Author: Nimra Tariq
Abstract
In this paper, I explore the response to violence in the rap music videos of youth in Indian Occupied Kashmir and Palestine. This research uses three Kashmiri rap music videos: Beneath This Sky by MC Kash (dir. Elayne McCabe 2011); Criminal by Mu’Azzam Bhat (dir. Muneem Farooq Itoo, 2018); and Kasheer by Ahmer (dir. Vaksh Vimal, 2019) as well as two Palestinian rap music videos: Khufi e ‘Aulaadi by MC Gaza (dir. Omar ALemawi, 2012) and Milliardat by Dam (dirs. Omar Jabareen & DAM, 2019). I analyze the use of camera shots, low-key lighting, and camera angles in rap music videos to convey the impact of violence on youth in these conflict zones. I engage with the theory of violence given by Galtung to understand the representation of violence and refer to the work of Naik to understand impact of violence on Palestinian and Kashmiri youth. This research finds that there is a strong influence of sociopolitical situations of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and Palestine on the rap music videos produced by the Kashmiri and Palestinian youth. Youth of these regions use different cinematographic techniques and visual symbols to convey the impact of violence through their rap music videos. This research focuses on a key dimension of non-violent resistance and protest in IOK and Palestine.
Keywords
Occupation, Violence, Conflict, Resistance, Rap, Hip-Hop, Music, Videos, Palestine, Kashmir, Youth Culture
