Egypt's Musicians: Revolutionaries Or Opportunists?
As Egyptians prepare for massive protests on June 30, the nation's musicians debate their role in the revolution.
Two and a half years after the fall of former president Hosni Mubarak, Egypt is still marked by conflict and divisions and the music scene, which flourished among the revolutionaries, reflects some of the strife. It is divided between idealists and cynics, heroes and opportunists, die-hards and "cafe-latte" revolutionaries.
There is an Egyptian saying about a “wedding fight.” Everyone is happy and celebratory, and then a fight breaks out. A chair flies, the lights go out and the party is over. The title of MC Amin’s new track Morsy fel Kolob, released on June 21, plays on that saying.
“The wedding is canceled; now the wedding fight will end it all. Lights out for Morsi,” said Rush, a rapper of Arabian Knightz in an interview with Al-Monitor. He is among the ranks of those who continue to push for protests through music even though he grapples with the role art plays in the uprisings.
