Slingshot Hip-Hop

The documentary, Slingshot Hip Hop, looks at the development of the Palestinian hip-hop scene in Gaza and the West Bank whilst under occupation by Israel. Featuring DAM (Tamer Nafar, Suhell Nafar and Mahmoud Jreri) Palestinian Rapperz (PR) (Mohammed Alfarra aka Prince Alfarra, Motaz Alhwehi aka Mezo, and Mahmoud Fayad aka Kan'aan) and more.

The Palestinian artists in the documentary use their music to address the current issues that affect their country such as occupation, displacement, and resistance, providing a unique perspective on the Palestinian struggle through a musical lens. It shows how hip-hop has become a form of cultural identity for some of the Palestinian youth and assert their cultural identity in the face of political challenges, conflict, and at worst, genocide against their people.

Hip-hop is, obviously, an inherently political form of music that originated in the United States, which has since transcended borders and resonated with citizens facing different challenges around the world. In 2001, DAM released their breakthrough single "Min Erhabi? – Who is the terrorist?", which was soon downloaded more than a million times. speaking to the focus on various non-governmental groups within Palestine attacking their neighbouring country and how it’s used to flatten entire communities.

Despite living in a region marked by conflict, these hip hop artists use their art to navigate and respond to the challenges they encounter, highlighting the transformative power of their music. But more importantly, it’s an outlet to simply be Palestinian for a moment. Israel dominates their lives economically and socially. The music featured in the documentary provides them with respite to simply exist without relation to their oppressors, to celebrate their existence and enjoy an aspect of life we take far too granted. Dancing, singing, celebrating, laughing. Just being.

"Slingshot Hip Hop" demonstrates how music can be a form of activism and empowerment, of course. But its true beauty is how it humanises the Palestinian people that some work so hard to destroy.