The Freshly-Minted And Sweet MWR "Because I'm an Arab"

Gone are the commercial rappers who can release an album with upward of twenty tracks.

Fourteen years ago, they met and now this relationship has been tested with time. In 1999 when they first got together after years of friendship, four young Palestinians, living in Akka, Palestine, joined together and formed one of the first Arab hip hop groups: MWR. Mahmoud, Waseem, Richi and Charlie (dj Chuck) do not mince words. The lyrics they wrote expressed eloquently the unique experience lived by Palestinians living within the borders of Israel. While they are the natives of the land, many Israelis wish to reduce them to a museum material. This Pan Palestine and Pan-Arab band group has shown that they are some of the most serious rappers in the region. If you are inclined to question that opinion, please tune in and give "Gazwa Harfeya" a dazzling rap song where speed, delivery, flow and beats are top-notch. (Lyrical Invasion) By Mahmood Shalabi Featuring Tamer Nafar & SAZ. Tell me, how much you love the incorporation o the drum.

Thus that create too many stories young people around the world can relate to. Essentially they live as third class citizens in their own homeland. Typical to young people all over the world, American hip-hop has been a great influence on the group's music, as has its Algerian counterparts. MWR uses music both as an effective method of self-expression as well as a tool to draw attention to the plight of the Palestinians.

I feel MWR has gone to school to raise their collective IQ in order for them to make such a smart and saavy album that has so many shades and colors. They rap for young people and for college educated folks about their plight. Rapping almost entirely in Arabic, they sing about racism, poverty, drugs, the Israeli occupation, and the lack of support from the Arab governments. Their political focus and sharp, often biting lyrics, combined with strong hip-hop beats and an unforgettable stage presence, have earned them fans around the world.

"Because I'm an Arab" topped the charts for two weeks on a Haifa radio station, and MWR was named band of the year. The group has appeared on CNN, MTV EUROPE, and other television networks worldwide. Most recently, they performed in France. This was, in fact, their first trip outside of the country. Additionally they have appeared throughout Palestine - their performance at a rap festival in Nazareth last year drew thousands of people. For more info on the band, as well as links to some of their press, and songs you can download, go to official site

MWR is so proud of their native city of AKKA, to which they dedicate a song on this album. You just do not make an album like this in a night or two. This strikes me as the fruit of many months of labor where creative forced came together to produce such a feast. The jewel of the album the last track or track number 22 - Ashanak Arabi (Because I'm an Arab). It sounds the crispiest among a creatively curated album. The song speaks of their frustration growing up in Israel where they go to sub-par schools, and live in much worse conditions that their fellow citizens. It puts faces on the well-known stories of discrimination inside Israel.

A broad coalition of U.S. community, social activism and artist groups have collaborated to bring MWR to the country. We see this as an opportunity to build bridges between communities of resistance, and to bring energy and inspiration to these movements. As far as we know, this is the first time a Palestinian hip hop group has toured the US. This is rap group that makes it easy to be introduced ( and perhaps fall in love with) Palestinian rap.If you are interested in some fresh beats, your search ends here, the album is loaded with many of them.

These guys are sweet when it's helpful--a song for mothers reveals that (07 - Ya Yoma (Mom).). Cool and trendy and great for live concerts and parties--01 - Eftho Al Bwab (Open Doors).  and angry as hell when they have to be (21 - Law Kan Beade (If I Had) By Waseem Akar Featuring WE7.). For kicks, they also offer wisdom when the sing about money (11 - Masari (Money).) Not to forget being funky and daring with (14 - YaMashAllah (God wills).)

"Because I'm an Arab" (translated lyrics)

"Why are we living in a time without happiness and hope?
when you're looking for a job they gonna fire you
they turn you down and say you're not qualified

and why? 'cause you're an Arab!

wherever you go they want you to show your ID -
without cause
why can't we be equal
why are we not treated as humans?

instead of setting free the most beautiful doves of peace
they invent effective devices to kill
instead of looking for a way to peace
they ask why the youth is wasted
why are we living in a time without happiness and hope?

A policeman sees me, immediately arrests me, asks me
some racist questions, and why? Because I'm an Arab."

MWR interview for CNN news Channel


MWR & DAM - 3aref Nafsak !!( il Mic Jambak )


عروبتنا بخطر - غزة - rap arabi - Mwr - راب عربي عكا