TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
Muslim Rap Duo Have A Message: 'Morality, Peace And Unity'
News Channel 8 photo by MICHAEL EGGER
Jawad Fayiz, left, and Akbar Qayum, who perform as Muslim hip-hop group D-Clique, say they keep negative lyrics out of their rhymes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: June 5, 2008
Related Links
TAMPA - Jawad Fayiz and Akbar Qayum, both 18, go to college, work in sales for a telecommunications company and recite their Islamic prayers five times a day.
And in their spare time? These Muslim teens rap.
"Positive hip hop," Fayiz says quickly. "Not the bad stuff."
They say their inspiration comes from their Islamic faith. Of the dozen or so songs they've written -- some posted on YouTube -- the lyrics speak a clear message.
"Morality, peace and unity," Qayum says. "I know it sounds kinda cheesy, but it's the truth. Things are changing, and music is the best way to spread that word. If we can influence things, that's all we're asking for."
On Friday, the duo -- who call themselves D-Clique -- get to make that statement in their largest forum yet. After placing first out of nine entries in a regional talent competition sponsored by the Muslim American Society, they were selected to open for Outlandish, a popular European hip-hop band whose music also takes a positive approach.
Tour Part Of 'Values Movement'
The Voices for Change concert takes place at the University of South Florida Sun Dome. Tampa is the first stop in a six-city tour for Outlandish. The award-winning trio includes two Muslims and a Christian.
The tour is meant to empower and inspire young people, says Omar Atia, vice president of MAS Youth, a branch of the society. He called it "a night of entertainment with no controversial lyrics, no profanity and no references to drugs, alcohol and violence."
"We're a values movement, striving for social justice," Atia says. "We tell the kids they can either channel their energy into a positive force for society, or a negative one. We want to show them the value of making good choices and how it can affect their communities."
Atia acknowledges that "Islam" and "rap" are two words that aren't typically linked together. Some of the religion's more fundamentalist followers may feel they are compromising their beliefs by enjoying such modern entertainment.
"There is always the possibility that an imam Muslim religious leader could have a differing opinion with regards to how the music is presented," he says. "However, our goal is not to offend anyone. Rather, it's to bring together Muslim youth and provide a night of positive entertainment."
Changing Public Perceptions
The society hopes tours like this could improve public views about their faith. According to a survey released in September by the Pew Research Center, attitudes about Muslims and Islam have grown more negative in recent years. While four in 10 Americans have a favorable opinion of Muslims, 35 percent expressed a negative view - up from 32 percent in 2004. And 45 percent says Islam is more likely to encourage violence.
Fayiz, a USF sophomore business major, and Qayum, who studies business at Hillsborough Community College, want to debunk those beliefs through their rap music. Their lyrics, though influenced by the Quran, are universal and meant to appeal to all youth.
Friday's concert is a dream gig. They're big fans of Outlandish.
"It hasn't really sunk in yet," Fayiz says. "On the day it happens, that's when I'll get the butterflies."
They've come a long way from six years ago, when they started recording in a closet with a $30 microphone. Now they hunker at a computer to lay tracks with music software.
"Spoken poetry with rhythm" is how Qayum describes their art. And like any good son, he credits the woman who gave him direction.
"My mom always said, if you have something to say, write it down and express it properly," he says. "And think about what you're saying before you say it."
VOICES FOR CHANGE
WHAT: Hip-hop concert featuring European group Outlandish and D-Clique of Tampa
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday; doors open at 6 p.m.
WHERE: University of South Florida Sun Dome Sun Dome at University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa
SPONSORED BY: Muslim American Society
TICKETS: $25, $35 and $60; available at Ticketmaster or www.masyouth.net/voicesforchange
Reporter Michelle Bearden can be reached at (813) 259-7613 or mbearden@tampatrib.com. Keyword, D-Clique, to hear a clip and see a video on the Muslim hip-hop artists. Fayiz and Qayum talk about their art on Michelle Bearden's "Keeping the Faith" segment a
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
