GAZA STRIP: HipHop

GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP - NOVEMBER 10: Palestinian hip-hop artist Ayman Mghames (L), transfers music samples from his phone to a computer in a recording studio on November 10, 2009, in Gaza City, Gaza Strip. The internet and digital technology is the strongest tool Palestinian hip-hop artists have, using it to learn instruments, sample music and distribute their music around the world. Hip-hop has grown with popularity throughout Gaza for almost a decade, but as Hamas grows more conservative in...
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GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP - NOVEMBER 10: Palestinian hip-hop artist Ayman Mghames (L), transfers music samples from his phone to a computer in a recording studio on November 10, 2009, in Gaza City, Gaza Strip. The internet and digital technology is the strongest tool Palestinian hip-hop artists have, using it to learn instruments, sample music and distribute their music around the world. Hip-hop has grown with popularity throughout Gaza for almost a decade, but as Hamas grows more conservative in an effort to appease a growing number of hardline Islamists, artists such as "Palestinian Unit" and "Darg" are finding it more and more challenging to propagate their message on war, poverty and civil strife to the youth of Gaza. Their lyrics and behavior on stage is scrutinized by Hamas officials and no performance can be made without prior approval. Many of them have faced repeated harassment due to their western-style music and appearance.
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