D.C. Area Music Group Performs Muslim Rap

February 21, 2002

Source: The Washington Post

On February 21, 2002, The Washington Post featured an article on the Muslim hip-hop group Native Deen, "which puts a twist on the notion of 'Muslim rap.' The group's beat may sound heavy or angry, but the three young band members are all about choosing virtue over vice. Their songs encourage fasting during Ramadan, avoiding sex and violence, and being a good Muslim in school to avoid going to hell -- traditional Islamic messages but with a hip-hop beat... These days, their voices are tingling the ears of Muslims in the Washington area and beyond... The group will perform at... the regionwide Eid al-Adha, one of the two most important Islamic holidays of the year. Organizers of the celebration, which is expected to attract close to 15,000 people at the D.C. Armory, said that it is the first time a Muslim rap band will be featured in this area on such a large stage... In January, the [Washington DC] region's only Muslim radio station, WWTL (700 AM), gave Native Deen an hour-long show in its most coveted time slot of Friday night. The band also has gigs in California and Great Britain in coming weeks... The mixing of rap and religion is not surprising to Islamic experts, who note that one-third of all Muslims in the United States are black converts who bring their culture into the religion."