Tamer Nafar: Godfather of Shamen Rap

Who is Tamer?

One of the first figures to arise within Arabian rap scene (if not one of the founding fathers), Tamer has given inspiration to some of the most notable artists within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region today. Inspired by western rappers such as 2Pac, Tamer was enlightened by the different structure which rap music presented. Finding joy within the different audio variations that the music provided, Tamer had then taken it a step further to understand the meaning behind the music, where it then became more ralatable compared to traditional Arabian music.

Why you should care:

Tamer, like many Arabian rappers, has addressed various topics regarding his cultural struggles (both internal and external). 

His notoriety within the Palestinian region, coupled with his unique national position which integrates him within Israeli culture, has allowed him to address a good deal of important topics that relate to the Palestinian-Israeli relationship. He acknowledges that throughout his lifetime, he has become somewhat of noise maker. He uses his platform and uncommon connections to work towards putting the spotlight on some important matters such as Palestinians voting in Israeli elections, love relationships between Palestinians and Israelis, and terrorism. 

His perspective and influence allows for continuous conversation regarding controversial topics which allow his society to have an open dialog which allows it to become more informed and educated. 

Learn more about Tamer from Tamer Himself: