If it's music with a message you're after, it doesn't come much stronger than this. Egyptian rap trio Arabian Knightz released their latest single this week, against the wishes of Egyptian government officials.
Entitled Rebel, the Cairo-based rappers say they want the world to hear their message, through music, as the trouble in their country takes hold. "The fighting gave the green light for us to show the world what has been going on," said emcee Sphinx. "Music is a powerful medium. We wrote this song before the trouble and were warned not to release it on the internet by the government. But now we don't care. It's about time people know what it's been like."
Arabian Knightz, who regularly play across the Middle East, comprise emcees Rush (Karim Adel), 29, Sphinx (Hesham Abed), 30, and E-Money (Ehab Adel), 25, and record music in both English and Arabic.
SoundBites caught up with the group, on the day they released the raw, uncut single, Rebel.
Tell us about the song.
The song speaks about how we feel about the current state of the region. Not just Egypt alone, it applies to all that is going on. How our society has been dumbed down. We need to reverse that so when we say "rebel" we mean fighting for the best rebellion, which is education in a system that just pushes you backwards.
When did you start writing it and why?
Sphinx: I wrote my verse about five months ago because this is how I've always felt. Most of what I write touches on change, revolution and peace.
Rush: The night before the Friday of wrath I wrote and recorded the song in about an hour. To my shock, after doing a draft mix for it with a low quality mic, I realised the internet was down. I had no way of publishing it until the block was removed on February 2, a week later, but our aim was to release this the night before the fighting.
What's the story behind your group?
We formed in December 2005. We are rappers with the same cause. We believe strongly in the importance of unity in the region.
How can music help build bridges?
Music touches more than one person and motivates many emotions that lead to actions. A single song can actually give you the power and will to go do something to change a fact in your life that you may have submitted to before. Music is an amazing tool. If used properly it can uplift a society and educate the masses.
What is your big hope now?
The thugs that once governed our people leave their positions and peace becomes the norm. I hope the voice of the people is truly heard and we get the opportunity to rebuild our country.
