MC Swat - Freedom of Expression

MC Swat - Freedom of Expression

حرّية التعبير - ام سي سوات

Libya

Released December 16, 2011

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGzvfa_o22g

Click here for the mp3

Big thanks to @TasnimQ for introducing me to the song and translating it!

Arabic Lyrics adapted from those found on the انا ليبي وجوي مليح Facebook page.  

MC Swat's interview with Mercy Corps

L7a9ed (Haked) ft. Jihane - Baraka Men Skate ("No More Silence")

L7a9ed (Haked) ft. Jihane - Baraka Men Skate ("No More Silence")

الحاقد مع جهان - باركة من السكات / بركة من الصمت

Morocco

Released on April 11, 2011

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKDQaRjvSzM

Click here to download the mp3

Arabic lyrics via Mamfakinch. My English translation via Mamfakinch's Arabic lyrics and the French translation by Maria Karim of www.l7a9ed.com and @Freel7a9ed

Ibn Thabit ft. Junior - Libya: A Love Song

Ibn Thabit ft. Junior - Libya: A Love Song

ليبيا أغنية حب - ابن ثابت مع جونيور

Libya
Released February 18, 2011

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGmlreuUsaI

Click here to download the mp3

Big shout-out to @TasnimQ of Majjal for doing the English translation.

 Full Arabic lyrics and their English translation after the jump...

Syria: Anonymous - Communiqué #1 (Bayan Raqam Wahed)

Syria: Anonymous - Communiqué #1 (Bayan Raqam Wahed)

سوريا: بيان رقم واحد ("بيان رقم ١") - مطرب مجهول

Syria

Released on April 6, 2011

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu3hPPKzby8

Click here to download the mp3

For more on the complicated relationship between Syrian rap and the Syrian uprising, check out The Los Angeles Times here and Jackson Allers here and here.

Arabic lyrics adapted from this Facebook comment. English lyrics adapted from this YouTube video by CherieMo85.

Full Arabic lyrics and their English translation after the jump...

Syria: Bayan Raqam Ithnain ("Communiqué #2") - Anonymous

Syria: Anonymous - Communiqué #2 (Bayan Raqam Ithnain

سوريا: بيان رقم اثنين ("بيان رقم اثني ٢") - مطرب مجهول

Syria

 Released on May 5, 2011

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBtbIbmgVw8

Arabic lyrics adapted from a YouTube video by FreeSyrianGuy.

Full Arabic lyrics and their English translation after the jump...

Ibn Thabit - Benghazi II

Ibn Thabit - Benghazi II

ابن ثابت - بنغازي ٢

Libya

Released on April 7, 2011

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFdTYSdAr_A 

 Click here to download the mp3

Big shout-out to @TasnimQ of Majjal for her corrections.

Full Arabic lyrics with their English translation after the jump...

Ibn Thabit ft. MC Swat - Win or Die

Ibn Thabit ft. MC Swat - Win or Die

ابن ثابت مع امسي سوات - ننتصر أو نموت

Libya
Released June 8, 2011

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkfEEa9KkBg

Click here to download the mp3

(Click "Arabic" to turn off the Arabic subtitles and read the English subtitles)

Full lyrics and translation after the jump...

Ramallah Underground - From the Cave

Ramallah Underground - From the Cave

رام الله تحت الأرض - من الكهف

Palestine

Released in 2007

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKqzqkpUY9A

Click here to download the mp3

Many thanks to Chris at Arabic Song Lyrics in Translation for finding the lyrics, doing the translation, and letting me use both on my site. 

Full lyrics and translation below the jump...

Arabian Knightz ft. Lana - Fokkak

Arabian Knightz ft. Lana - Fokkak ("Unwind Yourself")

الفرسان العرب مع لانا - فكّك

Egyptٍ

Released on June 16, 2007 (click here for the release promo)

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhrqFUmb3Tc

Shout out to noonHere8 for uploading this YouTube video with the Arabic lyrics.

NOTE: My translation is a rough draft for now - corrections are welcome!

NOTE: Wondering where Hoss (Hossam L Hossainy) went after he left Arabian Knightz? Check out this Hot Arabic Music article. Short answer: Hoss went mainstream while the Knightz stayed underground.

Full lyrics and translation after the jump...

Dania Ben Sassi - A Revolutionary Amazigh Song

Dania Ben Sassi - A Revolutionary Amazigh Song

Libya

Released June 7, 2011

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJEvMWb1H7M

This song isn't hip hop...or Arabic...or particularly timely (what with the overthrow of Gaddafi and all). But it's quite a good song. Simply singing in Tamazight (a.k.a. the Berber language), which Gaddafi's regime outlawed, was a pretty revolutionary act.