film is the way the director represented Palestinians. In general, the media representation of our brothers and sisters from another colored mother and mister are as follows:

1.victims- Media images littered with impoverished, desolate and downtrodden Arabs. Although this is true to certain parts of the East, this is by far not the only face we can be painted with. The understanding that the Arab populace is greater than one type of being is much needed and more importantly, needs to be reinforced through our independent media peoples.

2.violent oppressors- Bomb Laden-Gun Totting-Bullet Ridden-Headwrap Rocking-Eye only seeing-Black turtle neck sporting-Islamo Camo Couture-Jihad Claimin'-Arm Flailing- Lu'tmiya Crying-Revenge Yielding- Money Hungry- Oil Poor-Ghetto Imprisoned- America Hating- Non MTV watching-Arab Jarab Haters. In other words, you turn on CNN or FOX news and realise that, there has got to be an agenda going on here. From Chuck Norris to Arnie, the engendered relationship between Arab men and women, and the propagated bloody terror that is attached to our identity is one of the commodities of the the War on Terror. (the supposed War on Terror, you mean, the War for Power).

3.Over-sexualized Harem Lovers- Lastly The image of Arab men as porno addicts and exotic punanee mongers is another unavoidable stereotype. Not to say we aren't good in bed now, but I digress.

To most readers of this website, these are obvious things to avoid when making a visual document of our existence. Let just say this now, at the cost of getting some belligerent post about how "one sided" I am. In no way am I simply negating these faces of Arabs. We do have angry-ass militias, we do have over-sexed leaders who indulge in more prostitution than hugh hefner, and yes, we definitely have victims to tragedy that are implausible to say the least. BUT, my point is, Jackie Salloum manages to turn these faces onto themselves. At no point in the movie do you feel the stars are WEAK, in fact, you see the total opposite; a group of youth coming up through hardship and staying positive, resilient and hopeful. She also avoids the regular rhetoric of most films I have seen about the occupation. In no way is there a finger pointing session; most of the explanation is backed up by facts, political history, and a general understanding of the situation as a whole. You can tell the director, producer (shout out Rumzi) and the animation team (freehabib.com) had a good head on their shoulders and decided to, once and for all, bring truth to the light through a human story.

SLINGSHOT HIP-HOP is one of the best documentaries I have seen on Arab Hip-Hop (if not the only one) coming straight outta the P. This movie rocked! (pun intended brothers and sisters!) I look forward to more of Ms. Salloum's work and the next DAM record. Not only are these people at the forefront of changing our image, they have a perspective that by in-large is something my generation of Arab migrant share. I urge all you to go see it, enjoy it, soak it in and understand that the voice of the oppressed is legitimate, powerful and full of hope. That's definitely one thing I left the MOMA feeling. Hope.

LINKS:
slingshothiphop.com
Myspace.com/slingshothiphop
DAMpalestine.com
myspace.com/palrapperz
myspace.com/damrap
myspace.com/sdawitch
myspace.com/safaa3arapeye
freethep.com