Lyrical Alliance is set to hit London later this year for a special event starring Talib Kweli and more.
Hip hop is now a global phenomenon. The music of the Bronx has spread to all corners of the world, allowing fans to express themselves in ways they had dreamt of before.
A new concert in London venue The Roundhouse is set to bring together some of the finest hip hop artists in the Arab world. Organised by the Lyrical Alliance the one off show is sure to rank amongst the most unusual yet enlightening of the year.
Aiming to increase communication between the Arab world and Western nations, Lyrical Alliance have put together a bill feature the best in hip hop from the Middle East, Africa and different European nations.
Taking place in the Roundhouse, the line up includes some impeccable talent. Shadia Monsour was born and brought up in the Palestinian territories, witnessing at first hand the problems in the area.
Known as the ‘First Lady Of Arabic Hip Hop’ the MC is one of the few well known female Arabian rappers. Yet she is no novelty act, with a velvet voice and lyrics that explode notions of women in hip hop.
A stunning artist, this will be one of her first appearances in the UK. Also set to appear are other artists from the Middle East, such as Lebanon rapper Rayess Bek who speaks clearly about political disillusion amongst the young.
Elsewhere, fans can expect performances from MCs operating across the Arab world as well as a few home grown talents. One of Britain’s leading turntablists DJ MK matches physical dexterity with great taste.
A vastly experienced figure in UK hip hop, DJ MK has helped rock the party everywhere from Ibiza to an Arctic Monkeys after party.
Topping the bill will be American rapper Talib Kweli, who has moved beyond his work with Black Star to become a major artist in his own right. Hugely respected, he may not have the success of Jay-Z but Kweli is more than capable of holding his own with any hip hop colossus.
The group will perform throughout Europe, working on new material using classical Arabic Mu’Allaqat poems as a starting point. Building up into a series of new tracks, Lyrical Alliance aim to show how strong the cultural bond is between the Arab and Western worlds, despite attempts to break it.
Lyrical Alliance hits the UK for the following show:
October
16 London The Roundhouse
