Gaza: A Gazan rap group is slowly making a name for itself both in Gaza and internationally. The group DARG (Da Arabian Revolutionary Guys) is trying to gain popularity among a population that generally dislikes Western styles of music or anything to do with the West.
"Its Arabic hip hop with a dash of tradition and patriotism. They represent a new generation of Palestinian artistes who hope to reach out to the youth by rapping about issues that are real and matter," Fadi Srour, the group's manager told Gulf News.
The biggest challenge for the group is trying to distinguish itself from American or European groups, but even before that the group struggled for acceptance from their own families.
The lyrics of their songs focus on unity, freedom and other things relevant to the Palestinian cause. They do not belong to either Hamas or Fatah but instead advocate against factionalism. The members are in school and also volunteer for the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Plea for unity
The group wants to be able to do international tours to promote their music and the Palestinian cause but have not been able to leave the blockaded Gaza Strip despite the fact that they have obtained visas from several European countries.
In the hip hop house in Gaza (as they like to call it), with just a laptop and a small microphone, the Darg Team turns simple lyrics on a torn piece of paper into a polished and searing poetic commentary on Gaza's situation.
"Since we don't have equipment, and the recording studio is too expensive, we try to cut albums in the simplest way, using a laptop mixer programme and recording in our home," says Fadi.
"We love Gaza, if we hated Gaza we wouldn't sing for it," Mohammad Antar, a group member said.
Much of the music is in some way a plea for unity among Palestinian groups. The rappers speak again and again of the need for Palestinians to come together and face their common enemy: the Israeli occupation, siege, and denial of basic rights.
Sami Srour another rapper in the team had the chance move to Norway, but he says: "Gaza is my homeland why should I leave it, it's my country."
"Not everybody in Gaza is a fighter or member of the resistance," says Bassam, another rapper. "There is more to Gaza than fighting."
Today, more than one year after the war, DARG have released a new song Rebuild calling on every one to participate and start rebuilding what the war has left behind and they even have a video clip for the song which can be viewed on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxyidtu7LWs
You can also find them on Facebook under the name "DARG TEAM".
