Hip-hop artists are rarely shy of self-praise, but the genre's celebratory spirit sounds important and timely in the recently released Anghami Cypher.
Funded and distributed by the region’s leading music streaming service, the Dubai based Anghami, the group track (referred to in hip-hop parlance as a “cypher”) and accompanying video featuring nine of the region’s star MCs was released today to showcase the diversity and dexterity of the Middle Eastern hip-hop community.
Those following the scene should be excited at the sheer talent on display by the group of artists who hail from Algeria to Lebanon to Iraq.
The boisterous near eight-minute track has Syrian American rapper Omar Offendum, Egypt’s Deeb, fire-brand Algerian-Canadian MC Meryem Saci, Saudi rapper Shiboba, Syrian artist Bu Kolthoum, Iraqi-Canadian rapper and regional favourite Narcy, Lebanese rapper Edd Abbas and compatriot, DJ Lethal Skillz, Palestine’s Muqata’a and a rare verse from the enigmatic Iraqi-British hip-hop star Lowkey. The beat is produced by the industry veteran Sandhill from Iraq.
Corralling them is Anghami’s hip-hop editor and UAE music personality Hassane “Big Hass” Dennaoui with the aim of delivering “a powerful message that we are strong, we got amazing talent in the form of rhythm and poetry”.
Rooted in tradition
This is thrillingly illustrated in the accompanying video featuring all artists rapping their verses in their respective home cites: Offendum drops his rhymes in the urban surroundings of Los Angeles; Deeb is found in the backstreets of Cairo, while Saci is positively fierce as she spits thought provoking rhymes in a Montreal park.
Linking them together is the beat composed by Iraqi producer Nawar Al Rufaie, also known as Sandhill.
Firmly rooted in hip-hop’s boom-bap sonic tradition of tough kick drums and chaotic snares, the production also boasts a welcome regional touch of a plaintive loop of wailing Middle eastern strings. It ultimately strikes an elegant balance of sounding both modern while paying homage to the genre’s golden 1990s era.
“Yeah, I grew up on early 1990s east-coast hip-hop with artists such as Big Daddy Kane, Public Enemy and Eric B. and Rakim. A lot of it was up-tempo and placed emphasis on big breakbeats and thick groovy bass,” he says.
“I thought it would be interesting to draw inspiration from that and apply it within the context of Arabic hip-hop.”
In true hip-hop fashion, Sandhill threw a few sonic curve balls to the MCs to see if they were up to the challenge.
"Most MCs have tempo ranges they feel most comfortable working with and that bring out the best in them," he says. "But in the competitive spirit of hip-hop, I wanted to challenge the rappers on this song to step out of their comfort zone by trying something different on a technical level. It was about finding their 'pocket' on a beat they are not used to."
Omar Offendum sticks to his roots
Indeed, it is fascinating to hear how the MCs grappled with Sandhill's urgent production, with some electing to embark upon full-throttle speed rapping, while others were content to simply sail over the ruckus with a smoother and punchier flow.
Regional hip-hop stalwart Omar Offendum lies in the latter with a magnetising multi-lingual verse tracing his journey from Syria to the US where he is now a fully-fledged independent artist.
“The verse is reflective of where I am at the moment,” he says. “I am proud of the fact that I stuck to my roots. I shout out Damascus and Hamma – the two cities I have roots in in Syria. I also talk about how I do rap on my terms. And off course I am also flexing – that braggadocios MC that is Omar Offendum is still in there.”
Deeb breaks down the writing process
When it comes to Deeb, the Egyptian rapper, full name Mohamed El Deeb, goes for broke with a scintillating speed rap verse – delivered in Egyptian dialect where he touches on the writing process, hip-hop as an inspiration for Arab youth and labelling himself as a “lyrical doctor”.
The verse is also a fine example of how the Arabic language, with its own rhythms and syllables can merge seamlessly on top of hip-hop beats. “I am addressing the artist and creative people in the Arab world. It’s a message to use their skills and do something positive for society,” he says.
“This is why I begin with the words ‘its starts with a beat and a rhyme’. What I am doing is breaking down the creative process and telling them that it is as simple as that. Begin there, and then move forward.”
These are the words of experience. Indeed, a feature of the Anghami Cypher is how it brings together a multi-generation blend of rappers.
Artists such as Omar Offendum and Deeb, whose careers span a decade, represent the “old school” of the hip-hop pool – a time devoid of streaming services and where the websites Myspace and Bandcamp were places to be discovered and share tracks.
And introducing Meryem Saci
Representing the region’s fresh batch of talent is Meryem Saci, an Algerian rapper who fled Algeria’s civil war in 2000 to relocate in Montreal. Indeed, her stellar and forceful verse, is a highlight and a reflection on how the region’s hip-hop scene is in rude health.
It also marks another high point for Saci, who recently quit her job as an estate agent to focus on a burgeoning solo career that included the release of her well-received solo EP On My Way last year.
Her blistering verse, powered with a husky tone recalling Lauryn Hill’s work with The Fugees, almost acts like a personal manifesto with pledges to maintain her values and trust her intuition.
Off course, being the only woman featured, she also throws down the gauntlet for others to match her skills.
“I do boast in the beginning when I declare that ‘I am going to kill this beat’,” she says with a soft laugh. “As the only women, I just felt inspired. It really ignited the fire in me and I just let my pen flow.”
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Summer roadmap: follow our guide to the best festivals of 2018
Why Kendrick Lamar's Pulitzer win means so much
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This is not an introduction
With all those lyrical fireworks available on a grand platform such as Anghami, the cypher is set to ignite regional and international interest in the Middle Eastern hip-hop scene.
