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#Jan25 Through 25 Music Videos that Gave it Voice (Part 2)

Last week, we released part one of our three-part series The Soundtrack of Revolution: Celebrating #Jan25 Through 25 Music Videos that Gave it Voice. While most of the eight songs featured in our first installment focused on the contagious Hope that permeated around Egypt’s overthrow of dictator Hosni Mubarak, this week’s set focuses instead on the rage that blew his 30-year grip.

The following 9 songs, some set against graphic footage, represent the spectrum of anger that simmered in the years leading up to Egypt’s historic 2011 protests. Their varied messages are just as much about mindfulness as they are about support. With forceful, even uncomfortable lyrics, each one reminds viewers that the only way forward past the end of the revolution is to stay united as a people.

“Egyptian Revolution” – Kareem Abd El-Wahab

“Egyptian Revolution,” by Cairo-based music arranger/graphic designer/visual effects supervisor Kareem Abd El-Wahab, is a strong fusion of his original electronic music and protestors chants, accompanied by stop-motion video of lesser-viewed scenes and footage from the revolt.

Watch the video here

“Not Your Prisoner” – Arabian Knightz, featuring Shadia Mansour

Cairo-based Arabian Knightz, who we named one of Aslan Media’s Five Arab Music Artists Worth Watching in 2012, is one of Egypt’s hottest and most talked about hip hop groups. Though written four years ago, the group’s “Not Your Prisoner” didn’t emerge until 2011, when its Internet release became the first song to come out of Egypt since protests started on January 25. “Rebel” followed closely behind, and despite Mubarak’s week-long shutdown of Egypt’s Internet, both videos went viral over YouTube. Immediately dubbed “Egypt’s revolution song,” and set against real-life footage from the country’s revolution, “Prisoner” came out as a both a criticism of Mubarak’s corrupt government and as a wakeup call to other Egyptian musicians to begin expressing artistic freedom in the face of failing censorship. The fact that it was written four years ago speaks to the fact that Egypt’s revolt did not happen overnight, but instead fully realized itself out of a long-term civil unrest. Also featured on the track are Palestinian hip hop artist Shadia Mansour (also named one of Aslan Media’s as an Arab music artist to watch in 2012) and live guitar parts by Platinum West Coast producer Fred Wreck. The song will be part of Arabian Knightz’s highly anticipated album, Uknighted State of Arabia.

Watch the video here

Chorus translation:

I want my nation

Free from all oppression

I want my nation

Free from all evil

I want my nation

Free from all injustice

I want my land and the land of the Arabs!

“Children of Liberty” – Various Artists

Uploaded on February 15, “Children of Liberty” is a collaborative project from a group of politically active Israeli musicians. The video is touching, with the first half showing the creative process behind the group’s song, which only makes the viewer connect on a deeper level with these artists while watching them sing in the second half. Accompanying “Children of Liberty” is another video by the group where each artist tells the camera their wishes for Egypt, Israel and a greater unity throughout the Middle East: “I think what you are doing is the beginning of a new era, a new time,” one artist stated, “and I wish our people will start to do something like this. You know we are together like brothers and sisters, and we are in the same position. The same situation is in Israel in another kind of way… I really wish you know that we are in the same boat and I dream of peace and love and happiness in all the Middle East.”

Watch the video here

“Egypt January 25” – El Far3i

While some artists saw the Egyptian protests as a diving board for unity, others saw it as an opportunity to finally voice criticism for the hypocrisy over their dictatorial governments. Rapper El Far3i, from Amman, Jordan, is one of those artists. His lyrics in “Egypt January 25” are forceful, and sometimes deliberately uncomfortable, going so far as to vulgarly insult US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and imply the Arab rejection of Israel in the Middle East. The song is clearly fueled by anger, not towards people or societies, but towards the politics and foreign policies that turned a blind eye to government corruptions in what El Far3i calls “alternative countr[ies] (to Palestine).” Accompanying his resentment is a hostile Hope, one that realizes that in order to reform you have to be willing to take on the antagonist role: major upheaval is the result of raw, even offensive fury, directed at the reigning establishment.

Watch the video here

Lyrics- translation courtesy of the song’s producer Damar

Paper and pen in my hand, but words are weak

Because I am sitting here at home on "departure Friday"

I can't tell whether these tears are of anger or sadness

What I know is that it is not from the tear gas.

What I know is that Jordan is not an alternative country (to Palestine)

What I am sure of, is that the Nile refuses "Israel"

Nile Sat and their trials to hide

The honorable throats, in Liberation Square.

Telling the ones outside it's Egypt this time

This is to Jerusalem's son, this song is for the "dark skinned girl"

Bouazizi's lighter, long live green Tunis

The mother of the universe has awakened, breast feed us revolution.

Revolution that cover is, revolution that keeps us warm at night

Like stories from the 50's that our parents used to tell us.

They contain a glimpse of sadness and defeat

But the days have proven that it revived Nasser in us

You have to put the whole world in an awkward situation

You "hard to get" boy!

30 years I have waited for you, there is not too short of a period!

We got tired of always being ripped off, and our hearts are burning.

