With France's recent ban on Islamic face veils I thought it would be appropriate to post a video by female French rapper Diam's. This woman is amazing! Her music is very politically charged and she has been lauded for staying away from the misogynistic and materialistic tropes that many female rappers use in their music. Last year, she converted to Islam and began donning a Hijab. When she made the decision to convert and started being seen in public wearing the Hijab, people criticized her for perpetuating the same gender inequality that she raps against in her music, but Diam is proof that many women--including those politically and socially aware--see the Hijab as an empowering aspect of their religious beliefs.
While the ban in France is directed toward the face veils that are part of the Burqa and not the Hijab, the widespread animosity directed at Muslims and removal of religious freedoms in France are part of an un-enlightened philosophy directly challenged by the likes of Diam's.
Keep up the good work. These are very interesting posts, each with their own bent/focus. I know nothing about the current music scenes, and haven't for a while; but you introduce your readers to an aspect of it that they probably hadn't considered, and I feel like I learn something with each post. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteDo you listen to any other "domestic" hip-hop acts with apolitical slant? I've been listening to "Immortal Technique" for a while, as well as a few other acts on an infrequent basis. I'd love to have a few more names to look up.
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