Quartertones | Music from the Arab World

Palestinian hip-hop group DAM is often credited as the first rap group in the Arab world. Now 26 years into their career, the band members join us on the Quoz Arts Fest stage to discuss the group's evolution and how they navigate personal expression amidst political tragedy. The conversation covers the mixed emotions of performing while their people are suffering through a genocide, the honor and privilege of presenting Palestinian culture and music to the world, and the delicate balance of prioritizing their artistry versus their Palestinian identity. The artists also share their views on the evolution of Arabic hip-hop, the new generation of Palestinian rappers, and how AI and algorithms affect artists promoting messages of social justice.
Explore Quoz Arts Fest 👉 https://www.instagram.com/quozartsfest/
Follow DAM 👉 https://www.instagram.com/dampalestine/
 
0:00 Introduction to DAM: Pioneers of Arab Hip-Hop
1:33 The Unique Vibe of Performing as a Group
2:28 Processing Emotions and the Absence of Art During Tragedy
4:47 The Privilege and Mixed Emotions of Performing Amidst Genocide
6:03 The Evolution of the DAM Lineup and Sound
11:00 On the New Generation of Palestinian and Levantine Hip-Hop
13:17 Maysa Daw on Switching Personalities in Solo Work vs. DAM and Kallem 
16:31 Navigating Identity: Palestinian First, Artist Second
18:54 Tamer Nafar's New Album and the Price of Spotlight on Palestinian Art
22:44 What to Expect From the Dubai Show
24:26 Future Plans: New Album and Continuing to Make Music
26:09 The Essence of Arabic Rap and Staying Loyal to Lyrics
28:32 Fighting Algorithm Bias and "Algo Tunnels"
31:30 Motivation vs. Discipline in the Creative Process
 
Tamer Nafar is a Palestinian rapper, actor, screenwriter and social activist, and the founding member of DAM, the first Palestinian hip-hop group. He grew up in Lyd, discovered hip-hop and became the world’s first Palestinian rapper. His lyrics and activities reflect the Palestinian struggle, women’s rights, and the promotion of alternative art within a conservative society. In addition to music, Nafar co-wrote and starred in the award-winning film Junction 48. 
Connect with Tamer Nafar 👉 https://instagram.com/tamer_nafar
Mahmood Jrere is a Palestinian hip-hop artist and entrepreneur, and one of the founding members of DAM. He was born and raised in the impoverished city of Lyd, where he witnessed drug-abuse and violence on a daily basis.  Along with the two other founding members of DAM, he began putting what they saw outside their window onto paper.
Connect with Mahmood Jrere 👉 https://instagram.com/mahmoodjrere
Maysa Daw is an indie musician, singer-songwriter, and the latest member of DAM and of the band Kallem. Influenced by rock, hip-hop, soul, neo-jazz and more, she fuses different genres, and explores personal, interpersonal and collective experiences, stemming from her own view of reality. 
Connect with Maysa Daw 👉 https://instagram.com/maysadaw
 
DJ Bruno Cruz is a Palestinian musician, electronic DJ and producer living in Haifa City in the north of Palestine. He started his career in music in 1998 and has become one of the most prominent names in the Palestinian underground scene. Bruno is the co-founder of Ministry of Dub-key and the official DJ of DAM, and has been playing his own music infused with his unique style all over the world in festivals such as Fusion Festival in Germany, Glastonbury in the UK and many more.
Connect with DJ Bruno Cruz 👉 https://instagram.com/djbrunocruz
Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu
 
Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 
https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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South Asian-American artist Gayathri Krishnan discusses her journey, her unique musical fusion, and her performance at Quoz Arts Fest this year. She delves into the tradition of Carnatic music—a classical form from South India—and how her extensive training in it influences her contemporary R&B and neo-soul sound. She shares her start in music, her influences from Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber to contemporary R&B artists like Cleo Sol and Brandy, and Indian musician and producer Sid Sriram, and the challenge of blending traditional and modern styles. She speaks about her collaborative approach to songwriting, her commitment to the raw, unfiltered experience of a live performance, and her hope to inspire audiences to embrace their truest selves. 
Explore Quoz Arts Fest 👉 https://www.instagram.com/quozartsfest/
 
