Rap music came to the Middle East a generation ago, when Moroccans studying in the West returned with it. King Muhammad VI has promoted hip-hop as a cultural antidote to Islamism. Nowadays Arab rappers challenge conservative mores and articulate the fury of disenfranchised, jobless youths. Egypt is mulling a ban on rap songs that include profanities—in other words, almost all of them. A few leaders are following the example of King Muhammad VI and trying to co-opt rap for their own ends.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 02, 2020 14:59 UTC