The Birth of Muslim Hip Hop

It was a pleasure to interview the legends of UK Muslim Hip Hop - Mecca2Medina at Harlesden Library on Saturday 14 October.

Rakin Fetuga and Ishmael Lea South are founding members of this groundbreaking Hip Hop group which was formed in 1996. 

Mecca 2 Medina performed Hip Hop - channelling a fusion of socially conscious and Islamic themes addressing the challenges faced by Muslim and ethnic minorities in Britain e.g. socio-economic problems, inequality, youth violence and so on.

They were a ground-breaking group – and inspired people of all backgrounds. 

Young people were especially drawn to them because they were cool and relevant. There’s a generation of us (including me) who grew up with Mecca 2 Medina – and it was very much part of our youth. They spoke about real problems we were facing (that maybe some parents and elders didn’t understand). They helped us have a positive Muslim identity (despite all the negativity in the mainstream), make sense of who we are and the discrimination and injustice we experienced, and kept us strong and proud despite constant attacks on our faith and way of life.

But we can’t talk about Mecca 2 Medina without connecting with the wider Hip Hop movement that started in the US

Hip Hop originated in the 1970s in the Bronx, amongst the African American community

Hip Hop from the beginning used Islamic references, concepts and themes. Many specialists say how Islam and Hip Hop are intrinsically linked

This link between Hip Hop and Islam isn’t actually far fetched. It’s a historical fact. There is a very long and deep history of Islam in the US – 30% enslaved Africans were Muslim.

The Muslims who were brought to the Americas – also brought with them their heritage, culture and faith.

Hip hop from its very beginning featured Islamic messages, themes, and content. Just as Islam was a force for social justice – Hip Hop was a way of using music and words to fight oppression and injustice.

Many of the early artists were connected to Islam in one way or the other, either via the Nation of Islam or the Five Per cent Nation. Many went on a journey which led to orthodox Islam, for example Mos Def – now known as Yasin Bey.

Obviously the Hip Hip scene in the USA has impacted all over the world, including here in the UK. The rise of Muslim Hip Hop in the UK is a result of Mecca 2 Medina.