0:23 Early Musical Background and Obsessions
1:14 What Is Carnatic Music?
5:02 The Setup of a Carnatic Performance
5:39 The Show at Quoz Arts Fest
6:14 Navigating Music Fusion: Honoring Tradition in Modern Sounds
8:00 Feedback on Fusion: The Carnatic Community Response
8:45 Influences and Finding Confidence: Sid Sriram
11:03 The Collaborative Approach to Songwriting
13:02 Live Performance vs. Studio Recording
17:06 The Festival’s Role as a Cultural Melting Pot
17:48 Defining Impact and Seeking Inspiration
19:42 On Spiritual Music and Lyrical Intent
20:56 Upcoming Project: An EP About Family
 
Gayathri Krishnan is a singer-songwriter and producer from Los Angeles who merges her traditional roots with contemporary flair. Drawing from her upbringing in Carnatic music — the classical South Indian music system — and her exploration of modern R&B influences, Gayathri’s sound, her introspective songwriting, and lush harmonies were evident in her debut EP "Create to Express (2020)," which amassed six million cumulative streams solely as an independent release. On-stage, Gayathri leaves an indelible impression rich in soul, melodic vocals, spirited energy, and fusion in elements of Bharatanatyam — a classical style of Indian dance. 
Connect with Gayathri Krishnan 👉 https://instagram.com/gayathriikrishnan
 
Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu
 
Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns
 
FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452
 
THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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We sit down with Ahmed Alammary (otherwise known as DJ Baloo), the Chief Creative Officer of MDLBeast and a leading music figure and thinker in the region. We discuss the origins of MDLBeast and its goals for transforming the music industry in Saudi Arabia and the broader region. MDLBeast was born from a brief for a three-day music festival in 2019. Since then, it has evolved into a multi-layered music brand with an ethos centered on amplifying music culture across various platforms, including events, venues, record labels, radio channels, and music conferences. Given that Saudi Arabia was previously considered a "music desert" with no industry, music education, rights, or dedicated venues, the organization's involvement is seen as having incubated so much value and accelerating the development of a music industry. The conversation also touches on the dramatic shift in how the international community views Saudi music, moving from initial backlash to a point where artists and management companies are now actively seeking collaboration. This change has fostered a significant regional conversation and is credited with fading stereotypes, with Arabs starting to look at each other differently.
 
0:00 When Restrictions Fuel Creativity: MDLBeast's Genesis
3:50 The Chief Creative Officer’s Role in Shaping Vision
6:03 Saudi Arabia as a "Music Desert" and the Lack of Infrastructure
10:09 The Building Blocks of a Thriving Music Industry
15:03 The Core Difference Between XP and Soundstorm
18:42 Overcoming Domestic (and International) Backlash
20:35 Creating a Regional "Musical Glue"
22:50 The History of the Underground Saudi Music Scene
27:37 The Economic and Professional Focus of the New Industry
30:30 Artistry and Local Palettes: The Role of Record Labels
33:25 Identifying a Unique "Saudi Sound"
35:35 Beyond Electronic Music: Hip-Hop, Indie, and Heavy Metal
37:45 The 10-Year Vision: Saudi As a Music Destination
40:30 Culture Building Over Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
46:37 Navigating Censorship Through Creativity
51:38 Potholes to Avoid: The Double-Edged Sword of Ambition
 
Ahmed Alammary aka AlBaloo is the Label Head and DJ at Gabu Records and Chief Creative Officer of MDLBeast, and a leading music figures and thinkers in Saudi Arabia. 
Connect with Baloo 👉 https://instagram.com/a_baloo
 
Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 
https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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Oud player, singer and musician Huda Asfour takes the stage on Habibi Festival's fifth and last night of 2025, performing new tracks she wrote during the genocidal campaign on Gaza, and a track called "From the River to the Sea" which she Wrote as a response to the May 18, 2021 strike in Palestine. The Mohamed Abozekry Sextet also take the stage for a second night this festival.
 
