Sameh Zakout (Arabic: سامح زقوت), ("SAZ", born 1987) is a Palestinian rapper from Ramla, Israel.[1] His music features themes of Palestinian and Arab identity and calls for peaceful resolution of Arab–Israeli conflict. He was the subject of the documentary Saz: The Palestinian Rapper for Change.[2]

Zakout gained attention and popularity as a contestant on the Israeli reality singing competition, "Chai be La La Land" in 2012.[3][4]

DUGRI and "Let's talk straight"

In 2021, Zakout collaborated with Israeli rapper Uriya Rosenman to create the video "Let's talk straight | בוא נדבר דוגרי | تعال نحكي دغري".[5] The video went viral during Israel's 2021 bombardment of Gaza. Zakout and Rosenman now tour as the duo DUGRI.[6] Translated into English from Arabic, the word DUGRI means 'straight', connoting 'straight-talking'.[7] After their first single went viral, the duo were featured by news outlets including CNN, the BBC and The New York Times.[8][9][10] The duo posted a second single, 'Munfas', to YouTube in November 2021.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Sameh Zakout". All4Palestine.
  2. ^ "About - biography - Sameh Zakout, official website". www.alsaz.net. Archived from the original on 2018-08-27. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  3. ^ "Sameh Zakout Archives". The Forward. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  4. ^ Kessler, Dana (18 December 2012). "Stuck in La La Land". The Tablet.
  5. ^ Let's talk straight | בוא נדבר דוגרי | تعال نحكي دغري - UR & SAZ, retrieved 2024-01-25
  6. ^ "Israel Palestine Conflict | Dugri Project". Dugri US Tour 2023. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  7. ^ Hendler, Micah. "The Israeli-Palestinian Rap Duo Fighting Against Extremism". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  8. ^ Palestinian and Israeli rappers use rhyme to fight hate | CNN, 2022-01-18, retrieved 2024-01-25
  9. ^ "Straight-talking rappers tackle Middle East conflict". BBC News. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  10. ^ "A Rap Song Lays Bare Israel's Jewish-Arab Fracture — And Goes Viral". The New York Times. 21 July 2021.
  11. ^ DUGRI (UR & SAZ) - Munfas - Let's Talk Straight #2, retrieved 2024-01-25

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