This wicked new song, “To be an Arab”, from Palestinian musician Jowan Safadi, with a video superbly directed by Nayef Hammoud, socks an addicting melodic and lyrical punch. It hurts with critical skill, ease and musicality that I can’t resist listening just one more time. I love it. (lyrics below)
Hardcore homophobes
Are the most gay on the inside
Mizrachi Arabophobes
Are Arabs themselves
Who are just afraid
And prefer to stay in the closet
Because they know, they know the best
That to be an Arab is not that great
It’s hard to be an Arab
It’s really hard, ask me
It’s hard to be an Arab
How much can one be black
Under the rule of the rich and white
In the racist state
Sephardics or Mizrachis
Once they too were Arabs
They changed their names
To change their destiny
Because they know, they know best
They know better than anyone
They know, they know best
They paid the bloody price
They learned it on their skin
It’s hard to be an Arab
It’s really hard, ask me
It’s hard to be an Arab
How much can one be black
Under the rule of the rich and white
In the racist state
Listen to me, dude
You need to know where you came from
And where you’re going to
And what you’re gonna find
Standing in the streets and chanting death to Arabs and such shit
You’re an Arab man more fucked than I am
Hey you imported Arab,
Take it from a local Arab
You were dragged here
To take my place
It’s hard to be an Arab
It’s really hard, ask me
It’s hard to be an Arab
How much can one be black
Under the rule of the rich and white
In the land of Palestine
……
Born in Nazareth (the son of a carpenter) and a resident of Haifa, Jowan Safadi is well known for controversy and his daring, occasionally eviscerating, emotional lyrics (which have gotten him into trouble a few times ). Last year TRIPLEW, cited him as “one of the strongest newcomers in the region’s independent scene.”
An upcoming Austrian documentary, In the Arms of Occupation, directed by Fernando Romero-Forsthuber, risks thrusting Safadi into the International arena.
You can read a little about the creative and political trajectory of Safadi’s life here and here. The following video, recorded with his Arabic grunge band Fish Samak is also titled In the Arms of Occupation and was directed by Romero-Forsthuber as well.
I love this guy!
Naughty!
Greetings,
……..Arab…….
How terms change:
Once upon a time Semite Canaanites living in Towns, Villages & Cities, as the Sumerians did lambasted all other Semites including the 12 Shem Semites Tribes for living in the Desert calling them Arabs, Desert Dwellers!
ziusudra
PS My Trivia of de day is also important.
From Lisa Goldman on twitter “Video song “To Be an Arab” turns identities upside down. Good stuff. youtube.com/watch?v=6v0IWk…” – See more at: https://mondoweiss.mystagingwebsite.com/profile/marnie#sthash.ioth9pDl.dpuf
This is the song! The only time I was ever able to post a video was by accident. Browsing +972 a couple days back I noticed Lisa Goldman’s remarks above and have been watching this gem ever since.
.
one again on the outside looking in
dial up internet and flip phone
no videos pictures or posts (w/over 100 comments on one page)
still
what fun
he looks like a free spirit totally cool
esp. when so many try to hang their hang ups on ‘him’
is there a cd or are they outdated too
.
G-d Bless
.