In conversation with a range of voices, we consider how the act of speaking up on behalf of Gaza specifically, and the Palestinians more generally, has intersected with popular music performance at zeitgeist events like Glastonbury and New York City Pride, and why that matters. By Brian J. Bowe and Liza Munk. Read the article in This Week in Palestine’s August 2024 issue.

Even though Motown Records left Detroit in 1972, from those remains rose the Motown Museum, which is perennially one of Detroit’s top tourist attractions. Now, in the midst of a $55 million expansion project, the museum hopes to bring some of that original Motown magic back to the Motor City. Read more in this article published in the DAC News.

Cover of the Metro Times with photograph of Wayne Kramer and text that says “Kick out the Jams, Motherf***er (Again). Why Wayne Kramer is bringing back the MC5, by Brian J. Bowe.

47Soul plays an infectious style they call shamstep — a shout-out to Bilad al-Sham, the Arabic name for the Levant. The music combines dabke and dancehall beats, with percussionists Tareq Abu Kwaik and Walaa Sbeit providing propulsion. Arnaout plays slashing counterpoint to synth player Ramzy Suleiman's frenzied electro-mijwiz freakouts.

The group's bilingual Arabic-English lyrics place their strong political stance in the foreground. 47Soul's music deals with the aspirations of displaced people — Palestinians and others — as well as a broader message of freedom and human rights.

Read more at the Metro Times!