DAM (band)

Not to be confused with English heavy metal group Dam.
DAM
DAM in Washington, DC, in 2008
DAM in Washington, DC, in 2008
Background information
OriginLod, Israel
GenresArabic hip hop
Years active1999–present
Labels
MembersTamer Nafar
Suhell Nafar
Mahmoud Jreri
Maysa Daw
Websitehttps://www.damofficialband.com/

DAM (Arabic: دام) is a Palestinian hip-hop group[1][2][3] founded in 1999 by brothers Tamer and Suhell Nafar and their friend Mahmoud Jreri from the mixed city of Lod. In 2015 female singer Maysa Daw joined the group. The group's songs are themed on protest, inequality, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and self-criticism of Arab-Israeli society,[4] including the violence and drug dealing within Israel's mixed cities.[5] DAM is the best-known and most famous Palestinian hip hop group; it is also often called the "quintessential Palestinian resistance band".[6][7][8]

DAM raps primarily in Arabic, but also in English and Hebrew.[4] DAM has released more than 100 singles and three albums—Dedication, Dabke on the Moon and Ben Haana Wa Maana—as well as an EP—Street Poetry.[9] DAM's music is focused on Palestinian identity, culture, and resistance, and the group has frequently used their music and profile to raise awareness of the Palestinian cause, often performing their music in collaboration with activist groups. The name DAM is an acronym for "Da Arab MCs" that also means "enduring" or "everlasting" in Arabic or "blood" in Arabic and Hebrew.[6]

In January 2017, they signed with the London-based independent record label publishing and services, Cooking Vinyl.[10]

  1. ^ Orwell, Victoria (11 April 2011). "Bethlehem Hosts Festival for Sure Palestinian Hope". Palestine News Network. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  2. ^ Corne, Jonah (1 May 2010). "Hip-hop Palestinian style: an interview with DAM". Canadian Dimension. 44 (3): 56–7.
  3. ^ "About DAM". About DAM, DAM's homepage. Archived from the original on 18 March 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  4. ^ a b Heim 2012, p. 24.
  5. ^ Kurzman 2005, p. 71.
  6. ^ a b Swedenburg 2013, p. 19.
  7. ^ Kurzman 2005, p. 70.
  8. ^ "Rival rappers reflect Mid-East conflict". 2004-11-26. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  9. ^ "DAM | Official website". www.damrap.com. Archived from the original on 2017-07-31. Retrieved 2017-07-30.
  10. ^ "DAM – Legendary Palestinian Hip-Hop Group Announce New EP 'Street Poetry' For June 16 - Cooking Vinyl". Cooking Vinyl. 2017-06-02. Archived from the original on 2018-05-15. Retrieved 2018-05-15.