Islam, Hip-hop and Democracy

Abstract in Undetermined
Individual hip-hop artists have undoubtedly played a role in in the citizen revolts in North Africa and the Middle East. Observers of the Middle East and general culture commentators alike have, in the wake of the recent events, noted the role and progressive potential of the hip-hop culture. Hip-hop has, according to numerous articles; radio shows and TV documentaries, become a vernacular for youth involvement and provides the soundtrack for the uprisings from Tunisia to Libya, and from Bahrain to Yemen.

Accounts of individual MCs and the power of songs have been a frequent element in the reports from the uprisings as well as the main feature. However, less attention as been dedicated on investigations into to the political ecosystem that surrounds and, in many ways, fueled the hip-hop culture in the Middle East and North Africa.