Ever since Israel initiated a bombing campaign against Gaza in response to an attack by Hamas, which killed over a thousand Israelis and kidnapped hundreds of hostages on October 7, 2023; fans and critics have wondered if anyone in rap is brave enough to address a conflict that has deeply divided society. Israel’s invasion has left nearly 50,000 Palestinians dead, displaced millions of people, prompted fears of total war in the Middle East, and fueled a heated debate over whether the Israeli government’s actions constitute ethnic cleansing.
Last November, redveil led a “free Palestine” chant during his appearance at Tyler, the Creator’s annual Camp Flog Gnaw festival. In May, Macklemore elicited acclaim with “Hind’s Hall.” He used the track to not only criticize the country for helping fund Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, but also blast his industry peers’ timidity. “I want a ceasefire, fuck a response of Drake,” he raps, although that line is likely inspired by a then-hot battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. (It’s worth noting that while Drake, who is Jewish, has been notably silent on the conflict, he and Noah “40” Shebib publicly signed a petition calling for a ceasefire in October 2023.)
Over a year later, with little end to the war in sight, plenty of rap songs have joined “Hind’s Hall” on streaming services. Here’s a few.
Navy Blue, “Low Horizon”: Like much of his work, “Low Horizon” centers on overcoming self-doubt. “We’re reaching out, we’re trying to grab what we can find in us,” he raps. But near the song’s end, he observes, “Money ain’t make ‘em, but the dollar is a motherfucker/My tax dollars killin’ children and they mothers.” As others have observed, the bars appear to be inspired by the tragedy in Gaza.
Rhys Langston feat. Inkydew the Companion, “petrol and vegetables / don’t airstrike the messenger”: “So when public opinion turns to chemical weapons/The dialect of the unheard is a forgotten Semitic,” raps Langston in a poetical flow as Inkydew sings the chorus. On Instagram, Langston wrote, “As the placation industrial complex insulates us in some fictitious allegiance on a supposedly better side of a duopoly, we remain stalwart in our motions for a Free Palestine.”
Talib Kweli & J. Rawls feat. Ras Kass, “Shalamar,” and Talib Kweli & J. Rawls feat. IDK, Planet Asia, Phil the Agony & Middle Child, “Pay Homage”: Kweli’s collaboration with Cincinnati producer J. Rawls includes two stray bars about the Israel-Hamas war. On “Shalamar,” Ras Kass raps, “They pardoned Harvey Weinstein, get canceled if you mention Palestine.” During his verse on “Pay Homage,” Planet Asia raps, “Lick off a hollow ‘til they free the Congo/For what they did to Palestine.”
Macklemore feat. Anees, MC Abdul & Amer Zahr, “Hind’s Hall 2”: This sequelto “Hind’s Hall” is a more collaborative affair that features Palestinian American artists Anees, MC Abdul and Amer Zahr as well as the Palestinian Kids’ Choir and the Lifted Youth Gospel Choir. His advocacy has made him a target, and critics of his anti-war stance pounced when he led a chant of “Fuck America” during a September 21 appearance at a Seattle benefit. “Sometimes I slip up and get caught in the moment,” he wrote on Instagram a few days later. “I’ve lost endorsements, I’ve lost shows, I’ve lost business ties. I am still here, unwavering in my support for a Free Palestine.
Tamer Nafar feat. Stunnaman02, “The Way That I Love Me”: This collaboration between Palestinian singer-actor Tamer Nafar and San Francisco rapper Stunnaman02 focuses on whether marginalized peoples are allowed to love themselves and advocate for themselves. “I put myself first, and now they judge how I live,” raps Stunnaman02. Meanwhile, Nafar harmonizes, “What would you do if your own town/Got more hits than Motown, and oh man/If I fight back, it would make me a killer.”
El Cousteau feat. Earl Sweatshirt, “Words2LiveBy”: During his cameo on El Cousteau’s track, the famed LA-to-Brooklyn rapper says, “Free Gaza/We on the corner like some Israelites/Saying, ‘Look at the wristwatch, then do the time’/It’s raining missiles out of the sky.” Earl’s verse fueled a minor social-media backlash, with some insisting they objected to his flow and the song’s largely pimpish braggadocio, not his declaration of support for Palestine.
Narcy feat. redveil, “Sword”: This collaboration between Canadian rapper Narcy and redveil doesn’t explicitly reference the war. Instead, they call for solidarity among the oppressed. “I talk that Arabic, arrogant talk/Live from New York, United Nations, Arafat headscarf,” warns Narcy. Meanwhile, redveil raps, “Brothers on the other side fightin’, that should keep me grounded, nigga,” before he harmonizes, “You ain’t gotta draw that sword alone.” Proceeds from the single are being donated to the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund.
Redveil featured image taken from a video performance of “Sword” on his X account.
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