While Offendum, Deeb and Saci welcome the spotlight, they caution against the notion that the cypher is an introduction to the scene.
“It is more a reintroduction” Offendum says. “Most of the artists in this video have been doing this for a while and it is a chance to show where we are lyrically and how much we progressed.” Also it shows how much we value poetry in the Arab world. We have a history and tradition when it comes to poetry and that comes through here as well.”
Deeb agrees, stating that with a lack of regional festivals catering to Arabic hip-hop, the cypher is a rare chance for artists to be together on one stage, so to speak. “A lot of us are aware of each other, so this is a great chance to connect and celebrate,” he says. “I look at it as a way of saying to each other, what’s up, as we all continue on our own hustle.”
To hear the track go to www.anghami.com
Retail gloom
Online grocer Ocado revealed retail sales fell 5.7 per cen in its first quarter as customers switched back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns.
It was a tough comparison from a year earlier, when the UK was in lockdown, but on a two-year basis its retail division, a joint venture with Marks&Spencer, rose 31.7 per cent over the quarter.
The group added that a 15 per cent drop in customer basket size offset an 11.6. per cent rise in the number of customer transactions.
Fixtures:
Thursday:
Hatta v Al Jazira, 4.55pm
Al Wasl v Dibba, 7.45pm
Friday:
Al Dhafra v Al Nasr, 5.05pm
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai v Al Wahda, 7.45pm
Saturday:
Ajman v Emirates, 4.55pm
Al Ain v Sharjah, 7.45pm
F1 drivers' standings
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56
GOODBYE%20JULIA
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohamed%20Kordofani%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiran%20Riak%2C%20Eiman%20Yousif%2C%20Nazar%20Goma%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
RESULT
Manchester United 2 Burnley 2
Man United: Lingard (53', 90' 1)
Burnley: Barnes (3'), Defour (36')
Man of the Match: Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
More Expo 2020 Dubai pavilions:
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Book%20Details
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RESULTS
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The%20Letter%20Writer
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)
Nancy Ajram
(In2Musica)
Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
PROFILE OF CURE.FIT
Started: July 2016
Founders: Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori
Based: Bangalore, India
Sector: Health & wellness
Size: 500 employees
Investment: $250 million
Investors: Accel, Oaktree Capital (US); Chiratae Ventures, Epiq Capital, Innoven Capital, Kalaari Capital, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Piramal Group’s Anand Piramal, Pratithi Investment Trust, Ratan Tata (India); and Unilever Ventures (Unilever’s global venture capital arm)
Brief scores:
Southampton 2
Armstrong 13', Soares 20'
Manchester United 2
Lukaku 33', Herrera 39'
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)
Engine 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch
Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm
Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est)
ENGLAND SQUAD
Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes
Related
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20four-cyl%20turbo%20%2B%20mild%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E204hp%20at%205%2C800rpm%20%2B23hp%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C800rpm%20%2B205Nm%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E9-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7.3L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2FDecember%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh205%2C000%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
UAE-based players
Goodlands Riders: Jamshaid Butt, Ali Abid, JD Mahesh, Vibhor Shahi, Faizan Asif, Nadeem Rahim
Rose Hill Warriors: Faraz Sheikh, Ashok Kumar, Thabreez Ali, Janaka Chathuranga, Muzammil Afridi, Ameer Hamza
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Results
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m; Winner: Mcmanaman, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Bawaasil, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Bochart, Fabrice Veron, Satish Seemar
7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Mutaraffa, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m; Winner: Rare Ninja, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alfareeq, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Zorion, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
If you go
Flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh with a stop in Yangon from Dh3,075, and Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh with its partner Bangkok Airlines from Dh2,763. These trips take about nine hours each and both include taxes. From there, a road transfer takes at least four hours; airlines including KC Airlines (www.kcairlines.com) offer quick connecting flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville from about $100 (Dh367) return including taxes. Air Asia, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville from $54 each way. Next year, direct flights are due to launch between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, which will cut the journey time by a third.
The stay
Rooms at Alila Villas Koh Russey (www.alilahotels.com/ kohrussey) cost from $385 per night including taxes.
Results
Women finals: 48kg - Urantsetseg Munkhbat (MGL) bt Distria Krasniqi (KOS); 52kg - Odette Guiffrida (ITA) bt Majlinda Kelmendi (KOS); 57kg - Nora Gjakova (KOS) bt Anastasiia Konkina (Rus)
Men’s finals: 60kg - Amiran Papinashvili (GEO) bt Francisco Garrigos (ESP); 66kg - Vazha Margvelashvili (Geo) bt Yerlan Serikzhanov (KAZ)
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
DUBAI%20BLING%3A%20EPISODE%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENetflix%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKris%20Fade%2C%20Ebraheem%20Al%20Samadi%2C%20Zeina%20Khoury%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Austria 2
Hinteregger (53'), Schopf (69')
Germany 1
Ozil (11')
Abu%20Dhabi%E2%80%99s%20Racecard
%3Cp%3E%0D5pm%3A%20Al%20Bithnah%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(Turf)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E5.30pm%3A%20Al%20Khari%20%E2%80%93%20Hanidcap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E6pm%3A%20Al%20Qor%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E6.30pm%3A%20Wathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E7pm%3A%20Al%20Badiyah%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%202%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E7.30pm%3A%20Al%20Hayl%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%202%2C200m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A