The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Wyclef Jean’s contribution to the Egyptian revolution

Is the Haitian rapper the real reason behind Mubarak’s exit?

By Susannah Butter... Published 11 February 2011 18:45

The Egyptian people triumphed today – but not without a little help from the former Fugees rapper and erstwhile Haitian presidential candidate, Wyclef Jean.

The rapper uploaded his song " 'Freedom' (Song for Egypt)" on to YouTube this morning. This afternoon, Hosni Mubarak stepped down. Coincidence?

After being barred from running for president of Haiti in 2010 because he was not a resident there, perhaps Jean will consider running to become president of his Egyptian "sisters and brothers".

From "La Marseillaise" to Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind", songs have the power to inspire protesters. Let's wait and see if the latest offering from Jean, a self-styled Bob Marley for the YouTube generation, will become the soundtrack to this revolution.

In the song, he sings of "the scars of courage" on the faces of his "sisters and brothers", and draws on Egypt's history:

If the pyramids could talk they probably would say we want freedom,
Cairo wants freedom, the youth want their freedom, they want a peaceful solution.
I see the camels in the desert,
But they don't have no riders . . .

He assures the Egyptian people:

Allah has not forgotten you, he is grateful.

Jean is no stranger to mixing politics and music. He has likened himself to the Haitian revolutionary Touissant l'Ouverture, saying, "Revolution is in my bloodline." When protest broke out in Egypt he changed his picture on Twitter to an Egyptian flag. Clearly, Mubarak was able to withstand the protests of thousands of his fellow Egyptians – but Wyclef's video proved too much . . .

Over in Tunisia, the rapper Hamada Ben-Amor released a song protesting at the rule of the then president, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. The video became a YouTube sensation as protests continued in the country. The 22-year-old was subsequently arrested, and the authorities refuse to comment on the situation.

If this has whetted your appetite for music that champions a cause, check out the New Statesman's top 20 political songs. For a slightly more serious analysis of Mubarak's exit, go here.

Tags: Egypt

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16 comments

Sat, 2011-02-12 03:08 — jie4v7i14

Charlotte, from England, that white england though, remember,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KeII31qyck

Mon, 2011-02-14 18:11 — Fail (not verified)

Seriously? FERMENTING revolution? Have you ever heard of copy editing? Unbelievable.

Mon, 2011-02-14 19:00 — writeoff (not verified)

Cosmic is right. If he really gave a toss about democracy he would have stood alongside Aristide demanding fair elections in Haiti, rather than trying to sneak on to an obviously bent ballot on his own.

Sat, 2011-02-12 11:03 — zsremrxc

Mungo Park ... ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mungo_Park_%28explorer%29

Fri, 2011-02-11 19:15 — Cosmic Elms (not verified)

No he's just an opportunist Blagger!

Fri, 2011-02-11 19:22 — JJJJS (not verified)

There's a hole in my heart
As deep as a well,
For that poor little boy
Who's stuck halfway to hell,

Though we can't get him out
We'll do the next best thing,
We go on TV
And sing, sing, sing!

And we're sending our love down the well
(All the way down)
We're sending our love down the well,
Down that well.

Fri, 2011-02-11 19:33 — jie4v7i14

Sounds from the heart to me. What's the problem, cynics? Forgot to buy your Daily Mail today?

Mon, 2011-02-14 01:07 — Jaysamel (not verified)

Check out the song "Tahrir Revolution" http://www.youtube.com/watch?nomobile=1&v=h1CWS8t346M.

Fri, 2011-02-11 21:28 — Bill Fraser (not verified)

How pathetic, on the day Egyptians are rightly celebrating a hard won victory that cost many their lives you peddle this drivel...

Fri, 2011-02-11 21:42 — jie4v7i14

Well, Bill Fraser, they did given half a chance hang ni.., sorry, people.

Get it?

Fri, 2011-02-11 22:31 — Des Demona (not verified)

Who the f are you pair and what the f was the point of this waste of space article?

Fri, 2011-02-11 22:44 — The Doctor. (not verified)

This has got to be a joke. To attribute the triumph of the Egyptian people to some vacuous song by a far-removed, jump-on-the-bandwagon artist is not only nonsensical, but it's an insult to the people who gave their lives in the protests for freedom. For shame. Hackneyed internet journalism strikes again.

Fri, 2011-02-11 23:32 — Duncan Robinson (not verified)

@The Doctor.

It is a joke. Congratulations, you got it.

Fri, 2011-02-11 23:38 — Douglas Field (not verified)

Of course it's a joke. As the last line makes clear, they're just poking fun at wyclef's song. maybe not a very good joke but a joke nonetheless. come on guys, obviously this article isn't meant to be taken seriously!

Fri, 2011-02-11 23:43 — Des Demona (not verified)

It's not frackin funny. It's just sh1t.

Fri, 2011-02-11 23:50 — Douglas Field (not verified)

Sorry you don't find it amusing Des Demona. But it is worth reporting how people have responded to what's going on. Especially interesting to see the Tunisian video.