#SYRIA

"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor."

- Archbishop Desmond Tutu

I am a human being who believes in dignity, freedom & equality for all - no exceptions ... I am an artist who strives to reflect those ideals in lyrical form ... This is but a small contribution when compared to the sacrifices being made by beautiful, peace-loving Syrian people on a daily basis.




MP3 Download -- http://soundcloud.com/sami-matar/syria-omar-offendum-sami-matar
Lyrics:

"alsha3b yureed isqaa6 al-nitham (the people want to overthrow the regime)"


Audio Sample taken from the largest Syrian protest to date (Hama - July 22, 2011)

Verse 1

The purpose of these verses is to unify the masses

7oms up to 7assakeh … Banyas to Damascus

City streets to countrysides

Mountaintops to coastal tides

Muslim / Christian / women / men & children

Lets keep hope alive

Stand in solidarity with all your fellow citizens

Peacefully protesting for an end to all the militance 

Torture & imprisonment

Murdering of innocence

Proving that this lying/lion leader's rule is illegitimate

Like father - like son

Mobster or president?

Censoring their people

Trying to stop the embezzlement 

Heavy-handed iron fists

Dropped on the residents

Déjà vu... 

'82 - '11...

We are all Deir Ezzor … We are all Dar3aa

We are all Jisr il-Shughoor … 7alab & the 2al3a's (castles)

We Are All 7amza ... We Are All 7ama ... 

We Are All Syrian … Hands to the samaa2 (sky) saying:

"alsha3b yureed isqaa6 al-nitham"

Verse 2

I have a dream this regime will fall

And that what comes next

Will be better for us all

Alawite - Druze - Armenian - Kurdish

Equality in Parliament

"Il-Kull ilo Kursee" (Everyone gets a seat / is represented)

Envisioning a future that's brighter for the youth

Who've been fighting for the right

To shed light upon the truth

Biting bullets from the troops

Thus far a truce has proven elusive

But martyrs are tightening the noose

On corruption - Bribery - Nepotism

Tribal Disputes

Don't shoot with your mechanism

Soon come the reckoning that looms

Second guessing the protesters 

Was a recipe for Assad to address his own doom...

Its been a long time coming

And there's no turning back now

Voices are the weapons

In these military crackdowns

Millions on the streets

In defiance of your gat sounds

Look who's got you shook

Doctor don't know how to act now...

"alsha3b yureed isqaa6 al-nithaam"

Verse 3

The immortalized words of Ibrahim Qashoush - Rest in Power / Peace khayyo . . . 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Live Performance: Free Syria Rally | March 17, 2012 | Washington DC


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

3ish Peace My People

"Straight Street"

Commemorating one of the most ancient urban experiences in the world ... 

________________________


Chorus:

it's just what we call fate
llivin on a Street Called Straight
it's just what we call fate
llivin on a Street Called Straight

Verse 1:

i took a stroll down the straight called str8
met a medicine man about 1/3 of the way
predecessor to the pusherman
with somethin to say
about an apple a day
keepin the sickness away
i valued his advice at face
at first
till he enlightened me to how precise nature worked
givin us citrus fruits in winter time for vitamin c
just met each other but im already invited for tea
(sub7an allah)
as fate would have it
he & i turned out to be related
a small world's even smaller when you're arab - aint it?
made it a point to soak in all his information
bout regenerative meditations
& preventitive medication
like a modern Ibn Sina
with a pretty calm demeanor
& a remedy for everything
that plagued the arab nations
yet when asked of how to cope with our impossible fate
he just said follow the middle path
to a Street Called Straight

Chorus:

it's just what we call fate
llivin on a Street Called Straight
it's just what we call fate
llivin on a Street Called Straight
it's just what we call fate
llivin on a Street Called Straight
that's where we cease all hate
& pray to 3ish peace all day

