In the aftermath of the Arab Spring uprisings in Egypt, a local hip-hop genre called mahraganat developed, appealing to—and expressing the frustrations of—the nearly two-thirds of 15-to-29-year-olds who are unemployed. Influenced by Western musical fashions, the performers were as varied as their American and European counterparts. Some seemed to bask in living as rich sellouts, and some insisted on presenting a political critique, but all reveled in being condemned by bewildered Egyptian parents. Over time, the musicians also drew the disapproving attention of a government that had limited tolerance for social criticism, much less political antagonism. Within a decade, mahraganat was outlawed, and El Rashidi bitterly describes a generation of young people increasingly resorting to aimless hooliganism, alcohol, and drugs to dull a sense of futility and disappointment.
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Source link : https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/laughter-dark-egypt-tune-change
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Publish date : 2024-02-20 08:00:00
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