The Stream

Freedom over exile: Kayem’s boundary-crossing hip-hop

Libyan-US musician and campaigner joins The Stream for a special live performance and to talk about his commitment to the land of his father.

On Thursday, August 1 at 19:30 GMT:
Kayem is a Libyan-US hip-hop artist whose music gives voice to the marginalised while emphasising the power of political awareness and resistance. The son of a Libyan pro-democracy activist who helped form an opposition movement against then-leader Muammar Gaddafi, the Chicago-based musician has campaigned for a wealth of activist causes through his music. He was a marquee name among a host of Arab-American artists who joined the Amplify Peace: Saving Syrian Lives tour in 2017, while his performance at South by Southwest in 2017 was deemed one of the best of the entire festival by Yahoo! Music.

Now, Kayem is preparing to release what he is calling his most personal work to date. He joins The Stream on Thursday to talk about the challenges he has faced as an artist and activist, as well as his personal and artistic inspirations. And he’ll give an exclusive live performance. Join the conversation.

Read more:
Intercepted Podcast: Snowden v Trump, featuring Kayem – The Intercept
As US takes aim at immigration, musicians feel the pinch – Business Insider/AFP

What do you think? Record a video comment or leave your thoughts in the comments below.