Hillary you son of a bitch, I don't want to hear your analysis.

They don't like the voice of truth when it's winning.

Egyptian: Say it... Egyptian: Demand it!

The world is watching you.

Because even the media couldn't lie on your streets.

Egyptian, you are a teacher

Egyptian, you are an educator

I need no "international community"

You speak on my behalf.

I saw you on the screens hurting... but happy

I have not been to Egypt yet, so I am going to enter it proudly

Because since January 5 an earthquake has hit my body

I am concerned about your moves

Because my mom is from Jenin, got Amman on my back and my father grew up in Gaza.

The lies of the international community have died last month

When they said you will revolt out of poverty.

Do you think the Pharaoh will step down if Moses was here?

The whole world knows you are revolting because of frustration.

But Arab leaders are the ones that don't support.

Am not sure but they really are not talking about it!

You didn't want a sidi bouuzid to be the only one

You are beautiful when you're saying "we ain't moving!"

They tried separating you by bringing religion up

But you stood in the streets saying, "we are all Egyptians."

Copts on Friday prayers protecting Muslims' backs.

You made Julia Botros' day with all these millions

My melody is sad compared to your cheers.

That made separated Arabs, one people again.

The western world is shocked on "resistance Sunday Mass"

"Bilad Al orb Awtani" on Oud strings.

So! My Egyptian brother I want to tell you the following

You have stopped time... like you the watchmaker

The people of this earth that are dying of hunger

Heave eaten bean plants from the hands of your martyrs.

Change is coming, I believe it is coming

Change has happened already if I give up my earthly pleasures

And even though there is still a long way to go

If there are any rules for the game you have changed my life.

Egyptian, you are a teacher

Egyptian, you are an educator

I need no "international community"

You speak on my behalf.

I saw you on the screens hurting... but happy

“Million Man March” – Lowkey, featuring Mai Khalil

Released only several months before revolts began in Tahrir Square, as part of British-Iraqi Lowkey’s recent double-disc album Soundtrack to the Struggle, “Million Man March” resonates today as an anthem of resistance against struggle and oppression. His lyrics not only call out hypocrisy within domineering Middle East regimes, but also question the role that of foreign, Western governments on local politics, as well as Arab-American relations.

The chorus, sung by fellow British music artist Mai Khalil, is simple yet haunting: “Today I die as one/ but as millions I return.” Both chorus and song title nod to a quote attributed to Tupac Katari, leader of the 18th century Aymara uprising against the Spanish Empire in what is now known as Bolivia: “I die today, but one day I will return made into millions.”

The allusion is an important one in the greater context of both African-American and Arabic Hip Hop. Katari’s story resonated through the Black Panther movement (rapper Tupac was named after him), and now Arab rappers, such as Lowkey and Palestine’s DAM, find inspiration in his words; they see parallels between their experiences of oppression and those of African-Americans’ in ghettos throughout the United States.

As powerful as its release was in November 2010, the song’s meaning has only gotten stronger since Egypt’s protests erupted, invoking the steadfast reliance that fueled protesters in reclaiming their country and national identity.

Watch the video here

“Egypt: Rise to Freedom” – Natacha Atlas and Basha Beats

Over the past 10 years, Egyptian-Anglo music artist Natacha Atlas has been recognized and acclaimed for her ability to fuse “electronic beats with North African and Arabic music, finding links between seemingly disparate musical genres… The resulting body of work is both a triumph of multiculturalism and a testament to the richness and accessibility of Arabic culture.” “Egypt: Rise to Freedom” is a remix of two other songs in her repertoire: “Makaan” and “Batkallim,” both previously released on her 2010 album Mounqaliba (In a State of Reversal). “Batkallim,” she explains, is a subversively political song that examines the relationship between truth, lies and political leaders. Her remix of it brought the lyrics into the context of Egypt’s unrest and revolt, and its message is just as supportive as it is direct in reminding Egyptians to keep focused in order to see the revolution through.

Watch the video here

Lyrics – Translation courtesy of Natacha Atlas

Mubarak: “My fellow citizens… A fine line lies between freedom… and chaos.”

Natacha: Let us stand together and awaken,

Let us question, learn and study;

Listen, understand and think.

Let us understand,

Permit us to know-

Permit us to know freedom.

Let us know there is a land

Where words are the purveyors of truth,

Heads are held high,

And human will is regarded above all.

Where the world is not split into a thousand fragments,

Under siege, forgotten, or lost -

Let us perceive of it,

Let us know that place.

Let us know our land,

Where words are the purveyors of truth.

Mubarak: "My fellow citizens... A fine line lies between freedom... and-"

Crowds: "MAY HOSNI MUBARAK FALL!!!"