0:00:00 Huda Asfour Takes the Stage With Her Oud
0:09:48 Asfour Introduces a New Track 
0:14:10 Asfour Performs More Tracks From She Wrote During the Genocidal Campaign on Gaza
0:31:37 Asfour Performs a Track She Write "From the River to the Sea" As a Response to the May 18, 2021 Strike in Palestine
0:36:19 The Mohamed Abozekry Sextet Takes the Stage for a Second Night This Festival With New Track "Teach Me"
0:49:47 Mohamed Abozekry Celebrates The Sextet's Last Show in Their US Tour and Introduces the Musicians on Stage
0:51:00 The Mohamed Abozekry Sextet Perform Another New Track: "Still Longing"
0:59:08 More Tracks From the Sextet
1:08:22 "Roh El Fouad" Track from the Latest Album With the Same Name
1:23:38 Performance Continues
2:12:00 afikra Quartertones Takes the Stage for a Conversation with Huda Asfour
 
Huda Asfour is a Palestinian oud and qanun player, composer, educator, social entrepreneur, and engineer. Born into a musical family, she began her formal musical training at 13, and later studied at the National Conservatory of Music in Gaza and the Edward Said Music Conservatory in Ramallah, where she was mentored.
Connect with Huda Asfour 👉 https://instagram.com/hudasmusic

Mohamed Abozekry is a Franco-Egyptian musician who entered the Arabic Oud House in Cairo at a very early age and received his teaching from Naseer Shamma. At the age of fifteen, he became the youngest professor of Oud in the Arab world. He formed several groups, including the Mohamed Abozekry Sextet and received the first prize at the international Oud competition in Damascus in 2009. In 2010 he formed the quartet Heejaz which also includes Guillaume Hogan (guitar), Anne Laure Bourget (percussion) and Hugo Reydet (double bass). 
Connect with  Mohamed Abozekry 👉 https://instagram.com/m.abozekry
 
Hosted by Hiba Al-Ashtal

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the fourth night of Habibi Festival 2025, Sudanese artist Mai Elgizouli takes the stage with a dynamic, deeply emotional first "serious" show in New York performing a set of acoustic songs that explore themes of sadness, power, and hope, including a deeply personal tribute to her late brother and the strong women of Sudan. She follows with a nuanced and candid conversation with afikra Quarertones, joined by celebrated Sudanese musician Alsarah. They discuss their long-standing friendship and artistic collaboration and delve into May’s journey from visual artist to musician, the unexpected amount of work required for a professional set, and the immense privilege of having a family that provides a space for emotional and artistic expression in a place like Sudan. They also reflect on how being in New York and witnessing the current war has impacted Mai’s work, concluding with a powerful message for the audience: to simply feel their feelings. Palestinian musician Rasha Nahas also takes the stage for a second night in this year's festival.
 
0:00 Mai Elgizouli Performs a Tribute to Her Brother: "Ba'eed 'an Al Ahzan" (Far From Sorrows)
4:40 Performing "Ramadi" (Gray)
10:47 Mai Introduces Her Band & Performs "Al Gawiyya": a Song for Strong Women & the Sudanese Revolution
17:20 Performing "Bi Darbi Ma Bamshi" (Never Down That Path Again) 
23:34 Performing "Shabah" (Ghost)
29:32 Performing "Al Furaq": the First Song She Wrote
37:06 Rasha Nahas Takes the Stage for a Second Night
43:57 Rasha Nahas Introduces the Band & Performs "Desert" From Her First Album
50:09 Rasha Nahas Performs "The Clown"
56:46 Rasha Nahas Performs "Nbeed" (Wine)
1:02:24 Rasha Nahas Performs an Unreleased New Song "Khalas" From an Album Which Will be Out Next Year
1:07:13 Rasha Nahas Performs Her Latest Single "Ghanneeli" (A Song Written During the Genocide in Gaza)
1:14:00 Rasha Nahas Performs Another Unreleased Song: "Once Upon a Time in Palestine"
1:24:20 afikra Quartertones Invites Mai Elgizouli and Special Guest Alsarah on Stage
1:26:05 Alsarah’s Obsession and Mai’s Artistic Mastery
1:29:13 Mai’s First "Serious Show" in New York
1:30:58 Family Support & Surviving Trauma in Sudan
1:33:36 Art, Critique & Dealing With War While in New York
1:37:37 The Message: Feel Your Feelings
 
Mai Elgizouli is an award-winning film director and multidisciplinary artist born and raised in Omdurman, Khartoum in a family of artists. Her music carries the tenderness of Sudanese Arabic and the nostalgic pulse of Sudan's 1980s sound.
Connect with Mai Elgizouli 👉 https://instagram.com/mai_egizouli
 
Hosted by Suzanne Gaber 👉 
https://instagram.com/suzannegaber

FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST:
» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-quartertones/id1646407556
» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6yVOxlRFjeOts6uf
» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639452

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters
🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts
⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official
🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.