RIYADH, 6 May 2008 — Following the massive success of MTV Arabia’s “Hip-HopNa” show, a singing competition styled on American Idol, Saudi rapper Qusai Khidr (aka Don Legend the Kamelion) is using his time off from the show to record a new album. “Hip-HopNa”, MTV Arabia’s flagship tailor-made show, wrapped up its first season recently giving Qusai time to do what he does best: Rap.
The Riyadh-born and Jeddah raised rapper, is adding new flavour to his English rap songs by mixing traditional Hejazi songs with his rap beats. His new album “Don Legend the Kamelion” is scheduled to be released at the end of the summer and features famous artists such as Canadian singer Karl Wolf, and will include a song titled “The Alter” which will narrate a traditional Hejazi wedding.
Qusai, who together with co-host Fredwreck has given Arab youth a chance to show off their hip-hop skills through the show, told Arab News “Hejazi culture is an astonishing one and is full of various cultural art forms and it’s worth to be shown.”
“The Alter’s” music video is under production and will premiere on MTV Arabia soon “it shows how a Hejazi groom prepares for his wedding.” Qusai plays the role of the groom. The song incorporates Hejazi instruments such as the mezmar.
Commenting on hip-hop artists in the Middle East, the 30-year-old artist said “Hip-HopNA” was an inspiration for Arab youth.
“The Middle East has as much hip-hop talent as anywhere in the world and this show has really inspired thousands of them to take their talent seriously and to pursue their future as rap artists.”
Qusai said the rap genre finds acceptance among Saudi youth but “unfortunately some of them don’t have the tools to prepare themselves as professional rappers let alone the challenges they would face in society.”
Known as the Godfather of Saudi hip-hop, Qusai started DJing professionally at the age of 16, and has since gone on to DJ many events in the Middle East, Europe, and the United States, where he collaborated with many artists and performers from across the world, on both the underground and professional levels.
