Shadia Mansour is a British-Palestinian rapper from London who performs in Arabic and English and is often called the “First Lady of Arabic Hip Hop”.
Background
She was born in London in 1985 to Christian Palestinian parents from Haifa and Nazareth, and spent childhood summers with relatives there. After studying performing arts she began rapping in 2003. Her lyrics are political, and she has also challenged gender stereotypes in hip-hop and in Palestinian society.
Releases and milestones
Her first single, “Al Kufiya Arabiya” (“The Kufiya Is Arab”), features M-1 of dead prez and treats the kufiya as a symbol of Arab identity. In 2008 she recorded “Kulun ‘Andun Dababat” with Tamer and Suhell Nafar of the Palestinian group DAM, in 2014 she joined Ana Tijoux on “Somos Sur”, and in 2020 she worked with 47Soul and Fedzilk on “Border Ctrl”. She has also worked with Lowkey and Narcy.
Where to start
Watch “Al Kufiyyeh 3arabeyyeh” below, then listen to “Somos Sur” and “Border Ctrl”.
Sources
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