“Sout Al Horeya” (The Song of Freedom) – Hany Adel and Amir Eid

One of the most well-known tunes to come out of Tahrir Square since January 25 is protest-solidarity song “Sout Al Horeya” (The Song of Freedom), sung by Amir Eid and Hany Adel, lead singer of the popular band Wust El-Balad. As one of the few music videos actually shot in Tahrir Square, it features footage of Eid walking through singing and celebratory crowds, interspersed with shots of protesters smiling as they sing the song’s lyrics while holding up signs with messages from the protest: "We're dreaming our dreams and tomorrow is coming /and its ahead of us. / In every street in my country, freedom / we lift our heads to the sky / and the most important thing is our rights." Uplifting, and capturing the unity that fueled Egypt’s yet-to-be-completed revolution, it took off as an immediate viral hit and reached over 1,750,000 hits its first two days on YouTube.

Watch the video here

“Ded El 7koma” (Against the Government) - Ramy Donjewan

Adopted as the “official” rap song of the protests, Egyptian Ramy Donjewan’s “Ded El 7koma” (Against the Government) reads almost like a laundry list of complaints against Egypt’s corrupt government: “Your blood, the government’s shedding it. / Your nation, they’ve exhausted it. / Your religion, they’ve targeted it. / Your portion… they’ve swallowed it.”

Despite being a list of grievances, the lyrics are more representative of the Egyptian youth’s hope in the face of surmounting obstacles. The song brings awareness to the promise of Egypt’s younger generations: Donjewan is optimistic, yet tinged by his frustration in seeing that potential ruined by Mubarak’s corruption. “Down with the law, down with the rulers, down with the cowards, down with the traitors”: simple and to the point, his demands belong not just to him, but to all Egyptians rallying against their regime.

Watch the video here

Lyrics – Translation courtesy of Revolutionary Arab Rap

[Hosni Mubarak]: I'll come back fleeing everything in the country, eh? Man, wisen up!

Yeah. Against the government. Against the government

Against the government. Against the thuggery and the injustice.

Against the government. Against the ruler and the authority.

Against the government and the rope of injustice is long.

Against the government and I have a thousand reasons!

Your blood, they're spilling it. Your death, they're sanctioning it.

Your homeland, they're making laughingstock of it. Your religion, they're targeting it.

Your voice, they're silencing it. Your rightful due, they're devouring it.

Your brother, they're still killing him and the rest of the people are being tortured.

If you live, you live in starvation. If you die, you have no blood money.

If you speak, you become a victim and you're treated with savagery.

Gangster politics! Gangs of thugs!

A hostile government wants to tear you and me to pieces!

The oppressor and the oppressed. The ruler and the condemned.

To whom will I complain? And whom will I blame?

Should I blame the people who get hit by the dirtiest boot and remain silent?

Or a government that controls everything with hearts that have died?

So down with the government! So down with the regime!

So down with the [Emergency] Law! So down with the rulers!

So down with the coward! So down with the traitor!

So down with the nice man if his kindness will let him be humiliated!

CHORUS (x2)

I'm against the government. Against the thuggery and the injustice.

Against the government. Against the ruler and the authority.

Against the government. Against the traitor and the coward.

Against the government. Against he who accepts being humiliated.

You have no value. You have no worth. Your rulers are selling you.

They are neglecting you. They are making a fool of you.

They threw you into the arms of your enemies with the greatest of ease.

You poor guy, it's your own hand that gives you pain. There are a thousand snakes around you

and they keep biting you. No matter how much you suffer,

there's no one who intends to help you. You don't help yourself.

Don't tell me what's stopping you - stopping you. Were someone to push you,

for whom would you be waiting to bring you your rightful due?

I tell him, "for thirty years he's been beating you."

He keeps cleaning his teeth while you're silent and he sews your mouth shut.

With his sword he cleaves you. You're not dead, but your brain is being killed.

Enough sleep! Enough death! Enough silence!

If you have blood FOR REAL, yell with your loudest voice:

I'm against the government because I have value [as a human being]!

Against the government and I will not accept defeat!

CHORUS (x3)

I'm against the government. Against the thuggery and the injustice.

Against the government. Against the ruler and the authority.

Against the government. Against the traitor and the coward.

Against the government. Against he who accepts being humiliated.

[Mubarak]: Man, wisen up! Heh heh heh.

“#Jan25” – Omar Offendum, The Narcicyst, Ayah, Freeway and Amir Sulaiman

To commemorate the day Egyptian protests began, rappers Omar Offendum (Syria), The Narcicyst (Iraq), Freeway (USA), R&B singer Ayah (Canada), and HBO Def Poet Amir Sulaiman (USA) teamed up with Palestinian-American producer Sami Matar to create “#Jan25,” referencing the role that social media had in spreading information and enabling rallies. When they released the song on YouTube just days before Mubarak stepped down, it immediately became a viral hit. With references to quotes from social leaders such as Gandhi, Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, the cross-cultural collaboration between Arab, American, and Canadian artists did more than just create solidarity with Egypt’s protesters: it spoke about revolution as a global struggle, with the quest for peace being one that spans all countries, cultures and religions.

Watch the video here: #Jan25 Egypt - Omar Offendum, The Narcicyst, Freeway, Ayah, Amir Sulaiman (Prod. by Sami Matar)

Check out Part One and stay tuned next week for the final installment of our three-part series showcasing music videos representing January 25 and the Egyptian revolution.

Read Part one and Three here

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