Rap in Nablus: Time for some fun
Rap band Words of Pain performs before thousands in West Bank city with protest songs against occupation, internal rift. Some enjoy show, while others worry it would make people forget Palestinian struggle
Thousands of Palestinians attended a rap concert in the city of Nablus this week, as part of the Marketing Festival being held in town. The young, excited audience chanted the words of the social and political protest songs along with the group Words of Pain.
One band member, Nizar Kabha, told Ynet that Words of Pain is made up of musicians from all across the West Bank. "It was an amazing show," he said. "Thousands sang with us and gave us energy, it was a great concert."
According to Nizar, the group's songs "point to the painful phenomena in our society, whether it's the occupation or the internal conflict. And thanks to Allah, our popularity is growing."
Words of Pain on stage (Photo: Zakariya Saddeh)
Rap music is becoming increasingly more popular among young Palestinians, Nizar said.
Ahmed al-Masri, 20, watched the show and loved it. He said the people of Nablus miss this kind of events. "Ever since I was a child I don't remember any parties, just soldiers, shooting and funerals. Now we're finally getting some time to enjoy and have fun."
'Making people forget isn't right'
However, not all of Nablus' residents approve of this type of concerts. A Fatah operative from town told Ynet that, "Although people are having fun, it pains us a bit because these events make people forget the rough times and our friends who are in jail or no longer alive.
"These shows make people forget the lost heroes, and that's not right."
According to the Fatah member, "Instead of a legacy of the struggle against occupation, we get young men with 65 foot-long sagging pants, yelling and screaming. I don't know what they want from us and I don't understand what they're singing."
Despite the criticism, most of those asked said they appreciate the efforts invested by the Palestinian Authority to establish a normal routine and get life back on track. The PA took no risks and had hundreds of security personnel secure the festival, which got the city into the Guinness Book of Records with the longest kanafeh (traditional pastry) plate in history.
Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said during the event that Nablus symbolizes the revival of Palestinian society.
