In this Quartertones event, we were joined by Hassane Dennaoui, better known as "Big Hass," a pivotal figure in the Arab hip-hop scene and the host of Saudi Arabia's first FM hip-hop radio show, Laish Hip-Hop? Through performances of "Iraq Cypher," "Arab Femcee Cypher," "Sudan Cypher," and "Khadsha," followed by an insightful discussion, Big Hass shared his journey into hip-hop, its impact in the Arab region, and the challenges and triumphs of bringing the genre to the forefront in Saudi Arabia.

0:00 Intro: Introduction to Big Hass and the focus of the event.
01:36 On Afikra: Big Hass discusses his appearance on Afikra and what it signifies.
03:32 Discovering Hip-Hop: The origins of Big Hass's passion for hip-hop and its culture.
07:36 Hip-Hop in the Arab World: Exploring the state and significance of hip-hop within the Arab region.
10:41 Launching Laish Hip-Hop: The creation of Saudi Arabia's pioneering hip-hop radio show.
13:31 Arab Femcee Cypher: Highlighting female voices in the Arab hip-hop scene through performance.
21:42 Sudan Cypher: Showcasing Sudan's vibrant hip-hop talent and lyrical prowess.
32:46 Khadsha: A powerful piece reflecting Big Hass's curatorial approach to hip-hop.
40:47 Iraq Cypher: Celebrating Iraqi hip-hop's resilience and creativity.
51:32 Global Music Interest: Discussing the increasing global interest in music from the Arab region.
55:23 Hip-Hop Festival Potential: The possibility and impact of a dedicated hip-hop festival in the Arab world.
56:13 Quick Q&A: Rapid-fire questions delving deeper into Big Hass's views and experiences.

Hassane Dennaoui, aka Big Hass, is not only the host of the groundbreaking FM hip-hop show Laish Hip-Hop? in Saudi Arabia but also a fervent advocate for the Arab hip-hop community. Through his platforms, including the Re-Volt Blog and Re-Volt Magazine, Big Hass has played a crucial role in amplifying the voices of Arab hip-hop artists, fostering a vibrant culture of lyrical expression and musical innovation. His commitment to showcasing female MCs and talents from across the region underscores his dedication to the diversity and dynamism of Arab hip-hop.

Connect with Big Hass 👉 https://www.instagram.com/big_hass/

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns
Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/

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THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh


ABOUT AFIKRA
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#BigHass #Arab Hip-Hop #Laish Hip-Hop #Hip-HopCulture #ArabFemceeCypher
#Sudan Cypher #Iraqi Hip-Hop #MusicFestival