DAM - Scoot Inn - May 8, 2008

From the getting on a government watchlist department... Thanks to Shereen for the heads up! DAM @ Scoot Inn on May 8th! A Palestinian hip hop group, DAM, expresses their frustrations living in incredible oppression through their music. I can't even begin to think what it is like in that part of the world. Must be insane. Shows from 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. on the outside stage with DAM, Southbound, and DJ Rhythm! Then from 11 p.m. - 2 a.m., after the After Party Meet and Greet with DAM, DJ Rapid Ric and DJ Rhythm on the tables.



More info:

DAM (Hebrew: دام ;דם in Arabic) is the first Arab Israeli hip hop group. The group, based in Israel, was founded in 1998, and is made up of three Palestinian men: Tamer Nafar, his brother Suhell, and their friend Mahmoud Jr. The group's name is the Arabic verb for "eternity",(دام) and the Hebrew word for "blood" (דם), but can also be an acronym for "Da Arabic MCs." The Arabic word for "blood" (دم) is spelled similarly (without an alif).

DAM sings primarily in Arabic, but also in English and Hebrew to widen their audience appeal.

The group's lyrics often deal with the frustration at the feeling of being second class citizens in Israel, as well as other issues familiar to hip-hop fans around the world, including drug-related violence.

"Our city, Lod, is considered the biggest drug market in the Middle East. You can get everything here - including weed and cocaine," says Tamer Nafer, lead rapper of the group.

Despite not having a formal recording contract, DAM's 2001 single "Meen Erhabe? - Who's the Terrorist? - was downloaded more than a million times from their website. The group has also delivered their message outside Israel and the Palestinian territories on four European tours.

Their live performances feature images of Israeli soldiers clashing with stone-throwing Palestinians.

Despite this, DAM's latest single "Born Here" is in Hebrew and they are hoping they can bring the Palestinian message to an Israeli audience. "Arabs already know how they live - we have to educate Israelis on what's going on.

On the 17th of November 2006 they released their first album: "Dedication".

They appeared on Al Jazeera's program From Washington on June 4, 2007, during a report on Arabic hip hop.