Emirati rappers take to stage to alter misconceptions

DUBAI — In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, two Emirati rappers picked up their mikes and set out to challenge a world of misconceptions about Arabs and Muslims -- and rap music.Yet their pro-Muslim agenda and cautious approach to religion, politics and society did not prevent their only album, which came out in 2008, from being banned in ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia and more liberal Kuwait.The Dahman brothers, Salem, 29, and Abdullah, 24, known as Illmiyah (Arabic for knowledgeable) and Arableak (fusing Arab and bleak), formed Desert Heat in their hometown of Dubai, the most relaxed and westernised Gulf Arab state but where authorities still crack down on people who push the limits.In their baggy jeans and baseball caps, with big watches and flashy rings, the brothers look like regular rappers. But their lyrics, in a mixture of Arabic and English, are far from the staple rap language of drugs, violence and swearing.After the 9/11 attacks and the ensuing scrutiny of the Muslim world, the duo decided that their passion for rap might enable them to use the music to deliver a more serious message."It was a challenge. We used to talk about the Palestinian struggle, the Arabs. Then we said 'let's talk about September 11, about terrorism, about Islam, about being labeled something we're not,'" says Illmiyah.Asked why their songs were banned in Saudi Arabia, Illmiyah replies angrily: "Exactly, why? We don't know why. There are Saudi rappers whose albums are being released there and if you listen to them, they have cuss words... You'll hold your head and say, 'wow, how are they saying this!'""It's funny that we're getting banned in Saudi and Kuwait when Snoop Dogg is being sold in Jeddah."Desert Heat view themselves as an alternative to Western rap that Arab and Muslim youths can relate to, and say they aim to create "positive change" through their songs.Challenging the norms of a music genre commonly considered very negative in the Gulf region, Desert Heat trade the popular hip-hop themes for new on

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