Saturday, December 31, 2011

Lak3y - Tounés 7orra ("Tunisia is Free")

Lak3y - Tounés 7orra ("Tunisia is Free")
تونس حرّة - لكعي
Tunisia
Released February 5, 2011
Source: http://fr-fr.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1602427216926



Arabic lyrics via Lak3y's Facebook page
Full Arabic lyrics and their English translation after the jump...

Friday, December 30, 2011

MC Swat - Freedom of Expression

MC Swat - Freedom of Expression
حرّية التعبير - ام سي سوات
Libya
Released December 16, 2011



Big thanks to @TasnimQ for introducing me to the song and translating it!


Arabic Lyrics adapted from those found on the انا ليبي وجوي مليح Facebook page.  

MC Swat's interview with Mercy Corps

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

L7a9ed (Haked) ft. Jihane - Baraka Men Skate ("No More Silence")

L7a9ed (Haked) ft. Jihane - Baraka Men Skate ("No More Silence")
الحاقد مع جهان - باركة من السكات / بركة من الصمت
Morocco
Released on April 11, 2011



Arabic lyrics via Mamfakinch. My English translation via Mamfakinch's Arabic lyrics and the French translation by Maria Karim of www.l7a9ed.com and @Freel7a9ed

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Ibn Thabit ft. Junior - Libya: A Love Song

Ibn Thabit ft. Junior - Libya: A Love Song
ليبيا أغنية حب - ابن ثابت مع جونيور
Libya
Released February 18, 2011


Big shout-out to @TasnimQ of Majjal for doing the English translation.
 Full Arabic lyrics and their English translation after the jump...

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Syria: Anonymous - Communiqué #1 (Bayan Raqam Wahed)

Syria: Anonymous - Communiqué #1 (Bayan Raqam Wahed)
سوريا: بيان رقم واحد ("بيان رقم ١") - مطرب مجهول
Syria
Released on April 6, 2011



For more on the complicated relationship between Syrian rap and the Syrian uprising, check out The Los Angeles Times here and Jackson Allers here and here.

Arabic lyrics adapted from this Facebook comment. English lyrics adapted from this YouTube video by CherieMo85.

Full Arabic lyrics and their English translation after the jump...

Syria: Bayan Raqam Ithnain ("Communiqué #2") - Anonymous

Syria: Anonymous - Communiqué #2 (Bayan Raqam Ithnain
سوريا: بيان رقم اثنين ("بيان رقم اثني ٢") - مطرب مجهول
Syria
 Released on May 5, 2011



Arabic lyrics adapted from a YouTube video by FreeSyrianGuy.
Full Arabic lyrics and their English translation after the jump...

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Ibn Thabit - Benghazi II

Ibn Thabit - Benghazi II
ابن ثابت - بنغازي ٢
Libya
Released on April 7, 2011




Big shout-out to @TasnimQ of Majjal for her corrections.
Full Arabic lyrics with their English translation after the jump...

Ibn Thabit ft. MC Swat - Win or Die

Ibn Thabit ft. MC Swat - Win or Die
ابن ثابت مع امسي سوات - ننتصر أو نموت
Libya
Released June 8, 2011



(Click "Arabic" to turn off the Arabic subtitles and read the English subtitles)

Full lyrics and translation after the jump...

Ramallah Underground - From the Cave

Ramallah Underground - From the Cave
رام الله تحت الأرض - من الكهف
Palestine
Released in 2007


Many thanks to Chris at Arabic Song Lyrics in Translation for finding the lyrics, doing the translation, and letting me use both on my site. 

Full lyrics and translation below the jump...

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Arabian Knightz ft. Lana - Fokkak

Arabian Knightz ft. Lana - Fokkak ("Unwind Yourself")
الفرسان العرب مع لانا - فكّك
Egyptٍ
Released on June 16, 2007 (click here for the release promo)

NOTE: My translation is a rough draft for now - corrections are welcome!

NOTE: Wondering where Hoss (Hossam L Hossainy) went after he left Arabian Knightz? Check out this Hot Arabic Music article. Short answer: Hoss went mainstream while the Knightz stayed underground.

Full lyrics and translation after the jump...

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Dania Ben Sassi - A Revolutionary Amazigh Song

Dania Ben Sassi - A Revolutionary Amazigh Song
Libya
Released June 7, 2011

This song isn't hip hop...or Arabic...or particularly timely (what with the overthrow of Gaddafi and all). But it's quite a good song. Simply singing in Tamazight (a.k.a. the Berber language), which Gaddafi's regime outlawed, was a pretty revolutionary act.