#7 The Remixtape (by Checkpoint 303)

About the mix This mixtape is an electronic celebration of the voice and resistance of Rim Banna, the iconic Palestinian singer and activist who passed away in 2018. The set includes both remixes of earlier songs and tracks from her album Voice of Resistance, which she...

Artist Feature: DJ Sotusura

[vc_column][/vc_column][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Confessions of a Record Digger [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Producer, DJ and record collector Hicham Ibrahim (aka DJ Sotusura) has been a key figure in the growth of hip-hop in the Middle East. Performing with the pioneers of Arabic rap and welcoming international artists to the region, Sotusura has dedicated...

Artist Feature: Shkoon

[vc_column][/vc_column][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Since 2016, Syrian-German duo Shkoon have made a thrilling entrance into the electronic music scene from their base in Hamburg, Germany. Their ethereal sound, a combination of electronic downtempo and classical Arabic melodies, has developed quickly and their shows regularly sell out from Beirut to...

The Man Behind the Microphone

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This film is no longer available. Our music documentary in March was Claire Belhassine's 'The Man Behind the Microphone', which was available to watch for free, for all, from anywhere, from March 01 – 15. An arresting story of love and family, stardom and music. Hedi Jouini, known...

Playlist #28: Arabic Love Songs

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Click here for the full playlist on YouTube and Spotify. Whether you’re looking for ballads of devoted love, amorous yearning or melancholic tenderness, tune in to our latest playlist for the Arabic-speaking world’s most iconic, unique and heart wrenching love songs. It’s no secret that the...

Artist Feature: Dina El Wedidi

[vc_column][/vc_column][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Singer, composer, producer and daf player from Egypt, Dina El Wedidi has gained a prominent following with her ‘new Arab folk’. With a background in traditional theatre, her unique sound combines Egyptian storytelling and folklore with shades of rock, indie, electronica and classical music. Keen...

Artist Feature: Ghoula

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] A digital homage to Tunisia’s musical heritage   Wael Jegham is a self-taught producer, musician, composer and performer. Known by most audiences as Ghoula (Arabic for ‘monster’), the name of his flagship project, Wael makes music that delves deep into Tunisia’s history, one sample at a time....

Artist Feature: Maysa Daw

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Taking off with the firebrand: all-star collaborations and the glory of deadlines One of the most remarkable figures to have emerged from Haifa’s indie music scene in recent times, Maysa Daw is a versatile musician with unswerving talent. As well as her solo work and the...

Playlist #20: Aghani Alabanat | Curated by Alsarah

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Click here for the full playlist on YouTube. Arguably the most influential singular genre in Sudani pop music, "aghani albanat" "اغاني البنات" is an umbrella term that shades a variety of sub-genres and is used to describe folk music made by women and usually performed during...