Desert Strum

Make no mistake,the music is always political. In the sounds of hip-hop,reggae,electro,funk and house music are the efforts of two deejays...

Make no mistake,the music is always political. In the sounds of hip-hop,reggae,electro,funk and house music are the efforts of two deejays,one Iraqi and the other American,who have come together to make sense of the deep anger they feel towards the war that has bound their countries. And if you find yourself at Ai at MGF Metropolitan Mall,Saket,this Wednesday,dance to the spirit of music that too brings them together as they Drop Beats Not Bombs.

Mohammed Abood aka DJ Mocity,born in Baghdad and raised in New Delhi,and deejay Aaron James from New York City met at the same restaurant nine months ago. Aaron and I spoke about a gig like this the day we met and the whole thing came together as we collaborated, says Abood. We want to show people that outside the battle zone of Iraq,where Iraqis and Americans are losing their lives every single day,two artists feel anguish at the reasons behind this long war and will use their music to keep the awareness alive. The night will see a long round of DJ battle,with Abood and James taking on each others talents and loops.

James is not new to spinning his tracks for a cause. Last year,he headlined acts such as The Beastie Boys,TV On The Radio,Eve and Bow Wow,among others,for Rock the Vote Tour in America. And Drop Beats Not Bombs is as personal to James as last years tour was. Since the invasion of Iraq,the country has been reduced to rubble,the region has been destabilised and a whole new generation of terrorists has been created. Mohammed and I are globe-trotting citizens of our countries,and were drawn together by our love for music that is as much of a cultural phenomenon in Iraq as it is in the US, says James,who along with Abood,believes that their collaboration is not a one-off event in Delhi,but a movement that will span its loops from New York where they will play next,all the way to Baghdad. As long as I get my visa,this music is going everywhere with us. Theres a big hip-hop crowd out there in Iraq and I want to go back there soon. Thats my city,those are my people,I am going to bring the noise, says Abood. And this Wednesday,so can you.

Drop Beats Not Bombs is at 9 pm at Ai on July 22

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