By Eman al-Jarady (The Yemen Oberserver)

As part of its mission to expose its students to other cultures as well as give them a chance to practice their English language skills, the Yemen American Language Institute (YALI) invites guest performers as an extracorricular activity to hold presentations for its students. As part of this ongoing program, YALI asked Hagag Masaed, a Yemeni-American artist, to hold a performance last Wednesday.

“This is not the first time that YALI has held such an event; for example, last month an American jazz band performed here. After their show, they had discussions with YALI students which gave them the chance to learn more about Americans,” said Gregory Olson, the director of courses for YALI. He added that performances such as these are a good way of sharing one culture with another.

“Hagag, the musician who is performing today, is a Yemeni-American rapper. He mixes Arabic and English music. This act is educational because it is in English in addition to showing a different culture to the audience,” said Olson.

Hagag is an Arabian artist born in Youngstown, Ohio now living in Oakland, California, whose inspiration came from the social and political problems of our world today. He has performed all over the world with belly dancers, breakdancers and traditional Arabic folk dancers. His aim is that through the gift of music he can help heal hate and ignorance and try to speak out for those who cannot.

“I started in 1999 when I made my first CD. It was not serious; I did it only for fun,” said Hagag, adding that he thought it would be just for friends and family. But it got popular because he combined mezmar (an Arabic musical instrument) with rap, which really made people excited because it was different. “My first CD sold fast. When I came to Yemen, many people called me asking for more copies,” said Hagag.

Hagag said that he used many names of his family and friends in his song’s lyrics. “Since I was not serious about it, I used my wife and kids’ names in my songs, which is not acceptable here in Yemen. Everyone started telling me that this was not good; it is shameful to use your wife and daughters’ names when it is for the public. I did that only because I never thought it would get this popular.”

Hagag’s special kind of music mixes both Arabic and English music and words in his songs, which gives it a different and unique sound. “I thought of the idea [of mixing both Arabic and English music in one song] because in America they mix Spanish and English. So I start thinking of doing the same thing but with an Arabic instead of a Spanish influence.”

“I have liked the mezmar since I was a child. When I put it together with rap, it was amazing. In America people do not care about words; what they care more about is music which they can dance to and get excited by. On the contrary, here in Yemen people care more about words, not music. Yemenis comment on each word and say you should not say [certain things],” said Hagag.

Hagag said that if he were in Yemen, he would be a poet, adding that he has many relatives who write poems. “I wrote many poems in the past, so when I started doing rap, I had many poems [to use as lyrics]. I just twisted them a little and made them shorter,” he said. He pointed out that he cares more about old songs because they are different than the new ones, which are closer to the American style. When he came to Yemen, he tried to hear the old songs, but Yemenis say that is cheating. Therefore, he has encountered difficulties in listening to the older, traditional songs here.

Hagag said that he belongs to the first generation of Arab-Americans who still have a deep connection with their roots, as many of the second and third generation lose touch with their roots as they become more American. “These generations lose their roots; they do not even know Islam. So, what I did in my CDs was try to use Arabic words, particularly Islamic ones, and explain them in order that young people can know their culture and religion. For example, I used the word ‘Athan’ - the call to prayer - so that young people will know what this word means.”

“I want to mix the old and the young so that both father and son can listen to the same song and be excited,” said Hagag. “These generations need somebody that relates to them and to whom they can listen.”

Hagag also talked about his latest CD, titled “Broken Dreams”. On it, he talks about political issues and how we dream of good things, but they turn out bad. He added that people are curious to know more about his songs and their meanings.

Hagag said that Awtar al-Thahbi had promised to distribute his tapes in the Middle East, but they have done nothing until now. “A few people know me and have just said nice words to me such as, “Do not worry, we are going to do our best to make you popular”, but they have done nothing,” he said.

“My problem is that I do not have video clips which will promote me and allow people to get to know me. But my real problem is money; I have six children which means I cannot allocate money to my music when I have to use it for the house,” added Hagag.

Hagag said that he has a friend who helps him. “Most people, especially foreigners, know me through this friend. I used to chew qat with him and I got to know many people in his house, including many YALI teachers. Two weeks ago, YALI asked an American jazz band to give a performance, which I went to and where they introduced to me to others.”

“Hagag is a fantastic performer. I believe in him so I try my best to help and support him,” said the friend of Hagag .

YALI’s students like him because of his unique style and mixing of both English and Arabic cultures. “He is very creative and known as a Yemeni artist who is famous abroad. He has managed to make students like him,” said Ahmed Anwar, a student at YALI. He also said that some students did not want him to come and were not interested in his abilities before seeing his act.

“We thought that students would not listen to him, but he managed to attract them and make them ask for more songs. When he mixes the two cultures, the students get very excited,” said Anwar.

Other students at YALI agree with Anwar and say Hagag is attracting the students with his new style. “Mixing both Arabic and English in the same song is a new way to attract students. By mixing the cultures, he shows Yemen to foreigners and he talks about areas which I myself do not know,” said Wael al-Shami, another YALI student.