Verse 2:

i took a stroll down the street called str8
met a spiritual teacher about 2/3 of the way
predecessor to the preacherman
with somethin to say
about a prayer a day
keepin the satan's at bey
he spoke of angels on our shoulders
and the angles of our solar
systematic self-destruction
metaphysical corruption
with a danger to our polar
ice caps
till it's out of our control
& in the hands of our beholder
we philosophized for over
20 minutes like that
taught me lessons
any questions he would
give em right back
said the answers were within us
& i didnt like that
but i realized later why he did it like that
i had so much more to learn
clock was ticking - couldnt stall
committed his words to my memory
his wisdom was enthrallin
yet when askin him what was the most important to recall
he just said follow the middle path
Straight Street & that is all

Chorus:

it's just what we call fate
llivin on a Street Called Straight
it's just what we call fate
llivin on a Street Called Straight
it's just what we call fate
llivin on a Street Called Straight
that's where we cease all hate
& pray to 3ish peace all day

Verse 3:

i took a stroll down the street called str8
met a carpenter hard at work at the end of the way
predecessor to the architect with somethin to say
about not doin tomorrow
what should be finished today
he manipulated wood & metal till it followed function
building all through Via Recta
& Cardo Maximus junction
somethin told me he was wise beyond his years
i had a feelin
from the way that he'd exposed the beams
& ornamented ceilings
with an ambidextrous half
nonchalantly jest & laugh
sayin that my western education
made it hard to grasp
his connection to the past
deep-rooted in his craft
but was more than willing to share with me
the tools he knew i lacked
and for that i would be grateful
learnin how to build the monumental for the playful
& the humble for the faithful
yet when asked of how we'd stack against our impossible odds
he just said follow the middle path
Straight Street to the Gods

Chorus:

it's just what we call fate
llivin on a Street Called Straight
it's just what we call fate
llivin on a Street Called Straight
it's just what we call fate
llivin on a Street Called Straight
that's where we cease all hate
& pray to 3ish peace all day

________________________

from SyrianamericanA, released 04 July 2010 

Digital Download & Lyrics Available @ http://offendum.bandcamp.com/

CD Available @ http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/OmarOffendum


For more information on Omar Offendum, visit:

http://www.offendum.com
http://twitter.com/offendum
http://tumblr.com/offendum
http://offendum.blogspot.com
http://myspace.com/offendum
http://facebook.com/offendum

Copyright © Cosher Ink, LLC

"H-Town | 10.6.2011"

I flew to Houston last month to attend my cousin's wedding & decided to set up a last-minute show ... It turned out to be a very memorable evening thanks to the Houston chapter of the Network of Arab-American Professionals (NAAP) - who graciously set up a concert for me at the Avantgarden.

Performing 'SUPERHERO':



Performing 'FINJAN':



While in Houston I also got to meet one of my dear friend's uncles, Mr. Farouk Shami - aka the 'richest hairdresser in the world' ... As I toured his headquarters, factories & warehouses I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride & admiration for what this Palestinian immigrant was able to accomplish through his hard work & vision (masha'Allah) ... He has a personal relationship with everyone on the factory floor & still renews his Barbering / Cosmetology license annually!



3iiish CHI!!!

"Domino Effect (The Time Is Now)"

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I had the good fortune of premiering a new track from my next record on MSNBC recently. This clip was part of a larger video narrative on how Hip-Hop music has been influenced by & in turn is influencing the youth movements / revolutions taking place all across the Middle East & North Africa. My interview was originally recorded on the first day of Ramadan (August 1st) - but wasn't published until last week along with the following blog post:

http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/09/15/7758131-how-rap-music-fueled-the-arab-spring-uprisings

Many thanks to Karl Bostic over at NBC for putting it all together & visiting cities like Benghazi, Cairo, Tunis & Jerusalem to get a first-hand look at what is taking place in the region. He initially contacted me when he first began to develop the story (late March) & said that he would take time to research the topic & establish genuine relationships with the artists before completing it. I have seen one too many 'parachute journalists' not take this approach & so I appreciate the way he did it that much more.

3iiish Peace!!!

'SyrianamericanA | Digital Release"

You can now listen to (& read!) my debut solo album 'SyrianamericanA' on the official Omar Offendum bandcamp site -- http://offendum.bandcamp.com/



3iiish MP3s!!!

"Look Up In The Sky ..."

