AUD students gathered in full spirit on a chilly evening for a night full of entertainment by some of the Arab world’s greatest hip-hop stars, including Omar Offendum, Dany Neville, Khaled M, Ed Hooligan and other artists who advocate peace through their music. The ambiance created was a mesh of feelings between supporters who had come out to see their favorite rappers and hip-hop artists and those who stood united for a cause. The entrance fee of AED 50 was donated to the PCRF and up to 200 people were in attendance.
Organizers wanted to use music, a universal medium that unites and makes no distinction between race, gender and cast, to rally support for various causes.
“The purpose of the concert is threefold: First, to raise funds for building a cancer treatment center for children in Palestine, secondly to create awareness for the PCRF’s involvement in the Dubai Marathon, and finally, to present the hottest hip-hop show in the region,” the organizers said in an official statement on their website.
Several performers stood out not only for their musical talents but also for the message they brought with them.
Ed Hooligan, a Palestinian-American MC from Chicago’s south side who now resides in Dubai, declared his undying support for Palestine and rocked the audience with his verses.
Khaled M, an MC who hails from Libya but grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, came on to the stage, proud of his heritage, and blasted the speakers with his heartfelt words. He took the audience back in time through a childhood journey that spoke milestones about his people, ancestors and their suffering. Khaled M rapped about how it all began from the time his father, who was part of a revolutionary movement in Libya, was imprisoned for his role in a student protest against the government. After five years of dehumanizing torture, he managed to escape incarceration. His message was full of nationalistic pride, hope and of course hip-hop.
Another prominent performer was DJ Dany Neville who is one of the most recognized voices on UAE radio. His drive and love for spreading hip-hop in the Middle East earned him the honorary title of “Ambassador of Hip-Hop to the Middle East” from some of the world’s most renowned artists, including Busta Rhymes, Alicia Keys, 50 Cent, Mack 10, Beyoncé Knowles, and Mos Def, all of whom have been guests on his show on Radio 1. He played with Omar Offendum who saved his best for last.
Offendum is a popular Syrian-American MC/Beatmaker who was born in Saudi Arabia, raised in Washington D.C. and resides in Los Angeles. He collaborates and supports Arab artists and was featured on several major news outlets. He has helped raise funds for various humanitarian relief organizations through tours around the world.
The overall theme of the night can be best summarized by Malcolm X’s 1965 “Prospects for Freedom” speech: “You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.” The Palestinian conflict is an issue that evokes strong emotions in the region but the common ground the artists and audience shared was the hope that justice will be served — if not now, then one day.