The interview comes just before the November 2 screening of Slingshot Hip Hop at the Arab Film Festival. This groundbreaking documentary traces the rise of Palestinian hip-hop in the early 2000s, showcasing how youth use the art form to speak out against oppression. Suhel describes the film as both a cultural chronicle and a powerful history, capturing “the angst, the determination, and the resilience of folks who find solace in hip-hop.” The documentary resonates with today’s generation facing ongoing struggles in Gaza and the West Bank, highlighting the role of hip-hop as a force of resilience and resistance.
Through Empire Records, Suhel has been instrumental in building a global platform for Arab hip-hop, including artists like MC Abdul, a teenage rapper from Gaza whose lyrics depict the harsh realities of life in one of the world’s most conflicted regions. “MC Abdul started rapping at seven years old, right after a bombing,” Suhel shares, illustrating how Abdul channels his lived experiences into potent verses that reach millions of followers.
Suhel also highlights emerging artists like the Sudanese 7 Birds Crew, whose music fuses traditional Sudanese rhythms with hip-hop, demonstrating a trend among Arab artists toward infusing contemporary hip-hop with cultural roots. “A new generation doesn’t care about gatekeepers,” Suhel says. “They’re moving independently, creating music that comes straight from their authentic experiences.”
Reflecting on the political climate, Suhel addresses attempts to silence voices in the Palestinian diaspora, from social media shadow-banning to direct censorship. Yet, he emphasizes, “You can try, but you can’t ever kill a moving culture, a movement.” This dedication is evident in Empire’s commitment to supporting diverse Arab voices, with over 40% of their releases now featuring female artists.
Ultimately, the conversation underscores hip-hop’s unique role as both a protest tool and a lifeline for Arab youth facing intense social and political challenges. As Davey D puts it, hip-hop has become “CNN for the people”—a platform through which artists convey their lived experiences to a global audience. Suhel’s work continues to empower a new generation of artists who, despite political barriers, remain undeterred in using hip-hop to speak their truths.
Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.