Attention all DAM fans in US and Canada:
DAM will be returning to North America this spring 2010. If you are interested in hosting them in your city or town, e-mail:
DAMinNorthAmerica@gmail.com
Da Arabian MC's
Suhell Nafar, Tamer Nafar, Mahmoud Jreri
DAM is the first and leading Palestinian Rap Group. It is composed of Tamer Nafar, 27, his younger brother Suhell, 23, and Mahmoud Jreri, 24. The group has been performing together since the late 90s. Tamer, who had been performing Rap since 1998 with his brother, was first contacted by Mahmoud Jreri. Mahmoud was writing his own lyrics so they quickly decided to join forces and the group was born in 1999. All three members of the group were born and grew up in the slums of Lod, a mixed town of Arabs and Jews, 20 km from Jerusalem.
DAM's music is a unique fusion of East and West, combining Arabic percussion rhythms, Middle Eastern melodies and urban Hip Hop/Rap
The lyrics of DAM are influenced by the continuing Israeli - Palestinian conflict as well as by the Palestinian struggle for freedom and equality. DAM also draw their influence from such controversial issues as terrorism, drugs and womens rights.
Musically they take their inspiration from both Hip Hop artists (Nas, 2Pac, Mos Def, IAM, NTM, Saian Supa Crew, MBS etc.) and Arabic music (Marcel Khalifa,Kazem Saher,George Wassouf, Majda al Romi etc.)
The songs, lyrics and music, are written and arranged by all members of the group and musically produced by them and other known producers.
DAM's debut album "Stop Selling Drugs" was released locally in 1998, followed by the second album called "Min Irhabi" (who's the terrorist?) which was released in 2001. The controversial title track of this album was released on the net and more than 1 million people downloaded it within one month from the website ArabRap.Net. The song was also distributed free with Rolling Stone magazine in France and became a "street" anthem. It was also featured in a compilation in France with Manu Chao, Zebda, Noir Desir and many other top artists.
Furthermore, the lyrics of the song were taught in some Universities around the world because of their deep meaning, and were also used in pro-Palestinian demonstrations around the world.
DAM are now gaining increased international popularity around the world through their unique message and ground-breaking live shows.
The growing international profile and interest in this unique band have led to participation in various films, events and collaborations including:
- "Local Angel", a 2002 documentary by Israeli director and political activist Udi Aloni.
- Appearance in Forgiveness, Udi Alonis latest film selected at the Berlin Festival 2006.
- Key appearance in the documentary Slingshot Hip Hop about todays Palestinian rap scene, by apalestnine amrican director Jackie Salloum.
- Key appearance in the documentary film "Channel of rage", by Anat Halahmi, that showed the Israeli-Palestine struggle from the Israeli and Palestinian Rappers point of view
- Appearance in the soundtrack of the film Ford Transit by Palestinian director Hany Abu Assad, who won a golden Globe for his film Paradise now.
- Participation in the photoshoot by Magnum/National Geographic photographer David Alan Harvey about rap artists around the world.
- Many live shows in Europe (France, England, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland etc.) and in the USA.
Tamer doing the arabic alphabet
The band perform at the important TRANSMUSICALES DE RENNES festival in France in December 2006.
Mahmood doing the arabic alphabet
Dedication is DAMs long-awaited first international album which will be released autumn 2006.
NEW PALESTINIAN HIP HOP ALBUM: SLINGSHOT HIP HOP SOUNDTRACK...
Slingshot Hip Hop soundtrack is available to buy now. Click on the link and support Palestinian Hip Hop.
It was produced by 48 records (DAM) and features
PR
Mahmood Shalabi (the M from MWR)
Abeer al Zinati (Sabreena da Witch)
Arapiyat
WE7 - Wlad al 7ara
SAZ
Abna2 al G'adab
Ta3m al Alam (TOP)
Arab al48
AND MANY MANY MANY MORE
here's the link
http://slingshothiphop.com/index.php (go 2 merchandise)
Hip Hop is not dead it lives in Palestine
hey guys, Suhell was wearing a very cool sweater when you guys sang here in Winnipeg. Im just wondering how I could get my hands on one of those.. If you dont know which i mean its the one hes wearing in my profile pic.. Id really appreciate it if I could see how to get one..
how are you guys doing out there.. I know you guys are still out there making the best of the situation that is going on in your life. I told you guys before that months ago I watched your documentary on the Sundance channel.. And this morning I also saw a brief documentary of you guys that aired on a network station called CRNT "Current" doing an interview with a young lady I think her name is Tia Johnson. But your message and struggles are still reaching out to other people. During the summer sometime in July, I took a trip to Austin,TX and some of your countries people were there with signs saying to help end the war over there. And truth is, when I saw those signs I felt bad knowing that I personally wasnt able to do anything on my own. And I didnt know anyone else that day in my group during this trip that had even seen any of the documentaries that I have seen. Keep your heads up.
I WAS WATCHING UR DOCUMENTARY ON CABLE TELEVISION HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, I WANT U TO KNOW ALL THE ARAB IN AMERICA ARE PROUD OF U AND WE ALL WISH U A HAPPY AND SAFE RAMADAN AS WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THE LIFE AND STRUGGLES IN FALASTEEN, I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING U ALL SINCE I WILL BE THERE AROUND THE NEW YEAR, BARAK ALLAH FEEKUM WA LAHAL SOOT IL JAMIL ALLAH YE7FATHKUM.
Hey guys, yall were missed at the show Sunday night in Seattle. Everyone there sent you much love and put on a great show, I hope we get another chance to see you again before too long. Much respect