I first wrote these lyrics back in May of 2009 ... A year & a half later - guess who showed up ... Please take a moment to pray for all our sisters & brothers fighting for Freedom / Equality / Peace / Justice all over the Arab World ... Collectively they form our long-awaited "Superhero".

Lyrics:

Look Up In The Sky - Its A Bird - Its A Plane

Its An Arab Superhero & He Came to Bring Change

Unite The Divided & Free 'Em From The Chains

Of The Tyrants Who Reign in Vain & Pain

(Hey!)

Look Up In The Sky - Its A Bird - Its A Plane

Its An Arab Superhero - Yeah I know It Sounds Strange

But The Only Thing Keeping Us From Going Insane...

Is Knowing He'll Be Back Again (InshAllah)


While some men sank in trepidation

& banked on medication

from anxt of separation

this talib got by

& advanced through dedication

enhanced by preparation

& chants of meditation

his cognizance high

the mantra was fly

like bombs in the sky

a constant surprise

this impossible rise

through the ranks

steady walkin the planks

throwing rocks at the tanks

on the blocks of an occupied

middle east bereft

not an olive tree left

seein theft in the keys

to the lock he'd kept

steep steps

on the stairway to peace

he slipped

petroleum made these trips

that much slicker

billy crystalized a citylight's flicker

silly pistols fire a streetfight triggered

other men to fall off their grandstands

still he held his ground like a handstand (damn!)


Look Up In The Sky - Its A Bird - Its A Plane

Its An Arab Superhero & He Came to Bring Change

Unite The Divided & Free 'Em From The Chains

Of The Tyrants Who Reign in Vain & Pain

(Hey!)

Look Up In The Sky - Its A Bird - Its A Plane

Its An Arab Superhero - Yeah I know It Sounds Strange

But The Only Thing Keeping Us From Going Insane...

Is Knowing He'll Be Back Again (InshAllah)


Amidst military coups

and the critics of his literary views

he's pitted

wary - given very few

alternatives to violence

and yet & still he carries on through

scary obstacles contrary to...

popular belief

he can keep a cool head amongst

grief-stricken war-torn Middle East streets

sticking by the weak mothers of the bleak

futureless populace

confident he speaks (truth)

through the cracked concrete

of urban eruptions

proving that policies of

curbing corruption

further the function

of justice & earning the trust

of a people who've all been flustered

& cant move forward

but still make babies as though its all good

runnin around barefoot - cant afford sandals

huddlin by candles to pray

hey its nothing that a 3arab Superman cant handle


Look Up In The Sky - Its A Bird - Its A Plane

Its An Arab Superhero & He Came to Bring Change

Unite The Divided & Free 'Em From The Chains

Of The Tyrants Who Reign in Vain & Pain

(Hey!)

Look Up In The Sky - Its A Bird - Its A Plane

Its An Arab Superhero - Yeah I know It Sounds Strange

But The Only Thing Keeping Us From Going Insane...

Is Knowing He'll Be Back Again (InshAllah)


Like a couple bedoin homes I'm too tense/tents

Writin up some relevant songs - I do vent

Waxin poetic on the fact that pathetic

leaders act sympathetic

when we know they ain't sent not

one cent or qirsh of aid to refugees

pot belly kirsh they lay in SUVs

not really skilled - who braves the mess you leave?

what must we say to passover these

developmental disasters are lyin ahead

livin in denial like Egyptian Pyramids

comin to a point where the bubble's gonna burst

& desalinized water will no longer quench our thirst

we need a glass half-full for the youth - shine

an optimistic outlook from the roofline

like bat signals - till the criminals fade away

(hey!) here he comes to save the day …

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

3ish Super-Peace!!!

"The Peace Revolution 2.0"

I am honored to be the first voice on this amazing new mixtape by my brother Dany Neville ( http://twitter.com/#!/danyneville ) ... Featuring the likes of UGP, The Narcicyst, DJ Lethal Skillz, Arabian Knightz, Ramallah Underground, Hamdan Al Abri, Robin, Ayah & many more - this project is a testament to the hope for true unity that our generation represents for the Arab World.



Free Download -- http://www.mediafire.com/?mbg893dznwz038d

3iiish Peace!!!