This October, Marsm and Bagri Foundation are joining forces to present the UK debut of the pioneering Palestinian collective and label BLTNM.
Founded in 2016, BLTNM has become one of the most recognisable names in the scene, placing Ramallah on the map as an international powerhouse of music. A collective of six artists renowned for their string of almost anthemic releases, BLTNM’s music has become the soundtrack of their generation, and their beat goes unmatched
Artist lineup
Shabjdeed:
Straight out of the restless town of Kufr Aqab, Palestine, a talent by the name of Abu Othaina emerged. His controversial takes and raw skills were an instant addition to the Palestinian rap scene. Later known by his alter-ego Shabjdeed, his self-titled debut track gained traction and caught the attention of Al Nather, an influential local producer.
Together, they cemented the character of Shabjdeed, and the resulting act quickly became one of the most influential and popular in the region. The duo developed their own niche dark hip-hop and trap style that combines Shabjdeed’s nihilistic and daringly personal delivery with Al Nather’s colorful and rhythmic instrumentals.
Al Nather:
The veteran, the scene daddy, the pickiest of ears, Al Nather has been making music for almost a decade now. Growing up, he was a part of a local collective known as Saleb Wahad (-1), and through it he learned to hone the Arabic-infused style that was later to become a part of his unique sound.
Today’s Al Nather is a well-established rapper and producer, who collaborated with some of the most popular artists in the region and performed alongside the likes of Jamie xx, Kutmah, and Sinistarr. Al Nather’s work was featured heavily in Boiler Room’s audiovisual project Palestine Underground. In recent years, Al Nather has become Shabjdeed’s executive and producer. The duo put out an impressive repertoire of hits and have dropped the critically acclaimed debut album, Sindibad. in 2019.